All That Fills Us by Autumn Lytle Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Mel Ellis knows that her eating disorder is ruining her life. Everyone tells her rehab is her best option, but she can't bring herself to go. Broken and empty in more ways than one, Mel makes one last-ditch effort to make hers a story worth telling. She will walk her own road to recovery along the lesser-known trails of the North American wilderness.

Though she is physically and mentally unprepared to face the difficulties that lay ahead, she sets off on foot from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and heads toward Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. During the long journey, she meets strangers with their own stories, as well as ghosts from her past who can no longer be ignored. But though the land she travels threatens her success at every turn, it's her own dark thoughts she'll have to overcome in order to find peace in the life and the body she has been given.

With pitch-perfect timing and delightfully witty self-awareness, debut author Autumn Lytle masterfully leads readers on a journey down the hard path toward healing.

BOOK REVIEW

Trigger Warning: This book talks about eating disorders and in great detail. 

Autumn Lytle wrote a beautiful self journey story. She takes us into Mel Ellis's life who is struggling with an eating disorder and lack of self-worth. Her parents are missionaries who were trying their hardest to help her, but no one can change her but herself.  Everyone deals with the pressures in life differently. She has nothing to lose so she goes on a pilgrimage on foot leaving Grand Rapids, MI and setting off to Mount Rainer National Park in Washington State.  I live in Grand Rapids, MI so it was fun every time they mention something purely "Michigan".  

I can't imagine going on foot all the way from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Mount Rainer. Mel has been compelled to do this since the age of eight.  It is a very long journey and this is why she met so many different people. While traveling she met so many different people who have  dealt with different life stories. They were kind people who encouraged and helped Mel on her journey. God put the right people in her path when she needed it.  

A lot of the book is Mel's internal dialogue. The journey, in my opinion, isn't very realistic for a young woman in her condition. She went on a pilgrimage to heal, but I feel it was to avoid the problem. The details of eating disorder is very realistic in the way of how she counts her calories, her steps, etc.  However we don't know what her weight is. We can see her, so it would have been a little bit helpful. There could have been more people telling her she needs to stop her eating disorder because its killing her, but I assume people with an eating disorder already knows its killing them. The more people tell her that the worse the eating disorder can get. This might take you, as a reader, into something you are not comfort with, but don't let it stop you from reading this book. 

 

"All that Fills Us" is an in-depth look at how mentally an eating disorder can take over every moment of the day. This is eye opening.  It takes you on a heart-wrenching, heart-warming, but raw, emotional and gritty journey. The story is inspirational. It has a heartfelt message of hope.  This book is written well and a must-read.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Autumn Lytle identifies with a strange group of humans who enjoy running long distances and writing even longer books. Along with beng a forever-recovering anorexic and exercise addict, she is a weirdly good checkers players and finder of four-leaf clovers. She spends her days thinking up stories and trying to figure out this whole parenting thing with her son. She can often be found exploring her hometown of Seattle, Washington, with her family in tow. 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello, hello! 

I’m so happy you’ve stopped by. I’m Autumn and I identify with a strange group of humans who enjoy running long distances and writing even longer books. I also insist on celebrating everyday wins with good food, exploring my little corner of the world every chance I get, and loving both the nonfictional and fictional characters in my life. If you like authors talking about themselves and their lives, you’ve come to the right place!

A few fun facts about yours truly: Although my name is Autumn, I was born in January (thanks, parents). I’m weirdly good at checkers and finding four-leaf clovers. I’m always up for skipping small talk and jumping right into long, winding conversations on theology, running, both really good and truly awful TV shows, books of any kind, and pretty much anything having to do with food. If you’re looking for someone to join you on a run or walk while you dive into all sorts of emotions going on in your life, I’m your person.

I worked for the best little publishing company for three years back in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nowadays, my son Ari and I spend our days figuring out how to do this whole parenting thing and exploring all that Seattle has to offer while my husband, Jackson, hustles at the University of Washington in pursuit of his MBA. Grand Rapids will always hold a giant piece of my heart, but we’ve set out in pursuit of broadening our definition of home and belonging.

Next May, my debut novel All That Fills Us releases. They say that an author’s first book is the one closest to their heart and considering the plot involves an overly-sarcastic girl with an eating disorder, I’d say they’re spot on. I struggled with an eating disorder and exercise addiction back in the day, and it’s not really something a person ever fully gets over. It sticks with you like that song from that commercial you heard when you were five and still randomly interrupts your thoughts every now and then. I hope this tiny plot of the internet also serves as a place for those forever recovering from mental health issues to find some camaraderie.

I’m so happy you’re here and I have little doubt we’d be fast friends if we ever happen upon each other in real life. I’m also a big fan of becoming friends through the written word (no surprise there) if you ever want to reach out and chat. With questions, comments, exclamations, musings, poems, and emotional ramblings, email me at lytleautumn@gmail.com. 

I also welcome friends and aspiring stalkers on Facebook and Instagram, if that’s your thing.

Blessings, friend. And thanks for being here.

-Autumn Lytle 

Her Website: Click Here 

Spotify: Click Here