Books Like Educated and The Glass Castle: Why I Wrote From the Piney Woods
- pam6162
- May 22
- 2 min read
By PJ Hamilton (Pam Dwyer)
If you’ve found yourself searching for books like Educated or The Glass Castle, you’re likely someone who is drawn to raw, honest, and sometimes heartbreaking stories of overcoming a dysfunctional childhood. I am too. In fact, reading those memoirs gave me the courage to finish writing mine: From the Piney Woods.
Growing up in the piney woods of East Texas, my story was filled with the kind of pain that doesn’t always make the dinner table conversation, poverty, neglect, abandonment, and a long silence that came from not knowing if anyone really saw me. For years, I carried the weight of believing that where I came from defined me. But over time, I discovered a powerful truth:
“Your past doesn’t define you; it prepares you.”
That message became the heartbeat of my book.
What Makes From the Piney Woods Unique?
While Educated is set in rural Idaho and The Glass Castle moves through several towns, From the Piney Woods stays grounded in the gritty beauty and brokenness of small-town Texas life. It’s not just a survival story, it’s a healing story.
I wrote this memoir for:
Readers who know what it’s like to grow up feeling invisible
Survivors of childhood trauma still looking for words to name their pain
Anyone who believes there’s still time to become the person you were meant to be
This isn’t a story of perfect resolution. It’s a story of resilience, faith, laughter, and small acts of kindness that changed everything.
Searching for More Memoirs Like These?
If you enjoyed:
...you’ll likely connect deeply with From the Piney Woods. It’s a memoir of rural life, family dysfunction, and emotional healing told with Southern grit and heart. I didn’t have a roadmap out of trauma, but I found my way, one vulnerable story at a time.
Ready to Read?
From the Piney Woods is available now wherever books are sold. You can also support the next phase of this journey, my second book, The Plus One Theory and public speaking outreach, by visiting my crowdfunding campaign https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/plus-one-theory-finish-stronger Check out my podcast! The Plus One Theory Podcast
Let’s continue telling the truth about our lives, because when we do, we give others permission to heal too.
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