Male Molestation Victim Pens Emotional Memoir

Songs from an Imperfect Life

Author: J. Ronald M. York

Publisher: St. Broadway Press

Publication Date: March 18, 2018

Length: 228 Pages










About the Author
J. Ronald M. York graduated from Belmont University with studies in voice and piano. He spent the next two decades in the field of interior design before opening his first art gallery. When not in the gallery, Mr. York can be found in his studio painting, at his piano composing, or assisting numerous nonprofit agencies with fundraising. He is the author of "Kept in the Dark."

“Secrets. We all have them, and we all hope they will never be revealed. My parents, relatives and a handful of close friends took our family secret to their graves. And yet, my parents held on to a box of incriminating evidence, through five moves in three different cities, to be left for me to find long after everyone was gone.”

Revealing is Healing

This is a story of family secrets and the effects these secrets had on the author's life.

The author's father was arrested, pled guilty and served jail time for molesting boys in his Boy Scout Troop in the 1950s. 

Mr. York was first molested at the First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee when he was seven years old. The male predator was a respected, upstanding member of the church. 

The sexual abuse continued at church, in movie theaters, in public restrooms and department stores until the author graduated from high school.

As an adult, Mr. York pursued a homosexual lifestyle and participated in many risky sexual acts and dysfunctional relationships.

The author is now in his sixties and has written this book about his life with insight, understanding and compassion. It is time for healing and forgiveness.

My Thoughts

Mr. York's family appeared to be a normal church-going, white middle class family. No one would have guessed the secrets that were never discussed. However, keeping secrets came at a high price. The author never told his parents about the inappropriate touching at church or any of the other sexual encounters he had as a child. Yet, you have to wonder if there weren't many warning signs that were intentionally ignored.

Mr. York provides many examples of how his childhood abuse changed the way he perceived himself and those around him...and not in a good way. This story of abuse is very disturbing, but the author does not consider himself a victim. 

This is an account of resilience and determination to overcome the past and walk confidently into the future. This is a gripping memoir that is worthy of your time. Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

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Book Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed (Oprah's Book Club)

Wild (Oprah's Book Club 2.0 Digital Edition): From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Publisher: Knopf (June 1, 2012)

About the Author
Cheryl Strayed is the author of three books: WILD, a memoir , TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, a selection of her "Dear Sugar" columns from TheRumpus.net, and TORCH, a novel .
She holds an MFA in fiction writing from Syracuse University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota.



A Life Lost And Found
Cheryl Strayed was dealing with grief and a loss of direction in her life. She could not move forward because she was stuck in the muck of the past. Her mother had died of cancer, her family had scattered and her marriage was broken. One day she noticed a booklet about Pacific Crest Trail in a store where she was shopping. She later went back and bought the booklet and started planning a trip that would change her life forever.

This book is a true story about Cheryl Strayed's solitary hike from California to Washington state. She did not have any hiking experience but her spirit was compelling her to do this. She learned that she was stronger and more courageous than she ever imagined. She completed the 1100 mile hike and escaped the demons that had haunted her in the past.

My Thoughts
Cheryl Strayed shared the physical and spiritual journey that she experienced when she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. I had never heard of this trail and knew very little about hiking and camping when I started this book.

I felt like I was hiking right along with Cheryl as she faced heat, cold, hunger, loneliness, pain and many other challenges on the trail. She expressed the feelings that we all feel when we doubt ourselves and our capabilities. She was not defeated by the hardships that she faced during her journey. She proved to herself that she had what it takes to survive and thrive in a world that sometimes seems hostile and dangerous. She did not give up when she found herself in seemingly hopeless situations.

Cheryl had been running from herself and her feelings for her entire life. This journey gave her time to be alone and realize that her life was just as it should be and that she could accept herself just the way she was.

This book will challenge you to try things that are difficult. It will inspire you to do the impossible. The questions and comments in the Oprah's Book Club edition of this book are excellent. This is the kind of book that you will want to share with your friends and family members. Highly Recommended!

My Rating:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased this digital book with my own funds. The large link at the top of this post is my Amazon affiliate link.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.