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.
