Madsen’s frank, cheerful memoir—written, in her own words, “because the world is a mess, and I know the ripple effect we make by becoming the best versions of ourselves”—recounts her lonely upbringing and adult struggles with self-worth. Born to an alcoholic father and a resourceful mother, Madsen grew up the middle child in Alberta, Canada, amid chaotic family dynamics that often left her feeling isolated and confused, with an “inner layer [that] was sewn together with insecurity, doubt, and loneliness.” Despite the mayhem, Madsen maintains a deep connection to her spiritual side, a sense that she can “see God in everything and everyone.”

Madsen’s prose is unadorned and sensible, detailing a lifetime of dire situations that she meets head on—and seeks resolution for, instead of wallowing in the mire of self-pity. She is always on the move, literally and metaphorically, resulting in phenomenal growth, both in terms of acquiring worldly skills to afford creature comforts as well as personal and spiritual development. Her too-trusting nature often lands her in sticky situations, but she flits from those retellings to moments of triumph, never dwelling longer than necessary on the abuses and failures she experiences. Even her encounters with the occult, transformative learning with treasured mentors, and a terrifying cancer diagnosis receive the same level-headed treatment.

The memoir’s softer moments—Madsen’s joy at being a mother, her determination to ooze “love and compassion” at every turn—impart valuable lessons, namely her ability to pivot from failure to success, to constantly move forward, and to refuse to dwell in the past. Her regrets form the basis for new beginnings by the book’s end, as she lovingly reminds readers “Regardless of where we are, our past does not dictate our future. What we do today paves the future according to our thoughts, feelings, and actions.”

Takeaway: Candid memoir urging readers toward self-forgiveness and actualization.

Comparable Titles: Jessica Bacal’s Mistakes I Made at Work, Vanessa Springora’s Consent.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-