Tuesday, January 10, 2012

It Could Have Been Me

Life, In Spite of Me
by Kristen Jane Anderson

This is the story of a young girl, hopeless and despondent, unsure of the future, and carrying a load of grief and anxiety that decides on a cold and chilly night to end it all. She survives the suicide attempt, and this story is the story of her struggle to come to grips with what happened, and what God had in plan for her.

Through this book, we have a clear glimpse of what it is like to be depressed to the point of wanting to end it all. We can have a better understanding of what the teenagers of today may be thinking and really feeling behind their responses of, "whatever." and how to get to them before it is too late.

This book, to me, was especially poignant, because it could have been me when I was 21. Also similar was the struggle to overcome depression and learn to lean on God rather than myself, and a struggle it was.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a teenager or works with teenagers. Also, I would recommend it for anyone that has never suffered from depression, but perhaps is close to someone who is. Until you have been in that vast ocean with a tiny boat and a single oar, it is almost incomprehensible to know how far away hope seems.

An easy read with a great message.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

1 comment:

Diane said...

Thanks for your honest thoughts and it sounds like a powerful book to help others.

Hugs and have a great week! :O)