I requested this book because Tricia Goyer was a co-author of it.

It really left me unmoved and that makes me feel bad.

I was shocked for Kristen and what she went through, as before this book I had never heard of her. When she thought committing sucide was the only way out. I love how God worked in her life and brought her where is she today but I feel very unattached to her and her story. There felt like there was little to now emotion in her story telling. Just matter of fact points. ( )

In readng various genres of reading, I have not come across one as powerfully written, in an honest and forthright way, as the book,"Life ,In Spite of Me", by Kristen Jane Anderson ( and Tricia Goyer) ..

Life,for Kristen, as a 17 year old teen, was anything but normal. Having lost 3 friends, to suicide, or accidents, she herself fell into depression so heavy, and painful that she herself, laid down on train tracks to end her life. Needless to say, " God had other plans " for this brave, and courageous young woman.

As Kristen recuperated from her devastating injuries, she found the will, and the Hope to continue on in her life. Undergoing mental health treatment, with two very different doctors, she understood the need for knowing God in her life, in order to see light, instead of the deep blackness of despair. She found God in that search, and as the book which so powerfully demonstrates, in her quest to finding and recieving hope, she ministers in little notes written throughout the book, snippets of encouraging truth to those who read this honest, but straight forward true story.

Life is not about being fair, but it is about finding real lessons of faith, and strength in life in the unfairness of situations that come up as you read . From being raped as a young teen, to the deaths of Kristen Anderson's friends, life was not about being fair, as it was about being real. And with real, and candid way of communicating to readers, Kristen points the way to healing, and to getting on with Life now as she ministers to groups, and individuals at how they , too, can find hope in the darkness that she once experiences.
I hightly, HIGHLY, recommend this book - for those who face such despair. I highly recommend this book , for those that need a reminder that even in the darkness, there is God waiting to surround those in pain, and depression

( )

Undiagnosed depression and a series of painful events led to 17-year-old Kristen Anderson laying on the train tracks near her home, waiting to die. As she watched and felt 30 train cars roll over her body, a miracle took place, though she wouldn't fully realize it for some time. Kristen takes the reader into her life- the events that led to that dark night, her adjusting to life without legs, and her struggle with depression to discover what she was put on this earth to do. She steps back at key moments to speak hope and love to the reader, as she wishes someone had spoken to her.

This book is hope and encouragement to those struggling, and inspiration to the rest of us. Her faith journey will encourage those just starting their own journey and refresh those who are a little further down the road. This is a great and easy read; I finished it in less than a day.

As someone who works with teens, the part that most jumped out at me and inspired me was something Kristen wrote on page 76:"Their intentions were good, but I wondered why people had waited so long to tell me. If they really believe I'm special- and that God has a special plan for my life- why didn't they tell me before? Why did they wait until I'm lying in a hospital bed to tell me how much they love me, how much God loves me? I needed to hear that just as much in the past as I did now."

It was an excellent reminder that people need our love and support just as much-if not more- when they're hard to love and pushing everyone away. By being loving and supporting and caring to the people around us everyday, we may unknowingly save a life. While this story has a happy ending, I never want it to be in that position of wondering, "What could I have done to stop this tragedy?" I want to know that I've poured my life into others, that I have been there when they needed me and helped them fight their battles.

I recommend this book, especially if you are struggling with depression or have a loved one who is.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. ( )

Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson, is Kristen's story of life. When she was 17 years old, she attempted suicide. She laid down on train tracks hoping to end all the pain. But she survived and lost both her legs. Kristen did not know why she had lived, but she knew that she was worse off now with no legs. She tells her story of why she decided she did not want to live anymore, her long and painful recovery process, how she had come to a realization that she had lived for a reason and her journey of becoming closer with GOD.

Kristen is such a brave women. Her story is so touching. She had a long road to recovery but she become stronger through the process. She really was saved so she can tell her story to others and hopefully help others. I am glad I found out about Kristen and her story. She is a very inspiring women and I learned a lot from reading about her story. ( )

Kristen Jane Anderson's teen years were filled with one painful experience after another. Seeing no hope, she laid down on a set of railroad tracks and waited for the train to kill her. Unbelievably, after thirty-three freight cars ran over her, she was still alive – but missing her legs. Thus began a completely new part of her life. It was hailed as a miracle that she survived and Kristen's recovery was slow and painful. Only after her suicide attempt did Kristen come to know Jesus on a personal level. In Him, she found a reason to hope, to live, and to walk.

Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer is not a book I would want to read every year, but it is well worth reading at least once every few years. Despite the heavy topics it deals with, the book was a quick read. Kristen's experiences are related gently and authentically to the reader. However, I think the book and its readers could have benefited from having more information about Kristen's healing from the sexual assualt in addition to the details she gives of her physical healing and struggles with depression. I felt like most of her issues prior to the suicide attempt were consolidated under the blanket of depression and only mentioned occasionnally after the suicide attempt.

I found this book to be very encouraging as I personnally struggle with depression. I appreciated that the author boldly, but kindly declares the need to know Jesus as a personal Savior. Truly, her relationship with Jesus not only saved her soul and brought healing, but also enabled her to reach out to others struggling with the same issues. I think this book could help anyone who is dealing with depression or who knows someone dealing with depression. The encouragement notes directly from Kristen were especially kind. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for an inspirational read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogging for Books as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )