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Counting Spoons
Kathryn Mae Inman exposes her pain and her love for Jesus in her debut book, Counting Spoons, a Memoir of Heroin, Heartache, and Hope. When addiction took hold of her youngest son, she thought it was the end. But it was actually the beginning. She cried out to a God she did not know and he answered. Families struggling in addiction will find hope in this story. Counting Spoons is about lies, crime, addiction, desperate love, and a miraculous rescue. It reveals the power of redeeming grace and the joy of a comeback.
250 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2022
Everyone Should Read This Book.
I began this book 24 hours ago and couldn’t set it down. My heart was rocked with emotion as I read the honest story from Kathryn as she recalls her darkest moments watching her son, Justin, battle drug addictions.
This book will wreck you in the best way possible. It will show you that there is hope in the darkness, but that the darkness is still daunting. It is real, raw, and authentic. I loved every page. Kathryn’s writing is beautiful and I loved how her son, Justin, contributed to the book as well.
This story truly was a masterpiece.
I began this book 24 hours ago and couldn’t set it down. My heart was rocked with emotion as I read the honest story from Kathryn as she recalls her darkest moments watching her son, Justin, battle drug addictions.
This book will wreck you in the best way possible. It will show you that there is hope in the darkness, but that the darkness is still daunting. It is real, raw, and authentic. I loved every page. Kathryn’s writing is beautiful and I loved how her son, Justin, contributed to the book as well.
This story truly was a masterpiece.
February 11, 2022
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of this book, and in short, Wow! I’ve been aware that Kathryn had this story to share for quite a while. I saw her enter pitch contests on Twitter, connect with her publisher, and work on preparing the book for release. Through it all, my impression was that it had to be a powerful story because of the passion she showed in telling everyone about it for so long.
It IS a powerful story!
The writing is emotional and present. Kathryn and Justin pour their hearts onto the page. They hold nothing back, and it grips you hard. They’ve known suffering. They’ve known trial. They’ve lived through trauma, fear, and desperation, and I teared up many times while reading their account.
I’ve seen God work in my life. Hindsight often gives perspective that adds to my faith. I see where and when He was moving, even if it wasn’t clear in the moment. This book is like that. You will see how God intervened. You will see His deliverance. You will understand why the Kathryn and Justin of today are bursting to share their story and their faith in Jesus. He gave them a miracle.
Gripping, real, and powerful, Counting Spoons connects straight to the heart with an incredible story of a mother’s love and our God who saves.
It IS a powerful story!
The writing is emotional and present. Kathryn and Justin pour their hearts onto the page. They hold nothing back, and it grips you hard. They’ve known suffering. They’ve known trial. They’ve lived through trauma, fear, and desperation, and I teared up many times while reading their account.
I’ve seen God work in my life. Hindsight often gives perspective that adds to my faith. I see where and when He was moving, even if it wasn’t clear in the moment. This book is like that. You will see how God intervened. You will see His deliverance. You will understand why the Kathryn and Justin of today are bursting to share their story and their faith in Jesus. He gave them a miracle.
Gripping, real, and powerful, Counting Spoons connects straight to the heart with an incredible story of a mother’s love and our God who saves.
August 8, 2022
I just finished Counting Spoons by Kathryn Mae Inman & it’s 1 of those books that overwhelmingly reminds you that there is Hope beyond the shadows.
It’s told from 2 perspectives:
Justin Usiak // a former heroin-addict-now-redeemed-Son of the High King through Christ’s sacrifice
Kathryn Inman // Justin’s warrior-mother who weathered her son’s darkness & her own confused despair & came out into the Light of Christ.
I’m going to massively spoil this true story, with no regrets, to tell you
this book has a happy ending.
I haven’t smiled so big after reading a book for a long time.
Just when you’re ready to drop under the horrific weight of everything you’ve read,
Hope breaks through the night in a blaze of gold.
Counting Spoons is, among other things, a poignant reminder that
“it is inexorable Love which follows us into the Darkness.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot
Christ died to save us from our sin & nothing, not even that sin itself, will thwart His saving grace.
It’s told from 2 perspectives:
Justin Usiak // a former heroin-addict-now-redeemed-Son of the High King through Christ’s sacrifice
Kathryn Inman // Justin’s warrior-mother who weathered her son’s darkness & her own confused despair & came out into the Light of Christ.
I’m going to massively spoil this true story, with no regrets, to tell you
this book has a happy ending.
I haven’t smiled so big after reading a book for a long time.
Just when you’re ready to drop under the horrific weight of everything you’ve read,
Hope breaks through the night in a blaze of gold.
Counting Spoons is, among other things, a poignant reminder that
“it is inexorable Love which follows us into the Darkness.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot
Christ died to save us from our sin & nothing, not even that sin itself, will thwart His saving grace.
March 22, 2026
Powerful book written about the authors real life events. Chapters alternate between her and her youngest son during his battle with a heroin addiction. Expertly written from the heart. A must read.
March 9, 2022
Unbelievably Powerful
Wow! What a book.
It's filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s raw. It's real. It's heartbreaking.
It will make you cry, be angry, and feel hope all at the same time. Kathryn and Justin wrote an amazing book. Their words pierced my soul. You will love and hate Justin but you also find yourself praying for them while turning each page in hopes Justin changes. You're on the edge of every page needing to find out more and what happens next.
Kathryn and Justin share how real and raw addiction is. The darkness, dirtiness, and the ugliness from it. The story is so well written that you feel these characters' emotions. I won't lie, I wanted to slap sense into Justin a few times in this book but also wanted to hug him and cry.
Addiction comes in many different ways. And reading these words from a mother's side and then reading Justins' side, you really understand that addictions don't discriminate. You can come from a good home and have everything going for you. The dragon gets what it wants.
If you don't believe God hears you or that miracles don't happen, read this book. I promise you that God was watching this family through it all and even though you get mad reading it and question why God would make a family go through this, you come to the end of the book and realize God was molding Justin for greater things.
Wow! What a book.
It's filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s raw. It's real. It's heartbreaking.
It will make you cry, be angry, and feel hope all at the same time. Kathryn and Justin wrote an amazing book. Their words pierced my soul. You will love and hate Justin but you also find yourself praying for them while turning each page in hopes Justin changes. You're on the edge of every page needing to find out more and what happens next.
Kathryn and Justin share how real and raw addiction is. The darkness, dirtiness, and the ugliness from it. The story is so well written that you feel these characters' emotions. I won't lie, I wanted to slap sense into Justin a few times in this book but also wanted to hug him and cry.
Addiction comes in many different ways. And reading these words from a mother's side and then reading Justins' side, you really understand that addictions don't discriminate. You can come from a good home and have everything going for you. The dragon gets what it wants.
If you don't believe God hears you or that miracles don't happen, read this book. I promise you that God was watching this family through it all and even though you get mad reading it and question why God would make a family go through this, you come to the end of the book and realize God was molding Justin for greater things.
September 5, 2022
Emotional, heartbreaking, and inspirational!
Counting Spoons is a gut-wrenching story that displays the drastic highs and lows of a young man who battled with dug addictions for years, and the impact it had on his grieving mother who never gave up on him. An incredible true story of hope, resilience, and faith. Every page I turned I thanked God that I didn’t have to live through this with my son, but if I did, it is stories like this that makes me believe in the angels who give you strength and pull you up when you fall down. As heartbreaking as it is to read through the struggles, it is as equally refreshing and inspirational.
In this beautiful book, Kathryn Mae Inman bares her heart and soul in the spirit of helping others. She is an example and an inspiration to all parents in the world who deal with similar conditions.
The message is: Keep the faith and never never give up!
Counting Spoons is a gut-wrenching story that displays the drastic highs and lows of a young man who battled with dug addictions for years, and the impact it had on his grieving mother who never gave up on him. An incredible true story of hope, resilience, and faith. Every page I turned I thanked God that I didn’t have to live through this with my son, but if I did, it is stories like this that makes me believe in the angels who give you strength and pull you up when you fall down. As heartbreaking as it is to read through the struggles, it is as equally refreshing and inspirational.
In this beautiful book, Kathryn Mae Inman bares her heart and soul in the spirit of helping others. She is an example and an inspiration to all parents in the world who deal with similar conditions.
The message is: Keep the faith and never never give up!
February 23, 2022
This was an emotional read for me. But an important one for anyone who has seen a family destroyed by addiction. Being able to read both sides of the addiction journey was very enlightening. It's not often we get that in one memoir. I applaud the bravery of both the author and her son for being so transparent. I think that's what makes this book so powerful. And although it is faith-based, I think any reader could read it and feel the emotions of their journey. I'm already sending this book to a friend who has been affected by addiction.
The one thing you will see through every page of this book is love and the light of hope even in the darkest times.
The one thing you will see through every page of this book is love and the light of hope even in the darkest times.
March 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Once I got into it I found it hard to put down. I liked how the points of view of the mother as well as the addict son and the brother of the addict were all included. I think that anyone who has experienced addiction will be able to find solace in this story. I especially enjoyed how God was able to orchestrate Justin's rescue and eventual recovery. I was celebrating at the end! And good for you Justin for using your pain to benefit others.
October 9, 2022
Passionate, powerful, & hopeful, this debut memior by Kathryn M. Inman provides a deeply intimate & intense look at addiction & how it impacts not just a mother, but her entire family. What do you do when something like a drug starts to rip someone you love from your life? Kathryn Inman chose to fight. She fought mentally & spiritually to save her son & her family. This book a letter to all who have family or friends that struggle with addiction, & a reminder that there is always hope.
February 28, 2024
I haven't read many personal stories of drug addiction, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but this book really was so incredibly powerful! It was a beautiful reminder of the "possible." No matter how dark or discouraging or depressing things get, it's possible that things can get better. Hope is possible. Healing is possible. Freedom is possible. I think we all need those reminders. If you're going through what seems like an insurmountable obstacle, I highly recommend reading this book!
August 19, 2024
I purchased and read Counting Spoons to support and get to know a new author friend. I wanted to know her story. I knew it was going to be good, and I wasn’t disappointed. I just didn’t realize how deeply this beautiful story would touch me. Even if you don’t know someone with an addiction, I highly recommend you read this amazing story of a mother’s love and of “heroin, heartache” and most of all, “Hope”! You need to read Counting Spoons!
February 21, 2022
Absolutely amazing book. I went to middle school and high school with the man this book is about. Major props to him and his mom for writing this, something so personal, so raw, and an emotional roller coaster. Loved having both perspectives. Great debut book!
December 8, 2023
A vulnerable and truthful narrative on the different perspectives of a relationship during active addiction and its aftermath. A must read if you are looking for understanding the complexities and at times paradoxical relationship of people facing addictions and their loved ones.
December 8, 2022
4.5 stars. Very intense but realistic view on drug addiction. Well told. Love that it showed the perception through the moms eyes as well as the addicted son.
June 9, 2025
A redemption story for every person with a wayward or broken heart. (In other words, this book is meant for you.)
February 22, 2022
Counting Spoons powerfully recounts a mothers anger, grief, and healing watching her youngest son battle addiction.
The memoir is written from multiple perspectives, powerfully and seamlessly swapping between mother and son. One moment you’re seeing things through the eyes of the addict, then next you’ve swapped to the same moment through the eyes of a concerned mother - making it unputdownable.
I am in awe of the courage it takes to share your most difficult experiences with full transparency and honesty.
For anyone who has experienced the effects of addiction, this will be a difficult read but there is a happy ending.
Content warnings: addiction, drug abuse
The memoir is written from multiple perspectives, powerfully and seamlessly swapping between mother and son. One moment you’re seeing things through the eyes of the addict, then next you’ve swapped to the same moment through the eyes of a concerned mother - making it unputdownable.
I am in awe of the courage it takes to share your most difficult experiences with full transparency and honesty.
For anyone who has experienced the effects of addiction, this will be a difficult read but there is a happy ending.
Content warnings: addiction, drug abuse
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews