On the inside cover of my copy of Living On Three Spoons, Susan A. Torres wrote “Elevate your life always”, and this seems to be the sentiment with which she lives her life. The note above the title says this book is “A Memoir of a Single Parent”, but it is so much more than that. The stories and experiences of Torres will expand the compassion you feel for others and inspire you to do better with what you have been given.

Hers is a story that is – both - alarming and reassuring, horrendous and magical, heart wrenching and awe-inspiring. Living On Three Spoons is about overcoming obstacles that most of us cannot even fathom while maintaining a sense of dignity and hope for life.

I devoured this book, rooting for the young girl who began her life in the midst of drugs and abuse and continuing to cheer for the young woman who made carefully calculated decisions but still seemed to end up in situations that were less than desirable. Susan Torres possessed tremendous insight and demonstrated a persevering attitude at such a young age. One only assumes that these innate gifts carried her through her life and allowed her to succeed.

On occasion, I became confused when we stepped outside of the chronological order of the life of Susan A. Torres. I thought, perhaps, something was being repeated or stuck in where it didn’t necessarily belong. But, I do not blame the author. There is so much to tell, and sometimes the telling brought up other tales from the past.

Living On Three Spoons is the difficult life journey from a childhood of instability and uncertainty into an adulthood where she refused to allow her childhood to follow her. Susan A. Torres worked endlessly to provide her children with all the things she had expected and hoped for in her childhood – presence, support, and expressed love - to name a few.

She made brave choices that many of us know we would not have made had we been in her shoes. She questioned the choices of the adults around her and stood for her values at a very young age. She left two, abusive husbands after moving with both of them to different countries. She said no to a potential rapist, spoke her mind even when it caused a chasm between she and her sisters, and continued to get up in the morning to live another day of life.

As I began writing this, I started to review my notes from the first time I read this book and ended up reading the book again in its entirety. This mother’s journey is difficult to read, but Susan Torres turned every challenge along the way into an opportunity for growth and learning. Her way with words is poetic, deeply insightful, and awesome.

What Susan A. Torres shares with her readers is inspiration to overcome, motivation to be a better parent, and the need to be grateful for all that one has. I commend her courage to tell her story and share the powerful lessons that unfolded throughout her life.


I received a copy of this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it. You can purchase a copy at Amazon: