NYC Big Book Award: GAB TALKS with Christina Vitagliano

"Sharing one’s entire life story is no easy task; not for me, not for anyone. I grew up in the ’70s, before the age of information, cell phones, social media, and the internet when the deeply personal subject of abuse was rarely mentioned. So, for decades, I felt like this was my secret. My pain. My shame. As I grew older and the free sharing of information became the norm, I realized that I was not alone in this category. So many others had similar secrets and stories, but the endings to those stories were often tragic, even horrific, and at times included self-medication, addiction, and suicide." Christina Vitagliano is an author, entrepreneur, and the founder of the successful Family entertainment concept, Monster Mini Golf. She's also a survivor of childhood abuse. A unique, candid, sincere, straightforward, no-holds-barred story of a young woman’s journey growing up as the victim of child abuse and how she overcame it despite the odds. Shared firsthand from the voice of a 4-year-old child and progresses as she matures into adulthood. Every 9 Minutes is an eye-opening memoir that delves into the depths of abuse and reveals how one woman learned to retake control of her life and emerge victorious. The author will have you feeling her pain, laughing through her coming of age, and, most importantly, raising awareness of something far too many children have endured. Despite dysfunctional relationships and the soul-crushing torment of sexual exploitation, Every 9 Minutes is a testament to the power of perseverance, showing how Christina emerged from her pain and trauma to build a life of purpose and happiness. With an empowering call to action, she encourages other sufferers of childhood abuse to step forward and take control of their lives, channeling their pain into motivation and refusing to let their trauma define them.