Why Me? [Kindle Edition]

Sarah Burleton (Author)

Book Description

In the blink of an eye, Mom ran up behind me and pushed me into the fence. Instinctively, I reached out my arms to stop my fall and ended up grabbing the live fence. My hands clamped around the thin wires, and my body collapsed to the ground as the electricity coursed through it. I opened my eyes and saw my mother standing over me with the strangest smile on her face. "Oh, my God, I'm going to die!" I thought in panic.

Imagine never being able to close your eyes and remember the feel of your mother's arms wrapped around you. Now imagine closing your eyes and remembering your mother's tears splashing down on your face as she is on top of you, crying as she is trying to choke you to death. My mother left me these memories and many more during my traumatic childhood. After many years of struggling with trying to understand "Why Me?" I took back control of my life and started saying, "It was me, now what am I going to do?" I found my answers while writing my book.  This is my childhood journey through the terrors of physical and mental abuse from first grade until the day I moved out. It is my way of letting the world know what was really going on behind closed doors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Though the title "Why Me?" suggests self-pity, the book is not a cry for pity but more about the author's success in spite of her traumatic childhood." - Indiereader.com

A New York Times Bestseller for 26 weeks!

USA Today Bestseller

Wall Street Journal Bestseller

From the Author

This was an extremely difficult book for me to write as many of you can imagine.  In order to make the reader understand how I felt at a certain age or a certain time, I had to relive experiences that I never wanted to remember again.  Many times, I would write a few pages or an entire chapter and then not come back to writing it again for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. 

I debated a long time on how much to include in the book.  If I were to write about every horrific experience that I had growing up - it would have turned into a 500 page book.  I do feel that the experiences I wrote about in the book were the ones that really affected me long term and were ones I wasn't willing to forget about over time.  It is because of these incidents that I still struggle with an eating disorder, why I still can't look people in the eyes when I talk to them and why I have such a hard time trusting people.  While there were other incidents that would have made my readers cringe and cry (like Mom making me brush my teeth with Comet) - as an abused child - incidents like that were so normal that it all seemed to run together and I couldn't remember how old I was when certain events happened or what house we lived in.  I do know that when I talk about my abuse, the incidents I wrote about are the ones I can't let go of and that I remember as if they all happened yesterday.

However, I found that with each word, sentence, paragraph and chapter I completed, it helped me come to terms with the abuse I endured.  Actually reading what I went through myself helped me to realize that I really was the victim in the entire situation and that I wasted so many years feeling guilty for something I was not responsible for.  If anyone can take anything away from this book - it is my hope that it is inspiration - inspiration for others to share their stories and hopefully get some peace in their lives.  After every beating my mother gave me - it was so important to me to find something positive to cling on to - something to convince me to wake up the next morning.  It may sound cheesy and silly to some, but that's how I got through it - day after day. 

I will never understand why my mother treated me so poorly and I feel I have wasted too much of my life trying in vain to understand.   I will however, do everything in my power to help any child suffering as I suffered.  I pray for all of you suffering and I love you all.


Thank you for sharing my life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 145 KB
• Print Length: 114 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0044UHV9U
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,481 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #12 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Child Abuse
  • #15 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Dysfunctional Relationships
  • #17 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Dysfunctional Relationships

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

162 of 171 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and deeply moving December 28, 2010

By Lady Angell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Like the first reviewer i also read this book in one sitting. I know it's silly but i felt if i stopped reading before the story was finished i was letting the victim fend for herself and i owed it to her to finish it.

I found myself very angry during part of the book. I wanted the "mother" (i use the term lightly as she most certainly does not qualify to parent anyone in my opinion) to hurt for all the mental and physical pain she was putting her child thru.

To the author: You are an amazing, inspirational woman. To survive what you did and not turn out to be a drooling, medicated zombie is astounding. Some people might give up hope and feel that their lot in life was to be nothing after being treated the way you were. I will never forget your story and will hug my kids extra tight and listen to them more carefully from here on out. Thank you for sharing your story.

58 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Memoir December 21, 2010

By Marie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read this book in one sitting tonight. It was that good. I thought it was very thought provoking, and my heart went out to that little girl who suffered so much at the hands of the one person in life who is supposed to love you the most. To the author, your reward in heaven will be huge. This book will forever change the way I parent my two kids.

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and inspiring January 5, 2011

By Ronda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It was a great book, I read it in one day because I could not put it down. I wanted to see how she got away from a person that called themselves a mother.I cried for the pain that she went through and for other kids that have experienced the same thing. She is a brave person and remarkable.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Everyone's Childhood Is A Comfortable One July 25, 2011

By My Dog Loves Me

Format:Kindle Edition

I haven't finished this book yet, but I have to say, I have had a few friends over the years that were abused by their parents. This is not an easy road to travel. It's not an easy thing to read, or write about. I think these authors who lay it out on the table like this are quite brave. This really is a cry to be understood and a cry to understand oneself. That is how I perceive this book. I feel that the author was really exploring her past and working through some demons. I clicked on this book Why Me after recently reading Seven Years of Surrender by Cassandra Blizzard, which was a powerfully written book. I read Ms. Blizzard's book in one day. Could not put it down. These women went through hell and came out the other side whole again. Not everyone can take these abusive situations and go on to live a full, complete life. I cried when reading both books. It's impossible not to. Hard to believe that any human being could harm another. But there it is. It exists in our society. Some of what I read here in Why Me seems extreme. This mother had to have been completely mental, victimizing her own child. For those reviewers who may not believe a mother could do that, there are thousands of displaced children who are products of abusive mothers. I applaud these brave women who are willing to lay themselves bare to the public, knowing that they could be criticized for it, but going on anyway. I wish the author the best in her life.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Me? April 5, 2011

By A. Wrenn

Format:Kindle Edition

I am eleven years old and coming from reading the child called it series this is not much dfferent. Looking at the thimgs her mother does you would think that she has some type of pschological problems such as dealing with feelings. I camt even imagine how she must feel on the inside or what she is thinking. This book is an overall wowtastic/makes me say wow and is fantastic. Brooklynn Wrenn

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Resiliance of the human spirit July 26, 2011

By lizfromcv

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The abuse this child suffered shocked me. Her mother and step-father were mental cases and should have been stripped of their parental rights and thrown in jail. I'm amazed the author didn't spiral into drugs, alcohol, get pregnant, etc., but survived and went on with her life. Amazing woman. How many other children are suffering right now with parents like that? Heartbreaking.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, what a life to live... July 25, 2011

By Healing Daughter

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a compelling story. It's so hard to imagine that such a horrible childhood could exist. I thought I had issues with my mother, but this make my issues look small. However, the fact that she came out of it all with an amazing outlook on life. The Prologue was so relatable and I benefited from it with my own personal healing. I just purchased her 2nd book and look forward to reading it!

FAST READ!! Very easy to follow and you want to know what happens next!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book describes child abuse July 31, 2011

By Alex P. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having lived it myself I can completely relate to the author, her mother and her bullies. Some have posted they can't believe a mother would do this. Yes they can be sadistic torturers. For those who see child abuse or suspect it I would strongly recommend reporting it. That is the true underlying story here. I felt just as helpless as the author when authority figures didn't step in and do the right thing (or anything for that matter). If only one person would have said something, for any of us kids, that have been through this... it would have been welcome. But too many adults turn their heads and I do not know why.

Much like the author my abuse ended when I finally grew up and was able to stand up to my torturer(s). But the 15 years before that was hell on earth.

More About the Author

Sarah Burleton was born in a little town in Illinois to a very emotionally disturbed woman. Her first book, "Why Me" became an instant Amazon bestseller and made the New York Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. In a bid to spread the message of child abuse prevention; Sarah is now partnering with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois and giving speeches and conducting workshops all over the state.

In her downtime, Sarah enjoys spending time with her two amazing sons, her family, and of course, rollerblading.

To contact Sarah please email her @ [e-mail] with WHY ME as the subject.