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The Bipolar Addict
The Bipolar Addict
Conor Bezane | 2019 | Education, Fiction & Poetry, Reference
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very informative!
Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

Review:
I received a copy to read and review from Smith Publicity for my honest opinion.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Drug abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide attempts, bullying, sexual abuse.

The Bipolar Addict is broken up into three parts: Part 1 - Conor's Story, Part 2 - Interviews of others who battle with Manic Depression and Bipolar disorder, and Part 3 - Talking of Recovery, getting help, and that sober is the new cool.

Part 1 follows the hardships Conor endured growing up. Bullying which eventually lead to alcohol abuse and then later drug abuse as he grew older. During this time, he also attempted suicide a few times. Conor was then diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, manic depression, and anxiety. Mix all that with alcohol and drug abuse and his body was struggling.

As I read, I was enthralled in the world of what Bipolar disorder really is. I was also blown away with the writing style. The Bipolar Addict is a debut novel by Conor Bezane and he definitely has a way of grabbing your attention and holding it instantly. A first time author, Conor has taken his life and spun it into a tale of struggles, sacrifice, and recovery that will tear the readers heart out, rip it into pieces, and then piece it back together, little by little.

Part 2 was just as interesting as part 1. You learn about a few others who used and through some rough patches like Conor. Part 3 was more informative compared to parts 1 and 2, talking about sober being the new cool and that it's healthy. The book ends with links and information on different helpful groups in the chance that you need to seek help for yourself.

"We are punks. We are poets. Musicians and artists. Professionals and intellectuals. We are drunk. High. Manic. Depressed. We almost died. And now we are stable and sober."

Reasons why I rated it 4.5 stars:
1. The plot:
There really wasn't much of a plot as this was a memoir/ self-help book. But the way Conor wrote, captivated my attention through and through.

2. My enjoyment:
I surprisingly was really interested in the entirety of this book. I couldn't put it down as Conor captivated me, not only in his writing but also the way he was able to take his life and spin it into a tale that read like he was a friend having a conversation.

3. Character and story development:
Again, this was a memoir/ self-help book, so there wasn't much development as it wasn't needed.

4. Grammar and spelling:
I did notice a few grammatical and spelling errors but for this being a debut, I really didn't mind.

5. The overall story:
The way that Conor wrote, you could feel the pain, loss, and loneliness. The lows of depression and the highs of mania. It was all otherworldly and from someone who has balanced depression and anxiety the majority of my life, I felt the painful and roller coaster of a life that Conor lived. This was definitely worth the read and was highly informative.

"Keep coming back."
  
Room 237 (2012)
Room 237 (2012)
2012 | Documentary
If the people speaking in this documentary were to be believed, The Shining is actually about the Holocaust, the American-Indian genocide, sexual liberation, sexual abuse, the destruction of society, the number 42, the ancient Greek legend of the Minotaur, all wrapped up in a confession about how Stanley Kubrick helped fake the moon landing. Also, you should watch it in reverse whilst simultaneously watching it normally, preferably with both projected over one another...

I'm not sure just how much I buy into any of that, but there's certainly some wild shit being thrown around in this documentary. Worth a watch, complimented with alcohol, or maybe even some of the Devil's Lettuce.
  
In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor
In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor
Dr Nick Edwards | 2007 | Health & Fitness, Humor & Comedy, Medical & Veterinary
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dr Nick gives a very comedic but serious insight into what life is really like to doctors who work in the busy accident and emergency departments in UK hospitals!
The book is written as a series of blog style entries that work as chapters. Dr Nick expresses the trials and tribulations, the highs and the lows, the many emotions faced by an overworked and unfunded group of individuals. However, he also goes as far as to share his thoughts on the unfairness of other staff working in hospitals, the failures underpinning the mental health support due to lack of funding, the idiotic ways governments try to cut spending without considering the impacts on the staff and individuals requiring access to services and the devastation that alcohol and drug abuse is having on the health system!
These individuals go through a lot of abuse, and work long long hours, are forced to move around frequently, face being sued daily, and still work hard despite a lack of funding and resources to ensure that people are nursed back to health, or are given the support they need should a loved one not make it, and still be expected to smile! NHS staff are heroes to me
  
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Kyera (8 KP) rated Kill All Happies in Books

Feb 1, 2018  
Kill All Happies
Kill All Happies
Rachel Cohn | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book took a very long time to grow on me and even then I didn't enjoy it very much. I essentially was forcing myself to keep reading it until I was around 60% done, at which point it became mildly more interesting. The premise seemed so interesting, as it was partially set in an abandoned amusement part but it just did not speak to me at all. I did not connect to any of the characters and found almost all of them either annoying or unlikable. There is a lot of cursing throughout, drug and alcohol abuse, and vulgar themes, so I would just be weary of reading this if you are a younger reader. Perhaps this book will appeal to other readers, but it was just not for me. I personally would not recommend it.