Books

In this powerful dual memoir, a reporter and a photographer tell their gripping story of falling in love, the heroin habit that drove them apart, and the unlikely way a criminal conviction brought them back together.

From their harrowing portrayal of the ravages of addiction to the stunning chain of events that led to Graham’s arrest and imprisonment at Rikers Island, Chancers unfolds in alternating chapters that offer two perspectives on a relationship that ultimately endures against long odds. Susan, a tenacious reporter, follows Graham down the rabbit hole of the American criminal justice system, determined to keep him from becoming another casualty of the war on drugs. Graham gives a stark, riveting description of his slide from brownstone Brooklyn to a prison cell, his gut-wrenching efforts to get clean, and his fight to avoid getting exiled far away from his son and the life he built over twenty years.

Beautifully written, brutally honest, yet filled with suspense and hope, Chancers will resonate with anyone who has been touched by the heartache of addiction, the nightmare of incarceration, or the tough choice of leaving or staying with someone who is struggling on the road to recovery.

“An emotionally complex and intensely personal binary memoir of addiction and sustainable love." - Kirkus Reviews
One of "13 Books You Should Read This June"- Literary Hub
"Best Books of the Month: June 2016"- Goodreads
“It grabs in a voyeuristic way and propels page-turning to find out what happens next in a saga no soap opera could create."- The Buffalo News
“Few addiction memoirs have so vividly described the collateral damage caused by substance abuse."- The Toronto Star

HOW TO TRAVEL PRACTICALLY ANYWHERE – published by Houghton Mifflin (2006)

By Susan Stellin

If you’ve ever tried to find a sale fare you saw advertised for a flight, only to turn up much higher prices, or discovered that the hotel you booked wasn’t exactly “steps away from the ocean,” you know that the do-it-yourself era of travel can mean something else entirely: you’re on your own.

How to Travel Practically Anywhere offers the ultimate guide to the sometimes overwhelming logistics of travel, from researching trip plans to avoiding pitfalls on the road. This comprehensive guidebook presents practical advice on the most useful Web sites, strategies for finding the best deals, and resources to help you decide where and when to go. It also provides crucial tips to make sure your trip doesn’t disappoint, including:

• What you should research before you book your hotel

• How to avoid hidden fees and expensive change penalties

• What your credit card covers when you rent a car

• What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled

No matter what type of trip you’re planning—business or pleasure, domestic or international, budget or splurge, exotic getaway or family visit—How to Travel Practically Anywhere is an indispensable resource.

“From rating guidebooks and travel-info Web sites to offering this-minute info on renting houses overseas, Stellin (a New York Times contributor) serves up smart advice in a reader-friendly format. ”

— People Magazine, "Great Reads" selection

“The world of travel is so complex that it would take many volumes to decipher it all. However, Susan Stellin does a commendable job in about 300 pages.”

— The Boston Globe

“A distinctive guide to travel planning that covers the ins and outs (and ups and downs) of do-it-yourself travel. Enabling readers to become their own travel agents, Stellin covers all aspects of trip planning: from deciding when and where to go to navigating the path along the way... this comprehensive and well-researched guide is useful for both new and seasoned travelers.”

— Library Journal

“In the old days (not that long ago for anyone who cares to remember), travelers used to plan their trips with the assistance of travel agents. Nowadays, though, many of us choose to do it all ourselves. And that’s where this guidebook comes in ... Even the most experienced travelers are sure to learn a thing or two.”

— The Chicago Tribune

“How to Travel Practically Anywhere is a tall order for a travel guide, but author Susan Stellin offers helpful advice for planning and booking your trip... Even seasoned travelers could benefit from information in the book, and neophytes will save themselves a lot of mistakes.”

— The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“There’s not a wasted syllable in this well-organized volume, conveniently arranged by nearly any travel category you can imagine. And loads of boxes and lists summarize a great deal of information in a compact space.”

— The Louisville Courier-Journal