Cara Romero is in her fifties and unemployed after working at the same factory in NYC for decades. Hard hit by the big recession in 2008, she is living off of unemployment benefits and must attend sessions to help her find a job. This book is both the reflections that she shares in these sessions and information that is regurgitated to her from the government job counselor. Semi-equal parts tender, sad, and funny, Cara's story is one of poverty, gentrification, and loss from the perspective of a Dominican woman just trying to survive in the city. 

So many parts of this book struck me, but the one I recall the most is "Only a mother knows what a mother will do." Right after that statement, Cara describes nursing Fernando until he was four and what a dedication of love that way. (I love a positive reference to natural term weaning!) Through job coaching for an in home daycare, we learn about their difficult relationship and her confidence and fears around raising children. Cara was not the best mother to her son, and she is full of love and regret for that. This book also contains descriptions of awful mistakes she made with Fernando. He has not been in her life for several years and her heart feels that emptiness. I loved how the author showed that all of our parts are connected- looking for a job can bring up all kinds of emotions even though our jobs are not all of who we are. 

Throughout the book there are references to the title, how not to drown in a glass of water refers to how difficult it is to stay afloat when one small bad thing is just too much. In such a small package, this book says so much and really packs a punch. The audio is incredibly well narrated and well produced with sound effects and music. I recommend picking up this book as soon as you can in any format you prefer!