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The Stories We Carry: A memoir about finding your voice and re-writing trauma into triumph
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"Raw, unapologetic, and so incredibly hopeful." - Jonty Bush, Australian Politician
At age 15, Jas Rawlinson was a young girl drowning in depression, trying her best to keep treading water against the tides of family violence and suicidal thoughts that threatened to drag her under.
For years, she fought to stay afloat, waiting for everything to change... and then, suddenly, it did. But what followed next, was something she never saw coming.
In this moment, Jas had to make a choice; to dig deep and find a new path forward, or to succumb to her trauma forever. Determined to take control of her life, Jas remembered the promise she made to herself as a young girl; a promise to one day be a voice for other women and children trapped in fear and silence... and so, one step at a time, she began to re-write her story.
Now a global speaker, anti-human trafficking ambassador, and best-selling author, Jas tells her story in full for the very first time. Featuring never-before-shared tales of her private investigations into human trafficking and exploitation, and shining a vulnerable and courageous light onto what it takes to re-write trauma into triumph, 'The Stories We Carry' is the most empowering book you'll read this year.
PRE-ORDER NOW LIVE: jasrawlinson dot com / thestorieswecarry
"From human trafficking and sexual abuse to suicide and mental health, Jas Rawlinson is unflinching in her commitment to talking about issues that others won't. This is not just a book about trauma...it generously shares the tools needed to transform your pain into purpose and hopelessness into healing."
- Sherry Lukey, International EFT Tapping Expert
"Raw, unapologetic, and so incredibly hopeful." - Jonty Bush, Australian Politician
At age 15, Jas Rawlinson was a young girl drowning in depression, trying her best to keep treading water against the tides of family violence and suicidal thoughts that threatened to drag her under.
For years, she fought to stay afloat, waiting for everything to change... and then, suddenly, it did. But what followed next, was something she never saw coming.
In this moment, Jas had to make a choice; to dig deep and find a new path forward, or to succumb to her trauma forever. Determined to take control of her life, Jas remembered the promise she made to herself as a young girl; a promise to one day be a voice for other women and children trapped in fear and silence... and so, one step at a time, she began to re-write her story.
Now a global speaker, anti-human trafficking ambassador, and best-selling author, Jas tells her story in full for the very first time. Featuring never-before-shared tales of her private investigations into human trafficking and exploitation, and shining a vulnerable and courageous light onto what it takes to re-write trauma into triumph, 'The Stories We Carry' is the most empowering book you'll read this year.
PRE-ORDER NOW LIVE: jasrawlinson dot com / thestorieswecarry
"From human trafficking and sexual abuse to suicide and mental health, Jas Rawlinson is unflinching in her commitment to talking about issues that others won't. This is not just a book about trauma...it generously shares the tools needed to transform your pain into purpose and hopelessness into healing."
- Sherry Lukey, International EFT Tapping Expert
373 pages, Paperback
Published January 3, 2023
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Jas Rawlinson
4 books6 followersJas Rawlinson is a best-selling author, award-nominated book coach and resilience speaker who specialises in stories that change lives. Growing up in a small country town, Jas first fell in love with the power of literature as a young girl, and would often disappear into the world of writing to escape from the family violence in her home. It was here that she made a promise to one day find a way to support other survivors and victims of domestic violence; and in 2016, she fulfilled that promise by co-founding Brisbane's first permanent domestic violence memorial. She is a Yahoo Finance top 10 book coach and has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives through global media outlets, including ABC, New Idea, and Authority Magazine. Endorsed by high-profile names including Kevin Hines, Lifeline and Livin, Jas speaks regularly on issues such as domestic violence and suicide prevention, and this year, will star on the award-winning TV series 'Adventure All Stars' as part of her mission to end child trafficking. Above all, Jas believes that everyone has a story with the power to inspire, impact, and change lives.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 12, 2022
Publication date: January 3rd, 2023.
In The Stories We Carry: A Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Re-writing Trauma into Triumph, Jas Rawlinson shares the enlightening experiences and painful memories that have formed her current self, a woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself and others.
By any measure, Jas Rawlinson's path is one of personal growth: she's now a resilience speaker, author of a book series, book coach, and the co-founder of the first domestic violence memorial in Brisbane. Through her book, the author opens a window into her childhood and teen years, and the picture the readers see is far from ideal. Raised by an abusive father, she didn't know what a healthy relationship should look like and constantly made mistakes, trying to find her calling. She discovered her destiny by helping others, like victims of human trafficking, speak.
It's almost unbearable to read the pages where the author describes the most traumatic events of her life. Yet, the memoir doesn't leave the reader with a sense of irreparable brokenness. On the contrary, the book emphasizes resilience over hopelessness, pushing forward over dwelling in the past, and the positive changes that helping others can bring.
The Stories We Carry is a genuinely inspirational story, delivered in a graceful writing style, the author soothing the younger version of herself - and readers - with compassion.
(The memoir contains several possible trigger topics, such as child abuse, rape, and domestic violence. Please refrain from reading if you feel these topics may negatively influence your mental health.)
My sincere thank you to the author for the opportunity to read the book. All opinions are mine and only mine.
In The Stories We Carry: A Memoir About Finding Your Voice and Re-writing Trauma into Triumph, Jas Rawlinson shares the enlightening experiences and painful memories that have formed her current self, a woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself and others.
By any measure, Jas Rawlinson's path is one of personal growth: she's now a resilience speaker, author of a book series, book coach, and the co-founder of the first domestic violence memorial in Brisbane. Through her book, the author opens a window into her childhood and teen years, and the picture the readers see is far from ideal. Raised by an abusive father, she didn't know what a healthy relationship should look like and constantly made mistakes, trying to find her calling. She discovered her destiny by helping others, like victims of human trafficking, speak.
It's almost unbearable to read the pages where the author describes the most traumatic events of her life. Yet, the memoir doesn't leave the reader with a sense of irreparable brokenness. On the contrary, the book emphasizes resilience over hopelessness, pushing forward over dwelling in the past, and the positive changes that helping others can bring.
The Stories We Carry is a genuinely inspirational story, delivered in a graceful writing style, the author soothing the younger version of herself - and readers - with compassion.
(The memoir contains several possible trigger topics, such as child abuse, rape, and domestic violence. Please refrain from reading if you feel these topics may negatively influence your mental health.)
My sincere thank you to the author for the opportunity to read the book. All opinions are mine and only mine.
December 9, 2022
Yesterday afternoon my copy of "The stories we carry" by Jas Rawlinson arrived. I started reading it at about 3.30 and by 11pm I had finished it. I really didn't want to put it down. It was real. It was raw and insightful. It was enlightening and encouraging and at times heartbreaking.
Jas tells her story of growing up with domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, depression and sexual assault.
But through it her determination to not only overcome but to help others to do so too, shone through.
Her work setting up the Brisbane domestic violence memorial, her work with anti human trafficking groups and trying to help women trafficked into brothels in Australia are all compassionately dealt with in this book.
Jas is also the author of "Reasons to live one more day , everyday" A series where she helps others to tell their stories of trauma and triumph. These books have changed lives and saved lives.
Jas tells her story of growing up with domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, depression and sexual assault.
But through it her determination to not only overcome but to help others to do so too, shone through.
Her work setting up the Brisbane domestic violence memorial, her work with anti human trafficking groups and trying to help women trafficked into brothels in Australia are all compassionately dealt with in this book.
Jas is also the author of "Reasons to live one more day , everyday" A series where she helps others to tell their stories of trauma and triumph. These books have changed lives and saved lives.
December 9, 2022
I resonated so much with Jas' story. I was hanging on to every word. Very inspirational.
Currently reading
November 8, 2022Writing this book was one of the biggest creative projects I've ever undertaken, and it definitely challenged me in ways that I never expected. Many of the memories that I've detailed in this book were ones that I'd forgotten, and in order to bring them to front of my mind I had to delve through half a dozen journals from my teenage years. (Not an easy task!)
I also had many in-depth and vulnerable conversations with my mum - who features heavily in the first half of the book. It was tough at times, and yet, it brought so much more depth to The Stories We Carry.
I'm so excited to finally be able to share my full story with the world, and to help others to realise that they are not alone, and that it's possible to discover joy, peace, and purpose on the other side of sexual trauma or family/domestic violence.
Just a note - this book is not for everyone. I'm a firm believer that it's important to be real about the struggles that survivors of abuse go through, but to ultimately show that trauma does not have to be a life sentence. Those who are still living in victim mode may not resonate with it, though I hope that, through the reading of this book, they will learn that they are capable of so much more than they realise.
With love,
Jas
I also had many in-depth and vulnerable conversations with my mum - who features heavily in the first half of the book. It was tough at times, and yet, it brought so much more depth to The Stories We Carry.
I'm so excited to finally be able to share my full story with the world, and to help others to realise that they are not alone, and that it's possible to discover joy, peace, and purpose on the other side of sexual trauma or family/domestic violence.
Just a note - this book is not for everyone. I'm a firm believer that it's important to be real about the struggles that survivors of abuse go through, but to ultimately show that trauma does not have to be a life sentence. Those who are still living in victim mode may not resonate with it, though I hope that, through the reading of this book, they will learn that they are capable of so much more than they realise.
With love,
Jas
January 18, 2023
A raw and honest account of Jas' youth and young adulthood, resulting in the achievement of her career goals with focus and tenacity. I found myself identifying with parts of her story as a teen and wondering how she held onto her dreams long enough to achieve them and dream up more. Her story should inspire others to do the same.
December 19, 2022
Jaz has got a way with words that literally take you by the hand and walk you through her story, as if you were right there with her, experiencing everything by her side. On many occasions I was so deeply touched and taken back into aspects of my own childhood. I even want to go as far as saying "The Stories We Carry" had a healing effect on me.
There was a time in the second part of her book, where I was so drawn in, I literally couldn't put it down till 2 am in the morning. I couldn't wait to wake up and finish the book the next day.
Incredibly touching, educating and advocating - an absolute must read!
You will love it, it will move you - it will change you.
Marie Alessi, founder of Loving Life after Loss
There was a time in the second part of her book, where I was so drawn in, I literally couldn't put it down till 2 am in the morning. I couldn't wait to wake up and finish the book the next day.
Incredibly touching, educating and advocating - an absolute must read!
You will love it, it will move you - it will change you.
Marie Alessi, founder of Loving Life after Loss
December 27, 2022
I didn't want it to end so I delayed reading the last few chapters but tonight I finally finished 'The Stories We Carry' by Jas Rawlinson and it was everything I hoped for and more. Very raw, real, emotional, relatable, cathartic and inspiring.
Thank you Jas for sharing your story to help others turn "trauma into triumph"
Thank you Jas for sharing your story to help others turn "trauma into triumph"
March 16, 2023
Inspiring, raw and thought provoking, this book will have you laughing and in tears. I think this would especially appeal to Australian millennials, but also anyone who’s been through depression, family violence or who has had trouble finding their purpose in life. A really enjoyable and easy to read book - read it in 2 days and didn’t want to put it down.
July 24, 2023
Authentic. Honest. Brave. This is the kind of book that inspires you to be a better person. I may have blurred a few pages with tears.
December 2, 2025
Jas you took what happened to you and turned them into a mission to help others.. An inspirational read.
February 3, 2023
One of the best books I've ever read which explores the complications of father-daughter feelings. Jas's writing is richly layered as she weaves through the multi-millions of thoughts in a young girl's mind and how, with time not being a saviour, her father can change in her memory from once being her strength and protector to something else altogether.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews