I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?

For years Suzy Becker, author of the New York Times bestseller All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat (1.7 million copies in print), literally lived by her wits — her imagination, intelligence, ideas, passion. During much of that time she was also suffering seizures. But they came secretly in the middle of the night, and were probably stress-related, or so one doctor said. Then a seizure (and a second opinion) led to a round of specialists, Cat scans, MRIs, and — Suzy's worst fears come true — brain surgery.

An inspiring memoir, I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse? is a story of identity told with wise, surprising humor. It takes readers on a journey that's both metaphysical and whimsical; one that is by turns rivetingly dramatic and unexpectedly light. Illustrated with drawings, charts, newspaper clippings, silly graphs, and real EEGs and MRIs, I Had Brain Surgery... turns one artist's story into a universal book about creativity, family, healing, love, commitment, and that intangible something that gives each of us our spark.

"Becker's deeply personal and surprisingly funny account intersperses text with such whimsical additions as Becker's 'Cardiac Exercise Tolerance' and kooky cartoons." Publishers Weekly

"To say that Becker...has a funny way of looking at things would be an understatement....Comically accompanied by keepsake notes, clippings, and her own inimitable cartoons, Becker's mirthful memoir should be required reading..." Carol Haggas, Booklist

"Illustrating her text with drawings, charts, newspaper clippings, wacky graphs, and a cartoon alter ego named Augusta, Becker has turned one person's experience into a universal story of family, healing, and the return to creativity. Highly recommended." Library Journal

Now in paperback, the ingenious illustrated memoir that is widely praised:

and#8220;Hilarious, hell-raising, and frequently heart-wrenching.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist

and#8220;[A] unique tragicomedy of a memoir . . . The author is so likable,even in her darkest hour, that as you applaud her recovery you also realize youand#8217;llmiss looking after her.and#8221;and#8212;Entertainment Weekly (and#8220;Aand#8221; rating)

and#8220;Compelling reading . . . Becker has turned one personand#8217;s experienceinto a universal story of family, healing, and the return to creativity.and#8221;and#8212;LibraryJournal (starred review)

and#8220;A wonderful book, funny and touching, harrowing and sweet.and#8221;and#8212;AnneLamott, author of Bird by Bird

For years Suzy Becker, author of the New York Timesbestseller All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat(1.7 million copies in print), literally lived by her wits. Then brain surgery left her temporarily unable to speak, read, or write. I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?is a story that grapples with the question and#8220;What makes me me?and#8221; By turns philosophical and whimsical, rivetingly dramatic and unexpectedly light, it is illustrated with drawings, charts, pseudoserious graphs, real EEGs. The result is a book filled with insights into creativity, identity, love, relationships, family, and that intangible something that gives each of us our spark.

Suzy Becker is the author of the national bestseller All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat. She also founded and runs the Widget Factory, a greeting card company in New England, where she lives with her Holstein cat, Binky.