Increasingly excited about this release because as a chronically ill therapist and writer, I could not recognize my experience more fluidly in the pages. I plan to bring this book to larger scale meetings and sessions in the mental health world when it is on shelves in January. I can't wait to discuss the topics with those in the spoonie community as we evaluate what "sick" means in each of our unique worlds. I crave so much more literature on these topics, and each time I find a bite of something relatable and validating, I savor it for months.

“This culture isn’t built for the chronically ill or disabled, and we are given the message that we don’t belong”

Being Sick Enough covers a multitude of neurodivergent and trauma based problems. Topics like generational trauma, inherited PTSD, eating disorders, alcoholism, drug abuse, abortion, C-PTSD, ADHD, autism and Fibromyalgia.

The author tells us her story and her journey from forgiveness to acceptance in all aspects of her life from her illnesses, to her relationships.

She is open, honest and frank about her childhood and what it’s like to live with co morbid health issues as an adult.

“We must do our own research to find relief because of all the medical gaslighting, and the limitations of our healthcare system”

I really enjoyed the Spoons analogy, it’s something that very much resonated with me. I also found her forgiveness to her mother extremely brave and touching. And the “It’s like this right now” chapter was thought provoking.

The author highlights how important diagnoses are and the enlightening impact that “knowing” can have. It’s something I also strongly believe in.

“Knowing that I am autistic doesn’t solve every challenge that arises, but understanding this about myself has decreased many challenges and increased my well-being… How different my life might have been if I had this information earlier”

I gained some insight, and some empathy, reading this. Thank you for sharing your story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and North Atlantic Books for my advanced copy.

Packed with interesting and important reflections, the goods were there but the packaging felt all wrong for me. I started and stopped this many times because I struggled to stay connected with the storytelling and the overall flow of the narrative. There is a lot of good to be found within these pages but the reader will need some patience to find it.

I was really looking forward to reading this being chronically ill myself, but I just couldn't get through it.

Now this may be in part the formatting of the review copy, or maybe it's just me, but the memory/flashbacks and jumping back and forth to present are just not done well. It's not the end of the world but it does take away from the overall reading experience. Had this been the only problem, it could have easily been overlooked.

The writing is what made me give up on this book, it's just not for me. The prose is trying way too hard most of the time and otherwise reads like it was written for a homework assignment. It's unfortunately just not at the writing level it needs to be, at least not at this level of editing.

3.5 rounded down.

Ultimately I think it's good material but the wrong format. Jessica Graham, who identifies as non-binary, has gone through a lot of hardship, trauma and illness, and has spent years trying to feel better or to numb the pain. They have strong spiritual beliefs, but the book doesn't come across as preachy, actually quite the opposite. They write a lot about their own privilege, they are Christian now but support LGBTQ+ rights and are very sex-positive, they just seem like a lovely and compassionate person. I'd love to have a coffee or a drink with them. But I think the short chapters felt a bit disorganised at times and in a way, would have been better served by a different format, maybe a self-help book rather than a memoir. Or a podcast.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

I am not sure if there is going to be an introduction or prologue in the final version, but I'm assuming there will be. That wasn't present in my copy and I was very confused., The first thing was a poem and then boom we were in an essay and I had no context for what the book was supposed to bring me. I like a lot of the points made here, but the packaging and format were not the most user friendly.

Reading this book made me really feel her feelings as she writes this compelling read. I would recommend to anyone looking for a thought provoking book.

I was really keen to read this book as someone who also suffers with chronic illness and mental health issues. I found it to be a very difficult read in places as the author doesn't shy away from the awful traumatic things that have happened to her (and to the previous generation of her family) but I applaud her for confronting these things and for being so honest. There are some things in this book that were triggering to my own PTSD so I had to skip over those essays a little bit but that is no fault of the book. The part I found most enlightening was the chapter that talked about gold linings rather than silver, and post-traumatic growth. It really struck a chord with me and will be something I mull over as I begin to work on my own traumas. This is a difficult read but it's a very honest book and I would recommend it to people who people who want to understand more about how trauma affects us and how it can cause other mental and physical problems.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review this ARC!

Being (sick) enough by Jessica Graham is a thought-provoking exploration of health and identity that really resonates. Graham's candid writing style draws you in, making you feel the weight of her experiences. The themes of vulnerability and resilience are beautifully portrayed, and there are moments that truly shine. However, while the insights are valuable, the pacing can feel uneven at times, which might leave some readers wanting more depth in certain areas. Overall, it's an engaging read with plenty of heart, but it could use a bit more polish. 3 stars!

This book was fascinating, and I am so glad that women's narratives of illness and not being believed by the medical establishment are coming into the forefront of mainstream publishing. This book demands our attention.

I really wanted to like this book but had difficulty relating to Jessica's chronic illnesses. The beginning seemed very scattered, almost as if the author wasn't sure how she wanted to tell her story.

As a writer myself, I am always touched by the intense courage it takes to write about one's pain and trauma. Unfortunately, some of the book felt too gauche. I was, however, able to understand the frustration the author encountered with her doctors. I've been on that end and it's incredibly rough how thoughtless doctors can be.

Not for the faint of heart, but tenderly portrayed in heartrending prose with an enlightening perspective, Jessica Graham lays herself out vulnerably bare in Being (Sick) Enough: Thoughts On Invisible Illness, Childhood Trauma and Living Well When Surviving is Hard. An autobiographical account of the author’s traumatic childhood and challenging life experiences, including chronic illness and neurodivergence, Graham’s tone is wise and learned, sensitive, empathetic and compassionate. With many components of my life mirroring those of Graham’s, this book resonated deeply with me and reflects much of my own path and experiences. I highly recommend this deeply honest and sensitive book.


Thank you to NetGalley, Author and Publisher for access to an Advance Reader’s Copy. All opinions are my own.

Being (Sick) Enough, by Jessica Graham
Rating: 3/5
Published: 14 Jan 2025
This book is a triumph, and there were many parts that resonated with me deeply. Graham’s thoughts on invisible illness, childhood trauma and living well are emotional, but also empowering. I loved the sections where she explored forgiveness and family, and she approaches illness with a tentative and respectful touch, but I did find that she could have delved deeper. Despite that, it is still an exceptionally powerful book, and will provide comfort to a lot of people, myself included.

Jessica Graham's *Being Sick Enough* is a candid and insightful exploration of the complexities surrounding illness, mental health, and the often unspoken struggles individuals face while navigating both personal and systemic challenges. With raw honesty, Graham offers readers a glimpse into the inner world of those grappling with chronic illness, detailing the emotional, physical, and psychological toll it can take on one's sense of identity and self-worth.

The strength of the book lies in Graham's ability to articulate the nuanced, often conflicting feelings of "being sick enough" — a concept that resonates deeply with those who have ever questioned the validity of their suffering. The author's vulnerability shines through as she weaves her own experiences with broader reflections on how society, the medical system, and even loved ones can sometimes unintentionally minimize or misunderstand the gravity of invisible illnesses.

While the book is emotionally powerful, at times, the narrative can feel repetitive, as certain themes are revisited frequently. However, this repetition may also serve as a reflection of the cyclical nature of living with chronic illness — an experience that doesn't have a clear beginning, middle, or end.

Overall, *Being Sick Enough* is a poignant and necessary read for anyone seeking to better understand the realities of chronic illness, both from a personal and societal standpoint. Graham's honesty is both inspiring and heartbreaking, making this a valuable contribution to conversations about health, identity, and validation.

I imagine writing this book took a lot from the author, and I applaud her. It was difficult to read at times given the topic of childhood trauma, but it was well written and I often stopped to think more in depth about what I read .

Being (Sick) Enough is a really interesting look at the impact childhood trauma has on our health. In these personal essays, Jessica Graham frankly explores not only their own childhood experiences but also those of their parents and grandparents. They also write about living with multiple chronic illnesses, dealing with addiction, and realising they are neurodivergent (AuDHD) later in life.

Graham writes about "difficult" topics with more than a little dark humour, which might not suit everyone's taste but I enjoyed. I also appreciated that while spirituality and meditation plays a role in their recovery, Graham doesn't claim that this is "the cure."

One thing that resonated with me is how different doctors often diagnose the same symptoms as something completely different than the previous doctor you saw, so you're left wondering whether you now have multiple illnesses or does this new(er) diagnosis cancel out the other ones. Let's just say, I have been there and it's exhausting trying to navigate health care systems!

This book was well-written and thoughtful, offering a profound exploration of how chronic illness can both limit us and necessitate constant awareness of our energy and resources (spoons). The author's compassionate self-awareness and understanding of their own strength and situation make for a powerful and poignant read. Highly recommend.

This novel follows the authors life through trauma and addiction by looking at generational trauma. As someone with the same sort of problems as the author it was easy to connect. I did enjoy her dark humor dotted throughout the tough topics. I did find it a bit slow to get through once I reached the half way point

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book is deep and can be a lot to take in. Though the topics can be heavy she does tie in some light comedy throughout.

This book reads as very self-indulgent. It gives no knowledge, no new ideas, no statistics. To me, it said “I get paid to write words,” and the content doesn’t matter. It was frankly insulting to read that meditation should’ve cured my chronic illnesses by now, I meditate daily. There’s so much more that goes into it than just therapy and meditation. The author is smarmy at best and condescending at worst. I couldn’t finish this drivel.