“Powerful, vivid, often stunning, along with a warm, friendly, reflective tone. Amazing.” - Reader, Virginia

“… your courage gave me permission to reflect more honestly on my own experience.” - Reader, Michigan

“I can’t express fully what this book means to me. Your words gave voice to experiences I’ve struggled to articulate, and your courage gave me permission to reflect more honestly on my own experience. An honest conversation with my mother was possible because of the truth you shared in yours.” - Reader, Maine

What does it take to overcome deeply embedded family traumas, career-ending betrayals, and failed relationships? What is the personal cost of keeping secrets—and staying in the closet? These are questions that Mary Means explores in her memoir, as she navigates growing up as a young closeted lesbian in Georgia during the 1960s and learning to

love—and be loved—as an adult. Through the deaths of loved ones, the fear of discovery, and the budding of a legacy that would come to change lives across the nation, Something Worth Saving tells a story of resilience and self-discovery perfect for anyone who has ever struggled to maintain a flawless facade when inside they were crumbling.

Mary Means is an award-winning leader, founder of the Main Street revitalization movement that has brought vitality back to countless town centers. Her candor and vulnerability permeate her remarkable story.