So many books, so little time! I just returned from the American library Association conference in Philadelphia. This event draws over 10,000 people annually to see the latest in libraries and publishing. The exhibit hall serves as an expo of large and small publishers pushing their wares into the eager hands of librarians and other influencers. Many publishers provide advanced reader copies to promote their latest authors. This is one of the few places where I actually turn down free books because my arms are so full with other books.
Breaking the Patterns that Break You by Tori Hope Petersen is a passionate, personal, approachable, and informed guide through posttraumatic healing from a Christian standpoint.
Author’s website: https://www.torihopepetersen.com/breakingpatternsbook
Among the books that I picked up this year is a title in Christian living and personal growth published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins. I’m not sure how I got the book, but it must’ve been thrust into my hands unawares. I typically do not seek out this kind of publication since the genre is filled with dross. So many books like this offer platitudes, shallow theology, and questionable advice. I planned to spend 10 minutes skimming it before tossing it in the donation pile. To my surprise, I was still engrossed an hour later.
Breaking the Patterns that Break You by Tori Hope Petersen is a passionate, personal, approachable, and informed guide through posttraumatic healing from a Christian standpoint. The book is organized around 14 lies that people tell themselves and that people are told about how they should be, how they should behave, how they should love, and how they should trust God. Each lie is resolved in favor of a more complex and deeper truth about God, faith, and the human condition. Her aim is to empower victim-survivors of trauma by equipping them with the faith and fortitude to break out of toxic relational patterns.
My research specialization is in trauma-informed care and Christian ethics. I can assure you that this book is well informed about the latest trauma research and has a theological depth that I would teach in my progressive seminary classes in theology and ethics. Petersen’s engagement with scripture is astute and accessible. I recommend this book highly for anyone struggling with trauma and broken relationships and for those who support them. Petersen’s book is truly Good News for persons harmed and haunted by traumatic pasts. This book can preach!