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Homeless to Hopkins
"I wish I could just die," I said to myself as my teeth chattered and my body shook with cold. Knowing I would probably still wake in the morning with my hair frozen to the door, I curled up in a ball, trying to find some warmth in the car that was my bedroom. Sadness consumed me like an infection; it had become the norm for me to wake up every day feeling broken.
Most nights like this, all I could hope for was to die in my sleep to be rid of the pain. Despite the terrible nights, I still woke up, dressed, and went to my only refuge, my high school.
This was my life, often alone, cold, sad, and hungry. My youth was different than most, but this was my reality.
However, despite the hardship that was my life and being homeless, something led me on, something saw me through. I survived, I found hope, and eventually, a life even better than I had imagined. Even though I so often faced darkness, I discovered light, laughter, and happiness.
I journeyed from that broken, homeless teenager sleeping in the car to eventually being a Medical Doctor at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins. But most important of all, I found me, I found joy.
This is my story.
Homeless to Hopkins.
Most nights like this, all I could hope for was to die in my sleep to be rid of the pain. Despite the terrible nights, I still woke up, dressed, and went to my only refuge, my high school.
This was my life, often alone, cold, sad, and hungry. My youth was different than most, but this was my reality.
However, despite the hardship that was my life and being homeless, something led me on, something saw me through. I survived, I found hope, and eventually, a life even better than I had imagined. Even though I so often faced darkness, I discovered light, laughter, and happiness.
I journeyed from that broken, homeless teenager sleeping in the car to eventually being a Medical Doctor at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins. But most important of all, I found me, I found joy.
This is my story.
Homeless to Hopkins.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 11, 2023
This is my uncle and I am familiar with his growing up as my mom went through ithe. I have always been grateful to my mom for her persistence and hard work to get through a difficult childhood. I enjoyed reading it from my uncle's perspective as it brought a new light. He included the many life lessons he had learned throughout his book and it helped me to apply then to my life.
April 4, 2023
My mom bought this book and let me borrow it because she really liked it. Not only do I love reading memoirs, especially about people overcoming crazy and sad childhoods, but I love that this author ended up at Hopkins. I went to Hopkins to receive medical help when no one else had answers for me, so it holds a special place in my heart. Chris Smith is an amazing example of perseverance, resilience, hard work and forgiveness.
May 28, 2023
"Homeless to Hopkins" reads more like a journal than anything. The author grew up in challenging conditions, with less-than-stellar parents, as well as poverty and tragedy coloring his years. He overcame this through intelligence and hard work, and he certainly succeeded, but a story that's so very rags-to-riches should feel more compelling, and I just didn't get that here.
He's very religious, being a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), and we learn about his doing missionary work in his youth. He also credits God with getting him through his many tough times, although he seems to have been saddled with much more adversity than most. I suppose that's the perspective of someone so religious, and if you are of a similar mind, you may find that compelling, The book is peppered with many religious references, such as "my faith nourished me during this dark time," "sustained by my faith in God," "I felt that this was Divine intervention for us," etc. If that helped him get through and succeed, good for him! But some may find it off-putting.
That aside, it's interesting to see all he got through, from terrible parents to other challenging family members to his sister-in-law's addiction issues to his own wife's medical issues. While all of that sounds like the basis for a rather dramatic autobiography, the writing itself comes across more as a recitation of facts. I didn't expect this to read like a novel, but the entire story was rather flat.
He's very religious, being a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), and we learn about his doing missionary work in his youth. He also credits God with getting him through his many tough times, although he seems to have been saddled with much more adversity than most. I suppose that's the perspective of someone so religious, and if you are of a similar mind, you may find that compelling, The book is peppered with many religious references, such as "my faith nourished me during this dark time," "sustained by my faith in God," "I felt that this was Divine intervention for us," etc. If that helped him get through and succeed, good for him! But some may find it off-putting.
That aside, it's interesting to see all he got through, from terrible parents to other challenging family members to his sister-in-law's addiction issues to his own wife's medical issues. While all of that sounds like the basis for a rather dramatic autobiography, the writing itself comes across more as a recitation of facts. I didn't expect this to read like a novel, but the entire story was rather flat.
August 3, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. Memoirs have always been a favorite genre of mine, if they are well-written, and this one was. A lot of the book was rather hard reading, since it was about a dysfunctional family with parents who, instead of providing for and building up their children, depended on them and dragged them down, even into adulthood. Christopher’s story of moving past the trauma of his childhood and teen years to become a man who was able to help others is inspiring. Some people will want to be aware of a few things in this story that could be triggers if there is trauma in their own past; suicide is contemplated a few times, a baby dies, and a woman nearly dies in surgery and has to be resuscitated.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
July 3, 2023
Homeless to Hopkins
Chris Smith describes his lowest point as having to sleep in the family car every night his senior year in high school, due to allergies, while the rest of his family sleeps in the cheapest motel rooms available. Even so, he was a successful student academically and in most other ways.
He thrives, becoming a doctor, despite a modern Dicksenian tale of a childhood. How he accomplishes this makes a gripping story. His drive to excel and achieve his goals against enormous obstacles is nothing short of greatly inspirational.
Chris Smith describes his lowest point as having to sleep in the family car every night his senior year in high school, due to allergies, while the rest of his family sleeps in the cheapest motel rooms available. Even so, he was a successful student academically and in most other ways.
He thrives, becoming a doctor, despite a modern Dicksenian tale of a childhood. How he accomplishes this makes a gripping story. His drive to excel and achieve his goals against enormous obstacles is nothing short of greatly inspirational.
October 7, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
Chris Smith has overcome so much to become a doctor. Homelessness, parents with mental disabilities, multitude of siblings, parents who cannot hold down a job. All along the way, he knew education would be the way out of this situation. This is an amazing story of continuing a journey, no matter how difficult and overwhelming it could become.
Wow.
Chris Smith has overcome so much to become a doctor. Homelessness, parents with mental disabilities, multitude of siblings, parents who cannot hold down a job. All along the way, he knew education would be the way out of this situation. This is an amazing story of continuing a journey, no matter how difficult and overwhelming it could become.
Wow.
June 10, 2023
Very Inspirational
This memoir of Christopher Smith's life is interesting to anyone who has struggled to overcome what seems like insurmountable odds. It has universal appeal for that reason as we've all had to endure obstacles, failures and setbacks. Then how do we find the strength and determination to carry on. His story will stay with me and is unforgettable.
This memoir of Christopher Smith's life is interesting to anyone who has struggled to overcome what seems like insurmountable odds. It has universal appeal for that reason as we've all had to endure obstacles, failures and setbacks. Then how do we find the strength and determination to carry on. His story will stay with me and is unforgettable.
June 19, 2023
A powerful and inspiring memoir that takes readers on a journey from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of success. The author's raw and honest account of their experience as a homeless teenager struggling to survive will leave you with a profound appreciation for resilience and the human spirit.
June 19, 2023
the is a book that tell the story of a man who faced devastating poverty both physically and mentally growing up and turns his life around and goes to medical school, I found that it was quick and simple literary read and I would compare it to Jeannette Walls books. I appreciate his desire not to give up and insight in to mental illness, thank you for the great read
June 20, 2023
Not just a story of triumph; it's a testament to the power of education and the pursuit of dreams. It's a reminder that no matter where we come from or what challenges we face, we have the power to shape our own destinies. This book will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and ready to overcome any obstacle life throws your way.
June 21, 2023
Dr. Christopher L. Smith has written his life story for readers and it’s one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I found it totally captivating to follow his path from a dysfunctional home life growing up to his eventual success in his adult life. This book is so well written that I ended up feeling as if I actually knew the author. This memoir is truly inspirational.
December 30, 2023
what a great accomplishment!
This book is very well written and held my interest from the first page. It allows the reader insight into how one can be a survivor within a horribly dysfunctional family. I learned something about myself that flabbergasted me. I also have Imposter Syndrome but had no idea there was a name to it. Bravo to this author!
This book is very well written and held my interest from the first page. It allows the reader insight into how one can be a survivor within a horribly dysfunctional family. I learned something about myself that flabbergasted me. I also have Imposter Syndrome but had no idea there was a name to it. Bravo to this author!
October 23, 2024
Uplifting story, but the writing needed assistance
I live a good rags to riches story and it definitely was. However, I felt Dr. Smith wrote as if talking to a 10 year old. Additionally, he was very repetitive, Often repeating the same sentiment in back to back paragraphs. I'm pretty sure he was trying to reach his page minimum.
I live a good rags to riches story and it definitely was. However, I felt Dr. Smith wrote as if talking to a 10 year old. Additionally, he was very repetitive, Often repeating the same sentiment in back to back paragraphs. I'm pretty sure he was trying to reach his page minimum.
October 20, 2025
vulnerable and humble
Chris shares his life experience with much detail and analysis. He knows what his experience have taught him, as well as how he is thus suited to assist others.
Kudos. Truly grit and resolve… and God… can move mountains, by placing them under you- a step at a time.
My appreciation, love and awe are yours.
Chris shares his life experience with much detail and analysis. He knows what his experience have taught him, as well as how he is thus suited to assist others.
Kudos. Truly grit and resolve… and God… can move mountains, by placing them under you- a step at a time.
My appreciation, love and awe are yours.
February 1, 2023
Homelessness
Oh my!!! This book is one of the best I have read!!!! It made me realize that there are people we have no idea what is going on in their lives. I work with the poor and homeless, and I will be more sensitive to them. Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh my!!! This book is one of the best I have read!!!! It made me realize that there are people we have no idea what is going on in their lives. I work with the poor and homeless, and I will be more sensitive to them. Thank you for sharing your story.
September 29, 2023
My view of what I wish the author included I his writings
Very good memoir. My wish is that the author told more about his encounters with patients as an intern and residen
Very good memoir. My wish is that the author told more about his encounters with patients as an intern and residen
February 19, 2025
Hope
A must read. A book of hope, over coming hardships, and a believe that God has a plan for us all.
A must read. A book of hope, over coming hardships, and a believe that God has a plan for us all.
October 10, 2025
Too preachy for my taste.writing was pedestrian at best.
June 14, 2023
What an Inspiration!
I loved this book! I love reading true stories and this one really inspires you to keep pushing on regardless of the circumstances. I recommend that everyone read this.
I loved this book! I love reading true stories and this one really inspires you to keep pushing on regardless of the circumstances. I recommend that everyone read this.
May 21, 2023
inspirational!
It seems a miracle that Dr. smith was able to overcome such a harsh childhood and become such an accomplished physician. His story reflects deep grit, resilience and faith. It is a quick read and one worth reading. Well done, Dr. Smith!
It seems a miracle that Dr. smith was able to overcome such a harsh childhood and become such an accomplished physician. His story reflects deep grit, resilience and faith. It is a quick read and one worth reading. Well done, Dr. Smith!
December 14, 2023
Read me!
Very good read for anyone who needs encouragement. Not a victim mentality but an story of overcoming so very much. The honesty and vulnerability is very refreshing.
Very good read for anyone who needs encouragement. Not a victim mentality but an story of overcoming so very much. The honesty and vulnerability is very refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews