What inspired you to read the book?
Without getting into the full celebrity gossip, this book was recently made into a movie that has had a lot of controversy due to some accusations between the actors. After its premier on the big screen, and the headline news, the book became an instant bestseller and it seemed everyone was reading it. One of the officers in our housing unit finished reading it and shared the book with me to read.
What you learned from reading the book?
Any type of abuse is completely unacceptable. During my life I have known people who have been abused, both physically and/or emotionally. Unfortunately, and many times, I have also met the very people who have been the abuser. In my mind, I could never understand why anyone would be willing to forgive time-after-time, to put up with abuse and to escape this situation. This book, viewed from the perspective of a woman blinded in love, gave me a better understanding. Many times the person being abused does not realize what is happening, it is often seen as a simple mistake, a drunk moment or bad timing that caused the abuse, until it has escalated to a point that is out of control.
How the book will influence your life and prepare for success upon release?
This book has allowed me to reflect that denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are not only the five stages of grief. They are also part of the stages we must go through to be able to end and overcome any type troubling relationship in our life.
What was the most inspiring quote?
“All humans make mistakes. What determines a person’s character aren’t the mistakes we make. It’s how we take those mistakes and turn them into lessons rather than excuses.”