Finding Angela Shelton is one of those books that you absolutely can not put down. Once you start reading this book you find yourself taking it with you to the bathroom, to the kitchen while you are cooking, and definitely turning the pages before going to bed. From the second I got my hands on this book, I absolutely could not put it down.

The book, Finding Angela Shelton, is about one woman’s journey across the nation searching for all of the Angela Shelton’s. As she meets each Angela Shelton she discovers a different story but at the same time a chilling reality. Most of the Angela Shelton’s in America that were interviewed had been raped, abused, or molested.

Angela Shelton, the author, is a magnificent woman who tells her own story of sexual abuse that she survived during her childhood. She has grown past this rough period in her life and has gone to do some pretty great things. One of which was making a documentary on her life and the search for others with the same name. Telling the different stories of all the other Angela Shelton’s in the world really has inspired me. It is so wonderful to see someone finally stand up and say enough is enough. Putting a face and a name to Abuse victims is what will ultimately break the cycle. This doesn’t have to be left in secret. It is not dirty, it is not gross, it needs to be spoken about, it needs to be open. If you are a victim of abuse yourself, I encourage you to learn Angela’s story. I also encourage you to stand up and say “no more” this will end with me. You need not be ashamed of what has happened to you, it is not your fault. By speaking up and making it known you inspire other women just like you to speak up on their own behalf creating a movement of women refusing to keep taking abuse as a means of life. Abuse is manipulative, hurtful, and wrong. We as women must stand up for ourselves!

If reading is not your thing, I encourage you to pick up a copy of the DVD Searching For Angela Shelton. Just like the book, the DVD puts faces to abuse victims drawing you in through the stories that they have to tell. Watch as Angela Shelton the writer confronts her own abusive father on Father’s Day. Watch as she loses her cool after her father continually denies all aspects of the abuse that took place during her childhood. The movie and the book are equally powerful and something that you will want to definitely pass on to all your girlfriends. I for one passed the movie onto my own mother to see what kind of reaction she would have. After she finished watching the film, she called me up bawling on the phone. She said that she too was moved by the film and that she wants to personally thank Angela Shelton for sharing her story with us.

I can not tell you how powerful this movie/book is. If I had the means I would buy all of you, my readers, your own copy just so you could experience it for yourself. I’ve never in my life pushed an author so heavily before but I firmly believe that this is something that we all need to spread like wildfire. I have spoken with Angela personally, she is as sweet as sweet can be. She believes so much in her project as do I. By any means necessary we, the “Angela Sheltons” of the world, need to get the word out there. I want to scream from the rooftops GO BUY THIS BOOK! GO WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY!! if I haven’t made myself clear already.

For more information on abuse, please visit RAINN or check out Angela’s personal website, book site or challenge homepage. Angela Shelton is all over the ‘net on myspace, youtube, and facebook. Go find her, get the word out!!!