Addicted to Dimes (Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat) by Catherine Townsend-Lyon - Book Review
A very personal, honest, no holds barred memoir. This is the tale of the author’s journey with gambling addiction.
Catherine Townsend-Lyon has been very honest about all her failings. Though she admits writing the book had a cathartic effect it must have been very hard to recall and put into the public view all that occurred on her journey. She has to be admired and respected for having taken this step.
The author has endured much but at the same time I think it only right to remind readers she is anything but alone in this. Many of us, one way or another, have suffered in our lives, some similar to her own experiences, others very different. We are each unique and individual and though there may be similarities each of our journeys differ.
Though one of her motivations for writing this book is to help others who suffer with the same addiction it should be born in mind this is very much her own tale. No doubt others have and do experience similar circumstances but this is not a handbook for them. Nevertheless, having said that, it should help many to appreciate they are not alone; that others have and are going through similar difficulties; that there is hope; that there is escape if they truly work toward it.
Throughout, ‘triggers’ are described and talked about but we must bear in mind these are also personal to her. For others the ‘triggers’ may be very different. Catherine (if I may be so personal as to refer to her by first name) frequently explains how, through her dysfunctional family, she consistently felt valueless. But in addition, and very sadly, briefly describes; how she was abused by someone outside the family; how she was unable to tell anyone about it; how this also acted as a ‘trigger’ and how the combined resulting mind-set and emotions have continued to plague her throughout life.
Drawbacks:
Before mentioning these it is only fair to acknowledge the author has made clear she is not a writer but has simply decided to share her own story. It is very much told in her own words and expressions which has the benefit of really making this a personal work. Nevertheless:
I consider the book too long. Much of what has been shared could be condensed and consequently would make it a more readily readable book. For many time is an issue and it would be a shame if readers gave up because of the length.
Until approximately the sixty percent mark (I read this on a Kindle and therefor am referring to percentages rather than page numbers) I did not feel drawn into the story. Of course this may be personal to me but up to this point I felt I was simply being presented with information and facts. I was able to sympathise but that was all. However, after this point there were areas where I felt empathy for the author; could feel her emotions, concerns, sorrow and disappointment.
Most addiction recovery programmes have a twelve step process. The author frequently refers to these but never really explains what is involved. Of course I appreciate this is not intended to be a formal guide but it would have been nice to have a little more understating of what these steps involve; many readers will not be suffering from the addiction but will be reading out of genuine and general interest.
Rating: As any regular or frequent readers of this blog and my reviews will know, I consider the majority of books fall within the three-star rating. Regrettably, to my mind at least, the rating system has been undermined, sad to say mostly by self-published authors, by the constant allocation of higher ratings than often merited. But at the same time, I acknowledge reading is a subjective experience. Consequently, what one may enjoy another may dislike and each has the right to reflect this. Nonetheless, I do consider far too many four and five stars have been given. Now, with respect to this book, I have found it difficult to determine a final rating. The author has willingly shared everything, exposing all her faults and failures honestly. She has taken us on the difficult journey of her life without drawing back from the realities, prepared to endure the opinions and attitudes that may result. For this reason, and despite the reservations referred to above, I consider the book merits a higher rating than three stars. Existing rating systems, well at least those that are primarily used by readers, do not allow for percentages. Consequently, I feel there is no option but for me to allocate 4 stars (****).
The book is available both as a paperback and as an e-book from:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSUJI3A
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CSUJI3A
Catherine Townsend-Lyon contacted me about a year ago asking if I would consider a review exchange of books. I agreed and we exchanged free copies. I did explain it would take a while for me to read and review; there are many demands upon my time. Nevertheless, a year is excessive. Unexpectedly some family issues arose, including health, that required my absence from my usual routine. At first I tried to keep up but in the end had to abandon my on-line and reading activity. In the end I was absent for eight to nine months. Of course I then had the mammoth catching up process to go through. However, I firmly believe we should always fulfil our undertakings, even, as in this case, where deadlines have to be postponed. I suspect Catherine may think I am one of those who accept free books without fulfilling their commitment because I have not seen any review of my own book. All I may do is apologise to her for the long delay but in my own defence point out it has been due to circumstances outside of my control.
Catherine Townsend-Lyon has been very honest about all her failings. Though she admits writing the book had a cathartic effect it must have been very hard to recall and put into the public view all that occurred on her journey. She has to be admired and respected for having taken this step.The author has endured much but at the same time I think it only right to remind readers she is anything but alone in this. Many of us, one way or another, have suffered in our lives, some similar to her own experiences, others very different. We are each unique and individual and though there may be similarities each of our journeys differ.
Though one of her motivations for writing this book is to help others who suffer with the same addiction it should be born in mind this is very much her own tale. No doubt others have and do experience similar circumstances but this is not a handbook for them. Nevertheless, having said that, it should help many to appreciate they are not alone; that others have and are going through similar difficulties; that there is hope; that there is escape if they truly work toward it.
Throughout, ‘triggers’ are described and talked about but we must bear in mind these are also personal to her. For others the ‘triggers’ may be very different. Catherine (if I may be so personal as to refer to her by first name) frequently explains how, through her dysfunctional family, she consistently felt valueless. But in addition, and very sadly, briefly describes; how she was abused by someone outside the family; how she was unable to tell anyone about it; how this also acted as a ‘trigger’ and how the combined resulting mind-set and emotions have continued to plague her throughout life.
Drawbacks:
Before mentioning these it is only fair to acknowledge the author has made clear she is not a writer but has simply decided to share her own story. It is very much told in her own words and expressions which has the benefit of really making this a personal work. Nevertheless:
I consider the book too long. Much of what has been shared could be condensed and consequently would make it a more readily readable book. For many time is an issue and it would be a shame if readers gave up because of the length.
Until approximately the sixty percent mark (I read this on a Kindle and therefor am referring to percentages rather than page numbers) I did not feel drawn into the story. Of course this may be personal to me but up to this point I felt I was simply being presented with information and facts. I was able to sympathise but that was all. However, after this point there were areas where I felt empathy for the author; could feel her emotions, concerns, sorrow and disappointment.
Most addiction recovery programmes have a twelve step process. The author frequently refers to these but never really explains what is involved. Of course I appreciate this is not intended to be a formal guide but it would have been nice to have a little more understating of what these steps involve; many readers will not be suffering from the addiction but will be reading out of genuine and general interest.
Rating: As any regular or frequent readers of this blog and my reviews will know, I consider the majority of books fall within the three-star rating. Regrettably, to my mind at least, the rating system has been undermined, sad to say mostly by self-published authors, by the constant allocation of higher ratings than often merited. But at the same time, I acknowledge reading is a subjective experience. Consequently, what one may enjoy another may dislike and each has the right to reflect this. Nonetheless, I do consider far too many four and five stars have been given. Now, with respect to this book, I have found it difficult to determine a final rating. The author has willingly shared everything, exposing all her faults and failures honestly. She has taken us on the difficult journey of her life without drawing back from the realities, prepared to endure the opinions and attitudes that may result. For this reason, and despite the reservations referred to above, I consider the book merits a higher rating than three stars. Existing rating systems, well at least those that are primarily used by readers, do not allow for percentages. Consequently, I feel there is no option but for me to allocate 4 stars (****).
The book is available both as a paperback and as an e-book from:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CSUJI3A
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CSUJI3A
Catherine Townsend-Lyon contacted me about a year ago asking if I would consider a review exchange of books. I agreed and we exchanged free copies. I did explain it would take a while for me to read and review; there are many demands upon my time. Nevertheless, a year is excessive. Unexpectedly some family issues arose, including health, that required my absence from my usual routine. At first I tried to keep up but in the end had to abandon my on-line and reading activity. In the end I was absent for eight to nine months. Of course I then had the mammoth catching up process to go through. However, I firmly believe we should always fulfil our undertakings, even, as in this case, where deadlines have to be postponed. I suspect Catherine may think I am one of those who accept free books without fulfilling their commitment because I have not seen any review of my own book. All I may do is apologise to her for the long delay but in my own defence point out it has been due to circumstances outside of my control.
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