Review:
Typically, I don’t necessarily gravitate toward nonfiction titles, but when I noticed this in the iRead Book Tour List, my interest was piqued. At first glance, the story seemed really engaging, personal, and emotional; all things that I like in my fiction books, so I thought this nonfiction book would be a refreshing change. I definitely wasn’t disappointed.
The best aspect of this book was the changing narrators. Though it took me a few chapters to truly get into the story and layout what was going on, the change in voices throughout made for an immersive reading experience. Each narrator had a very unique writing style that made it easy to move quickly through the story and get emotionally invested in Jenny Q’s story. Her story is empowering and filled with hope, breaking through the bleak news we probably see every day.
The layers and the format of the story truly reveal the true nature of all the characters presented to the reader, bringing you closer to everyone included in Jenny Q’s story. The overall emphasis is community, and you’ll almost feel like a part of their community while reading it.
If you’re looking for something new and refreshing to add to your fall reading list, definitely check this one out!
Book Details:
Book Title: Held Together: A True Story of Love’s Victory by Jenny Q
Category: Adult Non-Fiction; 456 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: BookBaby
Release date: June 1, 2018
Tour dates: Sept 10 to 28, 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Graphic medical procedures, some bad language)
Book Description:
In January of 2014, Joshua Tree’s beloved village herbalist, Jenny Q. suddenly became seriously ill and rapidly descended into a coma with slender chance of survival. The shock of this news initiated an overwhelming outpouring of love, wit, service, practical magic and sharing of spiritual wisdom between those in her intimate desert community. Indeed it seemed that the entire group became one in their desperate effort and race against the clock to save her life.
While the words of others in the community tell the story in this book, it is Jenny’s own insightful writings that provide a fascinating window into a range of rare experiences. She gives us a unique glimpse into the mysterious worlds encountered while in a coma, the absolute alteration of losing one’s legs, the subtle venom of PTSD, the nightmare of withdrawal from prescription opiates, and the maddening frustration of having to re-learn basic skills previously taken for granted such as the ability to walk.
To read reviews, please follow the tour on Jenny Q’s page on iRead Book Tours.
Jenny Q was born in Southern California to Palestinian immigrants. Her love of herbs began in her teens while on the road following the Grateful Dead. After exploring many heart homes, she set her roots in Joshua Tree, California, where she opened Grateful Desert, the local apothecary. Joyously sharing her life with her tight-knit desert community, Jenny lives with her beloveds~ Yazzy, her daughter and Myshkin, her wife.
Connect with Jenny: Website
