Book Review – non-fiction memoir/essay

My latest review was just a fraction too late to squeeze into #AugustReviews, but please do share anyway.

Words We Carry by D.G. Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘Words We Carry: Essays of Obsession and Self-Esteem’ is a perfect title for this collection of memoirs about growing up with self-esteem issues, and the obsessions created by that situation, both in defence, and in growth and recovery.
D.G. Kaye presents us with another no-holds-barred insight into her difficult childhood, and how it formed the strong, confident adult she has become. This book also appealed to me on the grounds that I grew up in the same time period, and remember fondly the fashions and the freedoms of the age. Shoe fetishes I understand, though not to such a hilariously obsessive degree. Big hair? Oh yes.
Lipstick and make up have never figured strongly in my life (when you work outdoors in all weathers, its nigh on impossible), but I totally understand the colour statement – in my case, orange is my signature colour too, only in clothes, not lipstick. But then, we do share hair colour…
On a serious note, there are many Words I carry with me from bullying at school, that I now recognise as such, and sharing this author’s journey helps me to trace some of the effects they have had throughout my life. I respect her advice to get out of certain relationships, and although there is one such in my life I won’t be cutting loose, this book has given me a far greater understanding of the attitudes and remarks of the person in question, which will make it so much easier to deal with – thank you!
Kaye writes in an absorbing manner, so that even when the subject is one I don’t identify with, she still draws me in for fascination value. Her positive attitude to life, especially considering the trauma of the words and events of her childhood, is music to my ears. Take that encouragement, dear reader, and you too can turn your life around, as this courageous lady has done from such an unpromising start.

View all my reviews

D.G. Kaye is a Canadian nonfiction/memoir author. She was born, raised, and resides in Toronto, Canada. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.

Conflicted Hearts     
Meno-What? A Memoir
Words We Carry
Have Bags, Will Travel 

Visit D.G. at:

Her blog
Her author page on Amazon
Tweet to D.G.
Visit her Facebook page
Follow D.G. on Google
Find D.G. on Goodreads