#39: In My Skin by Kate Holden 

In this book, Australian author Kate Holden writes about her life as a heroin addict and prostitute. She never once asks for sympathy, insisting that the reader only follow along. As I continued through Holden’s story, I found myself discovering many traits in her that were admirable. Heroin is an incredibly difficult substance to stop using and prostitution is usually looked down upon by the general public. However, it seems that Holden was able to stay true to herself even as she struggled against the temptations of the drug culture. She was lucky to have an incredibly supportive family (unfortunately, many people do not) and a group of friends that helped when she was ready. What I took away from reading In My Skin was not so much a lesson learned against drugs and sex, but that the events in this book happen all over the world. The more we see people in these situations as human beings with strengths as well as weaknesses, change can happen for the better. 

Side note: One of the ways Holden was able to eventually stop using heroin was by using methadone, a synthetic opiate. This method is sometimes controversial because it can have difficult side effects and withdrawal symptoms. However, it seems that Holden was able to use methadone quite effectively and with success. For me, it was helpful to read a first hand experience of the medication and how it can be useful in one’s life.