Before I Was Mom: Reading the World Differently: A Memoir of Dyslexia, Discovery & Science (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798993441306)

This is a heartfelt memoir of a woman's journey from a childhood overshadowed by an undiagnosed learning disability to a fulfilling life as a scientist, teacher, and author. It's a story about overcoming adversity, the profound impact of mentorship, and the winding path to discovering one's true passion and identity. It beautifully captures a lifelong quest for knowledge, belonging, and the courage to redefine oneself at every stage of life.

The memoir unfolds across multiple decades and continents, beginning in the suburban paradise of Hewlett, New York, during the 1950s and 60s. The family's move to the vibrant, tropical landscape of South Florida marks a significant shift, with locations like Miami and Gainesville becoming central to the narrator's upbringing and adult life. Her professional journey takes her to the institutional and intellectual environments of Washington, D.C., and later to the academic and natural world of Brisbane, Australia, and the Great Barrier Reef in the 1970s. The story is a rich tapestry of changing American and international landscapes from the post-war era to the present day.