Pound for Pound is an inspirational and compelling memoir that follows author Shannon Kopp's journey to recovery from the debilitating disease of bulimia through the healing power of the loving shelter dogs that she cared for at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.

As a dog lover who has adopted shelter and rescue dogs, I couldn't help but become captivated by Shannon's story. Shannon takes the reader on her emotional journey of recovery as she recounts her seven year battle with bulimia, and the inspiration from working with the shelter dogs that led her on the road to overcome her addiction, heal, and move forward with her life.

Pound for Pound is a beautifully written and very moving memoir that documents the sobering struggle that Shannon endured in her life while battling the disease of bulimia, and how her work with the shelter dogs (specifically pit bulls) gave her the hope, inspiration, and resilience to heal as she traveled down the path to recovery. You can't help but feel compassion and empathy as Shannon's story unfolds, your heart will explode with joy as she describes how working with the shelter dogs provided the best medicine that led to her recovery. There is nothing like the unconditional love and devotion that a dog provides to a person, nothing else can compare!

Pound for Pound is a wonderful story of hope and redemption that will tug at the heartstrings and stir the soul.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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I was first drawn to this book by the book cover. I own three pitbulls. I used to have the impression that they were vicious dogs but now I am an advocate for them. All they know is love. Plus my three can't stop smiling. Back to the book.

Second I wanted to read this book because I am a sucker for a good animal story. I felt like I did get to know the author, Shannon. I have never experienced the urge to be model thin like the girls in magazines, although there was a short period where I did wish I was taller and bigger in the chest area. However as I grew older I grew out of this stage and love myself for who I was born. I am so glad that Shannon learned this with the help of the shelter animals she cared for before it was too late.

This book is spilt into parts. The first part talking about Shannon's life in her teens and collage years, then as she got older and was introduced to the animals. The final part focused more on the animals and a happy ending. There are some cute pictures featured in this book of some of the animals that Shannon and others at the shelter helped care for. ( )

I tend to have mixed feelings about memoirs. While I usually gain significant insight, both into the writer as well as life in general, I am often a little disappointed in the manner of the telling. Either too much set-up for what the writer wants to express or too little and I am dropped in the middle of whatever period deemed most important. I am delighted to say this memoir provides an almost perfect mixture of making the reader familiar with her history and working into the events most important to the book's message. Shannon Kopp, in Pound for Pound, takes the reader through every painful as well as uplifting moment in her battles. I came away from this memoir with both a better understanding of bulimia (both psychological and environmental aspects) and a profound respect for Shannon Kopp.

My initial interest in the book was as a dog lover. Those expectations I brought to the book were met, if not exceeded. What I wasn't prepared for was the deeply personal expression of what must still be painful for her to recall.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with any type of disease in addition to eating disorders. The hope and strength will help with whatever one is going through. I also know that dog lovers will enjoy the book too. People who enjoy reading memoirs will certainly enjoy it and any aspiring writer who is considering memoirs can learn a great deal from how this book transports the reader into the life story.

Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads. ( )