Audiobook Review: Unfuck Your Brain by Faith G Harper

Author: Faith G. Harper
Narrator: Faith G. Harper

Title: Unfuck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers

Genre: Self help

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 196

Published:   October 16th 2017

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Our brains do their best to help us out, but every so often they can be real assholes--having melt downs, getting addicted to things, or shutting down completely at the worst possible moments. Your brain knows it's not good to do these things, but it can't help it sometimes--especially if it's obsessing about trauma it can't overcome. That's where this life-changing book comes in. With humor, patience, science, and lots of good-ole swearing, Dr. Faith explains what's going on in your skull, and talks you through the process of retraining your brain to respond appropriately to the non-emergencies of everyday life, and to deal effectively with old, or newly acquired, traumas (particularly post-traumatic stress disorder)

Review:

This was one of the choices for the book club I am apart of. It might be selected for Jan's book choice but I still wanted to read this even if it doesn't get picked. It was on Audible as one of the freebies I can borrow. 

Here is another self-help book that really does dig more into the brain and what "triggers" us. Dr. Faith is a legit doctor and therapist who has a deep understanding of the brain and the science behind these mental illnesses we all know about and have suffered with in same way shape or form. 

This was super duper informative. I really did learn a lot about not only tips, tricks, and ways to help battle our way through our problems, but the actual science behind and WHY our brains react the way they do. It was like a behind-the-scenes in a way. But it was done with language that we all can understand. Very casual-like and there is some swearing. Heck - look at the title ;) 

People on Goodreads were divided about if the swearing added or hindered the story. I personally liked it. It felt like I was having a conversation with the narrator (who is also the writer). It felt casual and I could really understand what points she was trying to make. 

My only issue and it was a biggie.........the narration. Don't get me wrong. I loved the narrator herself. She was interesting to listen to. However....the actual recording itself SUCKED. Super sucked. Sucked so much I was tempted to stop when it first started. I did get used to it, but ugh. Did she film in her closet? Sighs. 

Overall though, this was really good and informative. I want her to be my therapist please. I highly suggest reading and not listening to this version. Super crappy recording. 3 stars is what I shall stamp this. 

Challenge(s):
- #59 for Audiobook Challenge

Book Review: Healing in the Hurting Places

Author: Karen F. Riley

Title: Healing in the Hurting Places
Genre: Biography, Inspirational, and Self-help
Pages: 217 (ebook)

First Published: August 16th, 2011
Where I Got It: Given to me to read and review honestly by Charisma Media

" Healing in the Hurting Places is a personal experience story and outreach for victims of childhood sexual abuse, and those who want to help them. It sensitively focuses on the healing journey—how to recognize symptoms of abuse and offer help. Victims often feel alone, they don’t know where to turn or may believe no one will understand. Author Karen Riley speaks to that place of pain and takes you on the healing journey that transformed her life.

“This is not about the tragic event, but about where to go now. I want them to know that they are not alone, and there is One who can heal their broken hearts,” writes the author.

Others who will benefit from this story of hope and healing: those affected by alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic, and other physical or verbal abuse—and those who are involved with them.



And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). 

Many victims share similar characteristics and traits as a result of abuse, which often manifest in the same behavior patterns—Healing in the Hurting Places is a springboard to empowerment and better understanding."

Like earlier stated I am reading this for the author and for CM for my honest review.

Wow....even though I never had to experience such horrid events, I can still find inspiration through this.  In an odd way it helped me. It gave me some advice for the future when I fall into a fight of depression again. Bad things happen. People die and nothing goes your way and there is nothing you can do to stop it. However, with the right help you can find the light and continue with life. Yes, it's confession time. I do tend to find myself falling into bouts of depression. Not bad enough for me to need pills or for people to really notice. I'm good at hiding it behind my cool demeanor and happy-go-lucky facade. Usually it is events that set it off. Like the month of August was horrible for me. I cried nearly everyday, because every day something was beyond my control. I was fired unjustly, my beloved cat died, my cousin died, I had to rely on my parents for financial support due to the government being assholes, my cousin left the country to South Korea, I had a huge fight with Sarah (nearly ended our friendship), and other small little events. However, the meaning of this rant was to show that everyone has issues. Not everyone is raped or molested or abused...but everyone needs inspiration from time to time. I feel like this book can help others.

I know many people who were sexually abused as children. One is an ex-friend of mine. I had been friends with her for 4 years before the group shattered and fell apart. She went one way and I went the other. I remember when she told me about the abuse and I was shocked! She was the first person who told me details and whatnot of what happened to her (yes, I knew people who went through this, but I didn't know any details). I wish this book had been around during this, because she was an avid reader and I know she would have loved this book. Going through this event is a constant struggle. You never, EVER truly "get over it".

Anyways, sorry for the constant rants up there. This book may be intended for those that need help and inspiration about dealing with the abuse, but I find that this book helps others who have different demons to fight. I really loved the letters part of the book, where people sent the authors letters. I felt it added a lot to the story. 

All-in-all, this was a pretty good book. I'm glad we read it and Karen F. Riley was so open with the reader. Sharing her experience really does help others. Life is a struggle and we all have our demons and I find that everyone needs inspiration and help from time to time and Karen F. Riley does that with this book. I would recommend this to those who need a boost, for those who did experience such horrid events, and for those that need a change in their literature. Out of five stars I grant this one 5 stars.

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<3CaroleRae