Gwen Holsapple

The Cinder Pill Gwen Holsapple

This is a story about addiction, obsession, depression and relief. It's like a modern-day version of The Catcher in the Rye, only with some humor thrown in and a lot more sex.

One morning, Grace wakes up, tangled between the bedsheets with the worst hangover of her entire life. Barely able to move, she realizes that it might be a good time to reevaluate the current course of her life, and what she wishes for in the future. "Run away!" are the first words that pop into her mind, but then she quickly decides -- why not? Why not become a long distance runner? Her triumphs, failures, and frankly ridiculous episodes along the way make for some very good reading with a very real message behind it all -- NEVER GIVE UP.

Grace gets into as many insane situations while struggling as a newbie runner at the local track as she does in the back alleyways of Baltimore. As her mileage improves, her life moves along accordingly as she ditches an abusive boyfriend, finds a new way to look at love, and discovers better ways to deal with difficult, seemingly impossible situations.
This book is not just about runners. It is about the intricacies of the human psyche, the pain of chronic depression, the everyday challenges in the pursuit of happiness, and the power of running to heal the mind.

Forget about doctors for awhile, and prescribe yourself a different pill. Take a "Cinder Pill," and run away . . .