Home Is Within You

A Memoir of Recovery and Redemption

By: Nadia Davis

Narrated by: Nadia Davis

Dear Son, I’m going to tell you a story, the most difficult one to share.

As a young Latina and Native American lawyer and former wife of California’s attorney general and treasurer, Nadia Davis has long been subjected to public scrutiny. In this powerful homage to finding one’s worth in the face of mental health struggles, addiction, and public shaming, Davis shares her remarkable story. She reveals the depths of the darkness she went through, while gracefully offering transformational healing and an end to the choking grasp of shame.

Lyrical and captivating, Home Is Within You recounts the author’s experience of trauma and addiction amid a highly publicized abusive relationship. Davis is brutally honest about her experiences and generous in revealing the paths she found to wholeness through spiritual advocacy, healthy co-parenting, and a dedication to preventing generational trauma.

Home Is Within You shares one woman’s courageous journey to recovery as a mother and as a woman, and her narrative is a defense of privacy, parenthood, and autonomy.

©2023 Nadia Davis (P)2023 Girl Friday Books

Critic reviews

“A powerful example of following our light within to break a cycle of trauma and consciously choose a life of happiness. Nadia is a true warrior spirit and champion for the fight against injustice.” —Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness, also a major motion picture

“Nadia Davis is a brilliant writer, attorney, and crusader for causes. Her book, Home Is Within You, encompasses her journey from crisis to redemption. It’s truly a compelling read.” —Leigh Steinberg, American sports agent and author

“A memoir of healing from trauma and addiction from a well-known West Coast political figure . . . With admirable candor, she shares a story of resilience, delving into childhood and adult traumas, including a nearly fatal car accident and difficulties involving a stalker, and tells how she worked to overcome intense feelings of ‘shame, fear, and resentment.’ Davis is an open and unwavering narrator who presents readers with explicit descriptions of sexual assault, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. The work touches on issues of privacy, motherhood, injustice, and mental health, including important criticisms of how addiction is criminalized and misunderstood. . . . A remembrance with a powerful message about strength and recovery . . .” —Kirkus Reviews

Excellent story, writing and presentation

This was probably my 100th listen on audible this year and definitely my favourite. First the story is real, it’s genuine and entertaining. So many times I like a book but the readers voice or the way it’s read kind of becomes a turn off. Nadia reading her words that reflect her emotions are what make this sooo good. You won’t be disappointed.

So much honesty and insight.

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews here. Nadia is very generous in sharing her story with readers. Every adult, young and old, needs to read this book because they will most likely resonate with one or more of her stories. Even if you don't resonate with the level and depth of her story (because she has many tragic tales to share) you will resonate on some level. There were a few times when I asked myself why she did what she did but we have to remember that our mind is a powerful thing and it can be hard to understand why our brain works the way it does, especially with such immense trauma.

Honestly, if I had known that Nadia and her husband were powerful Democrats from California I wouldn't have purchased this book. I'm really glad I didn't know because she never makes this a platform for Democrats and I would have missed out on a powerful story otherwise.

Nadia's story is moving, heartbreaking, insightful and at times difficult to hear. But we must hear her story in order to attempt to make a difference somehow.