The Way I Used to Be
New York Times bestseller! In the tradition of Speak, Amber Smith's extraordinary debut novel "is a heart-twisting, but ultimately hopeful, exploration of how pain can lead to strength" (The Boston Globe). Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn't change who she was. But the night her brother's best friend rapes her, Eden's world capsizes. What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved--who she once loved--she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she's supposed to tell someone what happened but she can't. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be. Told in four parts--freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year--this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. But it also demonstrates one young woman's strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, all while learning to embrace the power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart.
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Community Reviews
The Way I Used to Be ended up being a very traumatic story told extremely well from the mind of a teenager. It can definitely be considered a coming of age story but one with some major obstacles and experiences. Eden takes us on her journey through high school having been robbed of a right of passage and all pre-existing notions of safety and trust. The author does a fabulous job capturing her emotions and mindset in such a believable and relatable way you can't help but feel the anxieties and insecurities of the teenage narrator right along with her. Overall a quick and easy read with difficult and uncomfortable topic. My only complaint is that the ending wrapped up a little too neatly but I didn't need any more once the story concluded.
TRIGGER WARNING!!!!
- Rape
- Bullying
- Sexual Assult
- Harassment
- Strong themes of trauma
The Way I Used to Be is a book you should not forget about. It has you hooked from the first paragraph. From the beginning, I was at a loss of words and I just couldn't put the book down. The beautiful writing and the events in the book are what make this book a one-seating book. So many triggering events happened and in a way made the book so beautiful. A book I totally recommend! Its such a rollercoaster of emotions and it will surely make you cry.
OK because this book is truly a 10 out of 10 it makes me want to change the rest of my readings! This book is truly incredible. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but so many women in young girls deal with these situations. It is so easy to understand this young girls journey. I don’t wanna say too much but it is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
I am 100% for writing about this topic but would have been a great tool for girls/women to speak up sooner I get it’s just a story and this is how some do indeed handle this horrific happening but they don’t have to they don’t have to wait this long that’s just awful it was agonizing to read and watch her suffer and again some people do that I know but maybe let’s instead promote not having to.
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