Formulary Book Club: Belonging – A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love

Angela Lyght, Employee Engagement Specialist at the School, has our September ’23 book recommendation

Story and photo by Ryan McDaniel | Published September 26, 2023

Each month, the Formulary Book Club introduces a student, staff, faculty, or alumni of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and gets their recommendation for a great read.

This month’s recommendation comes to us from Angela Lyght, Employee Engagement Specialist in the School’s Office of Human Resources. Angela’s Formulary Book Club recommendation is Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Loss and Love.

The book, by award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Saturday Morning, Michelle Miller, tells her deeply personal story of her search to find her mother, who abandoned her at birth. Belonging takes readers on an emotional journey through decades of painful experiences, family secrets, and Michelle’s successful career as she learns who she is as a journalist, wife, and mother.

“I’m an avid reader and particularly drawn to autobiographies,” Angela says. “I was drawn to this book because I knew Michelle from CBS Saturday Morning and I liked her personality. Reading about her wild upbringing and seeing how successful she has been in spite of it was uplifting.”

Angela started at the School as a Division Manager in the Division of Pharmcoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP), known as MOPH at the time. In 2010 she transitioned into the HR department at the School where she held several positions leading up to her current role as Employee Engagement Specialist. She has been with UNC for 31 years, 18 of those with the School, but she still remembers her first day here. “It was Halloween, and the School was scattered with people in costumes,” she recalls. “I thought ‘these people are nuts! What have I gotten myself into?’ Yet, I quickly embraced the Halloween spirit and have donned many different costumes nearly every year since. I even spearheaded a costume contest during one of our staff forums a few years ago.”

Outside of work, Angela is passionate about helping the less fortunate. She has put her sociology degree to good use working as a counselor with organizations such as Orange County Rape Crisis and Orange-Durham Battered Women’s Shelter.

Angela also enjoys staying active and has run several 5k races as well as obtained certifications in three group fitness formats. She also loves to spend time with her daughter, who lives in Florida. “I cherish visiting her during the winter months, escaping the cold, and spending time on the beach during the off-season,” Angela says. “Our ‘Christmas on the Beach’ tradition is my happy place!”

Thank you, Angela, for the book recommendation!