Mallory Smith Books

"Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of three, Mallory Smith grew into a determined, talented young woman who inspired others even as she raged against her illness. Despite the daily challenges of endless medical treatments and a deep understanding that she'd never lead a normal life, Mallory was determined to "live happy," a mantra she followed until her death. Mallory worked hard to make the most of the limited time she had, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford, becoming a CF advocate, and embarking on a career as a writer. Mallory recorded her thoughts and observations, including the struggles and feelings she found too personal to share during her life, for more than ten years, leaving instructions for her mother to publish her work posthumously. She hoped that her writing would offer insight to people living with, or loving someone with, chronic illness"--Provided by publisher

This collection of one girl's real, unflinching diary entries about slowly dying of a terminal illness is an unparalleled exploration of the human spirit and what it means to truly live. Many of the feelings I write about are too difficult to share while I'm alive, so I'm keeping everything in my journal password-protected until the end. Mallory Smith was no ordinary girl, and this is no ordinary story. At age three, Mallory was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis--a disease that attacks the internal organs and would eventually kill her. Despite living on borrowed time, Mallory pursued her passions: volleyball; writing; the environment; her boyfriend, family, and friends. Most importantly, every day she chose to embody the mantra "live happy." Mallory also had her struggles--everything from love and sex to living with illness and just being a human on this planet. And she chronicled every bit of it, writing thousands of diary entries before her death in her twenties. This is the poignant, true story of a young woman who refused to be defined by chronic illness. Her light and her life are shared here in her own words to encourage everyone to live life to the fullest, as she did, even as she was dying.