The Chaos That Is Me (book)

Book Synopsis

The Chaos That Is Me

My Journey Through A Lifetime of Trauma

*Genre: Memoir/Autobiography*  

Born in 1979 in Southeast Ohio, Shawna K. Whaley's life has been a relentless battle against adversity. From a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and homelessness to navigating the complexities of an abusive marriage, Shawna's memoir is a testament to survival, resilience, and the pursuit of hope.  

Growing up in an impoverished and unstable home, Shawna faced physical, emotional, and mental abuse, compounded by the chaos of addiction and violence. Her teenage years brought further challenges, including severe back issues that led to multiple surgeries and a struggle to find stability. Despite these hardships, Shawna's determination to create a better life for herself and her daughters shines through.  

Despite severe back issues and depression, she remained determined to create a better life for herself and her daughters; although she knows she hasn’t succeeded, she hasn’t given up yet.

Her journey takes readers through the heartbreak of losing loved ones, the courage it took to escape an abusive marriage, and the strength required to rebuild her life. With unflinching honesty, Shawna shares the moments that defined her—both the pain and the triumphs—and offers a story of honesty and openness that will resonate with anyone who has faced life's darkest moments.

The memoir is a real look into what it's like on the inside of poverty, abuse, and depression in today's society. It's not glamorous or pretty, but it's real. People like to forget about the ugly side of life, but if we ignore it, how can we help improve it? This is why Shawna chose to be brutally honest about what life was like.

I chose the image below for my book cover because it really resonated with me the fact that it's often difficult to see the road ahead in life's journey