Hello friends! I’m happy to share another book review. I learned about As Familiar As Family by Nicki Pappas through her presale campaign. I don’t read a lot of nonfiction on my own time. But when I saw the presale campaign, I was hooked. You’ll see with the following review why this book was a great read for me.
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis
Nicki Pappas experienced abuse as love from a young age. In As Familiar as Family, she explores and examines the ways in which she was groomed for unhealthy relationships and toxic religion.
This book chronicles her journey to find her voice — and a way out — which began once she understood how the spiritual abuse, power dynamics, narcissism, and emotional detachment in the church were as familiar as family.
By sharing her story, she hopes to empower others to leave anything toxic in their own lives.
What I Enjoyed
Pappas manages to write to readers who a) has never questioned their faith b) left their congregations or c) are in the middle of a faith transition. That’s no easy feat. She describes how family trauma and church trauma contributed to her faith transition. This growth revolutionized everything she once believed about God and her worth.
Ultimately, this book is for people who wish they could be honest about their experiences but worry others will dampen their voices. Pappas shows us that as long as we can tell ourselves the truth, we can set ourselves free.
My Final Thoughts
Pappas shares her story with sensitivity to show the trajectory of her life rather than sensationalize her experiences. I still recommend caution if you’re sensitive to depictions of abuse and assault. TW for topics such as sexual abuse, grooming, traumatic birth, spiritual abuse, and suicidal ideation.
Hopefully, I shared enough to pique your curiosity. Want to get reading? If so, I highly recommend you look up Nicki Pappas on social media:
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