Rebooting My Brain: How a Freak Aneurysm Reframed My Life [Kindle Edition]

I was provided a copy of this book and asked to review it. Because it was such a unique topic and one I was very interested in, I read it pretty quickly. I didn't know a whole lot about aneurysms but from what I knew of them, I thought they were pretty much debilitating and were nearly impossible to recover from.

I was surprised by this author's candor and ability to share her journey so openly. She welcomes in to her life, both pre and post aneurysm and walks us through what she felt like. I felt most connected to her when she was talking about what her work life was like after. As a small business owner myself, this is one of my worst nightmares... what happens if something happens to me? What about my family? How will they deal with that? How will I?

I like that she doesn't have all the answers. I like that she got angry. I like that she got sad. I like that she got frustrated. What I liked the most is that she was able to find her way back. Maybe not exactly where she left off, but to a new life. To a new path. I think that's a testament to who she is and who she is to become. My hats off to her.

The book is well edited and formatted. A dream for someone that reads a lot of self-published works. I wish all were as well done.

My only reservation is that I felt we were missing some hole in her story. I don't really know what that hole is or what part of her life, but there did appear to be some gap there. It doesn't take away from the story and, of course, it may be that she chose to leave it out. Not entirely helpful since I can't place it, but it still nags me a bit.

Overall, this is a great book. I love memoirs and they are my favorite genre. This one did not disappoint, but also gave me a lot insight into something I didn't know a whole lot about. I liked that she was able to entertain while informing. Well done, indeed.

Recommended for anyone that likes memoirs and those who want to learn something about brain injuries.

I really enjoyed this true story of Maria and her recovery from a very very life threatening brain bleed. She has a naturally sunny disposition and I believe this serves her well in her recovery. She says at one point it was like going to her funeral while she was still alive as she learned how important she was in her friend's and families lives something not everyone gets to know. She provides very clear non medical description of her subarachnoid hemorrhage and the treatments that she receives and the stumbling blocks in her miraculous recovery. What amazed me was that she seems not to harbor any ill feelings towards the doctor that missed the diagnosis- if made sooner it might have saved some of her brain tissue and left her without permanent deficits.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it."

The thing I like about this book is it is about one woman's story, but it really about all of us. Who hasn't had worried about something like this happening to them? Maria's blend of her experience, that of those around her, and the science behind it all is educational and inspirational.

I know Maria and was there through much of this experience, but there were many, many things I did not know. The book is intensely personal, but it contains a level of humor and candor that keeps it from getting too sappy or maudlin.

This is a book for smart people who want to understand more about how their own brains work as well as how to support someone who has suffered any type of brain trauma. The recovery lasts far longer than a hospital stay, and that was my big takeaway from this book. Even with a miraculous recovery like Maria's, some changes are permanent and we need to realize that and adapt.

I'm glad she chose to share her story. If you like smart women, great comebacks, and stories that pull at your smart-strings as much as your heart-strings, you will like this book.