In 2004, accomplished newspaper columnist Kelly Corrigan was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. While in chemotherapy, she learned that her father, who had already survived prostate cancer, had late-stage bladder cancer. In her bestselling memoir, The Middle Place, Ms. Corrigan alternates chapters between that difficult year and flashbacks to her childhood, partially for much-needed comic relief and partially to make the point that "you don't really grow up until you learn to live in the world without the people who made it a safe place for you." Her second memoir, LIFT, tells three stories of risk and parenthood, including her daughter's bout of meningitis. She has become an expert in crisis and caretaking. Ms. Corrigan's writing is lauded by the Today Show, Good Housekeeping magazine and millions of readers.

The Huffington Post calls Corrigan the "Poet Laureate of the Ordinary" while O Magazine says Corrigan is "the voice of a generation." Her books The Middle Place and LIFT, reached #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and Corrigan's reading of her essay on the value of friendship was viewed over 5 million times on YouTube. Ms. Corrigan co-founded the Notes and Words benefit for Childrens' Hospital and Research Center Oakland. Her new book, a memoir about her mother called Glitter and Glue, will be published in February, 2014.

In her TEDxTalk, Kelly explores the value of reading, and why we should do more of it. In her down-to-earth, humorous style, she shows us how reading is the foundation upon which we build our vocabulary, which is surprisingly core to who we are, both professionally and personally. Kelly argues that expanding our working vocabulary through reading leads to occupational success, intellectual development and personal connection. Her hope is that individuals, couples, families, workforces, electorates and communities will read at least 30 minutes a day, exposing us to two million words used in context per year, words that will exponentially impact how we think and connect.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Creative direction, event AV and full service video provided by http://repertoireproductions.com/