Finding your true path isn't easy. Sometimes, you've got to take a sharp turn.

Early in her life, Kristi's path was set. She traveled on the straight and narrow as an unquestioning Christian and dutiful daughter. This prescribed route, through her debutante ball and into medical school, set her up for success-and settled her into a life that never felt like her own.

In her memoir She Took a Turn, Kristi Smith gives fresh insight into the challenging work of self-reflection and blazing one's true trail. Kristi invites us inside her childhood memories and adult journeys, sharing stories from an entertaining and thought-provoking cast of characters who inspired her to open her mind and change her course. This story of startling new thoughts and steps-through personal, professional, political, and spiritual growth-is a surprising celebration of authenticity. As Kristi takes her turn, she invites us to do the same, giving us courage and tools for our own exploration. She also entertains and inspires us, modeling how one woman learned to respect every path while on a journey to discover her own.