Book Reviews - The US Review of Books: Professional Book Reviews


"My search for… “True Me” began in earnest once the stripping away of layer upon layer of my ‘seedy’ past surfaced, was accepted, and processed."

Trauma is often a catalyst for finding one’s way to faith and the Lord. However, in Cannata’s work, the abuse she experienced as a child is so deeply repressed that it creates a disconnect between the mind and body, creating an identity dissonance that can leave an individual feeling lost as they meander through life. In this work, the author’s trials and tribulations are brought to the forefront. More specifically, Cannata makes astute observations regarding the difference between a visible physical injury and invisible, mental scarring. Just because one can’t see pain does not mean it doesn’t exist. As she works through this convoluted web of conformity to carve her path toward thriving in God’s Kingdom, audiences learn about therapies like EDMR and concepts like brainspotting, where the visual field is instrumental in processing trauma.

At its core, there is a raw authenticity to the work that has the potential to instill hope that even the most difficult journeys can be trekked in Christ. With a structure that is simultaneously teaching and providing an actionable, workbook-type journal setting, healing is central to the work. However, it is not just physical or mental healing but spiritual healing where souls can bask in God’s Love while truly grasping the gravity of God’s sacrifice. In that vein, the idea of cognitive reframing is prevalent throughout the work, where the emphasis is on being real rather than perfect and understanding that not only does each individual have a story to tell but that it has immense value and truly matters. Ultimately, the fusion of verses from books of the Bible like Psalms and Ecclesiastes and a foray into the life of and growth of the author are encapsulated with a host of positive affirmations that help audiences reframe their mindsets and build strong trust in the Lord.

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