In her debut book, a memoir, Natalia Mbadu weaves together poems, prose, and song lyrics that tell a story about hope in times of darkness and doubt. Growing up in an Angolan Christian household and moving to the United States at seven years old, Natalia contends with the pressure of navigating life as an immigrant in Portland, Maine. As mental health challenges and questions of faith surface, Natalia starts to sink. She asks herself where she will seek refuge. Where is God in the midst of all the chaos? God knows her, but does she know God? Surely the Darkness Will Cover Me asks the question: How do we find the light in our darkest times?

MEMOIR | Paperback | 2024 | ISBN: 979-8-9877055-7-5

Discussion Questions:

• What gives you strength and hope during hardships? What do you hold onto during challenging times?

• Describe your relationship with faith (this doesn’t necessarily have to be a religion). What do you believe in? How do your beliefs shape who you are?

• The author writes about finding solace in music. What are some songs that bring you comfort? What do they mean to you?

Writing Prompts:

• Make a list of 10 life-changing moments for you (it can be anything as moving to another country to eating a really good sandwich). Write about one of the things on your list. Consider your audience—is this something you are writing just for yourself, or something you’d like to share with other people. Does this change the way you write it?

Activity:

Write a letter to your younger self. What do you wish they knew? What advice would you give them?