book review: I wore the ocean in the shape of a girl

Title: I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a GirlAuthor: Kelle GroomRelease date: June 2011

Kelle Groom reveals years of struggle and suffering in, "I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a Girl." The raw, and poignant memoir reveals her life as a teenage alcoholic and the long road to recovery that led her to a life as a poet and storyteller.

While reading the well-crafted prose, I could feel the emotions warring inside the writer. There were moments I felt physically uncomfortable and some where I hurt. It made the more positive moments feel all the greater.

Through her words, Groom shows that though it can be difficult to understand the cause and true origin of addiction, the most important part of a person's story is how he or she overcomes it every day of their life.

I don't have much experience reading memoirs, but this was a quick read for me, and a story I had trouble putting down once I started. At moments, it was difficult for me to read emotionally, but the overall impact was well worth pushing through to the end.

Rating: 4 of 5