09/04/2026
Throughout September, in honor of embracing meaningful connection, members of The Meadows team are sharing things that have stayed with them personally and felt meaningful enough to pass along. A book, a song, a phrase, a practice, or something else they return to when they need perspective, connection, or encouragement.
For one team member, that book is Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow.
She first read it in middle school, and it has stayed with her over the years. The story follows a young woman navigating trauma, addiction, relationships, and the difficult process of rebuilding her life.
What has always stood out to her is the way the book shows that healing is rarely straightforward. Art becomes one way the main character begins to express pain she doesn't always have words for, and the story leaves room for both struggle and the possibility of creating something meaningful from experiences that once felt unbearable.
“I think I have held onto this book for so long because its message has changed with me as I have gotten older. I understood it one way when I first read it in middle school, and I understand its themes of trauma, coping, connection, and healing very differently now. It is a difficult story at times, but one I think can make people feel a little less alone.”
A note before reading: This is a personal recommendation from a member of The Meadows team, not a clinical recommendation or endorsement of the book’s content by The Meadows. Girl in Pieces explores difficult themes related to trauma, mental health, addiction, and recovery, and some readers may find its content emotionally intense or triggering.
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