Midstream - by Kate Washington (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A memoir of jumping feet first into a new life, reclaiming long-forgotten joys, and discovering a renewed sense of self after divorce, offering a fresh vision of midlife to women who have abandoned themselves in service of others

As Kate Washington approached her 50th birthday, she was also contemplating ending a 23-year marriage in which she had become so focused on serving others that she'd lost her sense of self. To find herself again, she embarked on what she calls the 50 Dunks Project.

The rules: Go to 50 different bodies of water--swimming holes, hot springs, rivers, lakes, creeks, and oceans. Immerse fully, head under water. Chronicle the dunk with a picture and a post. Complete the challenge by the time she turned 50.

Largely set in Kate's native California but taking us as far as southern France, dunking us in the waters of the American River, Lake Tenaya, Big Chico Creek, the Rive Gard, and beyond, Kate shares the highlights of her 50 Dunk challenge--including dozens of fantastic, semi-secret places to swim.

Along the way, she combines self-examination, wry humor, lyrical description, and cultural critique to illuminate the factors that so often cause women to lose themselves. Midstream makes the case for embracing joy and pleasure as a necessary act of resistance, both for individuals and for the culture at large.

Review Quotes

"[Washington] writes candidly of her anger, pain, and menopause, and she explores her identity in aging with curiosity and tenderness. Her writing flows smoothly--and often with humor, as when she notes, 'I want to swim like I did as a kid, not like Katie Ledecky.' In this book, Washington crafts a winning narrative of a woman reaching her prime, guided by a road map for joy. A poignant portrait of a woman stepping into her power in middle age."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"[An] openhearted memoir . . . Funny, heartbreaking, and inspirational, it's an invigorating account that will strike a chord with readers of all ages who are looking to refresh their lives."
--Publishers Weekly

"A heartfelt, feminist memoir that tackles the messiness of divorce, coping with tweens, and the author's inspirational journey to revive her inner joy, 'one swim at a time.'"
--Booklist

"A raw and honest look at an imploding marriage and a courageous woman making the changes she needs in her life, this book will resonate with women undergoing transformation and with those who find catharsis in water."
--Library Journal

"Ultimately empowering, Midstream is perfect for anyone at midlife asking themselves: 'Is this all there is?'"
--BookPage

"Midstream gives us not only a beautiful story of becoming but a road map for anyone taking on a new chapter in life. Washington's honesty and vulnerability are breaths of fresh air."
--Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play

"A lifeline for anyone ready to reclaim themselves, Washington's journey of rebirth pulls us in. With her, we trespass and risk, float and let go. For any woman seeking a path out of rage and despair that she can hardly explain to herself, or waiting for permission to leave a marriage that looks good from the outside but feels like death on the inside, Midstream is the needed nudge to take the leap. And Washington's story reminds us that we never leap alone."
--Kate Hamilton, author of Mad Wife

"Kate Washington's journey through fifty swims reminds us of the quiet power of water, wild places, and the courage it takes to begin again."
--Ashley Shult Langdon, author of Mildly Scenic

"I read Midstream just after turning fifty myself, and it was a comforting reminder of what actual self-agency looks like. It does not require much money, a 'perfect' body, or excesses of time, just a bit of empathy for oneself, a sense of humor, and a big dig into one's own heart. Beautifully written with a true connection to nature that I didn't realize I needed, Midstream is a must-read."
--Kate Mangino, author of Equal Partners

About the Author

Kate Washington is the author of Already Toast and a frequent speaker about her experience as a caregiver. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Time, Huffpost, and many other publications. She lives in Sacramento. Connect with her at kawashington.com.