Damaris Melo-Gyasi's Making My Way is a poignant memoir that shows the power of resilience and determination. For many in Damaris’ community in São Paulo, having big dreams seemed selfish and wanting too much. Even her father said so, but Damaris wanted to be an architect, and she was determined to achieve this goal. Damaris dedicated herself to school work, drowning out all the criticism that came from neighbors, family members, and churchmates. She faced failures and miraculous victories that she knew were not just luck but the divine favor of God in her life. She went for what she wanted, finding a spot in the school of architecture at the University of São Paulo. With fear and little international exposure, she still fought her way into a scholarship to America and learnt a language that was completely foreign to her. Through all this, she kept her eyes on her goal, and when she got the position she always wished for, she realized that the journey that took decades was worth it.

Making My Way is an inspiring story that shows the importance of believing in yourself and your dreams. This is one of the most captivating and suspenseful memoirs I have ever read. The ups and downs that Damaris Melo-Gyasi went through will have you on the edge of your seat and rooting for her. She had moments when she came close to success, faced failure, and still found the strength to continue chasing her dream. You will find yourself crying, facing moments of doubt, and rejoicing with her in these pages. The memoir delves deeply into issues that affect women who are trying to make a difference in their lives. The author talks about the resistance that came from her family, church, and community, and the people in powerful positions who wanted to crush her dreams because she came from humble beginnings, and they thought she did not belong. She also talks about sexual harassment and workplace envy, which affected her psychologically. I love that she was not a quitter because many who have faced similar situations have backed down and watched their chances pass by. This is a motivating story, and I hope many readers will learn from Damaris’s journey and find the courage to keep going even when their goals seem impossible.

Growing up in a religious household in São Paulo, Damaris Melo-Gyasi was never encouraged to follow her dreams of becoming an architect. In Making My Way, the author shares her story of how she overcame overwhelming odds to get what she wanted from life. At thirteen, Damaris suffered deep emotional trauma after being molested on a train. To keep her dream alive, she worked part-time at her aunt's business and later did her internship at an architectural firm. After studying architecture at the University of São Paulo, Damaris applied for a full-scholarship exchange program at Arizona State University. She eventually found her way to America. However, it took a while to acclimate to her new environment and learn English. Yet, Damaris continued to chase her lifelong dream.

Making My Way is an inspiring true story that illustrates the importance of resilience, perseverance, and resolve. Author Damaris Melo-Gyasi gives an unflinching account of her experiences in this book, leaving nothing out and sharing all the highs and lows of her life. This memoir also serves as a real-life coming-of-age story. From her struggles competing in exams to her life in America, Damaris went through a lot to become an architect. But she never let the unexpected hurdles sway her from following her path. Her life story shows the power of human ingenuity and courage. Although everyone has a different dream, I think most readers will be able to relate to Damaris. The book is accessible and written in a way that makes it easy for readers to resonate with the author's experiences. I found it very inspirational and highly recommend it.

Damaris grew up in São Paulo, Brazil. The family was not very well off, which affected how they spent their money and resources. Damaris and her siblings also had to take on part-time jobs to help with the bills. One day, her father invited an architect to their home to help design a new house for the family. Damaris loves the idea of architecture from the word go and made the decision that she also wanted to be an architect when she grew up. Her father tells her it might not be possible, but Damaris is determined. Her father advises her to join a technical high school that focuses on construction and provides Damaris with a foundation in architecture, with the hope that she will give up her dream of attending university. How will things unfold in Making My Way as Damaris Melo-Gyasi charts her path?

In Making My Way: A Story of Grit and Grace, Damaris Melo-Gyasi shows through her own journey that determination and hard work pay off. I loved how the work captured the importance of believing in oneself and of strong social support. The book also addresses other issues, such as sexual harassment of women in public places. It reminds people to speak out when such evil happens. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about how upbringing influences who we become. Damaris ensured the pacing was steady, and the reader will also appreciate the vivid descriptions of events and emotions, which help to capture the reader's imagination. This is a good book, and I look forward to reading something else by Damaris Melo-Gyasi.

Making My Way: A Story of Grit and Grace by Damaris Melo-Gyasi traces a life shaped by faith, ambition, and the determination to rise above circumstance. Her story begins in inner-city São Paulo, Brazil, where her childhood is defined by a strict religious life, financial scarcity, and an early awareness of what society expects of a poor Black girl. A formative moment comes when, at only seven years old, she encounters an architect for the first time and feels a sudden calling toward a future no one around her believes is possible. The memoir follows her adolescence as she navigates harsh realities, including danger in public spaces, the weight of family expectations, and the emotional toll of growing up without security or ease. Throughout, the author holds tightly to the dream of education and a professional purpose, even as the world around her repeatedly insists that certain paths are not meant for people like her.

Damaris Melo-Gyasi writes with immediacy and a deeply personal voice, drawing readers into the sensory and emotional texture of her experiences. The pacing shifts between intense childhood scenes and reflective adult commentary, creating a narrative that is intimate and expansive. The writing style uses intentional fragments, spacing, and changes in rhythm to shape the narrative. Her prose is descriptive and direct, often capturing moments of fear, longing, and spiritual conviction with striking clarity. Readers who enjoy memoirs about immigration, faith, ambition, and women forging unexpected futures will find Making My Way especially compelling. It speaks of the quiet persistence required to keep moving forward and offers a meaningful portrait of a life built step by step. It's a beautiful, emotional, and inspirational read.