i finished this memoir in just over 24 hours and if it weren’t for things like sleep and social obligations, i would have read it in one go.
what the book is about
in ‘group’, christie tate tells her story from a borderline suicidal, albeit high functioning, loner to a loved and wholehearted member of a community.
it was everything you’d expect from a reese’s book club pick – real, uplifting and focused on female empowerment – yet at the same time also weirdly cathartic. it just made me feel really good about myself and the world.
portraying mental health issues
this is no small feat because portraying mental health issues can be tricky. particularly the process of therapy which is a messy thing in itself. how to convey the potential of therapy without creating expectations that reality can’t possibly meet?
tate, however, strikes a perfect balance between the two. with a strong voice, a light touch and a story only life can write, she manages to defuse stereotypes and stigma around mental health and what it takes to get better. seemingly without even trying.
owning our stories
i’m confident this memoir will encourage more people to own their stories, deal with their demons and enjoy life the way you only can once you’ve effectively dealt with what’s holding you back.
and that too makes me feel really good about the world!