Review by Vlgski -- Gardening With Guns by AJ Wootton

[Vlgski]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Gardening With Guns" by AJ Wootton.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Gardening With Guns by A.J. Wootton is a memoir that reads like a novel. Amber is a successful businesswoman, mother and wife. She has recently begun working for a new company that significantly reduces her workload, allowing her to spend more time with her family. While on vacation, the death of a family member initiates a flood of childhood memories that ultimately prompt her to reassess her life at present. She endured a number of hardships growing up in the seventies. Divorced parents, moving to a new state at the start of middle school, an estranged father, a tyrannical stepfather and a submissive being just a few of the obstacles that made her such a strong personality.

Can examining her past reshape her future? She is determined to find out by reliving even the ugliest parts of her childhood. Although it's a winding path involving family, friends,and even people she doesn't know, Amber is gonna hike all the way to acceptance. Even if it means her entire family is shaken to the core.

Wootton's style of writing makes you forget that you're reading a memoir. I was so drawn in, I had to remind myself that the story wasn't fiction. I found I could relate to some of her anxieties, but her circumstances made me thankful for my parents and the upbringing I experienced. Strangely, at the end of it all, I felt like Amber was someone I could befriend. She did a good job blending her past and present. I give her story 4 out of 4 stars.

I recommend Gardening with Guns to anyone and everyone that wants to challenge themselves to look as deeply into their own lives as AJ Wootton did, and have the courage to put it on display. The only thing that I didn't like was having to face how many evils there are in the world. This book was emotional, humorous, and well written.

The editing was very well done and other than a couple name misplacements, the errors were minimal. The book was the perfect length for a weekend on the beach.

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Gardening With Guns
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