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Rootlines

A Memoir

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

LIST PRICE ₹741.00

PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER

About The Book

Rikki and her sister, Linda, fell out with one another four months ago. They are not speaking when Linda emails that she has lethal abdominal tumors, that her only hope of survival is a total bone marrow replacement. Linda claims Rikki is too old to donate, and explains there’s only a slight chance she is a good match anyway—but Rikki refuses to accept that. Despite the wounding between them, Linda’s email ignites a wild aspiration in her sister: she will become the perfect donor, the perfect match, with the healthiest, most vigorous cells possible. She rises with intent to heal herself, her sister, and their rootlines, the patterns formed in their family of origin that have quietly shaped their lives.

Rikki walks through the science while confronting dogma that limits how mind can transform body. She builds herself into a stem cell factory using Muay Thai kickboxing and vegetarian nutrition. Working through childhood wounds and mental limits with meditation and yoga, she finds her own power, as well as ways to show up for Linda and walk with her from the edge of death to a new life. Together, the two sisters beat the lymphoma—and, as they rediscover the intimacy and love of their innocent childhood, heal the intertwined roots of their family pain.

About The Author

Rikki West, a former spiritual seeker and UC Berkeley–trained scientist, spent decades trying to reconcile scientific explanations of existence with her ordinary, real-life awareness. One adventure at a time, she found her way to a peace and beauty that changed all the questions. Her book Rootlines, a memoir of family healing, was published by She Writes Press in 2020. Mother of Noli and Godmother of Morgan, Rikki loves being outside in the alpine desert of northern New Mexico, where she lives with her wife Jill and her dog, Zoey.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (September 22, 2020)
  • Length: 280 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781631527548

Raves and Reviews

2020 Nautilus Book Award Silver Winner in Memoir & Personal Journey

“A remarkable story of hope and determination passionately recounted.”
Kirkus Reviews

“Fascinating, engaging, and moving . . . on the level of Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, with the immune system taking the place of the motorcycle.”
—Richard S. Marken, PhD, author of Controlling People: The Paradoxical Nature of Being Human

“A hard book to put down, and a gift that marks a path for others to follow. Inspiring!”
—C. Deborah Laughton, publisher and senior editor at Guilford Publications

“This is a story of relentless and unwavering improvement. . . . Read this tale of a badass who jumped into the ring with no hesitation, sparring with people half her age and double her size.”
—Jake Timoteo, Certified Personal Trainer and Muay Thai Fighter

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