The Falling Away by T.L. Hines

This is the story of Dylan Runs Ahead, a native american war veteran who is doing his best to run away from memories of a missing sister and of war, but discovers he needs to face them instead.  Along the way he is helped by a woman who talks about seeing things others don't.

This was the first book I've read by T. L. Hines, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting.  I wouldn't say I really enjoyed the story, but I was intrigued and couldn't put the book down.  I wanted to find out how it ended.   There were times I forgot I was reading a Christian book, but I'm not sure if this is a positive or negative.

Something I was startled by was the references to self-harm by one of the characters.  As someone who self-harms I was triggered by this, but I am also pleased that this book could help the public become more aware of the condition.  I was happy self-harm was not the focus of the story or included in a way that screams "this is horrible, how could she do this?"

I think this book is worth reading, but probably isn't one I will keep and reread multiple times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through a book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Buddha and the Borderline by Kiera Van Gelder

The Buddha and the Borderline is the memoir of a woman diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD.)  She is determined not to give in to this devastating disorder and turns to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Buddhism.

The author shares the most intimate parts of her life with readers, including self-injury, suicide, psychiatric hospitalizations, therapy, issues with her parents, romantic relationships, and spirituality.  

Starting in the prologue there are very graphic descriptions of self-harm.  This could help others to understand what is going on in the head of someone with BPD, but could be very triggering to those who struggle with self-injury.

The book was well written and at times entertaining.  The information and insight on borderline personality disorder and DBT was interesting and helpful, and the author's determination to recover was inspiring.  

Buddhism played a smaller part than I expected from reading the title, and at times I would have appreciated a little more background to better understand the way studying this religion actually benefited her.

As a person with BPD I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to other people diagnosed with this disorder and to their families.  I don't know how interested others would be in this story.