Five Star Winner of Reader’s Favorite Reviews

Orders can be placed at local bookstores or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers.

Discussion questions are available upon request using the form at the bottom of this website.

____________________________________________________________________

– Summary –

“Jenn”

MEDIA

https://booksbywomen.org/my-writing-process-by-barbara-rubin-author/

https://diymfa.com/tag/more-than-you-can-see-by-barbara-rubin

https://chrisricecooper.com/56-the-magnification-of-one-memory-in-memoir-more-than-you-can-see-a-mothers-memoir-by-barbara-rubin/

https://wemagazineforwomen.com/fall-worth-reading-list/

https://sarahlynbruck.com/blog-rubinbarbara/

https://www.authorsanswer.com/interviews/barbara-rubin

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/facesoftbi/2022/10/31/more-than-you-can-see-with-barbara-rubin

My early years were spent growing up in small towns in Kansas before my family ultimately settled in Missouri. After high school, I attended the local Junior College and later transferred to Truman University in central Missouri. It was there that I met my husband, Mark, and later earned my bachelor’s degree in business. 

Having lived my entire life in the mid-west, I was ready for a change and wanted to experience living in the northeast.  With this goal in our minds, shortly after our wedding Mark and I moved to New Jersey and later to New York state. Soon daughter Jennifer came along and four years later sister Amy was born.

I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home-mom for my girls. Being a great distance away from my Missouri family, I felt unprepared for the job of parenting once Jennifer arrived. I carefully read Doctor Spock’s book on child development and followed all his guidelines. I was determined to be the best mom possible as I recognized that I was molding the next generation in our family. I took the responsibility seriously.

Once our two girls were in school full time, I began doing part-time accounting work. Family always came first, but the extra income was a welcome benefit after all the years of living as a one income family.  

Jenn’s accident changed everything in our family’s life. The youthful innocence of not knowing about brain injury was shattered on that fateful June day in 1991 by the consequences of a blind sharp turn on the road to our house. My memoir tells our family’s story starting on that sad day and invites the reader to share in our journey over the next 20 years and learn from both our mistakes and our successes.

Currently Mark and I live in Bucks County Pennsylvania. As an empty nester, I spend my time adventuring whenever possible, being with family and friends, and working on various hobbies which include painting and teaching myself to play the piano. Becoming an author was an unexpected new chapter in my life, but I loved learning about the craft of writing a memoir and seeing how the publishing world works. It has been a fascinating and enlightening adventure.

Reviews

In this heart rending and deeply authentic emotional journey, a mother reveals inspiring creativity to help her profoundly injured daughter to live fully and with joy. Jenn Rubin brought whole communities together in love and compassion through the bright glowing spark of her life force. This book is perfect not only for parents who want to learn from Barbara’s journey as a mother, but for all of us who need to be reminded that life is a gift and it’s up to us to cherish and celebrate every moment.
Linda Joy Myers, President of the National Association of Memoir Writers and author of four books on memoir.

This book will help readers understand the complexities of recovering from a traumatic brain injury and the healing that comes with time, patience, and endurance. The author weaves her story around the unique caregiving required for her daughter who lacks any form of communication after her injury. Through laughter, tears, heartbreak and triumph, the author translates the lessons she learned into a narrative that touches the heart and deepens the respect for survivors of TBI and what they have to teach us. Susan H. Connors, President/CEO, Brain Injury Association of America

This is a story of a mother’s emotional fight to do what is best for her daughter and their family. With unflinching courage, she shares her grief and joy with her inner and outer struggles and the valuable lessons learned. —Gina T. DiSanto, President, NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners) of Pennsylvania

More Than You Can See: A Mother’s Memoir by Barbara Rubin is a heartwarming true story of a mother’s journey to help maximize the quality of her teenage daughter’s life. This is a must-read memoir that will make you rediscover the strength of family. Readers’ Favorite Reviews

An affecting story of how a young woman’s traumatic brain injury took away her language but not her joy.

Kirkus Review

This is a must read memoir that you will not be able to put down. 5 STARS. Crossroad Reviews

Contact:

I’d love to hear from you.

Please use this form to send me a message or ask for book club questions.

Donations can be made to the following organizations recognized in my book

Ability Beyond Disability through their website: https://abilitybeyond.org

Brain Injury Association of New York at their website:https://bianys.org

Crystal Patriarche
BookSparks
crystal@BookSparksPR.com
(480) 650-1688