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Everything You've Ever Done
By the time she’s twenty, Amelia has survived an unconventional childhood and experienced darkness and death. She relishes the carefree life she finds with Dave, her rock star soul mate. The couple lives fast and full—getting married, traveling, adventuring, and creating.
The story turns to heartbreaking drama and medical mystery as Dave’s bizarre personality changes cause their lives to spin out of control. Forced to face a terrifying reality, Amelia and Dave buckle in for a rocket blast through cosmic truth and spiritual discovery.
This book is about the worst things happening. It’s about falling and breaking and making mistakes and being bad. And it’s about everything being OK and everything you’ve ever done being right and true. It’s about light and dark existing simultaneously.
Amelia and Dave each got knocked down again and again. They each lost love and felt abandoned. And they were saved by love. They learned a new depth of human connection. They saw each other through.
Everything You’ve Ever Done is a story for both the doubters and believers. It shows that we can be seen through and that faith really works, even when (or maybe especially when) we feel like giving up, when we are destroyed by life. It demonstrates facing both life and death with an open heart, and confirms we have the power to choose bold survival in the face of devastation. Death isn’t the end. Love isn’t temporary.
The story turns to heartbreaking drama and medical mystery as Dave’s bizarre personality changes cause their lives to spin out of control. Forced to face a terrifying reality, Amelia and Dave buckle in for a rocket blast through cosmic truth and spiritual discovery.
This book is about the worst things happening. It’s about falling and breaking and making mistakes and being bad. And it’s about everything being OK and everything you’ve ever done being right and true. It’s about light and dark existing simultaneously.
Amelia and Dave each got knocked down again and again. They each lost love and felt abandoned. And they were saved by love. They learned a new depth of human connection. They saw each other through.
Everything You’ve Ever Done is a story for both the doubters and believers. It shows that we can be seen through and that faith really works, even when (or maybe especially when) we feel like giving up, when we are destroyed by life. It demonstrates facing both life and death with an open heart, and confirms we have the power to choose bold survival in the face of devastation. Death isn’t the end. Love isn’t temporary.
343 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 6, 2017
I gave this book 5 stars, which is rare for me. Not because I'm some sort of genius literary critic (if that even exists), or even because I liked the writing style (I didn't really)...but because it was an extraordinarily moving story. Although I wasn't completely sold on the book at first, eventually I found myself absorbed. Even the parts that annoyed me, such as Ms. Whalen's frequent references to her bad-assery (even though she clearly is one), were made whole through balance (in this case her admission of the bad behavior she indulged in throughout the care taking and grieving process), all of which gives the reader a glimpse at raw human-ness. Amelia allowed me get to know her, and of course Dave's, true personalities in such an open and honest way that I found myself enamored with them both.
It probably isn't a coincidence that I read this entire book while on a fun and spontaneous trip with my family to see the solar eclipse, or that I happened to hear Carrot Rope by Pavement yesterday (I haven't heard a Pavement song for 15 years). I'll admit that I giggled over her driving all the way to Vermont to see Built To Spill, a band from my hometown that I have seen countless times...only to be humbled by a memory of being moved to tears once while watching Doug Martsch do an acoustic cover of an Otis Redding song in a coffee shop.
Anyway, this story is wonderful and I was truly disappointed not to be hanging out with my two new friends anymore when it was over. So glad to have stumbled across it!
It probably isn't a coincidence that I read this entire book while on a fun and spontaneous trip with my family to see the solar eclipse, or that I happened to hear Carrot Rope by Pavement yesterday (I haven't heard a Pavement song for 15 years). I'll admit that I giggled over her driving all the way to Vermont to see Built To Spill, a band from my hometown that I have seen countless times...only to be humbled by a memory of being moved to tears once while watching Doug Martsch do an acoustic cover of an Otis Redding song in a coffee shop.
Anyway, this story is wonderful and I was truly disappointed not to be hanging out with my two new friends anymore when it was over. So glad to have stumbled across it!
September 12, 2017
I normally avoid books which deal with mental health issues—they hit too close to home—and yet they continue to find me. Everything You’ve Ever Done really hits hard even if you have a thick skin, which I definitely do not. Well-written, organized, flowing, and passionate, this memoir/autobiography has a lot going for it if you can stomach the deterioration of Dave’s mental state.
Whalen represents the key players as such sympathetic characters that one cannot help but to develop a connection with them. You journey on the emotional roller coaster with Amelia, both longing for her and Dave to reunite and knowing that he is far too destructive to be a positive influence on her life. We see their relationship from start to end (and end and end and end) and wonder, alongside Amelia, why Dave has changed so drastically.
People with mental health issues or who have loved ones with mental illness will benefit greatly from the strength and hope Whalen shows through this book. At the same time, such people are the most likely to be heavily affected by the material. For that reason, I suggest proceeding with caution if you fall under one of these two categories.
I had no real issues with this book. I found a few proofreading errors here and there but I don’t think anyone but a perfectionist would notice. Overall, the book is well-written, emotional, flows well, and is easy to follow. I recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional and inspirational read, although I recommend keeping tissues close by and taking several breaks to recharge.
Whalen represents the key players as such sympathetic characters that one cannot help but to develop a connection with them. You journey on the emotional roller coaster with Amelia, both longing for her and Dave to reunite and knowing that he is far too destructive to be a positive influence on her life. We see their relationship from start to end (and end and end and end) and wonder, alongside Amelia, why Dave has changed so drastically.
People with mental health issues or who have loved ones with mental illness will benefit greatly from the strength and hope Whalen shows through this book. At the same time, such people are the most likely to be heavily affected by the material. For that reason, I suggest proceeding with caution if you fall under one of these two categories.
I had no real issues with this book. I found a few proofreading errors here and there but I don’t think anyone but a perfectionist would notice. Overall, the book is well-written, emotional, flows well, and is easy to follow. I recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional and inspirational read, although I recommend keeping tissues close by and taking several breaks to recharge.
September 13, 2017
I received an advanced copy from the author and was blown away by the reality of her experience. No flowers and glitter here folks, just the real events and raw emotion that made it hard to put down. I just wanted to know how she was going to deal with everything that landed in her lap. Well written and truly from the heart, Amelia lays it all out there as the events in her life unraveled.Oh
December 11, 2017
You never know how strong you really are -- until your love is tested to the core.
By the time she's twenty, Amelia has survived an unconventional childhood and experienced darkness and death. She relishes the love she finds with Dave, her free-spirited rocker husband. They live a fun and passionate life -- traveling, rock climbing, making art and music.
The story turns to heartbreak and mystery when Dave begins to have bizarre personality changes. Their lives spin out of control. Forced to face a terrifying reality, Amelia and Dave buckle in for a rocket blast through cosmic truth and spiritual discovery.
This memoir is about falling and breaking and making mistakes. It's about the worst things happening. And it's about everything being OK and everything you've ever done being right and true. It's about light and dark existing together.
Amelia and Dave got knocked down again and again. They each lost love and felt abandoned. And they were saved by love. They learned a new depth of human connection. They saw each other through.
This is a true story about choosing to live with humor, style, and grace -- even the face of devastation.
Everything You've Ever Done is a story for both doubters and believers. It confirms that love and faith really work, even when (or maybe especially when?) we feel like giving up, when we're destroyed by life. It shows how we can face both life and dying with an open heart. Death isn't the end. Love goes on forever.
Join Amelia and Dave on this funny, searing, unforgettable journey. Pick up this page turner today!
By the time she's twenty, Amelia has survived an unconventional childhood and experienced darkness and death. She relishes the love she finds with Dave, her free-spirited rocker husband. They live a fun and passionate life -- traveling, rock climbing, making art and music.
The story turns to heartbreak and mystery when Dave begins to have bizarre personality changes. Their lives spin out of control. Forced to face a terrifying reality, Amelia and Dave buckle in for a rocket blast through cosmic truth and spiritual discovery.
This memoir is about falling and breaking and making mistakes. It's about the worst things happening. And it's about everything being OK and everything you've ever done being right and true. It's about light and dark existing together.
Amelia and Dave got knocked down again and again. They each lost love and felt abandoned. And they were saved by love. They learned a new depth of human connection. They saw each other through.
This is a true story about choosing to live with humor, style, and grace -- even the face of devastation.
Everything You've Ever Done is a story for both doubters and believers. It confirms that love and faith really work, even when (or maybe especially when?) we feel like giving up, when we're destroyed by life. It shows how we can face both life and dying with an open heart. Death isn't the end. Love goes on forever.
Join Amelia and Dave on this funny, searing, unforgettable journey. Pick up this page turner today!
August 17, 2018
I love the premise and purpose of this book, but the writing was kind of dull. The soul of the characters shines on though, so do read this if you doubt the beauty of love.
September 13, 2017
I think that this is the best love story I've ever read. Maybe because there's no way someone could write a fictional love that would move you the way someone's real story can.
Real life, tragedy, great joy, illness, hurt, forgiveness...
Amelia's memoir of supporting her husband through his last months shows the the power and beauty of giving up the life you've pictured for the person you love.
Real life, tragedy, great joy, illness, hurt, forgiveness...
Amelia's memoir of supporting her husband through his last months shows the the power and beauty of giving up the life you've pictured for the person you love.
April 14, 2023
Took me a bit to get into this one but I’m glad I kept going. So beautifully written; a heartbreakingly beautiful true story about love.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews