Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice - eBook
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A few days before I started the book, Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice, I watched a cheesy low budget movie in which a character is hit by a train, amputating both of his legs, and survives. I remember rolling my eyes at my husband, and saying something to the effect of, "Oh that's realistic. Like you could live through getting run over by a train."
And then I picked up Life, In Spite of Me: the raw, unflinching, and painfully honest story of hope and recovery lived by Kristen Jane Anderson after she chose to lay down on a railroad track, ready to end it all.
The book was incredibly difficult to read, especially as someone who has dealt with depression myself, but that relatability was also what made it so great. Ms Anderson takes the reader fully inside her journey, and doesn't gloss over the agonizing, heart-wrenching moments of despair. We feel it with her as we read, which makes the ultimate story of survival and renewed faith all the more inspiring. What could have easily been a depressing and dreary book is instead one that's incredibly uplifting and joy-filled. She skillfully weaves her back story with her physical recovery and her path to finding strength, encouragement and new hope through Jesus. I could not put the book down, and even after I finished it I wanted more, more, more.
This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand what it means to have true faith in God and a desire to share it with others, and especially for those who know what it's like to be in the grips of anxiety and depression. A truly beautiful and hopeful story.
On a personal note, I tweeted the author when I was finished, to let her know how much I liked it. She responded to me personally within the hour. Simply a lovely soul, inside and out.
April 7, 2013
An Inspiring Read
Do you need encouraged? Inspired? This book delivers. Kristen Jane Anderson gives us her tragic story that becomes transformed by the Lord into triumph. A suicide attempt on a train track left her a double amputee. She should never have lived (thatâÂÂs no exaggeration as the book proves), but she did. Listen to her story and finally see the hand of God become clear.
I had never heard her story until my wife, a paraplegic herself, had been reading about Ms. Anderson and was fascinated by it. That intrigued me, but I began reading thinking I would decide for myself. I did and it was a page turner!
When you read the advertisements that this book is a tool for suicide prevention, donâÂÂt assume that is all the book is about. Yes, every person contemplating suicide needs this book. Beyond that, though, every person fighting depression, or even a round of discouragement, will find this volume a rallying cry to not give up. Actually, if all you are looking for is a story of the mighty power of God on a life, grab this book. It reads easy and holds your attention throughout.
What makes this book work? Ms. Anderson doesnâÂÂt hold back. No matter how unpleasant the detail, if it is needed to tell her story, she tells it. Depression, partying, all the things that added to the darkness she went through are given in all the gory details. At the same time, dark things are never glamorized. She tells us what she thought and felt each step of the way.
Adjusting to her new found disability was shown in a clear way that as one who watched his wife adjust, I could relate. I thought that part was especially well done. Then, there was guilt. It haunted her through everything and we find where she found victory. Even with counseling and dealing with prescription drug issues we are let into her life. Failures, setbacks, and finally success are laid bare.
The point where she found Christ was an emotional high in the book where you felt like cheering. Later, when her loving mother did the same, you find yourself excited again. Finally, thereâÂÂs the lesson she learnedâÂÂa loving God saved her on a train track so He could save her soul later. A lady with so much sadness became a lady filled with love and gratitude. Ms. Anderson, thank you for sharing your story that clearly can help so many.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255 .
July 19, 2012
A Touching Story for Everyone
What a powerful book!
Like any good story, Life, In Spite of Me draws you in from the first paragraph. The reader's heart and mind are engaged immediately. The difference between this book and any novel...this is not a work of fiction.
I value openness and honesty above many other traits. I want to be genuine and real, and I appreciate these characteristics in others. The author, Kristen Jane Anderson and her co-author, Tricia Goyer, reveal the thoughts and feelings of a young woman so distraught over the hurts and unanswered questions of life that she sought to take her own life.
It's true that the word "miracle" is tossed around a lot. However, when we become aware of a genuine miracle, it has the power to stop us in our tracks. We are challenged to consider life's big questions. What is the purpose of life? Why am I here? Do I really matter?
According to the experts, Kristen should not have survived. God, however, had other plans and performed a miracle - not just for this young woman and those who love her, but for the thousands, if not millions, her story will impact.
Who should read Life, In Spite of Me? Those who are depressed or suicidal. Those searching for hope in the face of life's challenges. Those who love someone going through a difficult time. Men and women. The young and not so young. All those who enjoy a good book.
Life, In Spite of Me does not take long to read, but the impact could very well last a lifetime.
I received a free copy of the ebook from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. Check out their site for more info.
March 12, 2012
Inspirational Story
The reason I chose this book was for its title. Life in Spite of Me I thought what an interesting statement. I thought it was clever how the author used this statement for a title of a book. All I can say is what an inspirational story. Thank you Kristen Jane Anderson for sharing your story I was truly moved, and inspired.
Normally I read through books rather quickly, but for some reason it took me a week to read this book. I took in all of it and was moved by every chapter. As I read the book I did find myself getting frustrated with Kristen, but then I also could relate to her feelings. Kristen suffered from depression, and when she started to make not so wise decisions she only sunk into a deeper pit called her life. There was one statement that leaped from the page and touched my heart. It was that she knew about God, but did not know God. My heart went out to her and to many others because this statement is true of many people out there. They heard about God but do not know Him. In KristenâÂÂs story it did not end. Her story just began once she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. God was able to use her in tremendous ways. The scripture that came to mind as I read her story was Jeremiah 29:11 âÂÂFor I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.â God did this in KristenâÂÂs life and He can do it in all our lives.
I would recommend that you read this book, and you can know that there is hope and forgiveness with God. "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"
January 18, 2012
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