Being (Sick) Enough: Thoughts on Invisible Illness, Childhood Trauma, and Living Well When Surviving Is Hard

by Jessica Graham

Living well with chronic illness—wise and witty essays and advice on navigating pain, sex, trauma, spirituality, and grief from queer neurodivergent mindfulness expert Jessica Graham

In an unapologetic guide to living well with chronic illness, writer and meditation coach Jessica Graham offers smart, funny, raw, and mindful insights on untangling—and embracing—the messy realities of being a human alive on this planet today.

Graham gives us permission to accept care—and accept that it’s ok to want care. She weaves together personal stories and practical wisdom, grounded in her queer, chronically ill, and neurodivergent identities. She offers tools on managing symptoms, setting boundaries, and healing from ableist tropes like “you don’t look that sick” and “we’re all a little ADHD.”

She shares vulnerable personal the adverse childhood experiences that rewired her body and brain. The workaholism and addictions that kept her pain lying just below the surface. How illness and trauma intersected to obscure knowing that we’re each enough , wholly as we are.

Graham also explores the parts of chronic illness life that don’t get enough how can you center sex and pleasure when pain gets in the way? How can we live well…while living through late-stage capitalist hell? How can you come to know your pain as a spiritual teacher without falling prey to self-blame, magical thinking, or toxic positivity?

Wise and embodied, fearless and necessary, This Sucks is both a wild awakening and a love letter to your whole the pains and suffering, joys and brightness, and vital connections that hold each of us as we navigate what it means to be here, like this, right now.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Health, Disability, Biography Memoir, Mental Health, Psychology

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Dona's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished Reading
DNF @ 17% (it's still a good book)

Pre-Read notes

I read a lot of books about trauma as a precursor for illness. This one is a little different because it looks at trauma from the perspective of an entire family rather than just an individual. I thought I might gain some insight from this book. Graham is supposed to introduce the methods she used to help her family also heal from their trauma.

Final Review

I am trying. I do care.(1:17:19)

Review summary and recommendations

This book is gorgeously written and the descriptive writing is impeccable. But this book covers some very rough territory for me, and in a detailed and personal way. While I really related to this book, I found myself triggered by the material several times. For my own peace of mind, I needed to stop reading this.

That being said, I do recommend this trauma memoir for people not triggered by domestic violence, sexual violence, and violence against children.

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. If, instead of his child, he had cried to a professional or even a caring adult, things might have been very different. He might have gotten sober for good... (0:26:02) This is one of the things that causes kids to never recover-- parenting the parent. Kids just don't have the emotional resiliency to deal with adult stressors. But a *lot* of parents do this to their kids. Even relatively good parents that I've know have been guilty of this one.

2. My sweet animal brain has always been fuzzy and wired for sinking into a swamp of sadness. (1:00:25) Graham has a way with words and can really describe emotional state and reactions. Because of how clearly she writes, it's possible for me to connect completely with her experiences. She bravely honest about what she's experienced, without making it painful to read.

3. He left a big-brother sized hole in my dad's heart when he cut and ran.(0:24:37) From the jump, she acknowledges the power of intergenerational violence.

Rating: DNF @ 17%
Recommend? yes, but beware of triggers
Finished: Mar 25 '25

Thank you to the author Jessica Graham, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of BEING (SICK) ENOUGH. All views are mine.
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[Emily B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Pippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to share my appreciation of this book, because I think the author has done such a brilliant job of voicing their own thoughts and experiences while remaining conscious and mindful that they don’t necessarily represent everybody’s. It’s such a tricky balance to strike, especially in sensitive conversations about chronic illness, and the fact that I valued and appreciated this book while holding largely different personal experiences and beliefs is a testament to Graham’s writing skills and compassionate approach. Love to see this!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is nuanced, layered, multi-dimensional and so, so vulnerable!! This collection of essays sees the author sharing their insights into chronic illness (fibromyalgia, among others), chronic pain, intergenerational trauma, cPTSD, late in life diagnoses of autism and ADHD, depression, suicidal ideation, queer identity and love, sex and disability, grief and loss, alcohol addiction, sobriety (and that's just to name a few)!! Great on audio and HIGHLY recommended for anyone looking for help with any of the above issues in their own lives. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. The audiobook is also excellent narrated by the author themselves and I really enjoyed listening to the author voice their own work!

[Diane Dachota · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoir about childhood trauma, multiple illnesses and diagnoses and how meditation has helped one person with acceptance. The author is non-binary and has been diagnosed as autistic and with ADHD. They also suffer from numerous physical conditions ranging from degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, anorexia, migraines and other debilitating conditions. The author links these conditions with childhood trauma where they dealt with a depressed and abusive mother and an alcoholic father who treated them like his best friend instead of child.

Each chapter talks about a different challenge in the author's life and how various healing modalities helped them to accept their conditions and build a life that makes them happy. There is a lot of graphic talk here both about medical conditions and also the author's sex life and while I appreciate the candor of Graham, I think at times it was a little too much to read about. As a chronic pain patient myself (and a fellow spoonie), I did appreciate the author's discussion on only having so much energy to do things and the need to scale down even if you feel like you can push it. The author also talks about religion and meditation and the various healers that have helped them in many different ways.
Graham does acknowledge their privilege and the fact they can do things like experiment with different types of healing specialists, go on meditative retreats and go to many different doctors. I applaud the author for being very honest even though family members might not like everything being in the open and for being optimistic about the future. The author is also dedicated in providing counseling to those who need to work through their own complex trauma. I learned some things reading this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This culture isn’t built for the chronically ill or disabled, and we are given the message that we don’t belong”

Being Sick Enough covers a multitude of neurodivergent and trauma based problems. Topics like generational trauma, inherited PTSD, eating disorders, alcoholism, drug abuse, abortion, C-PTSD, ADHD, autism and Fibromyalgia.

The author tells us her story and her journey from forgiveness to acceptance in all aspects of her life from her illnesses, to her relationships.

She is open, honest and frank about her childhood and what it’s like to live with co morbid health issues as an adult.

“We must do our own research to find relief because of all the medical gaslighting, and the limitations of our healthcare system”

I really enjoyed the Spoons analogy, it’s something that very much resonated with me. I also found her forgiveness to her mother extremely brave and touching. And the “It’s like this right now” chapter was thought provoking.

The author highlights how important diagnoses are and the enlightening impact that “knowing” can have. It’s something I also strongly believe in.

“Knowing that I am autistic doesn’t solve every challenge that arises, but understanding this about myself has decreased many challenges and increased my well-being… How different my life might have been if I had this information earlier”

I gained some insight, and some empathy, reading this. Thank you for sharing your story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and North Atlantic Books for my advanced copy.

[Jordan (jordanbeavenblogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy of ‘Being (Sick) Enough” by Jessica Graham. This book which is due to be published on the 14th January 2025 was an incredible read for anyone that’s struggling from PTSD, invisible illnesses and those are tick the neurodivergent spark.

As a fellow person who deeply resonates with the experiences and struggles that Jessica’s Graham, reading this book felt like I finally had been heard. After 23 years on earth I have never felt understood or listened too, that all changed reading this book!
For the first time in my life I didn’t feel on my own and that nobody truly understands, Jessica Graham felt like a friend. Telling a story as if sat with her over a cup of tea.

This book is the lived experience of the author, Jessica Graham and her experience of childhood trauma, chronic & invisible illnesses and being diagnosed late in life with Autism and ADHD. She talks about the life after suffering trauma and navigating the world trying to not allow her complex ptsd to rule it. Jessica Graham found her way of coping and moving forward by a lot of spiritual beliefs. meditation and by going to a church that was accepting who them as a person.

Although I’m a far from religious and spiritual person ‘Being (Sick) Enough’ wasn’t a read I felt uncomfortable with and actually opened my eyes to the spiritual world, the way the author describes her spirituality is in such a thought provoking manner and to be be honest the whole book is thought provoking. Some of the parts of the authors life which were mentioned throughout this book I could hear myself saying how ‘I thought that too!’, both with Jessica’s life that were a huge part of the childhood trauma and with the recovery and learning to live life again.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who suffers with some sort of mental illness, invisible or chronic illness and any form of PTSD/C-PTSD as well as professionals and friend & family of loved ones who are struggling also.

Jessica Graham has outdone herself with opening up to hopefully more awareness and acceptance of issues that so many individuals go through, Jessica Graham is allowing thiose, who like me, have never felt heard, who nobody could understand & who feel invisible to be listened too, understood and seen.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down.

Ultimately I think it's good material but the wrong format. Jessica Graham, who identifies as non-binary, has gone through a lot of hardship, trauma and illness, and has spent years trying to feel better or to numb the pain. They have strong spiritual beliefs, but the book doesn't come across as preachy, actually quite the opposite. They write a lot about their own privilege, they are Christian now but support LGBTQ+ rights and are very sex-positive, they just seem like a lovely and compassionate person. I'd love to have a coffee or a drink with them. But I think the short chapters felt a bit disorganised at times and in a way, would have been better served by a different format, maybe a self-help book rather than a memoir. Or a podcast.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I naively thought this book was simply going to be about how to navigate life when you have chronic illness with helpful tips .
It instead was a book about what the author had to endure growing up through abuse, alcoholism, trauma, and then chronic illness. I was shocked by the first few chapters and how it all unfolded. My heart breaks for her and all she had to endure as a child and adolescent and ways she had to cope. Then to have all the chronic illness into adulthood is so unfair.

I am sure there are many people out there that sadly can relate to this book and I hope it makes it to them so it can be a helpful source.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a remarkable and profound exploration of personal trauma, characterised by its honesty and rawness. It has the potential to resonate deeply with individuals who have faced similar experiences. The writing is inspirational, and I express sincere gratitude for the opportunity to read it. Sharing one’s mental health journey requires considerable courage; for this reason, I consistently award a five-star rating upon such memoirs. Ultimately, it is not my position to evaluate the experiences of others.

The text addresses numerous sensitive subjects, rendering it both a moving and essential read for a diverse audience. However, I wish to caution prospective readers that certain content may prove difficult to process. Consequently, I recommend approaching this book with thoughtful consideration.

Coming soon: 14/01/2025

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a much bigger emphasis on the author's ADHD and autism, and how those aspects of their person created a lens for their experiences. However, ADHD and autism are only part of a list of themes promised on the back cover. Chronic illness and the author's relationship with their parents felt like the core of the story, with queerness and neurodivergence playing supporting roles.

With this in mind, I especially appreciated the author's vulnerability and perspective when telling the story of their family and childhood. They love their parents deeply, and felt a particularly strong bond with their father, and yet they acknowledge these people also hurt them deeply. Their parents were unequipped to be the safe, adult presence they needed. In a world where black-and-white thinking often rules the day, this nuance is refreshing. Graham gives us permission to feel conflicted about our parents and our childhood. They model a commitment to healing and creating healthy boundaries without insisting on a binary choice between estrangement and unconditional acceptance or forgiveness.

Graham's view of their own body-mind connection is fascinating as well. While our physical and mental health are not completely intertwined, Graham shows us how critical it can be for chronically ill people to prioritize themselves and get out of emotionally unhealthy situations. No, being in a toxic relationship, or just having some adverse childhood events in your history, won't necessarily create sickness or injury in your body (though it could). However, it is unhealthy to be in a situation that prevents your nervous system from achieving any real calm. If you're already chronically ill, it can be debilitating. Graham sets an example for many when they make healthy boundaries, relationships, and living situations part of their strategy to regain physical health.

The biggest distraction for me in this book, besides a loss of steam toward the end that feels commonplace to the genre, was how Graham sometimes seemed timid about discussing their past traumas and struggles to get healthy. I see this a lot in certain categories of personal experience writing. The inclination is understandable, as I myself have been criticized for privilege evident in my personal experience writing. However, Graham's need to remind the reader multiple times that they are aware things *could* have been worse for them, that they surely would've had a taller hill to climb had they been born more poor and less white, pulled me out of the reading experience. Yes, it is tremendously privileged to be able to attend a weeks-long meditation retreat. I even appreciate the author saying so. I just think this is more appropriate in context, when talking about the meditation retreat, and maybe making it more clear how the author managed to go to said retreat (they appear not to be particularly wealthy or well-connected). Placed at the beginning of the book as a broad disclaimer, Graham's calling out of their own privilege invalidates their experience in a way I think is unfair. Just because other people suffer more, does not mean an author's story lacks inherent value. While I do think some pieces of Graham's story benefit from an acknowledgement of privilege, it could be done in a way that demonstrates self-awareness without questioning the premise.

[Ailey | Bisexual Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to North Atlantic Books for the gifted ARC! Being (Sick) Enough will be released in the US on January 14, 2025.

Full Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up

Jessica Graham’s Being (Sick) Enough is a raw and evocative exploration of the intersections between chronic illness, trauma, queerness, and neurodivergence. Through vivid prose and unflinching honesty, Graham invites readers into their deeply personal journey, reflecting on the emotional, physical, and systemic barriers they’ve faced. The book shines in its ability to balance vulnerability with pragmatic insights, offering both a love letter to the body and a critique of social expectations and norms that often disregard the complexities of being human.

The themes Graham navigates are expansive and impactful. The book traces the long shadows of childhood abuse, parentification, and enmeshment, showing how these experiences ripple into adult relationships and bodily autonomy. Graham’s exploration of neurodivergent burnout, particularly for those navigating trauma within a neurotypical world, is especially poignant. The emphasis on listening to the body as a form of healing—despite the stigma surrounding chronic illness and mental health—is a powerful call for self-acceptance. Graham also critiques toxic positivity and ableist rhetoric, weaving Buddhist principles of mindfulness and acceptance throughout their narrative.

While the book’s themes resonated deeply, certain elements detracted from my reading experience. Graham’s intensely descriptive style, while often a strength, occasionally veered into oversharing that felt unnecessary—particularly regarding personal health details. Additionally, as a trauma therapist in training, I found Graham’s framing of mindfulness overly tied to a cognitive behavioral perspective, which felt at odds with my somatic understanding of PTSD treatment. The prescriptive tone in some parts, where Graham seemed to suggest that their methods for healing were universally applicable, felt limiting in a narrative otherwise rich with nuance.

Despite these critiques, Being (Sick) Enough is a heartfelt and necessary contribution to the conversation around living with trauma and chronic illness. Graham’s willingness to share their vulnerabilities and their incisive critique of ableism, sanism, and capitalism make this a meaningful read, particularly for those navigating similar challenges.

📖 Recommended For: Readers who value raw and introspective memoirs, those navigating the intersections of chronic illness, trauma, and neurodivergence, and anyone interested in critiques of ableism and toxic positivity.

🔑 Key Themes: Chronic Illness and Acceptance, Childhood Trauma and Healing, Neurodivergent Burnout, Queer Identity and Resilience, Self-Compassion and Mindfulness.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Medical Content (minor), Gore (minor), Emotional Abuse (minor), Drug Use (minor), Sexual Content (severe), Child Abuse (severe), Physical Abuse (moderate), Alcoholism (minor), Drug Abuse (minor), Mental Illness (moderate), Chronic Illness (moderate), Sexual Violence (minor), Abandonment (minor), Pandemic (minor), Death of a Parent (moderate), Cancer (minor), Eating Disorder (minor), Suicidal Thoughts (minor).

[Maryann Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, North Atlantic Books and the author Jessica Graham for the opportunity to read an ARC of the book Being (Sick) Enough, and to offer my honest review. Jessica Graham is a certified somatic trauma resolution guide specializing in complex PTSD and post traumatic growth; she is also an actor and filmmaker. The book, written through a series of essays and poetry provides Graham's thoughts on invisible illness, childhood trauma and living well when surviving is hard. Graham grew up in a dysfunctional family and suffered abuse by her mother and alcoholic dad. Both parents had challenging upbringings that they unfortunately brought, consciously or unconsciously to their parenting behavior. Graham advances the thought that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) negatively impact physical and mental well being throughout one's life. To that point, and as a result of her childhood trauma, she started drinking at age 12, with her dad often joining her and her friends; she engaged in unsatisfactory and sometimes abusive sexual relationships for many years, had constant eating disorders, and found that she actually enjoyed the attention being sick brought her. In her late 30s she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. After years of suffering from complex PTSD , alcoholism, sickness and suicide ideation she committed to working through her issues through a modality of treatments: therapy, medical treatment, meditation, spirituality and began to recognize that self forgiveness and self compassion were essential to her recovery.That recovery is and will be a lifetime process. I found the book to be honest, occasionally humorous and often brutal. I especially related to her feelings about grief. She describes her grief over her dad's death in a way that deeply touched me: "I carry the grief of losing my dad like a beautiful breathing memorial inside my heart. Sometimes that memorial hurts like hell, and sometimes it is the singing of a thousand golden flowers opening to the sun." Wow- that was powerful and relatable for me. The book addresses several very sensitive topics that could serve as triggers for some readers, yet for me it was a well written, although sometimes scattered read. 3.5 stars

[Kira K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a collection of short stories and essays and I wasn’t sure how I’d manage with it or how long it would take to get through this as a fellow Spoonie. The book is a brutally honest depiction of living in a disabled body which I could deeply relate to and also provides a honest depiction of generational trauma and trying to break the cycle. This was a touching and helpful collection for me as a disabled individual who sometimes struggles with it and I’m sure it will help many more who find the book too.

Favourite Quote:
“I am a spoonie. I am sometimes a bad spoonie (I say bad with kindness and because it sounds funny to me, bad spoonie) because even after all these years, I forget that don't have endless spoons. I forget that I don't necessarily have the same number of spoons every day. I forget to save contingency spoons. I forget that something as simple as a change in weather, a strong smell that hits wrong, Or an unexpected bright light can deplete all my spoons in one fell swoop. I forget what happens when I try to reuse a dirty spoon or just go spoonless (it's not pretty). I forget that most people don't even know what the hell Im talking about when say I'm out of spoons today. (You're what?)”

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were times in reading this book that I thought of so many people in my life who have been touched by trauma, healed by meditation, or struggled with chronic illness. I wanted to recommend this to them as a triumphant celebration of someone who has seen, validated, and honored their experiences, as well as offers hope for a way through from despair to hope.

And... it needed more editing. It felt like a series of blog posts where each chapter has to fully stand alone and explain the author's experience all over again. The narrative didn't build from a common foundation, but rather built pieces on top of it to repeat and riff on. I am not a reader who skims, which was a detriment in this case because while I found nuggets of wisdom and fascination, it took effort to get through the stuff I felt like I'd already read, just to get there.

So I guess I recommend this, but to buy rather than get at the library, so that you can read a chapter every few days and make your way slowly through it.

[Brenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW: Being (Sick) Enough by Jessica Graham ⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and North Atlantic Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This collection of essays focuses on the life of Jessica Graham as they journeyed through a childhood of trauma, addition, chronic illness, pain and loss. The chapters each follow a different influential part of Graham’s past that they have worked to understand plays a key role in understanding the present.

I struggled to decide how I felt about what I had read, because the contents are emotional and poetic at times. But the way the formatting and writing style of often pulls you out of that emotional state. Newton pairs the storytelling of their past with their strategies to manage navigating their trauma, and it came across a bit disjointed.

Please check a detailed list of trigger warnings and take care of yourself when reading.

Being (Sick) Enough will release on January 14th 2025.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Being chronically ill comes with knowing way more about your ailments than many medical professionals.... We must do our own research to find relief because of all the medical gaslighting, and the gross limitations of our healthcare system."

Being (Sick) Enough is a look into navigating trauma, illness, and disability in a world built for able-bodied individuals.

To be blunt: I was disappointed. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. I related most to the chapters on fibro and adult adhd, having that experience myself. Similarly, I really appreciated Graham's detailing of serving as her father's caregiver because so few books really dive into the emotions and, quite frankly, trauma, that comes with navigating the illness of a parent. Overall though, nothing felt particularly groundbreaking; it didn't stand out to me from other books on similar topics.

I originally requested to review this title because I had been researching biopsychosocial responses to chronic illness and pain, and a friend recommended the author. While I appreciate Graham's raw telling of her experiences, I found myself wanting more. 2.75 stars from me.

Many thanks to the publish for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This title is available 1/14/2025.

[kyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, North Atlantic Books, and Jessica Graham for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can appreciate this book as a collection of deeply personal reflections about Jessica Graham's lived experiences. It reads beautifully and poetically, but I struggle with how to shelve it. Although advertised in the health and non-fiction tag, I find myself leaning towards it being more suitably placed in the essays and poetry tags instead.

I liked it. It's worth a read if you're mindful of the trigger warnings and have the spoons to navigate a space where the author gets extremely vulnerable. I can feel the ache through the prose. At times, it made me ache too.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Jessica.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being (Sick) Enough, by Jessica Graham
Rating: 4/5
Published: 14 Jan 2025
‘But there is this body. This body that held my shame and his. This body which has become mine and mine alone. This body which has learned to be soothed. This body which no longer resides in a state of emergency, freezing like I did that winter. This body that can feel pleasure, and most times, the pleasure and shame are spread apart; they are no longer like thighs pressed together in the backseat of a full car…I take care of me. I take care of me. I take care of me.’
This book is a triumph, and there were many parts that resonated with me deeply. Graham’s thoughts on invisible illness, childhood trauma and living well are emotional, but also empowering. I loved the sections where she explored forgiveness and family, and she approaches illness with a tentative and respectful touch. She suffers from multiple chronic illnesses, and ADHD, and she explores what that means when forming relationships, setting boundaries and being kind to yourself. I loved that she addressed the elephant in the room – how do we get intimate when pain is a constant barrier to pleasure? She is a brave and powerful voice, and this book will provide comfort to a lot of people, myself included.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

The author's focus here is non binary and trauma based healing as a neuro divergent person, It was her life story and a map of how she used different modalities to heal her childhood trauma. Unfortunately for me it did not resonate and was not helpful to me as I cannot relate. I was hoping for more of the advertised focused on chronic illness and less on her story. The author admits in the book she has many privileges many do not which made it impossible for this reader to relate to her. I found it difficult to finish.

[shawn welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the pain, suffering, and challenging (sometimes terrible) process of recovering from trauma. The imagery is visceral, and the descriptions are vivid, capturing the harsh reality of pain and suffering. Yet, the joy, beauty, peace, forgiveness, and tranquility that the author has fought for are equally tangible. It delves into the complexity of both loving and hating family members, highlighting the struggle between wishing for a different childhood or body and accepting one's experiences. This book examines that journey, presenting a poignant and beautiful narrative. I believe it’s impossible to read this book and not feel a deep connection to the author and their journey.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read as a chronically ill folk in awhile. These series of essays were powerful to read- needing breaks in between each. They show what it’s like as a chronically ill folk living in an able-bodied world with such complex traumas that go deeper than what meets the eye. PTSD exists for a lot of us whether it’s from abuse, sex, the flawed medical system, our childhood, our parents and what they’ve done to us, etc. it’s not easy and this brings to the surface real and raw accounts that have experienced this firsthand. Every essay was relatable to me in some way and I really enjoyed reading this compilation of them.

[Jacinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book. Enjoyed the rawness of the book. Lots of emotions, experiences, and empathizing. Also, lots of trauma unpacking. While the messiest of the book and the chapters not being linear added to the feelings when discussing ADHD, Autism, chronic pain, consent, and others sometimes the flow got a bit confusing. For instance, when talking about the mother and father dynamics (Oh to the complexities of mommy and daddy issues). Still a great listen that validated the experience of those who are neurodivergent. Appreciated the narratives and would read the author again.

[Angie Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. So horrible. Do yourself a favor and read a book by someone educated, more experienced and more self aware. This is more of a memoir for the author to air her grievances about society. Crappy Childhood Fairy is amazing as well as The Self Esteem books. This, isn’t it.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped this book would be informative, but almost immediately upon beginning I found the writer to lack credibility. The supposition that one has received 'superior' care because of skin color is without foundation within her ethnic heritage.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book is deep and can be a lot to take in. Though the topics can be heavy she does tie in some light comedy throughout.

[Sienna]

This collection didn’t turn out to be about what I thought it would.

[Megan Rath · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ Some aspects were so relatable, others not so much. I do appreciate the rawness of the unrelatable parts, even if it was almost too overwhelming at times.

[Ashley : bostieslovebooks]

DNF at 22%.
Due back to library and I’m not enjoying the writing style enough to want to renew.

[Allie De Boer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much wisdom yet to be gleaned I ordered my own paper copy after listening to the audiobook from my library. Wow.