A Sparkling Tornado: A memoir of living and thriving-ish with bipolar disorder

by Sandra Steiner

A Sparkling Tornado takes readers on one woman’s journey through the whirlwind of living with bipolar disorder, tumbling from the bleak darkness of depression to the highs of mania. After surviving the first of several suicide attempts, Sandra takes us along as she travels through both extremes. Along the way, impulsive decisions like launching a quirky flowerpot painting business infuse humour into the turmoil.
From the rock bottom of hospitalizations and electric shock treatments, Sandra commits to therapy and medication, clawing her way toward healing through motherhood, a career in fitness, and divorce and remarriage. After 23 years of stability, her bipolar disorder rages again and she finds herself back in "grippy socks" on the Psych ward. Writing becomes part of her recovery, and with each word she finds healing and her way back to mental health.
A Sparkling Tornado is part memoir, part workbook. Each chapter concludes with an essential tool Sandra uses to maintain her stability, from Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy strategies to exercises that will be helpful not just for those with bipolar but for anyone who wants to maintain good mental health.
Throughout her story, heavy topics are peppered with the occasional laugh. Because if we can’t laugh, we might cry, and Sandra would rather you keep her book free of teardrops.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2025

Reviews

[Carolin Hwozdyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A candid and courageous account of living with bipolar disorder.

You would never suspect it—the tornado lurking behind the bright, energetic woman leading my fitness class. For years I’ve followed Sandra’s instructions and prompts, appreciating her tips on fitness and nutrition, and melting into the floor mat when she ends a yoga session with calming meditation. An elite athlete, Sandra has it all together—the perfect life—a strong family, a balanced life, fit and healthy.

Never would I guess the internal battles fought by this upbeat and positive woman. That is until I read “A Sparkling Tornado—A memoir of living and thriving-ish with bipolar disorder.” What an eye-opener, with all my assumptions swept away in the aftermath of reading her story.

Candidly, and with humour, Sandra recounts the rocky road of living with bipolar disorder. She speaks in ordinary terms, using non-medical language. With a deep desire to help others manage the highs and lows of a complex disorder, she shares her “toolbox of tricks”—an assortment of therapies, strategies, exercises, and resources—that helped save her life and allowed her to live happily and with stability.

A natural writer, Sandra Steiner's book engages and articulates a courageous journey of self-healing and of living life fully.

[Ruth H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now my second time reading this book and it is just as amazing the second time around. The author is very honest (sometimes painfully so) about what her life with bipolar has been like--scary at times, but also affirming. It describes the author's own experiences , and also provides tools (and song choices!) that can help others, based on the author's own insights and experiences.

This book will be so helpful not just for people who have bipolar, but also for those who care about people with bipolar--it will help them better understand what the other person is going through. And that is a good thing for all of us.

[Kim Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir about having bipolar disorder and finding ways to live with joy and community. The author isn't afraid to share the low moments with honesty and care. Her consistently funny and sunny writing style makes it all a pleasure to read, and the end of each chapter has tools for your mental health toolkit to help you live better whether you have mental illness or not. A helpful book for those who have a loved one with any mental illness.

[Paul Marrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra Steiner's book is an accessible and engrossing account of the struggles for normalcy she has had most of her life. The reader gains an understanding of bipolar disease and the constant efforts required to maintain health. There are suggestions for appropriate resources at the end of each chapter for those with the disease and for friends and families of those who live with the condition. I highly recommend it.

[Ethan Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought it was an incredibly powerful read, that brought me through so many emotions. I am glad that there was humour through the whole book, as it made it much easier to read and learn about such a strong subject. I also believe the addition of little pictures/ activities is great and really encourages you to interact with the book.

[Damian Konopka · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read for bipolars

I have read dozens of books on this subject, and this is one of my favorite ones. Her writing style stuck with me right away, and I even enjoyed her more chaotic stories because she made them accessible. This is also a great book for loved ones to read.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting and engrossing read! Sandra has a great way of balancing storytelling and providing guided questions for people with bipolar to reflect on their own well-being.