Books Donated
One book for you. One book for someone inside.
Books Requested, Not Yet Placed
Your purchase helps place this book into the hands of people currently incarcerated or preparing for life after release—while giving you a copy to read and share.
From Surviving to Living
A true story of incarceration, faith, and transformation.
Every time you buy a copy of From Surviving to Living, one additional copy is donated to a correctional facility or reentry program.
One book for you. One book for someone inside.
You may also choose to donate one or more books directly, even if you don’t purchase one for yourself.
An incredible tale of brutal honesty, hope, and despair.
I was moved to tears in so many parts, and equally inspired and encouraged by Holly’s strength, insight, and reflection.
Her book forced me to hold a mirror to myself, and confront the poor attitudes and behaviours I’ve adopted, and the excuses I use to avoid being accountable for my actions.
Why This Book Matters
People in jail and prison are often cut off from honest stories that reflect their humanity, faith, and capacity for change.
From Surviving to Living is being shared inside correctional facilities because it:
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Speaks plainly about incarceration from lived experience
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Addresses shame, isolation, and spiritual survival
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Offers hope without minimizing harm or pain
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Helps readers imagine life beyond confinement
- Demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus is the key to transformation
This book is not theory. It’s testimony.
About the Author
Holly Bot is a Minnesota author, speaker, and former inmate. After spending time in jail and prison, she rebuilt her life through faith, truth-telling, and community.
She now works with correctional facilities, nonprofits, and advocacy groups to bring stories of transformation to people on both sides of the walls.
Two Ways to Help
Option 1: Buy a Book for Yourself
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You receive a personal copy
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One matching copy is donated to a correctional facility or approved program
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This is the easiest way to support both awareness and access
Option 2: Donate Books Directly
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Purchase one or more copies for donation only
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No personal copy required
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Books will be sent to facilities based on requests
The Impact
- 200 Copies placed in Minnesota correctional facilities as of Dec 2025
- Additional facilities in Minnesota and Florida on a waiting list to receive donated copies
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Used in chaplain-led, reentry, and personal study contexts
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Shared with incarcerated women and men seeking reflection and hope
Request Books or an Event
Correctional facilities, jails, chaplains, treatment and reentry programs may request donated copies or inquire about events and conversations.
Holly hosts and participates in:
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Book talks and signings
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Faith-based and justice-focused discussions
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Correctional facility and reentry program events
Choose How You’d Like to Help
An incredible tale of brutal honesty, hope, and despair.
I was moved to tears in so many parts, and equally inspired and encouraged by Holly’s strength, insight, and reflection.
Her book forced me to hold a mirror to myself, and confront the poor attitudes and behaviours I’ve adopted, and the excuses I use to avoid being accountable for my actions.
Despite the religious aspects of this book, it is far from a sermon like lecture, passages from the bible punctuate poignant events in Holly’s story and serve as moments of learning and food for thought.
‘From Surviving to Living’ also gives a detailed insight as to what incarcerated life may look like, I learned so much from these pages.
I finished your book in one sitting. Reading it again. Trying to process emotions to words…
“A remarkable piece of work with a timeless message for all those who find themselves in a painful situation or condition from which it seems impossible to escape…If you are searching for some resource to help in rescuing people from impossible situations, I urge you to acquire a copy!”
I just started reading it and I don’t want to stop!
I finished…and all I can say is AMAZING. I am so deeply moved. 5 stars. I cannot recommend it enough.
From Surviving to Living is not a comfortable read…and that’s exactly why it matters. Holly Bot opens the door to a story most people would never expect to hear directly from the source: a woman who has faced the consequences of her past, served her time, and chosen to walk through the hard work of transformation.
This memoir isn’t about excuses. It’s about ownership, honesty, humanity, and the kind of grace that is tested in the hardest places. Holly writes with a clarity that doesn’t hide her failures, and a hope that doesn’t pretend the journey was easy. Her faith, and her willingness to confront who she used to be versus who she is becoming, give this book its emotional weight.
Whether you come to this book out of curiousity, compassion, or your own search for redemption, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of what change can lok like for someone who has lost everything and still chooses to rebuild.
A courageous, vulnerable testimony…and a powerful reminder that every life has the capacity to turn toward something better.
I love the book… I wish it was longer.
I was honestly sad to run out of pages to read. I loved hearing how Jesus interacted with Holly. She writes as if she were re-living the events.
I just finished the book. I am in awe! I couldn’t put it down (unless I had to lol).
This book was amazing and a look into what a prisoner deals with. Hard to put down once you start reading.
Honest, raw, and deeply human. It’s a reminder that life isn’t always a straight path, but can be a messy, still beautiful process. You took me on your journey and I shared your pain, felt the lessons, and was inspired by your faith. You’ve written a book that will help people feel seen, help them to be motivated, and hopefull they can find or strengthen a relationship with the Lord.
How From Surviving to Living Serves Facilities and the People They Support
From Surviving to Living is a deeply personal memoir that addresses the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges faced by individuals navigating incarceration, reentry, recovery, and life transition. Through an honest account of confinement, mental health struggles, broken relationships, and spiritual surrender, the book offers readers a model for finding meaning, resilience, and purpose in difficult circumstances.
For incarcerated individuals, residents, and program participants, the book provides emotional validation, hope, and practical insight into experiences such as intake, isolation, mental health treatment, family separation, and reentry. By openly sharing struggles with depression, anger, shame, and healing, the narrative reassures readers that they are not alone and that change is possible, even in restrictive or transitional environments.
For facilities and organizations, including correctional institutions, jails, reentry programs, treatment centers, chaplaincy services, and community-based programs, the memoir serves as a resource for education, reflection, and engagement. It fosters empathy and understanding by illuminating the internal experiences behind behavior, highlighting the role of structure, accountability, faith, and supportive programming in personal transformation.
More than a memoir, From Surviving to Living is a tool that supports psychological, emotional, and spiritual growth. It can be used for individual reading, group discussion, faith-based programming, or reentry preparation, benefiting not only those served but also the broader community by encouraging healing, responsibility, and successful reintegration.
For Incarcerated Individuals
This memoir speaks directly to inmate needs by honestly depicting the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges of incarceration. Through transparent storytelling about isolation, mental health struggles, broken family ties, and navigating prison routines, it gives readers validation, hope, and a model of resilience and spiritual growth. The book offers practical insight into intake, segregation, mental health treatment, and maintaining relationships while inside. Its message of faith, healing, and personal transformation encourages inmates to pursue growth, participate in programs, and believe that change is possible.
For Facilities
The memoir is a valuable staff resource, offering a clearer understanding of inmate behavior, mental health, and the impact of structure, community, and compassion. It supports rehabilitative efforts by encouraging positive behavior, reducing hopelessness, and helping inmates engage more meaningfully in counseling, faith-based programs, and peer support. Its themes contribute to safer environments, stronger communication, and greater readiness for reentry.
For Loved Ones
The book also serves families by providing an intimate look into the emotional and spiritual realities of incarceration—from separation and custody struggles to navigating communication barriers. It offers validation, practical insight into the system, and encouragement rooted in faith. By showing the author’s journey of forgiveness, healing, and restored relationships, it gives loved ones hope for reconciliation and tools to support their incarcerated family member while caring for their own wellbeing.
