The Glass Castle: A Memoir

For some reason I missed your comment. It's a story about a woman who grew up in an extremely dysfunctional family...the parents were sort of free-spirited people, both highly intelligent but unable (the father is an alcoholic) or unwilling (the mother just doesn't want any responsibility) to hold down jobs that would propel them forward and provide for their four kids. They move around from place to place, often not having food and only threadbare clothing and living in shacks. Strangely, the kids grow up mostly normal, with the exception of the youngest. When the kids all move to New York, the parents follow, deciding to remain homeless. It's an extraordinary story, one that will sit with you for a very long while after it's read. I highly highly recommend it.