I'm weak but I still believe

I finally succumbed to it. After a long fight against her bold attempt to teach the world to love books (I thought that was the point of elementary school but whatever,) I broke down and read one of Oprah's Book Club picks - the latest one. How could I not though with an opening paragraph that reads,

I wake to the drone of an airplane engine and the feeling of something warm dripping down my chin. I lift my hand to feel my face. My front four teeth are gone, I have a hole in my cheek, my nose is broken and my eyes are swollen nearly shut. I open them and I look around and I'm in the back of a plane and there's no one near me. I look at my clothes and my clothes are covered with a colorful mixture of spit, snot, urine, vomit and blood."

James Frey's undeniably candid story recounts 24 years of hardcore drug abuse, alcoholism, and complete distaste for life followed up with six harrowing weeks of detox and AA-less treatment. (Talk about hell -- I thought parts of my life were bad but his story honestly freaked me out and had me counting my blessings that I was the modest fraidy-cat that didn't try most of the drugs passed around in high school and college. )

Most impressive to me was his take on his obvious, potentially deadly issues. Coming from a family with their share of very obvious issues, I've heard on several occasions of the miraculousness of the 12 Steps. And I'm not knocking it at all -- I'm a firm believer in the "whatever works for you" philosophy -- but Frey's absolute refusal to succumb to an ideology he was opposed to in a treatment facility that was centered around it made for a great read and an easy inspiration. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but it is clear he survived the stay... and because of the reach of O's audience, I think the idea of sticking to your beliefs (or your belief of a lack of beliefs) is a dead-on message for her to advocate, particularly to the Desperate Housewives-watching, SUV-driving demographic she most appeals to.

Best of all, it seems I'm not the only one noticing this.