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Living for Today: From Incest and Molestation to Fearlessness and Forgiveness
Silence Broken and Stigmas Shattered -- Help for Incest Survivors Is Here
Fans of Erin Merryn's heart-wrenching debut memoir Stolen Innocence were left wondering at the end what would become of an emotionally fragile Erin after her confrontation with the reality of being a child of incest and molestation. In Living for Today, readers find that Erin cultivated the strength to face her abuser and eventually facilitated and experienced relief from years of emotional restlessness, while also igniting the beginnings of a new fearless journey. Living for Today chronicles that journey, which began with the unearthing of private shame and releasing of ugly memories and letting go of guilt and becoming the mouthpiece of millions of her generation.
Through her compelling narrative, readers will learn how they, too,
Living for Today is Merryn's contribution to an audience that has felt victimized, ashamed, isolated, and silenced by its abusers and offers a roadmap for self-discovery, forgiveness, and empowerment to help readers rid the stigma they have attached to their trauma and live fully and fearlessly for today.
Fans of Erin Merryn's heart-wrenching debut memoir Stolen Innocence were left wondering at the end what would become of an emotionally fragile Erin after her confrontation with the reality of being a child of incest and molestation. In Living for Today, readers find that Erin cultivated the strength to face her abuser and eventually facilitated and experienced relief from years of emotional restlessness, while also igniting the beginnings of a new fearless journey. Living for Today chronicles that journey, which began with the unearthing of private shame and releasing of ugly memories and letting go of guilt and becoming the mouthpiece of millions of her generation.
Through her compelling narrative, readers will learn how they, too,
Living for Today is Merryn's contribution to an audience that has felt victimized, ashamed, isolated, and silenced by its abusers and offers a roadmap for self-discovery, forgiveness, and empowerment to help readers rid the stigma they have attached to their trauma and live fully and fearlessly for today.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
264 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2009
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210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 5, 2010
Erin's last book, Stolen Innocence took the format of a diary as she gave accounts of the sexual abuse that she endured at the hands of her cousin. Written several year later, Living for Today is a collection of thoughts on her troubled past, the emotional and physical turmoil that resulted, and above all else, the healing which has endured as Erin has found herself and reclaimed her lost youth.
For those that have read the first book, I would highly suggest reading the second. While the first book gave a girl/young woman a voice, the second is far more articulate. The lapse of time between the two books was obviously spent contemplating and re-contemplating the horrific events, from nearly every angle. To say that Erin becomes at peace with her past is an understatement, as the theme is forgiveness. Just as relevant as forgiveness, Erin reiterates that one of the purposes of both of her books is to raise awareness and to be a mouthpiece for the silent survivors of sexual crimes.
While some of the happenings of the second book are in the first book, Living for Today covers completely new ground, including a previously unmentioned, yet equally tramatic, "incident"; the familial aftermath of "going public" with her abuse; some of the intricacies of the relationships that are most important to her; complications in trusting men as a result of abuse; and even some of the feel good moments of her life, which are so easy to forget about when one becomes sexually abused.
In retrospect, I am happy to have read this book. I believe that Erin is doing a fantastic job in raising awareness and is quite accessible to those who need her most. In living such a tumultuous life, she has become a strong person who will no doubt become a role model to many.
For those that have read the first book, I would highly suggest reading the second. While the first book gave a girl/young woman a voice, the second is far more articulate. The lapse of time between the two books was obviously spent contemplating and re-contemplating the horrific events, from nearly every angle. To say that Erin becomes at peace with her past is an understatement, as the theme is forgiveness. Just as relevant as forgiveness, Erin reiterates that one of the purposes of both of her books is to raise awareness and to be a mouthpiece for the silent survivors of sexual crimes.
While some of the happenings of the second book are in the first book, Living for Today covers completely new ground, including a previously unmentioned, yet equally tramatic, "incident"; the familial aftermath of "going public" with her abuse; some of the intricacies of the relationships that are most important to her; complications in trusting men as a result of abuse; and even some of the feel good moments of her life, which are so easy to forget about when one becomes sexually abused.
In retrospect, I am happy to have read this book. I believe that Erin is doing a fantastic job in raising awareness and is quite accessible to those who need her most. In living such a tumultuous life, she has become a strong person who will no doubt become a role model to many.
January 31, 2011
Some of the parts of this book are really good. I do enjoy how she tells what its like to be a victim of sexual abuse, however she gets too preachy at points. This book repeats a lot from the first book. I debated not getting it, but it was a different story.
February 8, 2010
A must-read for anyone who is recovering from sexual abuse or who has a loved one who is.
July 13, 2023
Very helpful information and a courageous story told by Erin. As a survivor myself I found this book very helpful in reminding me in my own journey to keep fighting ! Thank you Erin for sharing your story
April 7, 2023
Very helpful in understanding what someone goes through when they’ve been sexually abused.
May 5, 2014
I agree with what I've seen other people say. The first book is told from the perspective of Erin as a girl/young adult - I think she wrote it while she was in high school. This book, however, is told from the perspective of a very thoughtful young woman. Thoughtful and insightful. She continues to share more of the things that have affected her life, and it is not easy to read.
I recommended that my local high school get it for their shelves, because I think these are important books that need to be read far and wide. Children need to know how to be safe. Young adults that were abused as children need to know they aren't alone. Adults need to know the same thing - they aren't alone, they aren't crazy, there is help.
Erin's focus in this book is on forgiveness. That is a work in progress for anyone - there's no magical formula, it is a decision to be made and I thoroughly admire Erin for being able to do so, and for making her life count to help others.
I recommended that my local high school get it for their shelves, because I think these are important books that need to be read far and wide. Children need to know how to be safe. Young adults that were abused as children need to know they aren't alone. Adults need to know the same thing - they aren't alone, they aren't crazy, there is help.
Erin's focus in this book is on forgiveness. That is a work in progress for anyone - there's no magical formula, it is a decision to be made and I thoroughly admire Erin for being able to do so, and for making her life count to help others.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews