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Breaking Free from the Inner Critic: The Underlying Cause of All Addictions & Social Problems
In Breaking Free from the Inner Critic: The Underlying Cause of All Addictions & Social Problems, Kalie Marino takes readers on a thoughtful and personal journey to identify, understand, and heal the pervasive habit of self-criticism. Drawing on her experiences as a therapist and minister, she offers practical tools and fresh insight into the toxic effects of what she calls “critical addiction.” The book begins by outlining how this inner critic is formed through childhood programming and trauma. It then explains how criticism seeps into every layer of society, from families to workplaces to politics, and contributes to suffering, illness, and social unrest. Marino offers not only a diagnosis of this hidden epidemic but also a cure: a shift in identity through self-awareness, appreciation, and clarity of purpose. Her “Four Steps to Freedom” serves as a foundation for meaningful, lasting transformation.
Marino’s voice is honest and compassionate. She doesn’t just spout theory, she lays bare her own struggles with criticism and explains how even well-meaning efforts to suppress it can backfire. One thing that really struck me was her story about trying to stop being critical and ending up in a downward spiral of being critical about being critical. It was funny and painfully real. That moment made me feel seen. I appreciated her ability to take complex ideas and break them into clear, digestible pieces. There’s no preachy tone, no academic coldness, just warmth, truth, and practical help.
A few analogies felt stretched or repeated. But despite that, the overall message hit home. Her framing of criticism as an actual addiction, complete with symptoms and social reinforcement, gave me a new lens through which to see my own habits and the negativity around me. I found myself nodding often, recognizing how criticism not only harms individuals but poisons culture at large. Her blend of psychological insight and spiritual depth adds weight to her message without feeling heavy-handed.
This book is ideal for anyone feeling stuck in cycles of self-doubt, guilt, perfectionism, or emotional fatigue. Therapists, educators, and spiritual seekers will find rich material here, as will anyone wanting a more peaceful relationship with themselves and others. Marino’s writing invites reflection, not just reaction. I’d recommend it most to people who are tired of white-knuckling their way through life and want a more loving, sustainable way to grow. Breaking Free from the Inner Critic doesn’t offer a magic fix, but it does offer something better: hope grounded in practice.
Pages: 169 | ASIN : B0DVK5WHCL
An Exhilarating Experience
The Twelve Steps: A Modern Hero’s Journey reframes the well-known path of addiction recovery using Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey as a guide and drawing from storytelling, Jungian psychology, and classic spiritual traditions, to map each of the Twelve Steps onto an archetypal journey from despair to renewal. What was the inspiration for the original and fascinating idea at the center of the book?
Early in my recovery, around three years of sobriety, I read Joseph Campbell’s seminal work, The Hero With A Thousand Faces. I felt like I was having a spiritual experience with each page I read. It dawned on me that what I was reading was the journey not only of the hero throughout cultures and time, but it was also the direct experience I was having working the Twelve Step program of recovery. I was on my own hero’s journey, as were all the people in the rooms I was “trudging the road of happy destiny” with. It was an exhilarating experience, and I was alive as never before. I set about writing, researching, and organizing my thoughts and insights, and it took many years (twenty-five to be exact), but after many drafts and rewrites, this book, The Twelve Steps, a Modern Hero’s Journey, finally came alive.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The whole pattern of transformation–from the broad strokes of Separation, Initiation, and Return, to the details included in each of these categories. For example, early on in the Separation stage, the hero always gets a mentor–think of Luke Skywalker meeting Obi-wan Kenobi (Ben), and eventually, Yoda. These figures mentor and teach Luke, and often save him from his reckless immaturity. The same is true in recovery. During the first and second Steps, the person new in recovery also gets a mentor–called a sponsor–who has the experience the newcomer doesn’t have–but needs to survive the journey.
In addition, during this initial stage, the hero also develops friendships with companions who add their own talents and experience to the hero, and who have traveled the road before him and so can lend their experience, strength, and hope. Think of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and the scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the cowardly lion. Together, these companions travel the journey together and support one another as each of them grows. The same is true, of course, in recovery, as newcomers and old-timers alike surround themselves with the fellowship of the program, and together, they can do together what neither one of them could do alone.
There are many, many examples throughout each stage of the journey, and throughout each Step of the recovery journey. Each one is fascinating, enlightening, and ultimately, life-changing.
What was the most challenging part of writing your book, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing this book was finding the right way to incorporate all the wonderful stories of myth that give the hero’s journey its context within the history of mankind. The challenge was to find a way to include this material without it diluting the main thesis: the comparison of the hero’s journey and the journey of recovery. I finally resolved this by including this valuable material in the appendix. This allows me to tell the main story and highlight the duality of the two journeys, yet it also gives the reader access to these wonderful and enjoyable stories.
The most rewarding part of writing this book has been the initial reception and comments from advanced readers, reviewers, and websites like Literary Titan. Perhaps the biggest acknowledgment the book has received so far is from Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus thought so highly of the book, that they automatically entered it into their very exclusive “Kirkus Prize” literary contest…Kirkus only chooses 10% of the books they review annually for this prestigious award, they automatically nominated The Twelve Steps, A Modern Hero’s Journey for this award. See the full Kirkus review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anonymous3/the-twelve-steps/ And read about the Kirkus Prize here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/prize/
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Twelve Steps: A Modern Hero’s Journey?
The depth of meaning and overall importance the journey of recovery contains. My hope is that everyone who is either in a Twelve Step recovery program, or who knows someone who is, reads this book and comes to a new understanding of not only the work required to attain sobriety or abstinence, but also the importance of why someone goes through this. I hope they learn what the true significance of someone having a spiritual experience is, and what it means not only to the person taking the journey, but for society and the world as a whole.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
The Twelve Steps: A Modern Hero’s Journey
The Twelve Steps: A Modern Hero’s Journey reframes the well-known path of addiction recovery through the lens of mythology, particularly Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. Drawing from storytelling, Jungian psychology, and classic spiritual traditions, the book maps each of the Twelve Steps onto an archetypal journey from despair to renewal. Along the way, the author pulls examples from literature and film, like Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter, to show how this ancient path mirrors the personal transformation found in recovery. Part memoir, part myth, and part manual, the book paints sobriety as nothing short of a heroic quest.
Reading this book hit me harder than I expected. I’ve read plenty on the Twelve Steps before—some dry, some preachy, some so vague they feel like bumper stickers. But this one? It felt alive. The writing is warm, honest, and steeped in lived experience. It’s not afraid to be poetic or personal. I found myself genuinely moved by the way the author honored both the pain and the promise of the recovery process. I appreciated that it didn’t lighten the agony of hitting bottom or the grit it takes to stay on the path. And when it described recovery as both death and rebirth, that resonated with me.
What really stood out, though, was the use of myth. At first, I thought it might come off as gimmicky. But the comparisons—Luke Skywalker finding purpose, Dorothy leaving Kansas, Harry confronting himself—felt real. They didn’t just decorate the narrative; they deepened it. I started seeing how we all play out these stories in our own ways, whether we’re battling addiction or just trying to grow up. The structure was clear and well-paced. Sometimes the spiritual language leaned a bit heavy for my taste, but it never lost its footing. The writing stayed grounded even when it reached for the stars.
The Twelve Steps: A Modern Hero’s Journey is a stirring read. It’s smart and hopeful. I’d recommend it to anyone in recovery, especially those looking for something more soulful than standard fare. It’s also great for folks outside recovery who are curious about transformation, or anyone who loves myth and wants to apply it to real life. You don’t need to be a wizard or Jedi to take this journey, you just need to be willing.
Pages: 336 | ASIN : B0DXFY4ZD8
Creating Community
In The Break, you share with readers your experiences battling addiction and codependency and offer an intimate look into the unraveling of your marriage. Why was it important for you to write this book?
It was important for me to write The Break and share my experiences with codependency as my ex-husband and I came to terms with his alcoholism because I remember how alone I felt as I looked for community and understanding. I found more stories of people becoming sober than I found of those caring for someone going through alcoholism. The examples of alcoholism that were readily available were stories of various forms of abuse, mood swings, police interactions, empty bank accounts and houses built on fear. None of that was my story and I wanted to show others what high functioning alcoholism can look like. As I looked for my community, I realized there were more programs to assist the individual going through addiction than there were to help guide the loved ones. Alcoholism is a full life disease – it affects family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances – so I found it very odd that there was not just as much support for those around the alcoholic. I wanted to add to that community and that conversation because we, the co-dependents, need a strong support system as well.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part for me to write about was our wedding and accepting the fact that I really didn’t want to get married at the age of 25. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to marry my now ex-husband, it’s simply that I felt like I was up against societal standards and I was behind. I felt like I needed to get married because it was the next right step. Yes, I loved my now ex-husband and I should not have gotten married. While it was the next right step based upon societal measures, it was not the next right step for me and I was too young and too scared to recognize that truth.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
There is a lot of advice that I wish my younger self had been told, however it does not mean I would have been ready to accept it. If someone had told me that I didn’t have to get married, that there is always another way and to make sure I take the time to listen to myself, I can’t say I would have fully listened to them or understood what they meant. Especially since all the women close to me modeled a very different belief system. Even the women in the news were heralded more for their looks and who they were dating, than the accomplishments they created on their own.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from The Break?
The biggest take away that I hope readers carry with them after reading The Break,is to give that inner voice space. Take the time to listen to the quiet nudging and pulling that says Try this or Are you sure?. It can be scary to give that voice a chance to be heard, especially if she’s been quieted for so long, AND it will be very worth it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Websites
This quieting leads us towards a life out of alignment with our truest and most authentic selves. This leaves us feeling anger, exhaustion and constantly stuck. A life the author was too familiar with as she struggled to accept her then husband’s alcoholism and the part she played in the cycle.
The Break is a story of Brandee’s unlearning, seeking truth and finally allowing herself to trust her inner own knowing. The journey back to herself was not easy and it was completely necessary. This story is shared with the hope it will guide you back to your own inner knowing as well.
Themes in this book include:
Addiction
Separation
Learning to trust ones self
Strengthening your inner knowing
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The Break: Rediscovering Our Inner Knowing
The Break is a raw and soul-baring memoir about the unraveling of a marriage caught in the quiet storm of high-functioning alcoholism and the slow rebirth of a woman learning to trust her own voice. Brandee Melcher takes readers on an intimate, winding journey through love, codependency, addiction, motherhood, and self-liberation. The book is structured in short, potent chapters that trace the trajectory of her life — from a childhood shaped by domestic violence to a marriage strained by denial and rules designed to fix what couldn’t be fixed. With startling honesty, Melcher offers readers not a step-by-step how-to, but a companion in the dark. This is a book about listening to the gut, especially when the heart wants to pretend everything is fine.
I enjoyed Melcher’s writing. I liked how sharp and tender it is all at once. She doesn’t hide from the uncomfortable. She walks right into it, like in Chapter 7, “The Long Ending,” where she describes the heartbreak of discovering that her husband had lied about drinking. Her rage, disbelief, and exhaustion are palpable. And yet, she never lets herself or the reader off easy. She owns her part, too — the enabling, the rationalizing, the excuses, the countless “rules” in Chapter 4 that were made and broken. There’s no polish here. No clean endings. Just someone standing in the ruins of what she thought marriage should be, slowly sweeping up the truth. I felt her weariness. I felt her clarity when she says, “It became too much to keep up with… and I was tired of the discussions.” That kind of fatigue isn’t just emotional — it’s physical. And she writes it like it is.
And then there’s the bravery — not just in leaving, but in staying so long and still trying. In Chapter 10, “Soul Break,” Melcher recounts the moment her partner admitted he drank simply because “he wanted to.” There’s no villain here, only a man in pain and a woman who couldn’t carry both of their stories anymore. I admired how she didn’t demonize him. She held grief in one hand and compassion in the other. And in doing that, she gave readers permission to feel both at once, too. Melcher’s ability to distill big, messy truths into plainspoken sentences is one of her greatest strengths.
This isn’t a book for people looking for easy answers or perfect closure. But if you’ve ever doubted your own instincts, if you’ve stayed too long, if you’ve bargained your way through a relationship thinking “at least he doesn’t…” — then The Break will feel like a mirror and a lifeline. I’d recommend this book to anyone healing from emotional exhaustion, codependency, or the quiet heartbreak of unspoken truths. Especially women. Especially mothers. Melcher’s voice is a steady hand on the shoulder — one that says, “You’re not crazy. And you’re not alone.”
Pages: 83 | ASIN : B0CH94Q63N
Runaway Train: The Story of a Lapsed Salvation Army Girl Who Found True Love With an Alcoholic Street Kid
Runaway Train is a poignant and unfiltered memoir about Krista Cambers’s life journey through trauma, faith, and love, culminating in her relationship with Mark, a troubled but kind-hearted man grappling with addiction. The book takes readers from Krista’s unconventional childhood in Newfoundland to her turbulent adult relationships, and ultimately to her transformative bond with Mark. Along the way, it delves into addiction, redemption, and the human need for connection. This raw and honest narrative provides a vivid picture of life on the fringes and the resilience of love amidst chaos.
Krista’s writing is deeply personal, with a conversational tone that pulls you in like an old friend sharing their story. One of the book’s strengths is its openness. Krista doesn’t shy away from sharing her darkest moments. Her anecdotes, like the Christmas light debacle as a child or her tumultuous first marriage, are peppered with humor and heartbreak, creating a relatable and engaging narrative. The rawness of her struggles, like dealing with abusive relationships and her attempts to reconcile with her faith, makes her story resonate. A particularly striking moment is when she candidly recounts holding Mark’s hand during his final days, despite the wreckage of their shared past. This authenticity made the book hit home emotionally for me.
Mark’s story, interwoven with Krista’s, is equally compelling. His escapades, from panhandling and hopping trains to dealing with addiction, are vividly described, creating a portrait of a man both lost and deeply human. One standout moment is Mark’s recollection of his first train ride, filled with adrenaline and the allure of freedom, contrasted later with his battle against alcoholism. These moments reveal the fragility and depth of his character.
At times, the writing revisits similar themes, particularly around addiction and societal judgment. While these points are essential and thought-provoking, a slightly tighter focus could have helped keep the narrative’s momentum flowing. The memoir’s structure, shifting between Krista and Mark’s perspectives, occasionally feels a bit uneven, but this approach also reflects the complexity and rawness of their intertwined stories. These things mirror the messy realities the book portrays and may even enhance its authenticity for some readers.
Runaway Train is an emotional rollercoaster, offering a raw look at addiction, love, and redemption. Krista’s unwavering honesty and her ability to find light in dark places make this a compelling read. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate memoirs that tackle difficult subjects with sincerity and heart. Those interested in stories of resilience, unconventional love, and the human condition will find much to admire here.
Pages: 202 | ASIN : B0DG8Q5HNW
Pennies from Heaven for Kevin
Pennies from Heaven for Kevin by Kevin Hyde is an emotionally raw memoir that chronicles the author’s decades-long battle with addiction, the personal losses that shaped his life, and his spiritual journey toward redemption. From growing up in a turbulent environment to grappling with the death of his son Kyle, Hyde lays bare his experiences with alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration, and his ultimate attempts to rebuild his life.
Hyde’s writing is incredibly candid. The pain and chaos of his experiences come through in his vivid storytelling, particularly in moments such as his recollection of his son’s death. The weight of this loss permeates the book, and Hyde’s raw depiction of his emotional unraveling afterward is heart-wrenching. This vulnerability is what makes the memoir so compelling. He isn’t just telling us about his hardships; he’s pulling us into them, sharing both the mistakes and the growth that followed. The author’s writing feels methodical and factual, but this style adds clarity to his story. Hyde spends a lot of time detailing his misdeeds and struggles, and at times, it feels like the story gets bogged down in those moments. The recounting of his criminal activities starts to blend together, leaving little room to explore the internal transformation happening beneath the surface. However, these sections also reflect the exhausting nature of addiction—the relentless cycle of self-destruction and attempts at redemption. It’s chaotic, just like the life he describes, which gives the reader a sense of the toll it took on him. His belief in signs from heaven, like the pennies that appear at key moments, brings an element of hope and faith to the narrative. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the darkest times, there can be a connection to something greater, whether it’s God, loved ones, or a sense of purpose.
This memoir will resonate with readers who are interested in stories of personal transformation and recovery. It’s not an easy read, the content is heavy, and Hyde’s honesty about his failures can be overwhelming. However, for anyone who has struggled with addiction, loss, or finding faith amidst hardship, Pennies from Heaven for Kevin offers a brutally honest look at what it means to rebuild your life one penny at a time. I would recommend it to readers who are open to exploring the messy, complicated reality of addiction and recovery with a hopeful, spiritual twist.
Pages: 70 | ASIN : B0DC4RKRMJ
Baby Darlin’: An Illustrated Memoir
Baby Darlin’ is a deeply moving and haunting illustrated memoir that explores the life of Alycia Vreeland, shaped by addiction, abuse, and generational trauma. From an early age, Vreeland is immersed in a world of dysfunction, where her mother’s mental illness and her family’s abusive patterns weigh heavily on her developing identity. Known by various names—Baby Darlin’, Brillo, Snaggle—she endures a childhood steeped in pain, shame, and lost innocence. Though she finds some solace in her father, her lone hero, even he cannot shield her from the darkness that surrounds her.
The memoir chronicles Vreeland’s turbulent journey as she struggles with addiction and abusive relationships while constantly searching for love and stability. Despite the chaos, she clings to a thread of hope, ultimately finding peace and redemption through a higher power. The narrative is brought to life with striking, often unsettling illustrations, revealing the brutal realities of child abuse and the deep, enduring scars it leaves behind. Yet, the story also delivers a powerful message of survival and healing. Vreeland’s writing is unflinchingly honest, capturing the visceral intensity of childhood abuse and the way it shapes her life. She doesn’t portray herself as a victim seeking sympathy; instead, she uses her story to illustrate how, despite enduring unimaginable horrors, healing and redemption are still within reach. What makes Baby Darlin’ particularly compelling is its raw honesty paired with a sense of hope. The accompanying illustrations amplify the emotional depth of her words, creating a powerful, immersive experience for readers. It’s not an easy story to digest—there are moments of profound sorrow and discomfort—but this emotional weight is exactly what makes the memoir so captivating. Vreeland confronts her trauma head-on but refuses to let it define her.
By the book’s conclusion, readers experience a sense of release alongside Vreeland as she moves through her trauma and towards peace. Her resilience and ability to transcend such darkness make Baby Darlin’ an inspiring and unforgettable read.
Pages: 188 | ASIN : B0D792N7D7
LITERARY TITAN 