Book Review

I always read “sicklit” books with a high degree of skepticism. Like I love the Fault in Our Stars, but the medical in it is highly made up. It’s a damn good story though, and I always said that it reminded me of my own love story… a couple of teens that meets at a support group for their chronic illness, which is cancer.

Then I read Joined At the Joints by Marissa Eller, and I realized that THIS book is the one that most represents my own “love story”.

My husband and I met at a support group when we were teens. We were a little older than Ivy and Grant, the main characters in JATJ, but we were still very similar. Ivy has the Food Network and her dreams of being a chef, I had my dreams of being an author. Grant just wanted to be like other people, and my now husband had that general feeling often as well. Our relationship helped each other with those feelings and we are able to support each other in our dreams, without pushing each other’s physical limits.

Ivy and Grant do “injection dates” (for their shared condition, rheumatoid arthritis), my husband and I compare heart functions and whomever has the best one chooses dinner (we’re both fine, heart wise, but we get checked regularly since it’s part of our condition).

But what I really liked about the book is that you can TELL the author has RA. You can tell the writing about how both characters are and all the little quirks. It feels so genuine, and it also feels so raw. I loved the part about having to completely change medication regimes when you get older and how scary that is. I felt that part deeply in my soul.

This is a book that I am recommending to everyone, but especially those with chronic illness. It’s not a love story, it’s a story about decisions and how hard the big decisions can be when you’re chronically ill.

Joined at the Joints will be released July 2.

Hey! I haven't been super active in The Mighty community, but my mental health has taken a dip. In an effort to connect with others and reconnect with myself, here I am!

I recently wrote a book review about "Mindful Moments for Busy Moms" --my personal motherhood bible. If you're juggling mental illness with parenting, this book is for you.

"Validation is a huge aspect of Mindful Moments for Busy Moms. The tone in the book is all about meeting you where you are. When you allow someone, even a book, to create a safe space for yourself, healing just might begin to take place."

Remember, you're not alone. #Parenting #MentalHealth #BipolarDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #BookReview

medium.com/coffee-time-reviews/how-mindful-moments-for-busy-...

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Green Mile. The story is about June Nealon who is looking forward to a future with her husband, daughter, and unborn baby. Suddenly, that future is gone and replaced by anger, fear, and struggling.
Shay Bourne's life hadn't been easy. Raised in Foster Cares, uneducated, and life had never offered Shay anything.
Shay's redemption lies with June and her 11 year old daughter, Claire. In the way of Shay's redemption lies a mother's anger, a life of crime, and a lot of regrets.
The story ask of everyone, "Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?" The answers are hard but Picoult weaves a heart wrenching story that touches anyone that reads it. #BookReview #JodiPicoult #Murder #Crime #justice #Mothers

Wow this Graphic Memoir is absolutely BRILLIANT and SO RELATABLE if you live with Bipolar Disorder! Excellent depictions of #Mania and #Depression and so glad this book exists so people who have been diagnosed or who know someone with Bipolar can help understand themselves or others and hopefully get the help and support they need! 10/10 would recommend! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽#Representationmatters #Bipolar1Disorder #BipolarDisorder

This is an excellent acronym from Ellen Forney’s brilliant Graphic Novel: Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice From My Bipolar Life! Highly recommend this book for anyone living with a Mood Disorder or supporting someone on their mental health journey! #ellenforney #BookReview #BipolarDisorder

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
By Mark Manson

I came across this book online and bought it right away.
I received it today and have read half of it and so far I think it’s a game changer.
It has a was of opening up the way you think about things and changing your habits.
It’s honestly a very positive book to have and I would recommend it to anyone.
You don’t have to be stuck in life to read a book like this, this is one where you can learn something or view something in a different manner, even if your happy with your life.

#BookReview #Recommend