Miracles in the Dark by Tammy René

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Memoir, Non-Fiction, Abuse, Trauma

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I appreciated the presence of sensitive content warning at the beginning of the book to help warn potential readers what they may be getting themselves into and forewarns those who could be triggered by reading it. The foreword from a therapist about dealing with ritual abuse and molestation was great, even more so from someone who knows Tammy and her journey through healing. I appreciated the into the light sections to help break up a difficult story with quotes and thought that the quotes Tammy feels are significant pulled was a great idea as it shows us the parts of her story she wants to emphasise. I liked endnotes, especially for the bible verses/pieces as I didn't recognise them from the text and the helplines are great after such a heavy book that may impact on its readers in ways they may not have predicted. Providing the husbands perspective to help those reading for a loved one is a great touch as it’s good to see the other side of handling the journey.The healing truths was an amazing way to end the book, and great for both those who experienced the trauma and those trying to support a loved one going through it.

Favourite Quote:

"There is still sadness in looking back at my childhood and the loss of my innocence. However, in the aftermath of the storms, the light penetrates the dark and exposes the beauty of the journey that is my life. "

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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