Author and professional psychic Michael Bodine has shared his true life tales of ghost-busting, haunted houses and growing up in a whirlwind of psychic activity in the aptly named Growing Up Psychic: From Skeptic to Believer.  This book would have been a really good novel. Since it is a biography, it is an absolutely fascinating and compelling read.

Michael takes us through his unusual, to put it mildly, childhood and teen years.  The angst he feels at having to deal with ghosts, particularly not-so-welcome ghosts, is palpable.  It can be tough for an empath to read of the emotional ranges that the young Michael has no choice but to live through.  Yet throughout the book there are some seriously funny episodes, laugh out loud funny, in fact.  At times I would even stop reading and find someone to share a highly amusing passage with.  Michael's dead friend, Jerry, stirs up trouble that, while sometimes only mild, can turn into a dangerous and frightening situation all too fast.

The effects of so much spiritual turmoil took their toll.  Michael became a heavy drug and alcohol user as a way to cope and self-medicate.  Yet he finally manages to turn his adult life around and work hard to help others through the use of psychic readings and some memorable ghost-busting with his sister, Echo, as his partner.

Michael's writing style is very comfortable and very human.  He writes as if he is speaking to you one-on-one and telling you his innermost secrets.  The book is quite touching, edgy and current, and I can fully understand why his story has been optioned for a movie, and why there is a television show planned as well.  I recommend this book to Biography readers, fans of New Age and Spiritual books and lovers of a good ghost story.  It's not for the faint of heart, and I was happy to have someone else home when I was reading it—both for the scary parts and the funny parts.  All in all an excellent read.  I look forward to learning more about Michael Bodine as the next chapters of his life unfold.