Day: October 13, 2023

Book review: ‘Words To Feel Less Alone’ by Brenna O’Neill

‘Words To Feel Less Alone’ is Brenna O’Neill’s new book that chronicles her journey through depression and ultimately healing. Photo: Brenna O’Neill.

Brenna O’Neill is a mental health advocate from Invercargill, New Zealand. A lover of writing, learning, and teaching, she created My Latibule, an online anti-depression community full of tools dedicated to helping people manage clinical depression, all based on her personal experience, professional  therapy, and a BSC in Psychology. Latibule means a place of safety and comfort. My Latibule provides guided anti-depression journals, teaches i-Rest Yoga Nidra meditation, designs beautiful gifts with reminders to stay, and fosters community connections by sharing stories. Her book “Words To Feel Less Alone” chronicles her personal journey through depression and contains the exact words she wrote in her doctor prescribed journal when her brain was consumed by clinical depression. It is available through her website.

Journaling is often prescribed as part of therapy as a means to be honest with yourself and face the issues that are causing problems. For most people, this is the only way to be truly open and honest, since no one will see those journals. When Brenna shared her writings with a friend who was struggling with her own mental health, she found them helpful because it made her realize that she is not alone, that other people struggle as well. This was also how Brenna felt as she was struggling with depression, she did not know anyone else who was depressed and that made her feel so alone. It was then that she decided to share her story with others in the hopes that they would feel less alone.  

“Words To Feel Less Alone” is a deeply personal account of the author’s battle with depression. She begins by emphasizing that it is meant to help those who are battling with depression, homophobia, or religious guilt or if even if they just know someone who is. If they need to talk to a professional, she directs readers to call their doctor or use any of the resources she lists in the back of the book. This book is divided into six chapters including Oh Sweet Denial and The Longest Day. She includes pictures of herself that highlight how she was feeling on that particular day versus how she looked, as well as snippets from her actual journal. What makes it feel more personal is that the font she uses is based on her real handwriting. At the end of each chapter, she includes notes written by her doctor and therapist to give a behind the scenes look at the healing process. Rest assured, she is doing much better now and living a fulfilling life and trying to help others who are battling depression. It contains adult language and themes of depression, suicidal ideations, and homophobia and is sometimes difficult to get through, but it is well worth it. Readers in similar situations will certainly relate to her struggle and will hopefully come out feeling more optimistic. It is a must read and recommended for readers who are on the same journey or just want to learn more about what it is like to struggle with mental illness.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

New horror movie release: 15 Cameras

15 Cameras is available On Demand and limited theater release. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Voyeuristic style films explore society’s insatiable thirst to watch and be watched. If you’re a fan, this new horror release might be a good fit for you. 15 Cameras is a sequel to 13 Cameras and 14 Cameras but it does well as a stand alone movie, so you don’t necessarily have to see the first two films to enjoy this one. On Friday October 13, it is coming to On Demand and in theaters in Los Angeles. 15 Cameras, directed by Danny Madden and written by PJ McCabe stars Will Madden, Angela Wong Carbone, Hilty Bowen, James Babson, Shirley Chen, Hannah Mckechnie, Skyler Bible, Courtney Dietz, Erik Leupp, Donna Allen, Brianne Moncrief, Jim Cummings, and Stephen Ruffin. (October Coast, 2023)

15 Cameras – When Cam and Sky bought their duplex, it seemed like the perfect investment opportunity for the young couple; a starter home, a mortgage offset by renters, and even a guest room for Sky’s sister, Carolyn. But as Sky and Cam slowly uncover hidden cameras and secrets of the duplex’s previous owner, obsession consumes their marriage and they both fall into destructive forms of voyeurism. When new tenants move in downstairs, their fixation with observing others has deadly consequences and they are forced to confront the very things they have been consumed by.

New book release: ‘Shadows Of The Stanton House’ by Philip J. Jones

‘Shadows Of The Stanton House’ is the new novel by Philip J. Jones. Photo: Amazon

If you’re a fan of ghost stories, any time is a good time to curl up with a ghost thriller. But with spooky season upon us, now is the perfect time to dig into a good old fashion ghost story, especially if it is set in a spooky old building, like a convent. This new book release is just that. “Shadows Of The Stanton House” by Philip J. Jones has the feel of a good old fashion mystery and suspense work of literature. So get ready for a journey through dimly lit corridors of passion and mystery with “Shadows Of The Stanton House,” where every shadow tells a story, and every story is a secret waiting to be unveiled. Don’t wait! Get your copy today on Amazon and dive right in. It’s only a ghost story…..

Philip J. Jones’ journey began on a goat farm, where the rhythmic melodies of nature and the humbling responsibility of caring for animals taught him the beauty of simplicity. From those pastures, he found his way to an old, repurposed convent, which had blossomed into a thriving arts commune. Living there during his formative years, he was surrounded by a mosaic of creativity and passionate souls that deeply influenced his artistic inclinations. Throughout his journeys, both geographical and personal, he has come to understand that his true passion lies in the combination of the arts, nature, and culture. For him, the creative process is not just about creating something from nothing—it is a profound dance of experiences, memories, and the rich cultural contexts that have shaped him. He strives to channel these inspirations into his work, hoping to raise the same sense of wonder and connection in his readers that he has been fortunate to feel throughout his life. His biggest aim is to bridge worlds and touch souls. In his new book “Shadows Of The Stanton House,” an aging convent turned artists’ sanctuary whispers with echoes of the past and is the setting for a tale of love, art, and spectral mystery. (Amazon, 2023)

“Shadows Of The Stanton House” – For centuries, the Stanton House Convent has been a vessel of inspiration and mystique, offering refuge to artists seeking solace and muse. However, shadows cast by ancient spirits lurking within its venerable walls dance randomly with the lives of the current residents. Sarah, a pragmatic mystic, finds her powers challenged by the spectral forces while engaging in a desperate ballet to shield her companions. Unfolding alongside her is the journey of Alex, a filmmaker teetering on the ethical tightrope between exploitative sensationalism and the authentic human stories dwelling in the convent’s heart.

As these stories interweave, enter Emily, an artist with a soul as sensitive as her brush, caught in a turbulent whirlwind of love and supernatural intrigue. With each page, “Shadows Of The Stanton House” unveils the fragile tapestry of their lives, shimmering under the influence of love, art, and the binding haunting that ties them inexorably together.

In the unfolding canvas, relationships ebb and flow, reflecting the tumultuous energies at play. The characters find themselves at a crossroad, tethered between the earthly and the supernatural, passion and betrayal, with the Stanton House watching silently, bearing witness to their joys and sorrows.

So step into the shadows, where love is as unpredictable and potent as the spirits ensnaring the Stanton House. Engage with the unforgettable ensemble as they navigate through a maze of artistry and otherworldliness, where the end of one story is but the whisper of another, lingering long after the final page is turned.

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