Readers who are going through chronic illness and pain will likely really relate to this story and may give some new perspectives. The author, Arlene Faulk, tells about her journey of diagnosis with MS and the long list of questions without answers that comes with this kind of illness. Her strong mental resilience and her determination to live life to the fullest is inspirational. Additionally, her connection to Tai Chi is also one that might be inspirational or a source of strength for readers struggling with similar issues. I enjoyed the book but at times had a hard time connecting with the author and her writing style. Memoirs are my favourite genre, so that helped, but it was still not the perfect fit for me. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

This book was definitely relatable! I personally have gone through health challenges for years and I relate so much to her journey and hard times. She talks about the struggles of getting off the couch and not wanting to do day to day stuff because of fatique and pain. She accurately describes the life someone with a chronic illness would have in easy terms while also being empathetic to life around her

Walking on Pins and Needles
A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis
by Arlene K. Faulk
Pub Date 22 Feb 2022
Greenleaf Book Group, River Grove Books
Biographies & Memoirs


I’ve graciously been granted a copy of Walking On Pins and Needles, A Memoir of Chronic Resilience through Greenleaf Book Group:



As a Senior in High-School Arlene Faulk was voted most likely to succeed, as a senior in high school with a bright future ahead, you set challenging goals and move forward to fulfill expectations. But at the age of twenty two in the middle of the busiest shopping day of the year, Arlene loses all feeling in her body from the waist down. Her mobility returns but she’s given no diagnosis, and one question pervades her thoughts: What is happening to my body? It would be years later when she gets her answer, Multiple Sclerosis.



Arlene Faulk is an accomplished business women storyteller, and Tai Chi instructor—knew, multiple sclerosis wasn’t going to get in her way. She was and is determined to live her life to the fullest..


Walking on Pins and Needles is one women’s moving memoir on how for years she struggles to understand and conceal her debilitating symptoms as she ascends the corporate ladder in a major airline comes a story of perseverance, rediscovery, and hope in light of multiple sclerosis. As she jumps into the unknown, Faulk finds comfort and healing through Chinese medicine and Tai Chi. Her inspiring story demonstrates how a chronic and debilitating health condition lacks the power to control our lives and stop us from moving in the direction of possibility.



I give Walking on Pins and Needles five out of five stars.


A definite recommend read in my opinion.

I've been trying to get through this book for a bit now and I'm just not connecting with the author. Her writing style is just not a good fit for me. After reading the first 20%, I took a break to read another memoir and found myself with no urge to go back to finish this one so it's time to move along.

Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group, River Grove Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.