by
Kristen Anderson with Tricia Goyer
MY THOUGHTS:
Teens are often overwhelmed by life and are unable to see beyond the immediate pain in their lives. Kristen Anderson had suffered through the suicide of one friend, terminal illness of another, severe depression of her father, and rape. Life didn't seem to leave much room for hope, and the lonely whistle of an oncoming train seemed to offer an immediate way out. She settled onto the tracks and waited for the end.
By God's grace, the story doesn't end here -- He had bigger plans. Kristen's life was spared that night, although she lost her legs on the tracks. This book tells her story of struggle and recovery in a raw, unapologetic way. Kristen isn't asking for our pity and doesn't spend any time wallowing in her choices. She addresses her life, her failures, and her search for meaning in a head-on manner that causes the reader to do the same in his or her own life.
Why ARE we here? Why has God chosen to keep us in this world? What role are we to play? How can we truly find Him and His purpose for our lives?
Kristen and Tricia have done a fabulous job in writing this memoir. I was unable to put it down from the moment I opened the cover, which in itself is intriguing! I would highly recommend this book for all teenagers struggling with identity or lack of hope, and for all parents of teens. In addition, I'd recommend it for anyone who wonders what is going on in the minds of teens or who may be searching for hope themselves. Actually, anyone who is looking for a story that will leave them feeling that God IS in control after all will benefit from reading this book.
See a video trailer about this book here.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture-perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook: three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a seemingly bottomless depression.One January night, the seventeen-year-old decided she no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.
But Kristen’s story doesn’t end there.
In Life, In Spite of Me this remarkably joyful young woman shares the miracle of her survival, the agonizing aftermath of her failed suicide attempt, and the hope that has completely transformed her life, giving her a powerful purpose for living.
Her gripping story of finding joy against all odds provides a vivid and unforgettable reminder that life is a gift to be treasured.
To download and read the first chapter of this book, go here.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group
