This month’s title is Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. 

Published by Hachette Books in 2019, Stephanie tells her story trying to survive and climb into a better life from the poverty line in America. Her dream of going to university to earn her degree in writing was dashed one summer when she became pregnant. With no other options as a single mother, she began cleaning during the day and taking online courses at night. 

In Maid, Stephanie paints the haunting picture of her experience cleaning for middle to upper-class families, learning their deepest secrets and griefs while remaining herself largely ignored and nameless. She writes about the untold and true harrowing stories of her life and others like her living off food stamps and miserly government support, and she sheds a light on the often cold reception she received from government workers who would shame her for accepting what little support she received. 

Maid is an eye-opening and raw true account of Stephanie and people like her living in poverty today, and her story sheds a harsh light on the gaps in America’s government programs and the ways in which people in need slip through the large cracks of a broken system. But Maid is also a story of resilience, courage and determination. 

We hope you’ll enjoy this month’s read! We look forward to discussing it with you on April 26th at 12:30 at our store.