RebeccasReads.com - The Sitting Swing by Irene Watson

Featured books

Featured Websites

.: Reader Views Kids

Provides book reviews, by kids, for kids

.: Inside Scoop Live

Provides live author interviews for podcast

.: Authors Access

Provides interviews with experts in the publishing industry

.: Midwest Book Review

Provides post-publication reviews

.: Reader Views

Provides book reviews and author publicity

.: LR Communication Design

Provides professional website design and development

.: Blogging Authors

Provides a place where writers and readers meet

.: Review The Book

Provides 5 books reviews on 10 different sites

.: Best Sellers World

Provides book reviews and author features

.: Say What? Savannah Mae

Provides Book Reviews via Book Blog

.: Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Provides book reviews and author features

reviews

The Sitting Swing:
Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference

Irene Watson
Loving Healing Press (2008)
ISBN 9781932690675
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (8/08)

In this powerful memoir, Irene Watson shares the story of her sheltered and painful childhood, how it shaped the person she became, and the steps she took to heal her wounds and to change her life for the better.  The book begins on day one of her twenty-eight day stint in Avalon, a recovery center.  On the surface, her reason for checking into the center was to fit in, as she had numerous friends who had graduated from the program and raved about how it had changed their lives.  Also a practicing therapist, Watson thought that putting herself through the program would provide her with more insight into the issues of her patients.  Deep down, however, she knew that there were different reasons for her stay.

After the introduction to Avalon, Irene presents to us the events that took place during her childhood that molded her adult life.  One of the first things that would have an impact on her happened before she was even born and this was the birth and subsequent passing of her brother Alexander.  The death of 2 ½ month old Alexander definitely had an influence on the way that her mother raised Irene.  Although her mother really never had a chance to know Alexander, she envisioned him as the “good child” and held Irene to the high standards that she believed he possessed.  Irene’s mother sheltered her from so much, but failed to believe her or protect her when she was being abused by cousins and by bullies.  Irene was not allowed to think for herself as her mother pretty much dictated whatever she did. 

The story of Irene’s past continues through her marriage to her husband Bob.  Then the setting shifts again back to the Avalon center and the treatment process.  We watch as Irene delves deep into her past through a series of exercises in an effort to recreate herself and change her and her family’s life.

I found “The Sitting Swing” to be a very honest and inspiring memoir.  I applaud Irene’s willingness to share with us her journey, and I think that everyone reading this book will be able to take something away from it.  As a parent to two young boys, her issues with her mother opened my eyes to a lot of things.  I learned to not be too overprotective of my children, to be sure to listen to them, and to be honest when explaining things to them. 

Irene’s style of writing draws you in from the first page and the book flows smoothly until the last page is turned.  She is an extremely talented writer and her experiences are very touching.  The last half of the last chapter even gave me goose bumps.  I highly recommend “The Sitting Swing;” Irene’s words are so real that you cannot help but to be inspired by her journey. 

  

.: Irene Watson Author Spotlight
.: Hear live interview with Irene on InsideScoopLive
.: Author website
.: Book reading
.: Blog