Virtual Book Review Tour: "Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out" by Pandra Poikilos Review/Spotlight

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Anya Michaels is having the time of her life. She has the man of her dreams by her side. She has graduated at the top of her class. She has the job others were lining up for. Between late night drinks at her favourite bar and fancy dinners at the most expensive restaurants, she has a string of adoring friends. Everything changes when she hears the dreaded words, "You are sick."

Being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, her world starts to fall apart, one piece at a time. Now dumped, her four year relationship is nothing but a memory filled with pictures, thoughts and a very broken heart. Her job becomes an even further challenge as she tries to hide her condition. Her friends suddenly have more important things to do, what is a party without a party girl? Perfect could not crumble any faster.

Soon, caught between situations, people and pieces of life that she never dreamed of planning for herself, Anya begins to wonder if her brain condition is all that bad. As she absorbs the changes in her life and realization sets in, she begins to wonder if she is the only one saying: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out.

(20% of royalties will be donated to the National Organisation of Rare Disorders)  

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Excerpt 

I have come to understand that every once in a while in life we all have to do something because we must. It is not about what we want or how we would like it to be, it simply has to be done because it is necessary. Most times this will be a task that surpasses normal and not many people would choose to understand. But, done it must.

I have tried turning it all around, telling myself that ‘it is a small surgery’, ‘it is just a routine procedure’, ‘it is not necessarily a brain surgery’ but when a neurosurgeon sits down and talks about the risks and procedures of being in surgery, there is no other way of calling it, is there?

I Love You. The best relationships in our lives are the best not because they have been the happiest ones. They are that way because they have stayed strong through the worst storms and held hands during the happiest of springs.

These are the relationships between friends who stay when the rest of the world walks out. The family who holds you close and says, ‘it does not matter what others say, this is something we will get through together because there are no limits to how much we love you.’ And when these people say, ‘I Love You’, it is not because they have to, it is not because they could not order you roses from the best florist or because they need to say something to fill a void in conversation, they say it is because it is just that, Love.

No conditions, no smokescreens, just pure transparent, unconditional love given when you need it the most. As the Swedish proverb goes, ‘Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I really need it.’

Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out by Pandora Poikilos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I will admit that this was not a favorite book of mine on many levels, but I truly felt it deserved a 4-star rating for several reasons. This is a different sort of book than you will probably ever read, and if you don't sit down and truly digest it, you are sure to miss some very important messages within the book.

The style in which this story is told is very unique. Anya writes all of her thoughts and ideas during this horrific time in her life as letters to her father. I will not provide spoilers, but it is clear that her father is the man with whom she shared a bond that transcended time and space. These letters are sweet, saucy, acrid, and brutally honest.

Poor Anya is facing a rare illness about which most know nothing. She makes some observations about the world in a way that few of us will contemplate saying or thinking. It seemed so callous and caustic, but as I continued to read, I realized that this author allowed her character to make observations about the world that one never voices. Her character continues to point out how her brain issue is nothing compared to a world where people refuse to use their brains in everyday life. I began to realize just how naive and trusting I am.

I was glad that profanity was nonexistent (from what I remember), and no sex acts were detailed. It is clear that Anya has a religious background, but I cannot say that she is truly a follower of Christ. Even at the end. But I will say that Anya gets the chance to "live like she was dying." If only we would all be brave enough to live every day like this!

I was glad the book was short because as insightful as it is, I found my mind wandering now and then just because the letters were so poignant. I would have loved to get more than just Anya's perspective in the book. But I guess that Anya was essentially deserted by everyone, so having another perspective would have been challenging. But I think it could have made te story a bit more interesting.

I cannot imagine having to go through a physical issue like this, and by reading this book, I got a glimpse into the lives and minds of those with a debilitating disease. If you would like something deep and different, use your brains and get this book!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not finacially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

International best-selling author, Pandora Poikilos has been writing for more than 10 years for various media which include newspapers, radio, television and various websites.

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/PandoraPoikilos

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/peacefrompieces

Blog http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/

Website http://moonstarluxury.com/

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