Probably 2.5. This started out pretty good-- little vignettes in her life instead of a more traditional memoir. At first I was pretty ready to go alonProbably 2.5. This started out pretty good-- little vignettes in her life instead of a more traditional memoir. At first I was pretty ready to go along with it although it wasn't what I expecting.
I'll also note that this book was written for people already very familiar with this topic, Joshua Harris, and American evangelical Christianity. Do not expect a background or description of much of any of the topics she mentions here. I ultimately had a very hard time with the last 40% as she was reflecting back on her life. Very little accountability for her part in it, skirted past some more uncomfortable topics she herself participated in, and overall just an unsatisfying conclusion because there was too little actual reflection on how she handled things overall. I just had a tough time with this the last bit and that's coming from someone who is not a complementarian and attends a church that affirms female pastors. ...more
I had a much harder time enjoying this book. I agree that the author is a fantastic historian and I liked the first book I read of his but this one juI had a much harder time enjoying this book. I agree that the author is a fantastic historian and I liked the first book I read of his but this one just wasn’t as strong. ...more
This was interesting but feels SOO dated already based on the amount of early 2000’s lingo. I didn’t grow up in the evangelical world but entered it oThis was interesting but feels SOO dated already based on the amount of early 2000’s lingo. I didn’t grow up in the evangelical world but entered it on my own as a young adult. I find this very surface level (unfortunately) and she didn’t really deep dive into theology or real beliefs in various religions or denominations which was hard for me as someone who cares about that.
“52 churches in 52 weeks” a book available on Amazon did a better job of at least trying to explain theology and is a similar book.
In addition, I had a truly difficult time with how much she couldn’t get passed the way she interpreted everything in her own centric way based on how she grew up. Even the way she matter of factly talked about different Bible verses and stories was just…very consistent with her personal brand of Christianity and she seemed to claim it for all Christianity. Again, just a bit surface level for me and the tone of the book just didn’t work for me.
2.5 rated up because it’s a memoir so I have to give credit where credit is due for her opening up like this....more
I’ve been a slower reader than usual but it looks like I’m back!! Yesterday was a very heavy errand day (and I took a long walk!) so I finished this aI’ve been a slower reader than usual but it looks like I’m back!! Yesterday was a very heavy errand day (and I took a long walk!) so I finished this all in 2 days. I thought it was really good, interesting, and thought provoking. I read a decent amount of non fiction and this was very well written and flowed well. Impressed with the authors writing style. ...more
I've been doing a terrible job of reviewing books (even though it was a NYE resolution to at least add one sentence per review).
I want to say I foundI've been doing a terrible job of reviewing books (even though it was a NYE resolution to at least add one sentence per review).
I want to say I found this book really interesting and incredibly well written. I don't agree with everything the author said but I always like looking for new perspectives and enjoyed the nuance she wrote about in various issues. I've since read that she has publicly retracted some of the nuance but I'm rating this book based on JUST the book.
Her description of motherhood also made me cry and overall I thought this was a very good read....more
Probably a 3.5. A lot of "not like the other girls" in the way she talks about the other girls, which was hard to read about. Her revelation about herProbably a 3.5. A lot of "not like the other girls" in the way she talks about the other girls, which was hard to read about. Her revelation about her experience with Hef was really interesting though and I think she worded that really really well.
I also thought it was sad and interesting that she never called the relationship with Hef abusive. It definitely was a textbook abusive relationship. ...more