Thank you so much to North Atlantic Books for the gifted ARC! Being (Sick) Enough will be released in the US on January 14, 2025.

Jessica Graham’s Being (Sick) Enough is a raw and evocative exploration of the intersections between chronic illness, trauma, queerness, and neurodivergence. Through vivid prose and unflinching honesty, Graham invites readers into their deeply personal journey, reflecting on the emotional, physical, and systemic barriers they’ve faced. The book shines in its ability to balance vulnerability with pragmatic insights, offering both a love letter to the body and a critique of social expectations and norms that often disregard the complexities of being human.

The themes Graham navigates are expansive and impactful. The book traces the long shadows of childhood abuse, parentification, and enmeshment, showing how these experiences ripple into adult relationships and bodily autonomy. Graham’s exploration of neurodivergent burnout, particularly for those navigating trauma within a neurotypical world, is especially poignant. The emphasis on listening to the body as a form of healing—despite the stigma surrounding chronic illness and mental health—is a powerful call for self-acceptance. Graham also critiques toxic positivity and ableist rhetoric, weaving Buddhist principles of mindfulness and acceptance throughout their narrative.

While the book’s themes resonated deeply, certain elements detracted from my reading experience. Graham’s intensely descriptive style, while often a strength, occasionally veered into oversharing that felt unnecessary—particularly regarding personal health details. Additionally, as a trauma therapist in training, I found Graham’s framing of mindfulness overly tied to a cognitive behavioral perspective, which felt at odds with my somatic understanding of PTSD treatment. The prescriptive tone in some parts, where Graham seemed to suggest that their methods for healing were universally applicable, felt limiting in a narrative otherwise rich with nuance.

Despite these critiques, Being (Sick) Enough is a heartfelt and necessary contribution to the conversation around living with trauma and chronic illness. Graham’s willingness to share their vulnerabilities and their incisive critique of ableism, sanism, and capitalism make this a meaningful read, particularly for those navigating similar challenges.

📖 Recommended For: Readers who value raw and introspective memoirs, those navigating the intersections of chronic illness, trauma, and neurodivergence, and anyone interested in critiques of ableism and toxic positivity.

🔑 Key Themes: Chronic Illness and Acceptance, Childhood Trauma and Healing, Neurodivergent Burnout, Queer Identity and Resilience, Self-Compassion and Mindfulness.