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Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up From Rock Bottom
A new, enhanced edition of this book is coming out, complete with three new chapters! Never Give in to All the Way Up from Rock Bottom, will be available Oct 8, 2012. (Stay Strong Publishing, Never Give in to All the Way Up from Rock Bottom, release date Oct. 8, 2012 distributed by AtlasBooks, $15.95 Trade Paperback ISBN 978-0-9860067-0-8, 376 pages $5.99 E-book ISBN 978-0-9860067-1-5) Praise for Never Give in to Foreword Clarion Reviews Five Stars (out of Five): "...MacGibbon is self-aware, and is able to show the humor of the moment without losing the tense pacing of her story. The memoir whips along, hardly taking breath...What makes Never Give in to Fear shine is MacGibbon's ease with her story. She doesn't apologize for who she is, and she doesn't try to win over the reader. It's just the facts, ma'am, and by the time the first chapter is over she's already on a roll. Honest to a fault, in ruthless pursuit of the story, MacGibbon's memoir is captivating from the very first sentence. MacGibbon has written--and lived--her way through a forbidding place. It's wonderful to not only read her story, but to know that she has flourished in her years of recovery. A memoir that offers hope, even in the worst of times, Never Give in to Fear is a terrific read. It's the perfect book for a reader in recovery, though MacGibbon's real-life adventures will be equally appealing to anyone who needs a little more adrenaline in their reading list." -- (Claire Foster) "It's amazing that Marti MacGibbon survived her harrowing life and had the guts to recount it...not too preachy, the author's candor and sense of humor keep the pages turning." -- Suzanne Daly, the bohemian.com
- GenresMemoirNonfictionHumor
369 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2010
36 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Marti MacGibbon
3 books30 followersDespite a scheduled appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, emerging standup comic Marti MacGibbon became entangled in the San Francisco drug scene and descended into the underworld. She was trafficked from San Francisco to Tokyo and sold to Japanese organized crime figures, but survived against long odds and escaped with the help of a Hong Kong smuggler. After returning to the U.S., Marti realized she had to survive the surviving. Like all addicts, she tried using dope and alcohol to cope, and her addiction spiraled out of control. She was under-the-bridge homeless for a year or so, but during that time she met her true love. After years of addiction -- and some hilarious misadventures, she recovered, learning to give, and to receive, love and forgiveness. Her critically acclaimed memoir, Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom, tells her story in an upbeat and insightful style.
Today Marti MacGibbon, ACRPS, CADC-II, I-CADC, is an author, certified addiction treatment specialist, standup comic, and inspirational motivational speaker who inspires, entertains, and moves listeners to overcome fears, create possibilities, and make real changes in their lives and the lives of others. Marti is a member of the National Speakers Association. She is also a member of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), and the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA). Marti lives in Indianapolis and the San Francisco Bay Area, alternately.
Never Give in to Fear is a darkly funny cautionary tale -- a story of hope and redemption, conquering fear, and how love prevails. It chronicles her struggle with, and recovery from, addiction. The fast-paced memoir is sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always genuine. She never tries to win over the reader, but takes full responsibility for all of her wrong choices. It is a powerful comeback story, and the e-book is now an Amazon bestselling title, having topped the Autobiographies and Memoirs list, and the Autobiographies and Memoirs of Women list on Amazon.
Today Marti MacGibbon, ACRPS, CADC-II, I-CADC, is an author, certified addiction treatment specialist, standup comic, and inspirational motivational speaker who inspires, entertains, and moves listeners to overcome fears, create possibilities, and make real changes in their lives and the lives of others. Marti is a member of the National Speakers Association. She is also a member of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), and the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA). Marti lives in Indianapolis and the San Francisco Bay Area, alternately.
Never Give in to Fear is a darkly funny cautionary tale -- a story of hope and redemption, conquering fear, and how love prevails. It chronicles her struggle with, and recovery from, addiction. The fast-paced memoir is sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always genuine. She never tries to win over the reader, but takes full responsibility for all of her wrong choices. It is a powerful comeback story, and the e-book is now an Amazon bestselling title, having topped the Autobiographies and Memoirs list, and the Autobiographies and Memoirs of Women list on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 6, 2015
I read this book completely on whim. It was one of the free Kindle eBooks being offered on Amazon's site recently. Normally, I probably wouldn't have read/bought a book like this unless it came highly recommended from people that have similar reading tastes as I do. However, since it was free, there was no real risk involved, so I figured that I might as well read it.
I'm not very familiar with Marti MacGibbon. I've only read blurbs about her here and there. Usually when I'm not familiar with the person whose autobiography/memoirs I plan to read, I put them off for a slow reading day. However, the promise of this book dealing with addiction, human trafficking, and eventual redemption are part of the reasons that I went ahead and started this rather than shelving it for another time. I'm a sucker for redemption stories.
Marti's humorous telling of her story is filled with dark, wry humor that often comes off a bit self-deprecating, which is a little different. Often, former addicts tend to come off a little preachy. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be a bit off-putting when you just want to read a real, raw story, which is what Marti presents in her book. Her struggle with her addiction and wanting to be a good mother to her daughter presented an interesting angle to her story as well.
She says addiction and denial made her believe that she was in control of her life for so long, even when all the signs said she wasn't. Quite simply put, I'm amazed at everything she went through and how she found the strength to carry on even after a near-debilitating addiction and being sold into sex slavery by an acquaintance. She is very fortunate because so many women in her same condition are not here to tell their stories today.
I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. My heart really ached for her as I read this. It was almost like reading a confession from a friend rather than an account of her life. The writing was personable and engaging, even if parts of it were a little repetitive. Much of this book focused on her downward fall rather than her eventual redemption. I wouldn't recommend this if you're a person who is easily triggered, though, since she is very candid about her drug abuse and various dangerous situations she's found herself in.
I'm not very familiar with Marti MacGibbon. I've only read blurbs about her here and there. Usually when I'm not familiar with the person whose autobiography/memoirs I plan to read, I put them off for a slow reading day. However, the promise of this book dealing with addiction, human trafficking, and eventual redemption are part of the reasons that I went ahead and started this rather than shelving it for another time. I'm a sucker for redemption stories.
Marti's humorous telling of her story is filled with dark, wry humor that often comes off a bit self-deprecating, which is a little different. Often, former addicts tend to come off a little preachy. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be a bit off-putting when you just want to read a real, raw story, which is what Marti presents in her book. Her struggle with her addiction and wanting to be a good mother to her daughter presented an interesting angle to her story as well.
She says addiction and denial made her believe that she was in control of her life for so long, even when all the signs said she wasn't. Quite simply put, I'm amazed at everything she went through and how she found the strength to carry on even after a near-debilitating addiction and being sold into sex slavery by an acquaintance. She is very fortunate because so many women in her same condition are not here to tell their stories today.
I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. My heart really ached for her as I read this. It was almost like reading a confession from a friend rather than an account of her life. The writing was personable and engaging, even if parts of it were a little repetitive. Much of this book focused on her downward fall rather than her eventual redemption. I wouldn't recommend this if you're a person who is easily triggered, though, since she is very candid about her drug abuse and various dangerous situations she's found herself in.
February 3, 2014
Never Give In To Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom (Kindle Edition)
I enjoyed this book far more than I'd expected to. It became a page-turner for me, and I could not get enough of its bizarre scenarios that just kept coming. Been in a few odd situations myself in my life, so I could relate, but Marti's just take the cake and more! Wow. From drug addiction to being sold into slavery, being a stand up comic, domestic violence, homelessness, there is all kinds of wild stuff going on in her life. But she never gives up completely on herself.
I enjoyed this book far more than I'd expected to. It became a page-turner for me, and I could not get enough of its bizarre scenarios that just kept coming. Been in a few odd situations myself in my life, so I could relate, but Marti's just take the cake and more! Wow. From drug addiction to being sold into slavery, being a stand up comic, domestic violence, homelessness, there is all kinds of wild stuff going on in her life. But she never gives up completely on herself.
October 5, 2010
This is one of those books that grabs you and drags you screaming to the end following a roller coaster you can't believe is real knowing that it must be because of the honest way the story is told. Marti is telling you her story and you have to listen.
December 18, 2024
an excellent read
This woman has been through everything, survived being patient, resourceful and “never giving up!”
Thank you for your most inspiring story Ms Marti!
This woman has been through everything, survived being patient, resourceful and “never giving up!”
Thank you for your most inspiring story Ms Marti!
December 25, 2012
Never give in to being ordinary!
What a stunning debut by an all-round talented individual.
The synopsis: a young and beautiful Marti MacGibbon is set to make it big on the LA comedy circuit, indeed already has an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson lined up and ready to thrust her into comedy gold with the likes of Barr, Belushi and Pryor - but the exact same qualities that make a candidate for genius see her exploring the `other' side of life, namely the narcotic underworld and a drug called crystal meth. In short, it's a sidetrack that sees Marti on a substance-fueled quest to understand who she really is before tapping into the rich vein of her potential and her unique, witty and far-out personality.
The book begins with a gripping portrayal of her sex-trafficking at the hands of the Japanese Yakuza criminal organization, a terrifying yet matter-of-fact account that is in itself material for a whole book. From there, the story weaves through a cameo of interesting, dubious and often downright dangerous characters and locations as Marti's attempt to find herself gradually spirals to an all-time low.
One particular line in the book - and I won't cite it as I don't want to spoil it for the reader - is a promise that she makes to her daughter. It had tears pouring down my face, as I understand the journey Marti went on and the belief-in-self that an individual must possess to make such a declaration having come home from a personal war that most others will never understand.
Full credit to an amazing person, an accomplished author, one who has managed to laugh all the way up from rock bottom. Thank you.
Chris Thrall is the author of `Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland'- a memoir
What a stunning debut by an all-round talented individual.
The synopsis: a young and beautiful Marti MacGibbon is set to make it big on the LA comedy circuit, indeed already has an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson lined up and ready to thrust her into comedy gold with the likes of Barr, Belushi and Pryor - but the exact same qualities that make a candidate for genius see her exploring the `other' side of life, namely the narcotic underworld and a drug called crystal meth. In short, it's a sidetrack that sees Marti on a substance-fueled quest to understand who she really is before tapping into the rich vein of her potential and her unique, witty and far-out personality.
The book begins with a gripping portrayal of her sex-trafficking at the hands of the Japanese Yakuza criminal organization, a terrifying yet matter-of-fact account that is in itself material for a whole book. From there, the story weaves through a cameo of interesting, dubious and often downright dangerous characters and locations as Marti's attempt to find herself gradually spirals to an all-time low.
One particular line in the book - and I won't cite it as I don't want to spoil it for the reader - is a promise that she makes to her daughter. It had tears pouring down my face, as I understand the journey Marti went on and the belief-in-self that an individual must possess to make such a declaration having come home from a personal war that most others will never understand.
Full credit to an amazing person, an accomplished author, one who has managed to laugh all the way up from rock bottom. Thank you.
Chris Thrall is the author of `Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland'- a memoir
December 4, 2012
I just finished this book and yes I have tried pot, I was never addicted to drugs or cigarettes or alcohol. With that being said I have had many friends who were and are using. That is their choice. I think Marti wrote an amazing book that I could not put down. She was raw, funny, sad, poignant, insightful and took us all on her journey. I didn't need for her to get any more detailed than she did because I could already visualize it. I have this method, I will read the last chapter sometimes if a book gets overwhelming or too slow or I need to check in on the characters. That gave me hope. If you have not read this book PLEASE DO SO!
This book is for not only addicts, but if you have ever been co-dependent, suffered from PTSD for whatever reason, or for whatever reason running from emotions and living. It's a great read!
Marti is more than a survivor, more than street smart, she has had and still does have Angels watching over her! By all accounts she should have been dead many times over, or in prison. But she's not. She has a strong character and very compassionate loving soul. I am glad she survived to tell her story.
Marti always held onto hope, learned to visualize happiness and love and manifest that into her life. She has learned that gratitude goes along way!
Thank You Marti!!!! You are amazing, awesome, or amaziningly awesome and fearless! Love that about you! Very intuitive even though you didn't listen to that voice much during those times of despair.
Thank you
Trish
A fan in Texas
This book is for not only addicts, but if you have ever been co-dependent, suffered from PTSD for whatever reason, or for whatever reason running from emotions and living. It's a great read!
Marti is more than a survivor, more than street smart, she has had and still does have Angels watching over her! By all accounts she should have been dead many times over, or in prison. But she's not. She has a strong character and very compassionate loving soul. I am glad she survived to tell her story.
Marti always held onto hope, learned to visualize happiness and love and manifest that into her life. She has learned that gratitude goes along way!
Thank You Marti!!!! You are amazing, awesome, or amaziningly awesome and fearless! Love that about you! Very intuitive even though you didn't listen to that voice much during those times of despair.
Thank you
Trish
A fan in Texas
November 29, 2012
I recommend this book as an entertaining and inspiring experience. The author takes you on an extended trip through the underworld of drug culture with a focus on some of its underclass (and sometimes comical) denizens. I found her comedic style to be a pleasant relief from the drudgery of self-righteous and often boring accounts of recovering druggies. In addition to sometimes humorous, sometimes scary (and sometimes both at the same time) story content, the author, Marti, knows how to write well. This story could make a good movie. Also it illustrates that one CAN comeback from the drug abyss. This book can inspire addicts considering recovery and provide hope to people new in recovery as well as to people with family and friends in the throes of addiction. Love is what makes the world go around, and Marti seems to have found love, acceptance and opportunities to grow in unlikely places and from unlikely people. I started reading this book on a plane and was so taken in that I continued reading until I finished it. I didn't get much else done during that time, but it was worth it. The story gave me a resource to contemplate when challenged by adversity. Her triumph inspires me.
September 17, 2011
I won this book through First Reads. Overall the book was pretty fast paced, but it was so much of the same. Marti was an addict over and over and over and over again. She escaped being another victim of some serial killers, still an addict. She escaped the sex trade in Japan, still an addict. She escaped natural disasters, still an addict. I am happy that she was finally able to pull herself out of the hole that she was in and make a good life for herself, but I feel terrible for her daughter. Her daughter never really had a mother in her life and despite that she was able to give her a chance. My sister is in the same situation and it ticks me off knowing that time and time again she has chosen drugs over her daughter. Hopefully, one day my niece will forgive my sister for her actions, but she may not because she may not think that she is worth it.
December 3, 2012
I have a soft spot in my heart for addiction literature, and Marti MacGibbon's memoir runs the gamut--from poignant to hilarious to outrageous to unbelievable to suspenseful to affirming. As she explains in the epilogue, she purposely avoids glamorizing the effects and sensations of her drug use (her drug of choice being meth) and she firmly believes that as long as a person is still alive, no matter how bad things have gotten, there is still hope. At 300+ pages, MacGibbon's book is a quick and compulsive read. Sure, she overuses exclamation points, but that's a minor quibble considering the story she has to tell. "Never Give in to Fear" is a good read, especially considering so much of addiction literature focuses on the negative. MacGibbon opts to promote and espouse the positive. Amen for that.
January 8, 2013
I downloaded this book for free on my Kindle...no expectations whatsoever...I just finished the book including the epilogue and am really glad I had the chance to read it and would gladly pay the price of the book if there was one... it was that good. I've never tried drugs but have a morbid curiosity about that lifestyle. I now have a profound respect for anyone who overcomes it. I learned quite a bit about not just the drug culture itself but the different cultures that can be intertwined in it. Marti is a great teller of her own story and I missed a lot of sleep reading this book because I was that enthralled. I am glad her story had the ending it did and I love what she learned in the jail especially from the old guy trying to teach her a lesson! I hope more and more people hear about and read this great read.
June 21, 2011
Marti MacGibbon's memoir is a very compelling account of her descent into despair and drug addiction. It is an insightful look at how an addict is sucked into the cycle of dependency and how difficult it is to overcome the hold that that drugs can make on a person's life. The story also relates how she ultimately triumphs over the addiction by channeling her own tenacity and with the love and support of family and friends.
Thank you Goodreads First Reads and PR/PR Public Relations for the gift of this book. It was a very inspiring read.
Thank you Goodreads First Reads and PR/PR Public Relations for the gift of this book. It was a very inspiring read.
July 22, 2011
Marti MacGibbon is a beautiful woman who loses herself to a life of drugs , she is trafficked to Tokyo , and made into a sex slave. She endures rape , beating , homelessness , and seperation from her daughter. She uses drugs to block out all her pain, after years of being an addict , she fights her fears and becomes the brilliant person that was hiding behind the drugs.
This is an excellent memoir, I was shocked by everything this one human being went through, but yet she finally saw the light and was strong enough to overcome all the darkness that had entered her life.
This is an excellent memoir, I was shocked by everything this one human being went through, but yet she finally saw the light and was strong enough to overcome all the darkness that had entered her life.
November 25, 2012
I think that it was very well written, and the author took great care not to glamorize the world of the addict. She told the story straight to the point which is that no matter how much "fun" it is to engage in drug use, it can spiral out of control pretty darn quickly.
November 30, 2012
I thought the drug abuse would never end, and just too much but, in the end it was inspiring and I appreciated the authors honesty in telling her story and overcoming things that caused her life to be so chaotic.
August 21, 2010
Oh my god, what a fantastic thrill ride of a book. It made me look at my own life in a completely new way while taking me on an unbelievable journey of despair and redemption. This is a must read!!
December 10, 2012
This true story was a real page turner. It's amazing that this woman survived at all, not to mention live to write about it!!!!
January 7, 2013
this was a free book so didn't expect much but I really enjoyed it
November 6, 2022
Marti reveals her life openly to heal and to help others do the same.
There are sections of the book where the reader may think are a bit lengthy unnecessarily. My take is that the purpose of this book is accomplished by every word that has been written. She not only heals herself but gives a road to recovery to others with addictions. Thank you for your courage and your life work in assistance to others.
There are sections of the book where the reader may think are a bit lengthy unnecessarily. My take is that the purpose of this book is accomplished by every word that has been written. She not only heals herself but gives a road to recovery to others with addictions. Thank you for your courage and your life work in assistance to others.
August 21, 2023
I'm always interested in addiction stories. The first 18 of the 20 chapters is about her life as an addict. The last two are about her acceptance of and triumph - a day at a time - over it. Overall, it was a good story -- though I do think the first part may have glamorized some of it. Her human trafficking story in Japan was especially touching.
November 9, 2021
Just not my type of book
It reminded me of a not-as-funny Fear and Loathing story. I read just about any genre of book but I just could not get into this one and finally quit reading about half-way through.
It reminded me of a not-as-funny Fear and Loathing story. I read just about any genre of book but I just could not get into this one and finally quit reading about half-way through.
September 25, 2018
Marti is amazing!
December 26, 2012
Never give in to being ordinary!
What a stunning debut by an all-round talented individual.
The synopsis: a young and beautiful Marti MacGibbon is set to make it big on the LA comedy circuit, indeed already has an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson lined up and ready to thrust her into comedy gold with the likes of Barr, Belushi and Pryor - but the exact same qualities that make a candidate for genius see her exploring the `other' side of life, namely the narcotic underworld and a drug called crystal meth. In short, it's a sidetrack that sees Marti on a substance-fueled quest to understand who she really is before tapping into the rich vein of her potential and her unique, witty and far-out personality.
The book begins with a gripping portrayal of her sex-trafficking at the hands of the Japanese Yakuza criminal organization, a terrifying yet matter-of-fact account that is in itself material for a whole book. From there, the story weaves through a cameo of interesting, dubious and often downright dangerous characters and locations as Marti's attempt to find herself gradually spirals to an all-time low.
One particular line in the book - and I won't cite it as I don't want to spoil it for the reader - is a promise that she makes to her daughter. It had tears pouring down my face, as I understand the journey Marti went on and the belief-in-self that an individual must possess to make such a declaration having come home from a personal war that most others will never understand.
Full credit to an amazing person, an accomplished author, one who has managed to laugh all the way up from rock bottom. Thank you.
Chris Thrall is the author of 'Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland'- a memoir
What a stunning debut by an all-round talented individual.
The synopsis: a young and beautiful Marti MacGibbon is set to make it big on the LA comedy circuit, indeed already has an appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson lined up and ready to thrust her into comedy gold with the likes of Barr, Belushi and Pryor - but the exact same qualities that make a candidate for genius see her exploring the `other' side of life, namely the narcotic underworld and a drug called crystal meth. In short, it's a sidetrack that sees Marti on a substance-fueled quest to understand who she really is before tapping into the rich vein of her potential and her unique, witty and far-out personality.
The book begins with a gripping portrayal of her sex-trafficking at the hands of the Japanese Yakuza criminal organization, a terrifying yet matter-of-fact account that is in itself material for a whole book. From there, the story weaves through a cameo of interesting, dubious and often downright dangerous characters and locations as Marti's attempt to find herself gradually spirals to an all-time low.
One particular line in the book - and I won't cite it as I don't want to spoil it for the reader - is a promise that she makes to her daughter. It had tears pouring down my face, as I understand the journey Marti went on and the belief-in-self that an individual must possess to make such a declaration having come home from a personal war that most others will never understand.
Full credit to an amazing person, an accomplished author, one who has managed to laugh all the way up from rock bottom. Thank you.
Chris Thrall is the author of 'Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland'- a memoir
October 27, 2012
I just finished this book and found it to be quite the page-turner! I wasn't expecting it to be as gripping as it actually was -- sometimes a memoir can drag and get heavy-handed with reflection but this one kept me reading well into the night.
Marti MacGibbon has had SO many misadventures. She had a blossoming career in comedy when her life went a bit off-track with drugs. She was held against her will in Japan and forced to be an escort, she performed odd, menial jobs to support her drug habit, she was homeless for awhile, and had to come to grips with losing custody of her daughter.
The book was more well-written than I'd expected, with no typos or grammatical errors, and MacGibbon has a talent for pulling you into the story. The writing made it easy for me to picture what things were like for her, and she does a great job at painting a scene with succinct yet effective prose and dialogue. The quality of writing and her ability to keep me absorbed with her story is what puts this memoir at a full five-stars in my book.
Disclaimer: I was provided this book for free by NetGalley, but in no way does it influence my rating and review.
Marti MacGibbon has had SO many misadventures. She had a blossoming career in comedy when her life went a bit off-track with drugs. She was held against her will in Japan and forced to be an escort, she performed odd, menial jobs to support her drug habit, she was homeless for awhile, and had to come to grips with losing custody of her daughter.
The book was more well-written than I'd expected, with no typos or grammatical errors, and MacGibbon has a talent for pulling you into the story. The writing made it easy for me to picture what things were like for her, and she does a great job at painting a scene with succinct yet effective prose and dialogue. The quality of writing and her ability to keep me absorbed with her story is what puts this memoir at a full five-stars in my book.
Disclaimer: I was provided this book for free by NetGalley, but in no way does it influence my rating and review.
June 9, 2014
Not sure where all the good reviews came from.
Because the author seemed to revel in her addiction and her life as a self-described dope fiend. Unfortunately the addiction covers about 90 % of the book, and her way back to life in recovery, a very small percentage after that. She freely admits to shoplifting but says she has her integrity and won't steal from a friend. she talks openly about the human trafficking for sex (and I agree that was beyond horrendous) but she was hooking long before that. After living a life of for many years as an addict, she starts recovery, and although she says it wasn't easy, she portrays it like there was never any second thoughts or back sliding. If it were as easy as she implicates, there wouldn't be any addicts or dope fiends. Am I glad she beat the demon of addiction? Absolutely, but I don't see her story as ringing quite true. And the book, well I kept hoping that with the great reviews, it was going to get better, but it didn't. With so many good books out there, save your time.
Because the author seemed to revel in her addiction and her life as a self-described dope fiend. Unfortunately the addiction covers about 90 % of the book, and her way back to life in recovery, a very small percentage after that. She freely admits to shoplifting but says she has her integrity and won't steal from a friend. she talks openly about the human trafficking for sex (and I agree that was beyond horrendous) but she was hooking long before that. After living a life of for many years as an addict, she starts recovery, and although she says it wasn't easy, she portrays it like there was never any second thoughts or back sliding. If it were as easy as she implicates, there wouldn't be any addicts or dope fiends. Am I glad she beat the demon of addiction? Absolutely, but I don't see her story as ringing quite true. And the book, well I kept hoping that with the great reviews, it was going to get better, but it didn't. With so many good books out there, save your time.
January 18, 2013
I received this as a free book to read. I wasn't sure what to expect before starting it. If this had been a book of fiction, I would have thought that there was so much happening to the main character that it was unbelievable.
This was the compelling story of the life of an addict. It depicts how a persons life can become fully centered on the next high. Through the course of Marti's story of addiction, she deals with homelessness, incarceration, and being sold as a human sex slave. Although this story was compelling, Marti's recovery seemed to occur based on one conversation and there wasn't an in depth story following. Additionally, I liked the title but I think I was expecting there to be more with the title. "Never give in to fear."
This was the compelling story of the life of an addict. It depicts how a persons life can become fully centered on the next high. Through the course of Marti's story of addiction, she deals with homelessness, incarceration, and being sold as a human sex slave. Although this story was compelling, Marti's recovery seemed to occur based on one conversation and there wasn't an in depth story following. Additionally, I liked the title but I think I was expecting there to be more with the title. "Never give in to fear."
January 11, 2013
Bookbub led me to this book. Faced with a 10-hour plane ride, I hoped this would see me through. It did, but not with a lot of enthusiasm. I think if I had been a "drug fiend" (Marti MacGibbon's lifestyle), I might have had a greater appreciation for the book. Instead I found myself a) angry that she had multiple opportunities and support groups for getting out of her drug-laced world and b) dissatisfied with her limited description of what could be called her "epiphany" into the real world. I feel certain that writing this book was a cathartic experience for the author, but I was not enthused.
July 25, 2013
I got this book for free from Members Giveaway. This book was okay and definitely not one of my favorite memoirs. In a nutshell, the book takes the reader through Marti's young life when she moved to California, started using drugs and how she got through it. I was not too keen on the writing. There was too much bad language and I'm not the type that would normally complain, but literally it was too much in this book. The writing was very basic, more like she was having a conversation with the invisible reader.
For the rest of the review, visit my book blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.co...
For the rest of the review, visit my book blog at: http://angelofmine1974.livejournal.co...
March 12, 2014
This is a very honest and humorous account of a woman's struggle and eventual recovery from drug addiction. Marti is very funny and I couldn't believe some of the things I found myself laughing about. That's what kept me reading. I usually have a hard time finishing a book but this one was very easy to read on. I gets a bit repetitive in the middle, but I believe it's also very true to the process. Recovery doesn't always happen in a single big swoop, one can experience numerous false starts and relapses and disappointments, but also there are many opportunities and people willing to help if one learns to see them.
May 19, 2012
I won this book on Goodreads and as reading it, it reminded me of the book Lit by Mary Karr in a way. The differences I saw were Marti was not looking for people to feel bad for her and her addiction, she was addicted to meth, and she was not getting all these good breaks. She was on a horrible path and was even homeless for awhile during her addiction. It did take me awhile to read because there were a ton of names and people, plus the book would mention something which would lead to a side story. All in all, it was okay. I did enjoy it a lot better than Lit though.
May 7, 2013
This is a typical I was a drug addict and now I'm clean type of self-help memoir. The cover describes it as having a "raw, honest, casual, funny voice." It was raw and casual. I found myself questioning the honest part, but then I don't have the mind of a drug addict so I'll give "honesty" the benefit of the doubt. There is nothing funny or humorous in this tale of stupidity, brutality, and mental illness. There is redemption, finally, in the love of those who never give up on someone caught in the web of bondage.
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