This book was an incredible read! The author did an amazing job of writing this memoir. It was refreshing reading this book from the somewhat peaceful view of an inmate. The author takes you on a journey through the lens of hope and I’m here for it! It was very well written and kept my attention all the way through the book! Memoirs are my favorite genre of book to read because you are able to see the life of someone and their thought processes in what they face. I loved this one!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley McMillonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley McMillon2023-06-22 07:55:372023-06-29 07:39:27Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Ashley McMillon
This was an excellent book! This book had me instantly hooked, turning pages faster than ever. This author has an amazing way have writing that leaves you feeling every emotion that’s being portrayed. I promise you must read this right now; you won’t be disappointed! It’s a great story! I’m still in shock and can’t wait to read further about this author and her story. Highly Recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley Westermanhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley Westerman2023-06-21 22:44:072023-06-21 22:44:07Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Ashley Westerman
Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr is a great book based on true crime.
In this autobiography, Toby Dorr describes her experiences as a volunteer who ran a canine training program for inmates at the Lansing Correctional Center. She interacts with various prisoners, but just one really grabs her attention. John Manard, who escaped from prison with Toby’s assistance, is who he is. Before being apprehended, they were on the run for 12 days. Through her several court appearances, Toby had to develop her media savvy after becoming an overnight sensation. She served a few years in prison for her misdeeds, and in this book, she recounts her experience there.
Every page had you hanging on every sentence and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a very unique story with even compelling people. The story really transports you into this crazy prison world. I couldn’t put the book down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shadel Ayerbehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShadel Ayerbe2023-06-21 18:20:402023-06-29 07:28:45Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Shadel Ayerbe
This is my first book by this author and Toby didn’t disappoint. The world building and characters was well thought out. This book was a page turner for me. The author grabbed my attention within the first few pages. Some parts of the book had you sitting on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Melissa Finkhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMelissa Fink2023-06-21 16:43:202023-06-29 07:28:29Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Melissa Fink
Great read! Fast paced read, strong characters and great story line. This book has it all action, love, betrayal and family drama all in one. I recommend to anyone who wants to go on the forbidden adventure. We all want to cross that line but never dare too. Read how one woman takes that step over the line and risks it all.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ninahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNina2023-06-20 21:14:192023-06-29 07:23:15Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Nina Maes
I knew this book would be good just from the fact it is based on a true story. Having studied Law, true crime has always fascinated me. And yet this book captivated me in a way I did not expect at all. I thought the author did an amazing job of pulling us into her world, and her journey, setting the scene as though we were there with her. I was hooked on this story the moment I started reading. It is a raw, honest and awe inspiring story that I would highly recommend to everyone! I cannot wait to discover what else this author has produced.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2023-06-20 15:08:542023-06-29 07:21:28Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Kerry Baker
This was a very intriguing read. I got very into it rather easily. It was hard to believe it was all true. It was almost like two stories in one, the events leading to Toby’s conviction and then the sisterhood and reform mentioned in the title. This was a very interesting read, a little different from my typical reads. I think this is certainly a must read and honestly could be a good book club read, plenty of topics to talk about it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erin DeRomahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErin DeRoma2023-06-14 21:21:132023-06-19 11:20:41Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Erin DeRoma
Have you ever made a huge mistake, and quickly learned that sometimes the lesson that was learned was worth it? That’s what happened to Toby, she was a dog trainer who would visit the local prison, and quickly finds herself attracted to John, a man who has been convicted of murder. Toby helps John escape from prison and finds herself on a journey that she never could have fathomed. Toby describes in great detail her experiences from meeting John, to helping John, to her time in prison for the crime of aiding a convicted murder of escape. To me, this book was a good read, it shows the audience what she was feeling and thinking. It was a page turner, and I am a huge fan of true crime and this book didn’t disappoint! I truly feel that if you are a fan of true crime, you will enjoy this book! And just remember, in the words of Toby, “You are more than your greatest mistake”
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Mary E Espinozahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMary E Espinoza2023-06-14 07:17:282023-06-19 11:05:47Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Mary Espinoza
I truly struggled with this novel. It was incredibly well written, which is why I have given it 4 stars. The missing star is because as a victim advocate in the criminal justice system, I see individuals play victim all too often. I can see that she was lonely and this inmate provided her with the attention she was craving. However, she spent a significant amount of time planning with him prior to the actual escape. She had to have known that there were going to be consequences for her actions. Maybe she could not see past the attention to think about the consequences.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. The author did a great job with the timeline and giving her honest thoughts throughout the process. The criminal justice process IS frustrating and confusing. It moves quickly and when you are stuck in trauma like she was, she needed someone to stop and explain it to her. I have never read a memoir before, but I believe I may have found a new favorite genre!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Allyson Whttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAllyson W2023-06-13 05:57:442023-06-19 10:55:44Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Allyson Ware
A riveting tale with an honest look at the mind of a prisoner. This story is honest, raw, and emotional—a beautiful journey of self-growth and discovery. I am a fan of true crime and memoirs, and this book gave me everything I wanted and more. It was so hard to put it down. The author paints her story to make you feel like you were there. She gave a real gift to the world with this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Nakyshia Legerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngNakyshia Leger2023-06-11 22:11:432023-06-19 10:47:06Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Nakyshia Leger
As a big fan of true crime to begin with, I was hooked from the foreward.
Toby did some wonderful things from inside the jail walls. Things that changed the jail systems she was in. The way she talks about how she got through her sentencing and used that time to heal herself is exactly what one hopes when they know someone that is serving time.
Between the moves and the friendships forged in prison, Toby came to terms with many things in her life, some that she has known and others she hadn’t realized prior to her time behind bars. She continues to grow as a person outside and acknowledge her past.
One of the main lessons this book is the way it shows that a person is not just the sum of their mistakes but so much more. That there may be deep-seated things going on at the core of the “good person” and that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. There is always room for growth in people, and they should not be defined by their greatest mistakes.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jessie Hopkinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJessie Hopkins2023-06-08 17:47:352023-06-17 15:04:54Living With Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr, Review by Jessie Hopkins
I was drawn to this book the second I saw that this is a True Crime Memoir. I, like many others, am deep down the True Crime rabbit hole. I watch every documentary, listen to every podcast, and follow everything true crime. So it was a no brainer that I was going to read this book. But the real question was, was I going to enjoy it? More often than not, I find that many of the True Crime books fall short of what I expect. This is NOT one of those. This book kept me reading and engaged throughout every page. This book truly shows how one person can make one decision that alters the course of their life. What Toby Dorr sets out to do is show that you are not defined by that decision but how you can find redemption afterwards. This is not your typical I was a female inmate story. Nor is it the typical I made a mistake and now I’m an inmate story. Rather this is a close look at one woman, her experiences, and how she is choosing to give back to others. I definitely recommend this one! It is such a different and amazing look at one woman. So great for those who love the true crime genre.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christinehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine2023-06-05 18:23:112023-11-22 08:25:58Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Christine Baranek
Toby Dorr has written such a raw, real, emotional, and inspirational piece of art. She has admitted and shown that in life, decisions and choices that we make, have consequences. Yet because of one bad choice, there can come good. She tells a story most heard, but never from the inside. This is an incredible story that was a page turner and attention grabber from the beginning. Self growth and healing are possible.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kasandrahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKasandra2023-06-04 21:10:072023-06-06 17:52:17Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Kasandra Nunez
What an interesting read!!! I am pretty sure I either watched the Lifetime movie “Jailbreak Lovers” or saw a featured story on Dateline as this did sound familiar to me.
In this memoir, Toby Dorr tells of her life as the “Dog Lady”…her volunteer program at the Lansing Correctional Center running an inmate dog training program. She meets many inmates but one really captured her attention. His name is John Manard and he escaped prison with Toby’s help. They spent 12 days out on the run before they were found and arrested. Toby became an overnight celebrity and had to learn to deal with the media through her various court appearances. She did a couple of years in prison for her antics and in this book, she tells about her time on the inside.
It was very enlightening to read about life on the inside of prison and even more so, how difficult it is to live outside of prison after being there awhile. Toby went through some very challenging times while incarcerated and lost of lot of family along the way for her decisions. This book is very difficult to read in terms of things that were experienced, both by Toby and by people she met along the way. It is also inspiring to see how she turned things around in some of the deepest, darkest moments of her life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Julie Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJulie Johnson2023-06-04 20:09:112023-06-06 17:41:44Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Julie Johnson
This raw true crime memoir tells the remarkable story of Toby as her life changes forever after she helps a convicted murderer flee the Lansing Correctional Facility where she volunteers in the dog training program. The story follows Toby’s healing, redemption, and progress as she navigates life post her life-changing decision. This was well-written, immersive, and engaging. I could not put it down and had to know what happened next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Robbhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Robb2023-06-04 02:54:382023-06-06 17:37:02Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Stephanie Robb
Crime, self discovery and redemption This was a deeply captivating read. Toby’s story just pulls you in and takes the reader on a journey inside the prison system and how she makes it out the other side. This is the first time I have ventured into this type of story and I’m so glad that I did. Glued from page one right til the end, I could not put this down. Amazingly insightful, well written and eye opening I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2023-06-03 23:40:242023-06-06 17:37:46Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Rayne East
Living With Conviction is the memoir of Toby Dorr. This memoir is about how Toby made a bad decision that changed her life forever. Working in a program that she’d created training dogs in a local prison, Toby finds herself falling in love with an inmate named John. Toby helps him to escape and they go on the run together. This story tells how Toby serving her prison sentence leads to her turning her life around. This story was very up-front and honest. It is actually quite soul-bearing. Toby is able to make you understand why she did what she did and the lessons learned. I was especially happy to read about how she found redemption with the community of female inmates that she was in prison with. It took a lot of bravery to tell her story and by doing so Toby has inspired so many.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00La Toya Lewishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLa Toya Lewis2023-06-03 14:38:422023-06-06 17:38:35Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by La Toya Lewis
Living With Conviction is a powerful True Crime Memoir written by the author about how she helped a convicted murderer escape from prison in a dog crate. It is a poignant, moving, real, and raw account of the sensationalized news story that was the inspiration for the movie ‘Jailbreak Lovers’. Told from Toby’s perspective the reader gets a firsthand account of the events leading up to the escape as well as when they were captured nearly two weeks later. Toby takes the reader through her time incarcerated in prison and her journey towards finding redemption, healing, and her own self-worth.
Having a Diploma in Criminology, and loving true crime books, this book was a must read for me. It is one thing to read a book written about a true crime case, or watch a movie about it, but it is another to read a firsthand account from the person themselves. Reading Toby’s memoir helped me gain insight into the reasons why someone might decide to commit a crime and helped me to gain a better understanding of the complex emotions that are often involved. Toby’s story is more complex than the sensationalized news story, or the tv movie of the week. It is about more than the thrilling jailbreak, the running from the law, or the high-speed police chase as Toby and John tried to evade capture. It is a story about self-discovery and finding one’s self-worth.
This was a beautifully written memoir that gives the reader insight into how one wrong mistake can have life altering changes. Toby’s life forever changed the moment she met and fell in love with a convicted murderer while she was working in the prison dog training program. Until the moment she met John her life had been dull, monotonous, and she had never even had a speeding ticket. When she met him, she felt like she was truly being listened to for the first time in her life and the two formed a strong connection. Until Toby met John it is apparent that she never felt heard, and that she felt unloved, and unwanted by those around her. Toby seems to be a people pleaser who did not know how to say no or stand up for herself. Meeting John changed that for her because he was attentive and for once in her life, she truly felt heard and loved. Helping him escape prison was a mistake that came with repercussions but ultimately helped her become stronger and find her purpose in life. This book had drama, danger, angst, heartbreak, love, hope, courage, faith, healing, and redemption. I highly recommend this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-06-03 11:58:572023-06-17 20:02:09Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
This memoir raw, real and the implications of what can happen when making a bad decision the aftermath that it entails. Toby’s journey really brings you in to her world and what can go wrong when she helps a convicted murder gain his freedom by escaping prison and the running from the law after. Toby brings real life, the good and bad, of everything that she had to endure while in prison. There is heartbreaking moments with her family and the choice she decided to made but also the self discovery of self worth and her transformation in the whole process. I know deep down Toby’s memoir is really heartfelt and true and her sharing the details at every turn really pulled at me.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lorralei Hoernerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLorralei Hoerner2023-06-02 22:44:082023-06-05 14:05:03Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Lorralei Hoerner
This was a really good read. It is the authors Memoir about her life, the decisions she made and the consequences of those decisions. It is a really raw and emotional story. It gives the reader a indepth look into the prison system and how inmates are treated. It also shows us what life is like after a person is released and trying to rebuild their life. The author’s life sounded pretty normal, she had a good job, a husband, nice lifestyle and kids, however like in a lot of seeming perfect lives the reality isn’t always the picture the outside world sees. When she meets John who is an inmate at the prison she volunteers at the connection is instant. She finds everything she is missing in her life in John and when they make plans for a life together she makes the decision to help him. A decision which will change her life forever.
I could understand Toby’s decision to cling on to and grab the happiness she was missing. But that one decision changes her life so much. In some ways in a really negative way however, as we learn it also gave her the opportunity to really find out who she was as a person. It was interesting to see and read about her growth and development of character as she had to deal with when she was taken out of her safe and comfortable environment and placed somewhere she had never experienced before. This story was a really inspiring read and seeing Toby’s growth and resilience as she overcome all the obstacles in front of her allows the reader the see that no matter what bad or misguided choices you made you can always change it around and become a more aware and developed person because of it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Carrhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Carr2023-06-02 09:44:362023-06-05 13:04:25Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Kerry Carr
Living With Conviction by Toby Dorr is a fascinating and powerful true crime memoir- an account of how the author came to help a convicted murderer escape from prison, and then end up on the run for nearly two weeks. It also tells of her capture, and time in incarceration, her experience ‘inside’, her relationship with fellow inmates, and so much more. This is an honest, enlightening, and intriguing tale of risk, danger, drama, choices, consequence, challenges, emotion, resilience, strength, self-discovery, heart break, sisterhood, friendship, healing, redemption, transformation, and hope. Life inside bars isn’t what any of us who have never been there can truly understand- it isn’t what we see portrayed on television, or in movies. Toby Dorr goes from being outside ‘the system’, to very quickly ‘inside’. She gives us a raw and honest account of her time in incarceration- and how she ended up there- and how she, and her life has irrevocably changed since. Compelling! Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-06-02 07:55:262023-06-05 14:00:39Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Angela Hayes
I’m not sure if I loved this book as much as everyone else will or does. It is well written and of course it tells her own life story which is wonderful but I think my personal feelings got into the way a bit with it. I’m usually pretty open minded. This book had me questioning so much with no room for excuses. I’m not saying it’s a bad book because she did a wonderful job telling her story but sometimes you just don’t mesh with the story whether real or not. I do recommend reading it for yourself so you can see for yourself.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tonya Merritthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTonya Merritt2023-06-02 06:36:302023-06-05 14:00:03Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Tonya Merritt
Living with Conviction by Toby Dorr is available now in eBook, Audiobook, and Physical Book ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review
“Toby Dorr takes full responsibility for the actions that sent her to prison but refuses to let the worst decision of her life determine the rest of her life.” Living with Conviction is so much more than a story of a woman serving a sentence for helping a convicted murderer escape from prison. “She reveals that beneath the reality of her life altering decisions was the innate desire to be loved, have value, worth and significance.” Dorr’s story allows one to realize that redemption is always possible. Her story is emotional, heartbreaking, and honest. Dorr accepted her fate and made the best of it. Developing a sisterhood and standing her ground for what is right in prison. The transparency within will keep you pondering how one could deal with such a decision and its consequences with such positivity. This memoir stole my heart from the very beginning. I have personally worked in a jail and have my own feelings about staff/inmate relationships but reading about Dorr’s personal growth and self-rediscovery has really allowed me to open my mind and see this in a different perspective. Thank you Toby Dorr for sharing your story with the world. May you continue to find happiness in all that you do. I highly recommend Living with Conviction to all readers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ashley Mertzhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAshley Mertz2023-06-01 19:57:062023-06-05 13:57:25Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Ashley Mertz
I enjoyed reading this true crime story by this author. The story takes on a life of itself as the author tells her experience with the situation. It is a fast paced and hard to put down story. A story that is gripping and heartfelt. It was an emotional roller coaster for me as well. I felt for the author as she is retelling her story. It is a well written story that would satisfy anyone who likes true crime stories. I really enjoyed reading this author. I highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2023-06-01 16:47:362023-06-05 13:22:04Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Bobbi Wagner
Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr. This is a fast paced true story of a prison break. Toby Dorr was a volunteer at the jail assisting with training dogs thru her Safe Harbor Prison Dog Program. Michael was 17 when his life went downhill, he was going to help a friend steal a car and during the car jacking a gun went off and he was charged with murder. Due to a weird law Michael was charged with murder even though he didn’t even touch the gun. He was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Toby had a hard upbringing having to raise her siblings and she had a husband and kids at home. She was in all senses of the word, successful. When she meets Michael in the jail she falls hard and fast. When they hatch a plan to break Michael out her life unfolds horribly. They end up crashing and both going to prison. While she is in prison she reflects on how she used busyness to hide her loneliness, heartache and depression. This is such a good memoir and once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2023-06-01 12:17:402023-06-05 13:54:33Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Tausha Treadway
4.5 stars Living With Conviction is a gripping true crime memoir. It is also a tale of long overdue self-discovery. Toby Dorr bravely tells her story of aiding a convicted murderer. It is a soul baring, raw, powerful, and frank telling of love and the aftermath of one wrong turn in life’s journey. It is Toby’s story of her how her life took her from one side of the bars to the other side. We get a riveting and eye-opening view of life inside jail. It is a look as Toby finds bonds and friendships in the most unlikely of places. It takes us on a hard journey of self-awareness to self-growth, worthiness and understanding, of looking deep inside oneself. It exposes the undertones of prison life that they try to keep under wraps and a broken system that needs to be fixed. It also shows how families and communities’ frown upon the label of being in prison and their treatment thereof. I am so glad Toby shared her story and that I took a chance to read it. It is one book that is a must on everyone’s TBR list.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-06-01 06:48:472023-06-05 13:00:56Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Jenni Bishop
Toby’s story is truly inspirational about how she overcame and tried to change the system while she was in for what she did wrong. She knew her mistake and acknowledged it. She learned to stand up for herself. She tried to make a better world. I found this to be a well written book that I couldn’t put down. It’s a definite must read. I don’t want to give a lot away. Toby shares her vulnerability with the world and because of this, we get to read a 5 star memoir of this year. A truly fascinating book that shows there is hope and things can change one person at a time.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2023-06-01 06:42:042023-06-05 12:57:47Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Shelly Kittell
“Toby Dorr’s memoir is a remarkable true crime story of redemption that recounts her unexpected descent into aiding a convicted murderer’s escape from prison. Though she had no prior record, Dorr’s story is a testament to the power of transformation and personal growth.
Dorr’s memoir goes beyond the sensationalism of the headline-grabbing escape and offers a unique perspective on the criminal justice system. Her story delves deep into the psychological and emotional challenges of incarceration, as well as the healing and transformative power of resilience. Through her own experiences, Dorr discovered a sense of purpose and direction in her life, despite the hardships of her prison sentence.
The memoir is a gripping and powerful tale of heartbreak, courage, grace, and redemption. It is filled with drama, action, and adventure, but at its core, it is a story of personal growth and self-discovery. Dorr invites readers to join her on a journey that explores the human capacity for change and redemption, and how even in the darkest of moments, there is hope for a better future.
For true crime enthusiasts, Dorr’s memoir is a must-read. It offers a rare insight into the complexities and nuances of criminal behavior, and the impact it has on those who find themselves caught up in it. However, the memoir is not just a tale of crime and punishment. It is a story of resilience and transformation, and an inspiring reminder that redemption is always possible.”
“Toby Dorr dared the unthinkable. She liberated a handsome younger man, a convicted murderer, from Lansing Correctional Facility. Since completing her time in Federal Prison, Toby has achieved two Master’s degrees and rebuilt a broken life.
Through her memoir, Living With Conviction, you will feel all the heart-pounding, tear-jerking, heartbreaking, eye-opening experiences that touch the most primal human need, the need to be significant. A fascinating prison tale, through the lens of love, inspires change.
Continuing the movement, The Unleashed Series, implores women through twelve-week programs to escape what confines them.
Finally, a poetry volume, You Are Not Your Worst Mistake, features poems from Toby’s prison journals.
Featured in the Wall Street Journal, Anderson Cooper, Brooke Baldwin, Inside Edition, The Atlantic, and Dateline, Toby is a featured guest on podcasts, including the nationally-ranked Criminal podcast. A screenplay is in the works. A Lifetime movie, Jailbreak Lovers, was released in July of 2022.
Toby invites you to visit her website at TobyDorr.com
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/livingwithconviction.jpg1200800itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-06-01 00:03:592023-06-19 21:58:07Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr
When I saw this book on my suggested reads I was super excited to read it as I have always wanted to write a historical fiction novel and knew that this would be a great place to start! Reading this book helped me in knowing how much would go into writing a book like this, even though I have always known it would a bit more work than the normal novel as if I were to go about this the right way I would want it to be historically accurate. After reading this book I have a good idea on where to start, and what the process will look like, which I believe is helpful to any author. I highly suggest everyone who plans to write a historical fiction novel in the future start by reading this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kayla Kearneyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKayla Kearney2023-03-30 08:19:352023-04-07 10:26:27How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Kayla Kearney
This is a well thought out and very detailed book. If you are thinking of writing a historical novel this it’s definitely the how to for you. Every section has more information you may not have thought of. Not only does this book give you an overview of what details you should have in a historical novel but it also gives you a basis in publishing a historical novel!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dahniellehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDahnielle2023-03-23 22:13:402023-03-28 09:30:40How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Dahnielle Hibbert
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
