Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox

Title: Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
Author: Michael J. Fox
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Biography
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: Language/Swearing
Premise: There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Actor. Husband. Father. Activist. But readers of Always Looking Up will soon add another to the list: Optimist. Michael writes about the hard-won perspective that helped him see challenges as opportunities. Instead of building walls around himself, he developed a personal policy of engagement and discovery: an emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook that has served him throughout his struggle with Parkinson's disease. Michael's exit from a very demanding, very public arena offered him the time-and the inspiration-to open up new doors leading to unexpected places. One door even led him to the center of his own family, the greatest destination of all. (Amazon.com Product Description)

Opinions: I have been striving to read at least one non-fiction book a month in order to expand my horizons. This month I've actually read a few of them. Always Looking Up is on the top of that list. In this book, Michael talks about his decision to make public the diagnosis that he has Parkinson's disease. He talks about the struggles of trying to act and produce the comedy series he was in at the time, Spin City and the decision to finally retire from acting. He also talks about what triggered his decision to create the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and his passion for finding a cure and the struggles of delving into politics regarding the hot topic of embryonic stem cell research.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know a little bit more about one of the actors that I love to watch. His love for family stood out mostly to me as throughout the book he talks about the rock that is his wife, Tracy. Through his words you can sense his deep love for her and their three children. I may not believe in all the same things he does, but I have come to admire Michael J. Fox even more after reading this book.