Rootlines: A Memoir

by Rikki West

Rikki and her sister, Linda, fell out with one another four months ago. They are not speaking when Linda emails that she has lethal abdominal tumors, that her only hope of survival is a total bone marrow replacement. Linda claims Rikki is too old to donate, and explains there’s only a slight chance she is a good match anyway―but Rikki refuses to accept that. Despite the wounding between them, Linda’s email ignites a wild aspiration in her sister: she will become the perfect donor, the perfect match, with the healthiest, most vigorous cells possible. She rises with intent to heal herself, her sister, and their rootlines, the patterns formed in their family of origin that have quietly shaped their lives.

Rikki walks through the science while confronting dogma that limits how mind can transform body. She builds herself into a stem cell factory using Muay Thai kickboxing and vegetarian nutrition. Working through childhood wounds and mental limits with meditation and yoga, she finds her own power, as well as ways to show up for Linda and walk with her from the edge of death to a new life. Together, the two sisters beat the lymphoma―and, as they rediscover the intimacy and love of their innocent childhood, heal the intertwined roots of their family pain.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, She Writes Press and Book Sparks for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I knew going into this book that it was going to be a pretty heavy story. It’s about two recently estranged sisters who must overcome their differences and a lifetime of childhood trauma in light of the older sister’s devastating cancer diagnosis. The author knows that her sister’s only chance may lie in the possibility of receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant, of which the author herself is the most viable donor.

This memoir sometimes reads like a personal journal in which the author explores her inner thoughts and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of her feelings and intentions. At other times, it reads like a scientific journal, explaining in-depth about the procedures that take place in the fight to save her sister’s life. It was in those places that the reading slowed down a bit for me. I was much more engaged by the author’s accounts of her family’s history and dynamics.

I appreciate that the author was open and transparent with her story because I think it could really help others navigate similar situations. Her story is an inspiration and a beacon of hope for people suffering from trauma and illness.

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 1 out of 5]

trigger warning
emotional abuse, mental illness, alcoholism, terminal illness, dementia, death of a parent, grief, trauma, self harm

dnf at 25%

Rikki West has had more excitement in her life than anyone would want, and this autobiography reads like she wrote it for herself, as a form of therapy, to get a grip on it. I like that she goes more into what she tried to cope healthily than what self-destructive mechanisms she developed, and this book centers around a big fallout with her sister, which only ended as the latter told her she is dying of blood cancer unless she gets a transplant.

I quit this for multiple reasons. There are so many heavy topics mentioned but it feels rushed. Maybe they get explored deeper in the rest of the book, I don't know and it was to harmful to me to try to read more. The writing feels erratic and jumpy and I had trouble following, especially as my concentration levels are not high due to current circumstances.

This book is just not for me, and that's okay.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am unsure how to write this review as this book affected me in so many ways. It’s a story about family and siblings’ bond regardless of whether it got tainted or going through difficulties. The author elaborated on all her feelings, thoughts, and experiences, mostly involving her sister, which touches my heart. It felt like I am with her the entire time as she goes through this journey. There are many things in this life we may not know why it is going on, and some of those things are even beyond what we think we can handle, and yet we hold on and keep fighting. This is a perfect read for anyone who finds themselves in difficult situations and needs a push to keep fighting. This book is engaging, inspirational, and heartwarming.

[Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @booksparks and @shewritespress for sending me this!

Rootlines is a memoir written by Rikki West. We learn a lot about Rikki’s career in the tech industry, how she got into Muy Thai kick boxing, how she grew up and her relationship with her sisters. Rikki and her sister Linda weren’t on speaking terms when Linda was diagnosed with extremely aggressive cancer and was in need of a total bone marrow transplant to have a fighting chance. Turns out Rikki is a 10/10 match - “like twins only better”.
As someone who loves my own sister with all my heart, this book is heart wrenching and very honest. I love reading about the sister relationships, the relationships they had with their mother and Rikki’s journey throughout the book to be her best self and do the best she can. If you like memoirs, this one is definitely for you.

[Christian Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rootlines // ⭐⭐

Thank you to @booksparks and @shewritespress for my copy of this book!

Rootlines is a memoir about two estranged sisters dealing with a difficult childhood and the trials and tribulations that cancer can put a family through. When Rikki finds out her sister, Linda, needs new stem cells, she becomes determined to be the donor, despite her age. This story tells the tales of two sisters fighting for life and accepting death.

I will be honest, this was not my favorite book. It read more like diary entries than a compiled memoir and I had a hard time connecting to the author and her family. Though the story was heartwarming, the medical jargon and mai thai boxing jargon was enough to displace my focus long enough for me to not care much about the actual story being told.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to see the relationship between Rikki and her sister, Linda evolve for the better. This book may be focused on Linda but it is really Linda and Rikki's story together. Family bond is very important and strong. In the worse of times; family is the best when you can count on them. Through love of family, anything is possible. In this case, recovery for Linda.

The things that Rikki went through for her sister was very endearing. It brought me close to her. If I am being honest, I actually was closer to Rikki then Linda. That is just because the main narrator/voice of the story is Rikki's. She shares this book though her point of view. I am glad to hear that Linda was able to get cleared by the doctors on her health.

[Paula Freeman-Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful story about the emotional impact of growing up in an alcoholic family, the ongoing struggle to understand and make peace with oneself and the cancer treatment that rekindled the bond between sisters.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I am happy that these two sisters ultimately found their way back to each other, but for some reason I didn't find this to be unputdownable read.

[arvada darnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that felt very well researched. It is well-written and engaging. There were too many technical, esoteric references for my personal taste. I found it hard to plow through those parts. I especially enjoyed the book when the author tapped into her heart, as oppose to her head. The more “personal” the story became, the more I engaged.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rootlines by Rikki West is a story of heartbreak and renewal. A touching story of a woman wrestling with her sister’s life-threatening diagnosis and uses Muay Thai kickboxing as a way of coping. In the process, she saves not only her sister but also herself.