Lois Rafferty of Minneapolis writes:

The book I've been reading is "A Common Struggle," by Patrick J. Kennedy, former House of Representatives member from Rhode Island. Kennedy's book focuses on mental illness and addiction. He and his late father, Sen. Ted Kennedy, worked tirelessly to help pass the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The author is courageously frank in sharing his own struggles. Perhaps most important, he stresses the harm done when families can't (or won't) talk about their secrets. He eloquently states, "Our secrets are our most formidable adversaries."

Lois Rafferty is the author of "Carnie's Child." What's on your bedside table? E-mail us at books@statribune.com.