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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I loved the idea of this book - but I felt that the execution of it was flawed. It felt heavily edited and stories started to run together as if they were written by the same person, over and over again.
This was probably the saddest book I have ever read. It didn't take me very long to get through because honestly I couldn't even get myself to read all the stories. I do feel bad about eating this book low, but I have to be honest about how it made me feel. For the time being this book will remain on my shelf until I can make a final decision on it. Honestly though, I do think I will be donating it. It's just to sad to have around.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
My biggest complaint about this book is the same as others - that the stories were too similar.
I understand that this could have been because they were all centered on the same topic, suicide/depression, but that interferes with my second and third issue with this book: it has only around three people who state they identify in the LGBTQ+ community, and that it has too strong a focus on Christianity.
The LGBTQ+ community has a higher risk of mental health struggles, and knowing this, I can't accept that there were such few that would have mentioned it (and that the only ones were those whose sexual identities were different than straight, and did not contain anyone who didn't seem to identify as cis-gendered). Why did they filter out so many? And why did the few stories including them, seem to be rushed in the last 100ish pages? Their stories would have changed how repetitive the stories felt.
A decent portion of the stories included the church and God. I have no issue with this, as I am Christian, but I don't believe that it is the only place that others have found strength. There are stories where they only reference God, and these people may have been just spiritual, but if the book had such adversity as it tries to be portrayed I would believe there would have been mention of other faiths (Wiccan, Islamic, etc).
Since buying this book I have also read on here and other locations that people who submitted their stories, found them strongly edited when published. Did this remove what could have found them unique? I wouldn't know, but I would hope.
Some of the stories are worth reading, but you can probably find just as interesting ones if you were to research the movement on the internet and on social media.
I understand that this could have been because they were all centered on the same topic, suicide/depression, but that interferes with my second and third issue with this book: it has only around three people who state they identify in the LGBTQ+ community, and that it has too strong a focus on Christianity.
The LGBTQ+ community has a higher risk of mental health struggles, and knowing this, I can't accept that there were such few that would have mentioned it (and that the only ones were those whose sexual identities were different than straight, and did not contain anyone who didn't seem to identify as cis-gendered). Why did they filter out so many? And why did the few stories including them, seem to be rushed in the last 100ish pages? Their stories would have changed how repetitive the stories felt.
A decent portion of the stories included the church and God. I have no issue with this, as I am Christian, but I don't believe that it is the only place that others have found strength. There are stories where they only reference God, and these people may have been just spiritual, but if the book had such adversity as it tries to be portrayed I would believe there would have been mention of other faiths (Wiccan, Islamic, etc).
Since buying this book I have also read on here and other locations that people who submitted their stories, found them strongly edited when published. Did this remove what could have found them unique? I wouldn't know, but I would hope.
Some of the stories are worth reading, but you can probably find just as interesting ones if you were to research the movement on the internet and on social media.
This is a very emotional book and is full of hope. I think it is important and needs to be promoted more.
Project Semicolom: Your story Isn't Over is a collection of stories from various people who have experienced depression, anxiety, bipolar, and many other mental illnesses. They write about the hardships they've gone through, and how they were pulled out of it, or about a friend/family member who they lost to suicide. I found this story inspiring, to see people who've had it so much worse than I have and still persevere. Remember: Life's tough, but so are you. You aren't alone, so if you're thinking suicidal thoughts, seek help. You are beautiful, you are loved, and you deserve this world.
I needed this book at a time when I didn't realize I needed it. I've loved this movement for years and I want my semicolon tattoo now more than ever. Thank you for giving me a reminder of the hope in this world and that I am not alone. ;
I read only a quarter of this book. I like that it started with an actual trigger warning that advises not reading the book if you were suicidal and referred you to a page filled with resources for help. That was the only thing I liked about it.
This is a compilation of people who have either contemplated suicide or have had people in their lives commit suicide and it was actually a little bit depressing rather than hopeful in anyway. The most upsetting part of all was the very first page where the author says to remain hopeful and that she overcame all this crap to positively affect lives by giving people hope and showing them they are not alone… And then it reveals right there that she committed suicide before the publication of this book or at least the publication of this edition. How anyone can be inspired by that is beyond me.
I am a big fan of sharing your story so that others realize they are not alone. But this was too much.
This is a compilation of people who have either contemplated suicide or have had people in their lives commit suicide and it was actually a little bit depressing rather than hopeful in anyway. The most upsetting part of all was the very first page where the author says to remain hopeful and that she overcame all this crap to positively affect lives by giving people hope and showing them they are not alone… And then it reveals right there that she committed suicide before the publication of this book or at least the publication of this edition. How anyone can be inspired by that is beyond me.
I am a big fan of sharing your story so that others realize they are not alone. But this was too much.
Honestly this book is both amazing and heart wrenching at the same time. I am grateful a book has been made like this; sharing real people's struggles with mental health and suicide attempts. This book isn't for a the light hearted and if you get triggered easily, I would not recommend it. Thankfully there is a trigger warning at the beginning along with resources at the back of the book to help if you break down while reading other's battles. I am at a strong point in my battle where I was able to read these stories; I cried with them and rejoiced over the tiny victories. Suicide awareness needs to grow and grow until it is treated with the highest importance.