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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."
  
Unrequited (Fallen Aces MC, #1)
Unrequited (Fallen Aces MC, #1)
Max Henry | 2016 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was my first book by Max Henry but I've clearly been hooked!? LOVED this book! Not your typical love story... with everything from MC bikers to Cuban drug lords and murder. A dark read, with a few scenes that were tough to read.. abuse, pain, loss... so much packed into this story. There is also a beautiful love story in there... King comes from a good place, educated and with a loving hard-working family. He and Elena clearly have an intense connection and he wants nothing more than to save her without destroying his place in his MC. Watching the two of them struggle through was torture and that cliffhanger ending!? Oh, I will SURELY be back for the rest of this story - can't wait!! Highly recommended!!
  
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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ClareR (5542 KP) rated Perestroika in Books

Mar 10, 2024  
Perestroika
Perestroika
Joao Cerqueira | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Perestroika by João Cerqueira is the story of a fictional country’s turn away from Communism.

We start off in Slavia in 1978 before any of the massive changes that will eventually take place, and we meet the inhabitants of the country: from the corrupt politicians to the men incarcerated in concentration camps. We see how people live on next to nothing and lies from the government that tell them all of their woes are because of the wicked Capitalist West.

The tables are turned on these corrupt Communists with the advent of Perestroika, and instead of Communists governing the country, an all-out crime boss finds himself in charge. But make no mistake: this was engineered by Ivan Fiorov (the crime boss) and his lackeys.

This is a story that is as relevant today as it always has been - especially with what is going on in the Ukraine at the moment. Some of the story arcs in this are horrific, and not just those that take place in the concentration camps. There’s child abuse, sexual coercion, drug abuse, neo-Nazis, violence. The people in this country experience a lot of change in a short period of time. But at the same time, everything stays the same.

Well worth a read.
  
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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.