Thirty-Thousand Steps

“A beautiful tribute to a lost brother and to running toward, not away from, our lives.”

– Maia Szalavitz, New York Times-bestselling author of Undoing Drugs and Unbroken Brain

“A lot has been written about the opioid epidemic but nothing as tender as Jess Keefe’s debut…. this book broke my heart into a thousand pieces and then slowly, delicately put it back together again.” –Tessa Miller, author of What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness–Lessons from a Body in Revolt

Last updated on 02 Oct 2022

“I applaud Jess Keefe’s honesty in sharing her personal journey in Thirty-Thousand Steps. I have a new respect and understanding of the many faces and reasons involved in those who suffer with addiction. Keefe is an inspiration!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.”–Wendy Hunt, consumer reviewer

Last updated on 07 Sep 2022

“I loved this book.

Totally inspirational and I loved the “arc” into running.

Yes, the author’s story is painful to read, but it gives you us a deeper look into what she is going through. Of particular interest to me is how she managed to incorporate running as a means to help with her addiction.

Very touching and very honest. The writing is well paced and I really just enjoyed all the pieces of this book that are joined together.“–Tina Avon, Librarian at Notre Dame de Lourdes

Last updated on 21 Sep 2022

“Five stars. This was a fantastic memoir, simultaneously informative and inspiring. It’s helped me reinterpret my ideas about addiction and its victims. The author does an incredible job of encapsulating the grief, the loneliness, the outrageous lack of information on what is truly needed to help people who turn to drugs. The story reminds us to be compassionate, to notice and question our prejudices, no matter how widespread they are. I may have picked this up for the focus on running, but I’m glad I got so much more.”–Kayl Kuo, consumer reviewer

Jess Keefe is a writer, editor, and advocate. She serves as a digital director for Shatterproof, a national addiction advocacy organization. She’s been quoted or featured in articles about addiction which have appeared in The New York Times, Upworthy, Bustle, Dictionary.com, and local newspapers like Massachusetts’ Sun Chronicle. Her own essays and articles have been published by Teen Vogue, HuffPost, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Runner’s World, The Daily Beast, Brooklyn Magazine, MTV.com, and more. She’s an alum of the competitive Spruceton Inn Artists’ Residency and a regular performer at 826NYC’s reading series at Pete’s Candy Store.