Research & Literature

The ‘me too.’ Movement presents this collection of resources as one of the many places you can start your healing journey. Whether you find a memoir that lets you go inside the mind of an actual survivor through their first-person account of harm and healing, or you want to read up on statistics and research that can propel your own healing or activism, this ever-expanding library is for you.

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Museum of Thought: Poetic Perspectives from Adolescence Volume 1

Racquell Royster, Poetry

Royster demonstrates very early on in the book that she is trusting the reader with her heart and soul. The first half is written in an adolescent voice; more “diary-like” than poetical. Though her thoughts are not well constructed in the beginning, one does get a sense of real pain. There is heavy subject matter such as teen pregnancy and abuse. The poems are the musings of a 13-year old mind with strings of thought crashing and blurring into each other. The poems at times have a repetitive tone and don’t always stand on their own with separate identities. Her depth starts to break through when she reaches the age of 17. There’s a deeper revelation and language maturation. The author is now speaking on soul-ties and self-rediscovery. She grows leaps and bounds halfway through the book with a strong transition into adult themes. This is reflected in her sophisticated and unapologetic writing. Readers will be able to trace the sad heart of the teenager to the brokenness of a 21-year old young woman. Her internal storms are raw and poignant (“I lost my feelings a long time ago/Somewhere in somebody’s King size bed”) and by the end readers will be fully & empathetically invested in the story of her life. The author intends full exposure and she does just that. This book is recommended because it gives voice and understanding to the inner child who just wants and deserves true love.

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Neon Soul: A Collection of Poetry & Prose

Alexandra Elle, Andrews McNeel Publishing, Poetry

Neon Soul is a collection of poetry that flows from the renewed spirit of Alexandra Elle. The book opens with a confession of how she is no longer a tortured soul writing from the space of anxiety and trauma. She has evolved and is fearful of whether her writing from a place of healing will connect with readers.

Although it is described as a collection of poetry and prose, the only prose in the book is contained in her prologue, in which she explains the etymology of the title and curated content.

According to Elle, vibrancy that comes from pain is dulled once you figure your stuff out, and her fear is the only colors that grab us are neon, which her poetry is not. Instead, she paints with pastels. And that is where she wins – her poetry is sensitive, her memory flawless, her reassurances are reassuring. In “Mess,” for example, she writes:

How dare you/break into pieces
for those who/refuse to help
undo the damage.
Who wouldn’t even/think to put you/back together,
time and time again.

The final statement “who wouldn’t even think to put you back together, time and time, again”means two different things, depending on the punctuation. She ended it with a period. I kept reading it as a question – rereading and healing each time.

This book is strongly recommended to readers looking for easy access to a lazy river. On the Neon Soul journey, you’ll get rest and be renewed.

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No Big Deal

Torey Ivanic, Carpe Valbat LLC, Memoir/Biography/Autobiography

Torey Ivanic deserves a resounding standing ovation for the story told in this intriguing memoir. The book tells the true and heartfelt story of how her gymnastic coach sexually violated her when she was a young teen, as well as several other gymnasts, including her teammate and friend, Samantha. The content flows perfectly in a chronological pattern that carries the reader along Ms. Ivanics’ journey and maturation through adolescence, college, dating, relationships, adulthood and finally obtaining justice for her stolen innocence. Ms. Ivanic gains peace and vindication by bravely working with detectives to trap her abuser into confessing to his crimes: “He has no idea that this is a taped phone call. He wouldn’t be this calm or candid. And what does he mean, ‘Let it happen’? He’s the one that made it happen.” (pg. 170).

This book is strongly recommended because it highlights the courageousness of abuse victims. Torey could have kept going through life not addressing the hidden secrets from her past, but, instead, she chose peace and deliverance over fear and shame. This book also provides hope for those victims who are contemplating or in the middle of pressing charges and bringing litigation against their abuser(s).

“Ten years for each Rape count and eighteen months for each Gross Sexual Imposition charge for a total of 43 years” (pg. 199).

Because of her strength and determination, her abuser, Gregory Scott Dew, was found guilty and incarcerated. Her bravery allowed his other victims to receive their vindication also, and will hopefully help survivors seek their own.

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