Dear Universe, I Get It Now - by A Y Berthiaume (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"Writers-in-the-making will feel buoyed and validated by this offbeat remembrance." -Kirkus Reviews

"An inspirational and thoughtful guidebook...Be prepared to laugh, cry, and experience every emotion in between." -Indies Today

Dear Universe, I Get it Now is the work of A.Y. Berthiaume, a lifelong dreamer and exuberant professional writer. This is her inspirational story about facing challenges and peering into life's dark corners while longing to understand her place in the world and learning to love who she is.

Through 22 letters written to the Universe, Berthiaume reflects on her journey, coming to see her path as a series of purposeful, cosmic invitations to be brave. She is asked again and again to become who she was born to be. Berthiaume tells her real-life tales in a voice that is equal parts sarcasm and tenderness. These letters will re-ignite flames you thought were extinguished; empower you to see your experiences as gifts (and signs); and inspire you to own your stories. This part memoir part self-help book will make you cry, laugh, think, and nod in agreement.

Dear Universe, I Get it Now is for anyone questioning their purpose on this planet, but especially for women who once dared to dream (or still do) and who are on a quest to find themselves. This book is rich with women's experiences and the human condition - from family dynamics, to discrimination, racism, death, sexual assault, motherhood, miscarriage, failed relationships, and more, Dear Universe is relatable and deeply honest.

This book will inspire readers to consider what they need to ask the Universe about their own journey and will invite them to brave the path that leads to their truth. Alongside Berthiaume's personal memoir are reflective questions, journaling prompts, and more to guide the reader on their way.

Review Quotes

"Brilliant, inspiring, and laugh-out-loud funny. This is story telling at its best. Berthiaume weaves truth with wisdom in a journey that transforms the soul as much as it captivates the imagination. Pure magic. You won't want to put it down. P.S. Bring lots of tissues. (Oh, and, Dear Universe... I'm so SO happy this book was born!)"

-Debbie Burns, Seer-Empath, Wondress + best-selling author of The Path to Courage

"Prepare to change your life. Berthiaume leads by example in this call-to-action book, bravely pulling back the curtain on how she has handled - or mishandled - key life events that led her to reveal, accept, and eventually love her real self. She invites us to chart a course to our own truth with provocative, at times painful, questions to ponder along the way. By the end of the book, you will be fired up to face the world with authenticity, courage, and hope!"

-Tammy Flanders Hetrick, author of the award-winning novel, Stella Rose

Berthiaume's debut memoir traces critical moments that laid the groundwork for her present career as a writer. This book follows the long and winding road that led to the author's mantra: "Be brave. Be you. It's time." Her self-described "deep soul dive" departs from the typical memoir structure, with each chapter styled as a letter to "the Universe."The first handful of missives focus, diarylike, on rites of passage, including moments when the White author witnessed racial and sexual discrimination, physical abuse, and bullying. These accounts offer hints of her budding writing career, but two letters, which share the title "Choosing Writing," are highlights. The first begins in high school around the year 2000, when she accepted a coveted invitation to attend the prestigious Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, defying parental protests that it overlapped with prom weekend. The second chronicles a college epiphany when she courageously switched majors from marriage and family counseling to a master's degree program in creative writing. But her initial commitment to the written word was rapidly overcome by marriage, motherhood, and other demands of adult life. Readers won't be able to help but feel sympathy for Berthiaume as the book goes on; from the early pages, it will be clear to readers that the key to the author's fulfillment is the ability to devote herself completely to writing. The signoffs to her 23 letters also effectively show the evolution of her self-image, from "forest dweller in an alternate life" to "your overachieving to-do list ninja" to "your well-intentioned advocate (and idiot)" to "one of the awesome ones" and "A.Y., professional writer." The book also encourages readers to embark on their own brave journeys, with a targeted list of self-reflection questions after each letter and a detailed list of "Bravery Boosters" at the end. Writers-in-the-making will feel buoyed and validated by this offbeat remembrance.-Kirkus Reviews