Sounds intense and heartbreaking… And I picture myself ending up under my blanket in the fetal position with wads of Kleenex surrounding me… So naturally, I can’t wait to read it! Interested in user experience and organizational leadership. The Way I Used to Be is a YA novel written by author Amber Smith. In the three years following Eden’s brutal rape by her brother’s best friend, Kevin, she descends into anger, isolation, and promiscuity. It’s SO good! The story starts during her winter break. It is an English language adaptation of the Italian language song "Melodia", which was originally released by Isabella Iannetti in 1968.. "The Way I Used to Be explores the aftermath of sexual assault with a precision and searing honesty that is often terrifying, sometimes eerily beautiful, and always completely true. Yesterday my husband got me a small thing of roses while he was at walmart just because it'd been awhile (less than…. THE WAY I USED TO BE. The next morning she said nothing; she thought that nobody would believe her since they trusted Kevin so much. Plot Summary Eden loved band and was a good student, she had a secret crush on her older brother's best friend. "The Way I Used to Be explores the aftermath of sexual assault with a precision and searing honesty that is often terrifying, sometimes eerily beautiful, and always completely true. Eden was always good at being good. Kevin is almost like part of the family, they have known him since he was little. There are also other available format to download: PDF Kindle It was hard to read Eden’s story at times, but that’s actually what made the book so good. And she buries the way she used to be. She’s not the naïve girl she used to be… Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault. Add this poem to MyPoemList. The Way I Used To Be. One night while Eden was sleeping in her bed, Kevin came into her room and raped her. Summary. Eden is raped by her brother’s long time best friend after he sneaks into her bedroom one night. For me, being a librarian has never been about the books--it's about the people! Starting high school didn’t change who she was. The Way I Used to Be I picked this book because of the cover and the title. Eden was in shock. The Way We Used To Be Lyrics: Have you ever been tired of people askin' / "How you doin'?" Starting high school didn’t change who she was. Academic librarian with 15+ years of experience. In New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s bold new novel, Evangeline Austen returns to her family’s sprawling Napa Valley ranch, determined to rebuild her life and expose the shocking truth about the past. Change ). [Content warning: The Way I Used to Be and this review discuss rape.] In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault. The story starts during her winter break. Another thing that the book could show is, if you have been sexually assaulted, there are people that want to help you and there are people that love you. Eden is a fantastic, realistic character, and watching her story unfold over four years is both painful and enthralling. Throughout the book Eden continues to overcome challenges that are being thrown at her during her four years in highschool. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Kevin is 17 years old, while Edy is only 14 and just beginning her freshman year of high school. The story The Way I Used To Be, by Amber Smith, is about a teenage girl named Eden who is in her Freshman year of high school. The Way I Used to Be (Book) : Smith, Amber : "After fourteen-year-old Eden is raped by her brother's best friend, she knows she'll never be the way she used to be"-- Provided by publisher. Passionate about lifelong learning and student success. It is The Hero's Journey through a distorted circus mirror--one girl's quest to turn desperation into courage, to become a survivor instead of a victim. In her Senior year of high school, just when Eden thinks that she has hit rock bottom, Caelin comes home and tells the family, It can show girls how badly rape can affect someone if they don’t speak up about what happened to them. ( Log Out /  "The Way It Used to Be" is a song recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, which was released on the album Engelbert and as a single in 1969. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The subject matter can be tough going, as are the descriptions of the rape and the way Eden descends into risky behavior and self-destruction over the four years following the attack. Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year.. I loved how plot-wise, the story focused on how Eden lives her life. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. The Way I Used To Be is a powerful novel exploring how a brutal rape changes an innocent, trusting young girl into someone filled with anger and self-loathing at her inability to tell anyone what happened, to defend herself or standup for herself.Her anger leads to isolation, alienation and some very harmful and dangerous behaviours. Summary: In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault. The price of silence is high for both herself and those around her. The Way I Used To Be is told in four parts, chronicling each year of high school. Something about it made me pick it up and I am glad I did. Rating Card. The novel opens on a cold December morning. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I cannot recommend this enough, but be sure that you have tissues handy because your heart will hurt for Eden and also cheer her on. And she buries the way she used to be. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. She goes from being known as a band geek, to being known as the school slut, and finally being hated by almost everyone. I picked up The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith at the ABA’s Winter Institute in Denver as one of about 100 books. So she buries it instead. Amber Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels The Way I Used to Be and The Last to Let Go.An advocate for increased awareness of gendered violence, as well as LGBTQ equality, she writes in the hope that her books can help to foster change and spark dialogue surrounding these issues. The Way I Used to Be released TODAY, so go get a copy ASAP! The Way I Used to Be (Book) : Smith, Amber : After fourteen-year-old Eden is raped by her brother's best friend, she knows she'll never be the way she used to be. The song was a top ten hit in multiple countries, and spent 14 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. Enjoy the freedom to explore over 1 million titles and thousands of Hot New Releases Book on any device based on social media research this book also very most wanted. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. I can’t say enough good things about it! The Way I Used to Be (Book) : Smith, Amber : "After fourteen-year-old Eden is raped by her brother's best friend, she knows she'll never be the way she used to be"-- In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault. Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary. Eden was always good at being good. Parents need to know The Way I Used to Be follows the story of a girl's high school experience after she is raped by her brother's best friend. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. She tries to change herself into a new person, trying to forget the girl she used to be. I had the opportunity to meet the author at a Simon & Schuster sponsored dinner I attended, and she was so genuine and passionate about the way she talked about this story and the emotional journey she took … 18,094 Ratings. Nobody thinks that it could even happen to them, but it does and you should always trust your gut if you think something is wrong, or if something bad is going to, Similarities Between Pol Pot And Napoleon, Information Management Process In Construction Industry, The Theme Of Individualism In 'Anthem' By Ayn Rand. The Way I Used to Be (eBook) : Smith, Amber : "After fourteen-year-old Eden is raped by her brother's best friend, she knows she'll never be the way she used to be"-- Provided by publisher. The Way I Used to Be is a story about trauma and life after it. ( Log Out /  Edy is a self-described “dorky little sister” who wears glasses and a “freshman band-geek nobody” (7) who plays the clarinet. Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year—this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. Eden’s brother Caelin, has come home from college with his best friend Kevin. Eden was always good at being…. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes.… One day I will quit doing this to myself and reading books like this, but today is not that day! I had a chance to read an ARC of Amber Smith's THE WAY I USED TO BE. Characters and Conflicts Falling Action and Resolution Exoposition The Way I Used To Be Rising Action and Climax By Amber Smith Summary The Way I Used To Be is about a girl named Eden McCrorey (Edy for short) who gets raped by her brother's best friend, Kevin, in her freshman It is The Hero's Journey through a distorted circus mirror--one girl's quest to turn desperation into courage, to become a survivor instead of a victim. The narrator does an incredible job of making you feel what Eden feels. The Way I Used To Be is so gut-wrenching and raw. There are some serious topics going on so if you’re a trigger warnings kind of person this one has it all. The blurb of being compared to Speak had me interested, so I had to read it and I’m glad that I did. This story tells of Eden’s journey of trying to overcome and forget about the traumatic events that happened that night. But it also demonstrates one young woman’s strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, and while learning to embrace a power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. While The Way I Used to Be is a work of fiction, it does come from a place of emotional truth, and it was from a space of reflection and compassion that I wrote this book. Eden’s silence about the assault is cemented by both Kevin’s confident assurance that if she tells anyone, “No one will ever believe you. And it also could show anyone how much pain they could put someone through if they were to sexually assault someone. ( Log Out /  Today a year ago I dragged him to his first musical. Title: The Way I Used to Be Author: Amber Smith Format: PDF Size: 6.9 MB Pages: 384 In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault. For many people, the teenage years are often a time when we encounter loss, trauma, heartbreak, and disappointment for the first time, yet we are rarely equipped to deal with these very “adult” emotions and situations. This is a beautiful, powerful book about the long-term affects of rape on a girl's life. It is the morning after Edy is raped by Kevin, the best friend of Edy’s older brother, Caelin. The Way I Used to Be (Book) : Smith, Amber : "After fourteen-year-old Eden is raped by her brother's best friend, she knows she'll never be the way she used to be"-- Provided by publisher. Poem Submitted: Monday, June 18, 2018. 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