Unrunning: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Self-Discovery" by Jordan Ellis delves into the profound journey of a woman who spent decades literally running while metaphorically fleeing from buried trauma. From the dusty landscapes of Amarillo, Texas to the elite corridors of New York publishing, Ellis masterfully chronicles how childhood sexual abuse shaped her pursuit of perfection, her relationship with her body, and her understanding of success.

When cracks begin to form in her seemingly perfect life—a successful career, loving husband, and four children—Ellis confronts the mysteries of her recurring panic attacks, unexplained physical ailments, and disconnection from her true self. Through experimental MDMA therapy sessions, she gradually unearths the childhood trauma she had suppressed for decades, forcing her to reckon with not only what happened to her, but how her pursuit of external validation and perfectionism became her survival mechanism.

With unflinching honesty and lyrical prose, Ellis examines the complex interplay between memory and denial, the challenge of seeking justice within an imperfect legal system, and the courage required to break generational patterns of silence. Ultimately, this memoir stands as both a testament to resilience and a powerful exploration of what it means to truly heal—not by running away, but by finally standing still long enough to face oneself.

For readers of Tara Westover's "Educated," Roxane Gay's "Hunger," and Bessel van der Kolk's "The Body Keeps the Score," Ellis offers a searing memoir that illuminates how trauma lives in the body and how authentic connection—beginning with oneself—offers the path toward genuine freedom.