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Broken Bits and Glitter: a memoir
This is the story of a woman’s survival from a life filled with landmines of loss, betrayal, abuse, and abandonment. Erika sought to fight her inheritance of self-loathing through relationships, alcohol, drugs, and suicide. She shows us a tumultuous journey in her quest to find the father that abandoned her and ultimately, what she must face is her total abandonment of herself.
Erika’s path is littered with heartbreak and well-placed glitter that lights her way to self-awareness, always when she most needs encouragement to continue forward. Wounds transform into faith into a higher power and she eventually finds value in herself, despite the chronic voices in her head that tell her she is worthless.
Along the way, wisdom builds a passion to light the way for other women. Erika has transmuted her shame and pain into self-acceptance and courage. Her strength has built a platform for others to heal their voices and share their stories so that, as women, we are the support and foundation for all of us to heal. Our voices matter.
Erika’s path is littered with heartbreak and well-placed glitter that lights her way to self-awareness, always when she most needs encouragement to continue forward. Wounds transform into faith into a higher power and she eventually finds value in herself, despite the chronic voices in her head that tell her she is worthless.
Along the way, wisdom builds a passion to light the way for other women. Erika has transmuted her shame and pain into self-acceptance and courage. Her strength has built a platform for others to heal their voices and share their stories so that, as women, we are the support and foundation for all of us to heal. Our voices matter.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2018
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 27, 2024
I am a relatively slow reader. I read this in less than 24 hours because I didn’t want to put it down. Granted, memoirs are my favorite, but I have read several that were not good. To give you a frame of reference so you know whether my review should encourage you to read this or not, some of my favorite memoirs are: Heavy by Kiese Laymon, Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang, Rabbit by Patricia Williams, and Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas.
So this book is a page turner. The writing is so easy to follow and it feels like you’re talking to your friend at a coffee shop. Erika starts off the book in her teen years and then goes from there. At the beginning the writing does sound like the thoughts and words of a teenager so I really found myself feeling transported back to that youthful time. As Erika matures in the book so too do her thoughts, words and behaviors.
I enjoyed the structure of this too because it wasn’t just linear. She does sort of flash back to pretty big events in her youth but the timing of it and the way she writes those parts totally make sense and didn’t confuse me. Sometimes flashing back and forth does not work for my brain but I think it was perfectly executed in this memoir. Right when you’re asking yourself well why did that happen or what does she mean by that, Erika gives you that history.
There was a lot I identified with in this book partly because she and I are close in age and because I grew up in LA and most of the book takes place there. However, one major part that struck a chord with me was when she talks about being vulnerable and the walls we put up to protect our hearts. Man do I get that. I will always push people away so they can’t abandon me first.
This book is utterly raw and honest but not in a cringey or melodramatic way. It gives the reader permission to be a messy multifaceted human being.
For me it encourages self reflection/introspection and makes me want to LIVE more.
Just a tremendous memoir.
So this book is a page turner. The writing is so easy to follow and it feels like you’re talking to your friend at a coffee shop. Erika starts off the book in her teen years and then goes from there. At the beginning the writing does sound like the thoughts and words of a teenager so I really found myself feeling transported back to that youthful time. As Erika matures in the book so too do her thoughts, words and behaviors.
I enjoyed the structure of this too because it wasn’t just linear. She does sort of flash back to pretty big events in her youth but the timing of it and the way she writes those parts totally make sense and didn’t confuse me. Sometimes flashing back and forth does not work for my brain but I think it was perfectly executed in this memoir. Right when you’re asking yourself well why did that happen or what does she mean by that, Erika gives you that history.
There was a lot I identified with in this book partly because she and I are close in age and because I grew up in LA and most of the book takes place there. However, one major part that struck a chord with me was when she talks about being vulnerable and the walls we put up to protect our hearts. Man do I get that. I will always push people away so they can’t abandon me first.
This book is utterly raw and honest but not in a cringey or melodramatic way. It gives the reader permission to be a messy multifaceted human being.
For me it encourages self reflection/introspection and makes me want to LIVE more.
Just a tremendous memoir.
February 21, 2018
This is a memoir that takes the reader through every emotion imaginable. From happy to sad, horror to excitement, it has it all, but is written in a way that doesn’t make you feel like there isn’t hope. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
December 11, 2018
This is an amazing book, written by a courageous indefatigable woman.
January 24, 2020
For all to read
Although I have not had many obstacles in my life/maybe because I haven't, I enjoyed and learned from firsthand experiences that Erika had and shared. If she can get through them then I can get through mine because we all have them. Along the way we always meet the most amazing people! This makes me want to do more writing. Thank you, Erika!
Although I have not had many obstacles in my life/maybe because I haven't, I enjoyed and learned from firsthand experiences that Erika had and shared. If she can get through them then I can get through mine because we all have them. Along the way we always meet the most amazing people! This makes me want to do more writing. Thank you, Erika!
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August 31, 2018Kindle edition.
I came across some videos from a local storytelling event where Worth blew me away with her raw honesty. Her memoir is one of those books that kills you a little to read but makes you rejoice so damn hard to know the author is here to keep telling the tales.
I came across some videos from a local storytelling event where Worth blew me away with her raw honesty. Her memoir is one of those books that kills you a little to read but makes you rejoice so damn hard to know the author is here to keep telling the tales.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews