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A memoir by Stephenie Auman

East of Who I Was

A memoir of beautiful, chaotic self-discovery.

Part travel journal, part reckoning. Steph traces the years she spent quietly  outgrowing a life that looked fine from the outside and the long road east that taught her how to come home to herself.

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5.0 on Amazon · 14 reviews

5.0 on Amazon · loved by founders & event teams

5.0 · 20 Amazon reviews

Jane

I thought I  reading a book about growing up in a middle class Christian family in New Jersey and seeing how an Asian influence may have shaped things to come,  which is why I picked it, and felt it would be intriguing, having spent many years in both locations  –  but  it turned out to be a book about leaving your safety net behind,  learning to be brave, learning to trust yourself, take a chance, grow and become the person you are meant to be.  It took me from New Jersey to North Carolina, but more importantly traveling throughout Asia meeting fascinating people, seeing incredibly wondrous places, and learning about people and love and all the things that make up life. I felt the excitement and nervousness just as she does!   It inspires any of us to do the same – start by seeing what you can give the world – and then see how very much it gives back to you in return

Denise Wilson

What an amazing journey of self-awareness and self discovery! I can 100% relate to growing up in this type of separatist religious community and the detrimental impact it can have on a person. Looking back, I call my experience cult-ish (but that’s a story for another day). Through all the ups and downs, it definitely seems like Stephenie’s journey to Korea was necessary. Necessary for growth, necessary for  exposure to life and culture, necessary for her future. I could relate to so much of Stephenie’s experiences, especially as it relates to relationships and dating. There were even a couple of times when I wanted to fight someone (pretty pictures IYKYK). I am so happy that I read this book and have recommended it to a few others as well!

Cordell Riley
A Brave, Funny and Gripping, Leap Into the Unknown

So many of us talk about doing it. Auman actually did. She doesn't just describe the leap from a sheltered, mapped-out life into the wide-open unknown, she pulls you into it, with more courage than certainty and the kind of honesty that makes you feel every wrong turn and small triumph as your own. What makes East of Who I Was unforgettable is that she could be anyone, someone you'd never expect to jump, someone like you or me, held back by the very reasons she pushed past.

Korea works a quiet magic of its own, a place far from everything she knew that somehow brought her closer to herself. Part memoir, part reckoning, part love letter to the messy work of becoming, this is a rich, funny, quietly fearless book. Reading it feels less like opening someone else's story than sitting across from a braver friend. For anyone who's ever wondered whether there's more out there, this one will stay with you long after the last page.
Jane
I thought I reading a book about growing up in a middle class Christian family in New Jersey and seeing how an Asian influence may have shaped things to come, which is why I picked it, and felt it would be intriguing, having spent many years in both locations - but it turned out to be a book about leaving your safety net behind, learning to be brave, learning to trust yourself, take a chance, grow and become the person you are meant to be. It took me from New Jersey to North Carolina, but more importantly traveling throughout Asia meeting fascinating people, seeing incredibly wondrous places, and learning about people and love and all the things that make up life. I felt the excitement and nervousness just as she does! It inspires any of us to do the same - start by seeing what you can give the world - and then see how very much it gives back to you in return.
Denise Wilson
What an amazing journey of self-awareness and self-discovery! I can 100% relate to growing up in this type of separatist religious community and the detrimental impact it can have on a person. Looking back, I call my experience cult-ish (but that's a story for another day). Through all the ups and downs, it definitely seems like Stephenie's journey to Korea was necessary. Necessary for growth, necessary for exposure to life and culture, necessary for her future. I could relate to so much of Stephenie's experiences, especially as it relates to relationships and dating. There were even a couple of times when I wanted to fight someone (pretty pictures-IYKYK). I am so happy that I read this book and have recommended it to a few others as well!
Minnie
Reading East of Who I Was by Stephenie Auman felt surprisingly personal. As a little girl who grew up in the North within a separatist religion, I found myself relating to parts of her journey. It gave me a glimpse into someone who started with circumstances that felt familiar to my own, yet chose to follow her heart fearlessly, leading to extraordinary experiences and personal growth.

The story reads like a coming-of-age memoir that I could easily imagine as a heartfelt movie. Stephanie's writing pull me in, It was one of those rare books that was genuinely hard to put down.

If you enjoy stories about courage, self-discovery, and choosing your own path despite where you came from, this is absolutely worth the read.
Michael Sides
This book is PHENOMENAL! From cover to cover, you will be enthralled with Stephenie's story and encouraged to view life through a new lens. Stephenie does such a beautiful job weaving her lived experience into lessons that anyone can translate into their own lives. Her journey of navigating love, religion, friendships, and life outside her comfort displays vulnerability in such a way that makes you feel as though you had lived these experiences with her. So much so that I often found myself wanting to jump between the pages and smack some sense into her! I highly recommend this book for anyone who may be considering a change of scenery, struggling with their place in life, or just loves a good story!
Mariah Fogg
East of Who I Was is a remarkable memoir and a true gift to readers. It is a page-turner because Stephenie candidly shares her journey through life's obstacles and opportunities. Her examination of her own experiences with vulnerability is inspiring, and her courage in sharing those reflections with others makes the book especially powerful. Beyond being a captivating personal story, it offers wisdom and insights that resonate far beyond the author's individual experience. I found myself pocketing many lessons that speak to universal aspects of being human. Highly recommend!
Nathan Burrows
I took this book with me on a trip to Peru and it was a beautiful read! Stephenie is so real and authentic in sharing her journey, and she has done it ALL! So neat to read of a lifetime of adventure she crammed into a couple of years.
Lora
Charming, insightful, and captivating, this story beautifully weaves adventure with the timeless search for self. It’s a heartfelt coming-of-age journey filled with emotion, growth, and moments that linger long after the final page. Applaud-worthy from beginning to end — I absolutely loved it. My heart is full. This quote from East of Who I Was is a beautiful reflection of the heart of this memoir: “The poet Rumi said that “the wound is the place where the light enters you.”
Alex R Ouellette
An inspired and thought-provoking memoir about growth and discovery. I found myself reflecting on my past deeply while reading it.
"I left the version of myself that everyone applauded, and I went looking for the one I could actually live with."
Quote from the Author

About the author

Stephenie Auman

Stephenie is a Charlotte-based filmmaker, speaker, and author. Her work — on screen
and on the page — sits at the intersection of identity, travel, and the quiet courage it
takes to start again.

East of Who I Was is her debut memoir.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Meet Steph on tour.

Book signings, launch parties, and live readings from East of Who I Was.

All events

Friday, Jul 24, 2026 · 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Author Hangout & Pop up with Memoir Author Stephenie Auman

3744 N NC 16, Denver, NC 28037-8179, United States

Join us Friday, July 24, from 6–8 PM at Fred & June’s Books in Denver, NC, for an evening with author Stephenie Auman celebrating her memoir, *East of Who I Was*. Enjoy refreshments, stories from Asia, a Q&A, and an inspiring journey of self-discovery.

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Bring Steph to your event

Book club visits, keynote talks, and fireside chats — based on themes from
the book.

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