Saturday 8 April 2017

Book Review: Brenda L Thomas: Laying Down My Burdens: A Memoir: A Journey From Abuse To Self-Discovery

Laying Down My Burdens, a memoir: A Journey from Abuse to Self-Discovery

This may contain spoilers




Author: Brenda L. Thomas.
Title: Laying Down My Burdens: A Memoir: A Journey From Abuse To Self-Discovery.
Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Biographies, Mental Health, Biography & True Accounts, Memoirs,


This book l got as part of a goodreads giveaway and firstreads. I have never won anything before I want to say a big thank you to goodreads for having a great site and I want to say a big thank you to the person who hosted the giveaway and picking me as a winner.


I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio even if you do not read books like this.


I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.


I highly recommend this book.


Book Dedication: To my children, Kelisha L. and Kelvin J. for all that I have put you through – hoping that this provides understanding and reason why I do the things I do. Remember: when you are not focused on god, he is focused on you. I love you mom.


This book has 192 pages and 20 chapters in it.


Synopsis: Essence best – selling author Brenda L. Thomas presents a departure from fiction as she ventures in to the difficult reality of her own past. Laying down my burdens is a gritty and deeply moving depiction of the author's struggle with domestic violence and its threats to her self esteem. Laying down my burdens tells a frighteningly familiar tale that takes a positive turn as Thomas overcomes a number of obstacles to become an independent, successful woman.


Review: I found this book really easy to get into and very very hard to put down once l started reading it. My mum is a domestic violence survivor aswell. I can not put in to words how great and sad this book is l would tell people to read it for themselves. I am glad Brenda survived what she went though and was brave to tell everything she went though. I think she is very brave to write this book. I was glad Brenda tole the world what she went though it also raises awareness for domestic violence. I was really sad to read that Brenda was beaten in front of her daughter I was glad Brenda was brave enough to write everything down and it must have been hard going over all the stuff you went though. It was really nice that she dedicated the book to her two children. It was sad that when she was hit he would tell her it was her own fault. I was sad to read that Brenda was hit with a metal dog lead. Sounds like Brenda's daughter and son was her reason for fighting back as well as wanting to stop the violence. It was not Brenda fault that he beat her it sounds like he told her that it was her own fault to make himself feel better. It did not take me long to read this book I was hooked on this book after reading the first page. I was sad to finish reading this book I wish it did not end and I would love to read more from Brenda L. Thomas. I was sad that Russell cheated on Brenda and got other women pregnant and then he attacked Brenda saying she was cheating on him. He forced Brenda to have sex with him after he beat her. I was sad that Brenda's daughter seen her mother bruised and bleeding. I feel sorry for Brenda and her daughter. I think Brenda's family had the right to be worried about Brenda and her daughter when they was with Russell. Russell sounds like a violent bully who can only hit women. This is and amazing book but sad at the same time. I can not get enough of this. I was happy to read that Brenda went to rehab to get clean and Rusty and Kelisha sound like great children. I loved reading about Brenda's life and her fight to survive years of domestic violence and to over come her drug addiction. I was glad that Brenda was clean of all drugs. Brenda found cards and letters from other women confessing their love to her husband. Brenda wanted the best for Kelisha even if it meant being away from her daughter. Kelisha was living with Brenda's parents and Rusty was living with Russell's mother but Kelisha and Rusty knew that their mother loved them no matter if they was together or apart. I would love to read more about Brenda and her life. I was happy that Brenda stood up to Russell but was sad that he was stopping her seeing Rusty. I was happy that she meet someone else I just hope Gerald did not hurt or use Brenda. I was happy that Brenda moved to Washington D.C with her daughter Kelisha after divorcing Russell. I was happy Brenda and Kelisha was starting fresh. I am sad that Brenda will never be seeing Rusty again. I hope Rusty remembers that Brenda will always love him and that she will forever be his mother and he will always have a place in her heart.


A Note To My Readers: The subject matter of this memoir is not intended to be offensive, but to adequately depict the serious nature of domestic violence. It is not a work of journalism, the only claim I make regarding interchanges with the people portrayed here is that these interchanges are recreations of my own emotions and memories. All I know is that these are the words and incidents that so many years later resound in my memory.


Disclaimer: In order to protect the privacy of certain individuals in this book, names and other identifying characteristics have been changed.


About The Author: Since self – publishing threesome in 2001, Thomas' literary skills and unique perspective have caught the attention of major media outlets whether it is TV or print, she is not one to shy away from giving her opinion after working as a personal assistant to an NBA athlete, Thomas became an expert on their culture, later appearing on CNN, NBC's dateline and entertainment tonight, to name a few since fourplay, the velvet rope and every woman's got a secret, as well as two anthologies, four degrees of heat and kiss the year goodbye. Brenda lives in her hometown of Philadelphia, where she is surrounded by family and friends.


About The Book: I really like this bookcover and l really like the picture of I think it is the author. I like the colours on this cover.


Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.


I wish I could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth more then the five stars l rated it.






















































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