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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
Starting Over Is Possible
A Place Called Home invites readers on a deeply personal journey through heartbreak, resilience, and reinvention, tracing your transition from a painful divorce to establishing a unique, welcoming household that becomes a refuge for strangers and a sanctuary for yourself and your daughter. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book had been living inside me for a long time. The experience of creating a new home and family out of a challenging time stayed with me, and I always had a feeling it might help someone else. After my divorce, I didn’t know how I was going to manage—financially or emotionally. But with faith, creativity, and support from others, I found a way forward. Writing A Place Called Home gave me the chance to reflect on that time and hopefully encourage someone else who might be wondering, “How can I do this?” I may not have all the answers, but I hope my story sparks ideas or comfort for someone who needs it.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
More than anything, I wanted to share the feeling of community and the power of opening your heart and home to others. The people who came to live with us were going through transitions of their own. Somehow, in supporting each other, we all found a bit of healing. I wanted to show that even if your family looks different than you expected, it can still be full of trust, love, and faith. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Sometimes, the act of taking a step—of saying yes—can lead to beautiful things.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part was simply finding the confidence to begin. I’ve always loved the idea of writing a book, but I wasn’t sure I could do it. Thankfully, my daughter encouraged me to try a writing program, and that helped me learn the basics and find a supportive community. From there, the memories just started to flow. The most rewarding part was seeing my thoughts and feelings take shape on the page—especially when I’d read something back and think, “Yes, that’s exactly how it felt.” That was a wonderful feeling.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope they come away with a sense of hope. Life has a way of surprising us, especially during times of transition. It’s not always easy, but starting over is possible—and sometimes it leads to something even better than you imagined. I also hope readers feel inspired to advocate for themselves, to reach out, and to trust that the right people and opportunities can show up when you make space for them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
When her twenty-year marriage ends, Sharon prays for a way to provide a stable, loving home for herself and her daughter. And it seems like her prayer is answered when she finds the perfect house: old but grand and close to her daughter’s school. There’s just one problem: with a limited income, the only way to afford it would be to share the expenses. But she doesn’t know anyone looking to share a house, and she can’t simply invite perfect strangers to live with her and her daughter. Or can she?
Gathering together an unlikely cast of real-life characters-including a former vaudeville entertainer, one woman facing a life-threatening illness, and a middle-aged teacher with a penchant for Dove Bars, pedicures, and whirlwind cross-country excursions-Sharon strives to turn a group of strangers into a new family. But can they overcome the demons that have torn each of their lives apart?
Join Sharon and her family in this heartwarming memoir about faith, friendship, and a place to call home.
A Place Called Home: A Memoir
In A Place Called Home, Sharon Grace Smith invites readers into a deeply personal journey through heartbreak, resilience, and reinvention. The memoir traces her transition from a painful divorce to establishing a unique, welcoming household that became a refuge for strangers and a sanctuary for herself and her daughter. Set in a charming but neglected old house in the Pacific Northwest, Smith takes a leap of faith, transforming it into a community-centered home that heals and uplifts. Through letters, storytelling, and candid reflection, she unfolds a narrative of risk, reception, and rejoicing—the three parts that shape her compelling life pivot.
Smith’s voice is warm and grounded. Her writing doesn’t hide behind pretension. Instead, it welcomes you in, like a friend with a cup of tea and a cozy chair. The scene where she first lays eyes on the big old house—watching a young man mow the lawn, uncertain but intrigued—felt like the beginning of something magical, though rooted in the grit of real life. I could feel her anxiety and hope intertwine as she considered if this could be “the place” after losing her home and marriage. She doesn’t dramatize. She tells the truth in a way that aches.
One of the most powerful themes in the book is community—how it can be built from scratch, from strangers, even from chaos. When Smith writes about interviewing boarders, I held my breath. This could’ve gone so wrong. But the people who arrive—Eva, Margaret, Jacob, even Jack Daniels are layered, quirky, and full of surprise. Jacob, a logger down on his luck, becomes a kind of handyman guardian, removing forty wheelbarrows of dirt from the basement and lovingly maintaining the old riding lawnmower. These aren’t perfect people. They come with baggage. But Sharon doesn’t ask for perfection. She offers space, and something beautiful grows in return.
What I appreciated most was how the book carries spiritual undertones without preaching. There’s a gentleness in how Smith talks about prayer, intuition, and the presence of angels. It’s not religious—it’s heartfelt. You can feel her trembling hope as she whispers affirmations to herself at night, reminding herself, “I am not alone. I am worthy. I can do this.” It’s not always dramatic. It’s quiet. It’s real. That honesty, that vulnerability, is what made me tear up more than once. Especially when she lets us into her fears—not just of being alone, but of being responsible for everything, again.
A Place Called Home is a memoir for anyone who’s ever lost something big and had to rebuild. It’s for people who believe in second chances, even if they’re scared to take the first step. If you love stories that are tender, thoughtful, and infused with quiet bravery, this book is a must-read. It reminds you that home isn’t a structure. It’s the people, the effort, and the courage to open the door and let the light in.
Pages: 152 | ASIN : B0BC6VW59D
LITERARY TITAN 