Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer~A review

She wanted to die. God had other plans.

Why does my life have to be so painful?
What’s wrong with me?
It’s not going to get better.
It could all be over soon, and then I won’t hurt anymore.

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.

Includes notes of encouragement Kristen wishes she had received when she was struggling most.


Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601422520
ISBN-13: 978-1601422521
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces

Kristen Jane Anderson has been featured on Oprah and is a popular speaker at colleges, women's and youth events, churches, and suicide prevention outreaches. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the founder of Reaching You Ministries, Kristen seeks to help those who are hurting, hopeless, lost, suicidal and depressed.

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit www.triciagoyer.com for more about Tricia and her books.


MY REVIEW
I love a book that tells of someone’s life. The struggles they go through, the pain they endure and most of the times finding their way to the Lord, the giver, lover of life.

In this book Life, In Spite of Me Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice, Kristen tells of how other members in her family suffered depression, how her grandmother died, how several of her friends committed suicide and how she was raped. She didn’t know how to handle all of these things and she didn’t plan on trying to kill herself, but her thoughts just lead her to attempting it. She laid down on the tracks and waited.

Well God didn’t want her to die, but she endured many things one being horrific pain and suffering.

As the story goes on you will experience Kristen’s path back through so many operations, her many hospital stays including her different stays in a mental hospital, also tremendous pain.

I just loved reading about all of the miracles that were happening during the suicide attempt and during her recovery time. How God really had/has a job for her.
Kristen discovered the way to real life and a purpose for living through Jesus.

Today Kristen is a public speaker on suicide prevention and talks to many people on a personal basic. She is doing a great job for the Lord.

Included in the book is her website and a suicide warning list. This book was put together with very much love. I highly recommend this book for a very interesting read or it could be a great tool to help someone who doesn’t think they are worth anything or no one cares if they live or die.

Kristen is a very caring, loving person who knows God has plans for all of His people. Never give up is what this book tells us.

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Thanks to WaterBrookMultnomah for providing this book for review. 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 Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255