Author Interview and Book Review: Who Am I? By Megan Cyrulewski

This is a blog book tour for Who Am I? How My Daughter Taught Me To Let Go And Live Again by Megan Cyrulewski that was published on 2 August 2014.

 

This is Megan's first book, a memoir about the extraordinary challenges she has faced in life and how she survived them. Megan is an attorney, a writer and single mother to her 3 year old daughter Madelyne, they live in Michigan USA.

I was given the opportunity to interview Megan about her book and to get to know the lady behind the story a bit better ....

 

Interview with Megan Cyrulewski 

 

 

Q   Megan, I'm so excited to introduce you to my readers! Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Let's start at the beginning - what inspired you to start writing?

 

Everyone kept telling me that I should write a book about everything that had happened.  I love to write so I figured, why not?

 

Q   Tell us a little about yourself

 

I am from Michigan – born and raised.   I have a beautiful, intelligent, but sometimes sassy, little girl named Madelyne Rose.  I’m an attorney specializing in court mediation but I’m also an author.  I’m working on my second book – crime fiction.

 

Q   How did writing your memoir help you deal with your past?

 

It was closure for me.  That part of my life is past and I am now in the present and plan to stay there.

 

Q   How easy/difficult was it to write it?

 

There were days I had to walk away from my computer.  It was difficult reliving some of the tough times but I don’t regret writing the book.

 

Q   What are your hobbies?

 

Reading (obviously), swimming, and watching reality TV – some trashy.  It’s my vice.  I can’t help it!

 

Q   What led to law as a career choice?

 

I have always loved the law but I never thought I was smart enough to get into law school.  When I started disliking my career in the non-profit sector, I thought I might as well take the LSAT and see what happens.  I passed and was offered admission to two good law schools here in Michigan.

 

Q   How do you manage your time around work, your daughter and writing?

 

Luckily, I’m my own boss so I can make my own schedule.  Plus, Madelyne is in pre-school full time.  But when she comes home, I put all of my work away and spend time with her.

 

Q   What message would you like to share with the readers?

 

One – If you have postpartum depression, don’t feel ashamed to seek treatment.

 

Second – Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence.  Those of you who are in that type of relationship need to seek help right away.

 

Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview you Megan,

I wish you all the very best with your next venture!

  

 

Book Review

 

This memoir is about 30 something year old Megan who tells the story of her life over the last few years based around her marriage breakdown and in turn child custody disputes.

Megan has had a rough time in life, and tells what's it's like to go through post partum depression after having her daughter, she has suffered anxiety and panic attacks since her teenage years. She has had stays in hospitals and a psych ward. Her relationship ended in divorce, there was domestic violence and her struggle for custody for her now 3 year old daughter Madelyn.

Along the way Megan had the unconditional love and support from her family which helped her overcome these struggles. She has also fulfilled her dream of going to law school and is now an attorney.

 

Reading this book was like having a friend talk to me through the pages, it was a very easy and likable read. I felt very sad for the day to day troubles that Megan faced in her relationships as a partner, mother and daughter.

 

I recommend this book to anyone facing struggles in life, particularly in a difficult relationship because it will show you that with determination you can survive anything.

 

I give this book 4 stars out of 5

 

Jarrah Jungle's Star Rating:

1 Bad - I'd rather eat brussel sprouts topped with anchovies than read this again
2 Not Good - I'd rather watch re-runs of Neighbours than read this again
3 Ok - I'm sitting on the fence - its not great but not terrible either
4 Good - I'd pass up a pack of tim tams for this read
5 Great - I'd pass up a date with Johnny Depp for this read

 

Who Am I? can be purchased from Amazon here

 

Sharing my book review on Good Reads here

Disclosure: Special thanks to the author Megan Cyrulewski for providing me with this eBook published by Black Opal Books to review. As always, all opinions are my own.

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[Images via Megan Cyrulewski]