If she had grown up with Generation Z, instead of in the 1940s, Lila Sanden might have been part of the influencer culture. But there was no social media in her world. Instead, she saved up her stories and recollections-as well as her often cynical commentary-sharing them here, for the very first time.

Becoming Lila wasn't easy. From her earliest memories of growing up in a traditional Finnish family in Minnesota to the harrowing days of high school and an increasingly abusive alcoholic father-to a fairytale romance with a future US Navy Captain, seemingly being forever on the move while raising her own children.

There is much today's generation can learn from Lila. Her voice is strong- it makes the reader want to listen-yet her words are gentle and poetic. The stories are sometimes emotional, sometimes hilarious, but always mesmerizing.

"Becoming Lila" is a poignant and entertaining memoir, as relevant today as it ever was.