a memoir of alcoholism and addiction, faith and family, hope and humor by Dina Kucera

Dream of Things
4807 Prince St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
dreamofthings.com

Contact:
Mike O’Mary
847.321.1390
mikeomary@dreamofthings.com

Everything I Never Wanted to Be can change behavior, save lives and make readers laugh along the way

Downers Grove, Ill. – Everything I Never Wanted to Be, a memoir by stand-up comic and recovering alcoholic Dina Kucera, was released on October 1.

Everything I Never Wanted to Be is the story of one family’s battles with alcoholism and addiction over four generations. It’s a rollercoaster ride that includes stories of parental neglect, drug overdoses, a sex offender priest, a tragic childbirth, a teen who finds out via videotape that she was raped while she was high, a stay in a mental ward, a surprisingly redemptive trip to Disneyland, and more relapses and rehabs than you can keep track of. It’s a story that is brutally honest—shocking at times—yet still funny and full of hope. It’s a book that can change behavior, save lives and make you laugh along the way.

There are many memoirs about alcoholism and addiction. Three things make this book different:

• Humor: Dina understands and respects the seriousness of alcoholism and addiction. Dina also has a great sense of humor. Her humor helps her get through some of the most challenging and horrific experiences you will ever read about.
• Structure: Instead of chronological order, Dina seems to deal with the past as she has the strength to do so—and she gains strength as the book goes on. Dina also switches from the past tense to the present tense periodically to heighten the immediacy of key scenes.
• Authenticity: This memoir was written by a grocery store clerk with a ninth grade education who is trying to make it as a stand-up comic. It was edited carefully, but the editor was careful to retain the author’s distinctive voice. There is nothing phony about this memoir.

“This book is an exact replica of my life,” says Kucera. “The truth—plus the funniest thing I could think of to help me survive the truth. I’m confident people are bright enough to tell the difference between me telling the truth and me being funny. In this book, you get both.”

Everything I Never Wanted to Be ($14.95, Dream of Things) is available in trade paperback from Dream of Things and from Ingram Book Company. For more information, visit everythinginever.com.

About Dina Kucera
Dina Kucera was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her grandmother was a pill addict. Her grandfather and father were alcoholics. Dina is an alcoholic and pill addict, and all three of her daughters struggle with alcohol and drug addictions. Kucera dropped out of school after the ninth grade and has worked as a maid, bartender, waitress, and grocery store checker. She has also been a stand-up comic for twenty years. She currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona. This is her first book.

For More Information

Visit www.everythinginever.com, or contact Mike O’Mary at 847-321-1390.

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