Surviving Why we stay and how we leave abusive relationships

Gooden, creator of the #WhyIStayed movement, gets vulnerable and gives invaluable advice for domestic-violence survivors in her relatable first book. When Gooden posted the hashtag in response to the infamous video of NFL running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancée, she went viral. At the time, she tweeted the many but oft-misunderstood reasons why she stayed in a violent relationship. Now, she expands on why she eventually left and offers support to those also experiencing abuse. Her directives allow space for people who aren't ready to leave while also offering practical guidance for those who are, such as having an "escape bag" and outlining residency requirements in divorce filings. Gooden's book is raw, especially when she's writing about her complicated feelings towards her ex-husband, but also careful and conscientious. She draws on research and prevailing professional knowledge to analyze and reflect on her thinking process at the time of her abuse and in its aftermath. She also centers her experience as a Black woman, highlighting the struggles unique to survivors with intersecting identities and providing a perspective often left out of the domestic-violence conversation.