Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us by Cole Arthur Riley

6 reviews

heathermcc54321's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

This is the first longer piece I’d read from the author, having followed her “Black Liturgies” on social media for some time. A mix of family memoir and a spiritual reflection rooted in the Christian tradition (but not restricted by it), the book draws in womanist and liberationist writers to explore our embodiedness as source of sacred wisdom.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual violence, Addiction, Rape, and Racism

ashleycmms's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Drug use, and Death

Moderate: Racism and Misogyny

Minor: Gun violence

aweekinthelife's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

4.5

my first re-read where i switched formats. read the physical book back in 2022 and checked out the audiobook for the 2023 re-read. the audio wasn't my favorite, but listening to it in a different format did make different parts of the book feel more salient so it was still a worthwhile time. the print book also took me quite some time to read through while audiobooks (esp non fiction) go by much faster for me. 

Cole Arthur Riley has such a beautiful and insightful way with words and this book is beautiful and compelling. to me, the book feels mostly memoir with reflections on ancestry and origin, faith, and woven together in a way where the author tells you about her life and lineage while encouraging readers and listeners to reflect themselves. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Racism

Moderate: Rape, Addiction, and Sexual violence

le3713's review

challenging reflective slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Racism

Minor: Rape

daveketter's review

challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

Incredible, moving, soul-shaping book that will bring you to the quiet and then toss you into a Pentecostal shout!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Addiction, Death of parent, Incest, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Death

shhh_tamis_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

After reading a stellar review of this book by one of my favorite memoir authors, I immediately purchased the audio version of the book as I knew I would have abundant listening time (while driving) much sooner than abundant reading time. I also purchased the ebook to reference and enjoy the parts I’m still savoring. 

This book is written (& read) in a contemplative way, and can seem to be moving slowly at times until there is an insightful sentence or two that makes me realize the author was taking me someplace very significant without my even realizing it. 

The chapters created around specific themes worked extremely well even as the author tells stories from 3 generations, primarily stories from her grandmother, father, and herself in the memoir portions of the book. 

I suspect I will be quoting and referencing this book for many years to come. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Child abuse