Basements & Blossoms: A Few Recollections of the Ugliness That Made My Life Beautiful is a work of non-fiction in the autobiography and memoir sub-genres and was penned by author Lana Reid. As we all face multiple challenges in life and deal with them in different ways, this highly relatable work focuses on the particular struggles and triumphs of the author. Lana Reid recounts personal stories that have taught her pivotal lessons about strength, fortitude, and determination in the face of adversity, and what results is an empowering account that will aid others in their journey of self-discovery, and finding out what they’re made of.

Lana Reid writes with a clarity of thought and an inspirational sense of self-realization that is sure to inspire all who read her work. The interpersonal style of the memoir is combined with expert storytelling and narrative skills worthy of a novel, which envelops readers in the different scenes and makes the lessons which we learn all the more impactful. The reflections on childhood was a particularly interesting sub-section for me, especially in learning about the hardships of other people’s experiences but being able to take universal messages of strength from them. The organization of the book takes you through twelve central chapters that progress with intrigue and deeper emotional resonance as you read on, plus extra sections which compound on previous ideas. Overall, Basements & Blossoms is a truly well-crafted memoir with plenty of heart and much to teach others.

Basements and Blossoms: A Few Recollections of the Ugliness That Made My Life Beautiful by Lana Reid is a memoir you can't forget. The author tells her story in a personal narrative that is sure to capture the attention of any reader who has struggled with adversity and loss, and has overcome it, or seeks to. She begins by describing how stressful it was being a black child, and what it was like being raised by black parents, positive or negative. The book encourages you to think about topics like race in a way that you may not have before. People say books are here to open your mind, and this is one of those books.

One aspect of Reid's book that stands out to me is how she uses entertainment examples to explain a point, like the movie Ray, which teaches you how to make the most of the life that's been handed to you. For those who have seen the movie, the example will be easy to understand and relate to. Her references to flowers like the lotus are informative and poignant, especially the details about how they grow, the roots, and the similarities between the flowers and herself, or flowers and people in general: Her lesson: Flowers need to be tended, and so do people. Basements and Blossoms by Lana Reid has messages of resilience, hope, and strength running through its pages, and, like her, you too will most likely be nourished by her words and recollections.