As a memoirist, I believe in the transformative power of life stories to bring people together, expand our cognitive horizons, and gently unlock our true potential for empathy and wisdom,” writes author Sonia Leung in the prologue to The Girl Who Dreamed.

 Spanning the first 25 years of her life, The Girl Who Dreamed is Leung’s inspirational debut memoir. As she recounts the most significant moments in her upbringing—moving to Hong Kong as a child, being sexually assaulted by her table tennis coach at age 14, and running away from home to reinvent herself in Taiwan, to name a few—we learn more about who the author is and of what she is capable.

It was easy for me to connect with the young Sonia. I related to her sensitive nature and overall desire to prove herself worthy in the face of her family’s mistreatment. Because of this, it was hard to put the book down. Like a concerned older sibling, I had to know if she’d be alright in the end.

One of the things I love most about this book is the level of vulnerability Leung brings to her writing. She talks candidly about her struggles with depression and PTSD, opening up about self-harming and her contemplations of suicide.

Given this, it’s important to embark on this particular reading journey with a clear head. Leung includes several detailed descriptions of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, which may require you to put the book down and walk away for a bit. But, be sure to come back, as you’ll want to make it to the triumphant end.

Overall, The Girl Who Dreamed is the deeply personal, emotionally fraught tale of one girl’s journey of becoming who she was always meant to be. It is a coming-of-age story that is as devastating as it is hopeful and a must-read for those who’ve ever felt unworthy or incapable of success.