Writing: All I can think of for this writing is 'Powerful.' I can't say anything more or less. It's powerful. It's not tender, not sweet, not dramatic. It's just powerful. Its power is accompanied by real and raw emotions. It's one of those books where you forget you're reading. It felt like I was in the head of the author, looking through her eyes. It did not feel like these words were written to be put on paper and published but were actual thoughts.

There are paragraphs in the book that made me twitch and put the book down. There are paragraphs in the book that I read twice, not because I did not understand them, but because of their effect on me. This is probably why it took me five days to read this book, because there are moments when I'd just say, "I can't read this anymore" (mostly in the first part of this book).

As the book progressed, it felt so very personal to be reading it. I wish I could mention all the paragraphs that I loved and that had an effect on me, but I don't want to deprive any future reader of feeling that effect. It's so Goddamn powerful; I can't say anything more.

I'm tempted to say that getting an education is a privilege. But a part of me feels that it shouldn't be, and a person being educated shouldn't be privileged but normal. I still don't know how I should feel about that.

But the book left me feeling grateful. Halfway through the book, I swore not to take my education and the circumstances of my education for granted. I feel grateful that I grew up with medication and not blind faith. But most importantly, it made me feel grateful that my faith isn't above me, watching me and threatening to punish me for my sins. Instead, it's within me. It rejoices with me. It suffers with me. It feels all the same pain and happiness that I feel. And it will die with me.

I'm not scared of what God thinks of me or how there will be a day when I'll be standing at the gates of heaven confronting God about my sins. I am just utterly aware of the fact that he's within me and hopes the best for me. And that realization has made me feel very human.

It also made me believe more strongly in the fact that sometimes leaving is the brave thing. Sometimes enduring pain is the easy way out. Sometimes leaving our family is not betrayal but just devotion to oneself. It takes one person to end that cycle of trauma and change everything.

Overall, it's a book to be devoured. This book affected me on so many levels, and I'll say it kind of switched something in me. I highly recommend this book. Please read it.

Without context, here's a quote that made me feel something I've never felt:

"Who writes history? I thought. I do."