by Dan Cohen (Author)
Gold Winner, 2026 Manhattan Book Awards
Best Memoir Nominee, 2026 Astra Book Awards
"Awakenings in Real Life offers a heartwarming collection of memories, insights, and personal reckonings as the author reflects on his father, his family, and his father's dementia journey. It's a book that doesn't just share a journey, it invites you to walk alongside it."
-Teepa Snow, author of Understanding the Changing Brain
"A poignant farewell from a son to his father."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Cohen's journey is heartfelt and uplifting, offering a deeply human perspective on dementia, memory, and connection. It adds new dimensions of possibility and understanding to the experience of cognitive decline."
-Midwest Book Review
When Dan Cohen's father, living with dementia, unexpectedly experienced a brief return of clarity, he spoke with recognition, warmth, and love. For two unforgettable days, those moments became a profound reminder of connection, presence, and what can still emerge even in loss.
In Awakenings in Real Life, Cohen weaves this experience with family history and reflection, creating a memoir that explores memory, love, and the unexpected awakenings that shape a life. It is a story of resilience, humanity, and the bonds that remain even as everything else changes.
Number of Pages: 172
Dimensions: 0.37 x 9 x 6 IN
Publication Date: January 15, 2026
