Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in the DarknessBy Lori Hodges (Book Review #2147)

Shaking in the Forest is a gripping, heartfelt memoir that doesn’t just recount trauma—it transforms it. Lori Hodges brings thirty years of frontline emergency service experience to this powerful work, blending the adrenaline of disaster response with the quiet, often invisible wounds of personal struggle.

Opening with the visceral tension of a plane crash and closing with the harrowing experience of a life-threatening illness, Hodges takes readers on an emotional journey through chaos, loss, recovery, and growth. Yet this is not a book about despair. It’s about resilience. It’s about choosing to stand in the darkness and still reach for the light.

Hodges writes with the clarity and compassion of someone who has lived through the unimaginable and come out stronger. As a former firefighter, paramedic, and emergency manager, she has helped countless people through some of the worst moments of their lives. But what makes this book shine is her vulnerability—how she turns that same lens inward to share her own pain, uncertainty, and the hard-earned lessons that emerged from it.

Each chapter offers profound reflections on human connection, purpose, and the beauty hidden in catastrophe. Whether it’s the camaraderie formed in emergency service teams or the quiet strength drawn from a stranger’s kindness, Hodges reminds us that even in the most isolating moments, we are never truly alone.

What makes Shaking in the Forest so memorable is its balance: deeply personal yet universally relatable, grounded in real-world crises but elevated by spiritual insight. It’s a book for anyone who has faced adversity, whether through illness, trauma, grief, or professional burnout—and who needs to know that there is a way forward.

Poignant, wise, and ultimately uplifting, this memoir is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find meaning amid chaos. Lori Hodges doesn’t just tell us how to survive the storm—she shows us how to grow through it.

Written by Jeyran Main

“Looking for editing, marketing, or book reviews? Explore our services and let us help you elevate your book!”

“Want your book featured in our magazine? Feature an editorial book review in our Book Review Magazine or submit an article in our Book Article Magazine.”