Diary of Alice James

Alice James was the sister of William and Henry James. She was a brilliant, engaging person who was afflicted by vaguely diagnosed maladies that would put her to bed. She began a diary near the end of her life, which came prematurely at age 42 as a result of breast cancer.

This was how she began her diary:

"I think that if I get into the habit of writing a bit about what happens, or rather doesn't happen, I may lose a little of the sense of loneliness and desolation which abides with me."