The best books about the opioid crisis

Death In Mud Lick is a true-crime thriller about how a group of underdogs took on the Goliaths of the opioid industry. Set in West Virginia’s southern coalfields, the book chronicles Debbie Preece’s fight for justice on behalf of her brother, a coal miner who died after overdosing on OxyContin. I wanted to tell the story behind the story for families impacted by the opioid crisis; It’s a rigged system—made up of rogue doctors, pharmacists, distributors, manufacturers, lobbyists, and politicians—that raked in billions of dollars and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. At its heart, Death in Mud Lick is a story about resilience and redemption, holding the powerful accountable, and overcoming monumental odds. Sometimes, persistence pays off. Sometimes, underdogs do win.

Death In Mud Lick is a true-crime thriller about how a group of underdogs took on the Goliaths of the opioid industry. Set in West Virginia’s southern coalfields, the book chronicles Debbie Preece’s fight for justice on behalf of her brother, a coal miner who died after overdosing on OxyContin. I wanted to tell the story behind the story for families impacted by the opioid crisis; It’s a rigged system—made up of rogue doctors, pharmacists, distributors, manufacturers, lobbyists, and politicians—that raked in billions of dollars and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. At its heart, Death in Mud Lick is a story about resilience and redemption, holding the powerful accountable, and overcoming monumental odds. Sometimes, persistence pays off. Sometimes, underdogs do win.

This book is for anyone who sees a glaring injustice or community-wide problem and feels like screaming, “there ought to be law!” but doesn’t know how to make it happen. Pat Libby makes the work of conducting a successful grassroots lobbying campaign seem relatively painless by sharing her easy-to-follow formula and pulling the curtain back on things we think we should know but don’t. The book is funny, relatable, and illustrated by a real-life example of people who successfully used her strategy to pass a law. For those who are passionate about creating change in their communities, cities, or states this book provides a simple recipe for making a difference.

Death In Mud Lick is a true-crime thriller about how a group of underdogs took on the Goliaths of the opioid industry. Set in West Virginia’s southern coalfields, the book chronicles Debbie Preece’s fight for justice on behalf of her brother, a coal miner who died after overdosing on OxyContin. I wanted to tell the story behind the story for families impacted by the opioid crisis; It’s a rigged system—made up of rogue doctors, pharmacists, distributors, manufacturers, lobbyists, and politicians—that raked in billions of dollars and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. At its heart, Death in Mud Lick is a story about resilience and redemption, holding the powerful accountable, and overcoming monumental odds. Sometimes, persistence pays off. Sometimes, underdogs do win.

Walking Philadelphia:30 Walking Tours Featuring Art, Architecture, History and Little-Known Gems is my first collaboration with my photographer sister, Tricia. I tried to include stories I would enjoy hearing. You’ll learn how to correctly order a cheesesteak, the many meanings of “jawn,” and some unexpected Philadelphia firsts, including the country’s first kidnapping for ransom.

For my five books, I chose works of fiction set in the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection, as the city’s promotional materials often add.) Two of these books—As Bright as Heaven and Philadelphia Fire—are linked to historic city events. Long Bright River, Such a Fun Age, and With the Fire on High touch on real-life social issues including teen pregnancy, substance abuse disorder and racial prejudice. Each story is very different. Each book deserves a read.

Demi-Gods follows the story of Willa, who is growing up on an island off the west coast of Canada in the 1950s. One summer, she becomes engrossed with her step-brother, Patrick, from California. Patrick is a golden boy, clever, yet conniving — pushing 9-year-old Willa toward illicit tasks. As Willa becomes a teenager and pays a visit to California, her relationship with Patrick grows more dizzying. 

A few themes preoccupied me while I wrote this novel. For one, desire: how desire can be inconvenient and shameful, especially when we desire those who are bad for us. Second: I was interested in how we exalt each other. How we perceive those we desire as demigods or idols.

Death In Mud Lick is a true-crime thriller about how a group of underdogs took on the Goliaths of the opioid industry. Set in West Virginia’s southern coalfields, the book chronicles Debbie Preece’s fight for justice on behalf of her brother, a coal miner who died after overdosing on OxyContin. I wanted to tell the story behind the story for families impacted by the opioid crisis; It’s a rigged system—made up of rogue doctors, pharmacists, distributors, manufacturers, lobbyists, and politicians—that raked in billions of dollars and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. At its heart, Death in Mud Lick is a story about resilience and redemption, holding the powerful accountable, and overcoming monumental odds. Sometimes, persistence pays off. Sometimes, underdogs do win.

If you're a biotech executive, investor, adviser, or entrepreneur -- or aspire to be one --  you’re supposed to understand clinical trial results. But what if you’re not an expert in study design or biostatistics? The Pharmagellan Guide to Analyzing Biotech Clinical Trials will give you the foundation you need to analyze journal articles, press releases, and investor presentations about studies of new drugs with more confidence.