Customer Reviews

Skipping Through Life, The Reason I Am

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Ms. McClain opens the window of life and allows the reader to look in. She boldly takes the risk of sharing her pains in life with others. Ms. McClain also proves that a "lemon can be turned into lemonade" through her ability to rise above a chaotic family situation. This story is packed with inspiration.

Though under seventy pages, SKIPPING THROUGH LIFE: THE REASON I AM by Sylvia McClain is an emotional ride that passes through the streets of happiness, despair, and understanding. In this memoir, Ms. McClain opens the gates to her past, reflective of the roads she's crossed while traveling through the journey of life. Though some parts of the book were painful, I was left with a feeling of closure and acceptance as I reflected back on my own life.

McClain expertly teaches that joy comes from within and that when we follow our dreams, accept our failures, and move on with life, we can truly begin to live.
Though short and with minor typos, this is a beautiful story that should be read by not only those on their last leg of hope, but also those who may be the crutch to them. A beautiful and touching picture of one's life...

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Accepting life on life's terms and coming through unscathed... this rings through every word of Sylvia McClain?s autobiographical collection of stories entitled Skipping Through Life: The Reason I Am.

Each story details a stage in the author?s life starting from early remembrances of her father in ?Daddy?, musings on her first boyfriend in ?First Love?, and moving on into rebuilding life as she knew it after a tragic accident in ?Before and After.? Skipping Through Life gives readers a candid peek into the real life of a real woman, highlighting each and every element that comprises her.

Although short in comparison to most books in the memoir genre, Skipping Through Life is no less a poignant and enthralling read. Ms. McClain places her heart and soul on each page, daring readers to take a look and find their own lives, or pieces of it, in her words.

Skipping Through Life: The Reason I Am is a warm and witty celebration of Sylvia's survival through the inevitable transitions life throws her way. This compilation offers stories that readers from every walk of life can relate to, filled with humour, compassion and realism.

I enjoyed reading Sylvia's book from cover to cover! It was refreshingly honest and open - no pretense. I fell over laughing about the teeth, it sounded like a scene in a movie.
Bravo, Sylvia!

I had heard about the book and when I did get a copy I couldn't put it down. The stories made me laugh and cry. I could put myself in this story easily. I read it in one sitting and I wanted more! I think Sylvia McClain is a talented writer and I look forward to hearing/reading more from her in the near future.

Sylvia McClain has written a heart-wrenching, sometimes funny, always revealing memoir about her life. The first vignette immediately grabbed my attention and my heart. After reading what she endured physically, psychologically and emotionally when she was young, I had to stop, take a breath, and say, "Thank God she survived." After shedding a few tears, I quickly picked up the book again to read more about a woman who forged ahead in spite of a rough beginning.

One of my favorite sections of the book had me laughing out loud at how she handled a rather embarrassing situation. McClain's vignettes reveal how she shows her resilience at stressful times. The many thought provoking sections of her book, especially on making an important career change, have made me examine my own life and reflect on how I became the person I am. I want to read more about McClain's life. Sylvia McClain's book is well worth the money.

The Reason I Am was outstanding. I couldn't put the book down. It was easy reading and very entertaining. I can't wait to hear more from Slyvia McClain. She is a gifted writer.