Welcome to Litsy!

Starting the weekend with a memoir from my TBR shelf 🤓

Wished it would have been better 🫤 Meh.

My May #bookspin. Thought this was an exec Elle that memoir. I had to look up the Escuela Caribe and organization from the book, because it seemed so ludicrous. Unfortunately it was not. (It did not help soften my views for those who have extreme religious views.) I also thought it was a raw examination of “white privilege”, more so because this was written before that concept became trendy and decisive. Solid memoir with a lot to offer.

Today‘s plans. I‘m going to try to stay off my phone. I might make some tea & popcorn.

A memoir themed #bookspin & #doublespin this month.

Some people who claim to serve the Lord do anything but. Julia‘s parents had four biological white children and two adopted Black ones. While the white kids were grounded, the Black ones were beaten when they misbehaved. (At times to the point of bones breaking.)

When the two youngest get sent to “Christian” reform school in the Dominican Republic, things get even worse. I wish I could say this has a happy ending...😭😭

TW and comments ⬇️

I devoured this book in about one sitting yesterday. The writing was captivating, and Scheeres really brought out the voice of the teenage girl, I didn't feel like I was reading a clinical, adult version of life as it was. But I don't understand how people can defend treating people the way they did Julia and others in this book. Nor just stand by and watch. Nor justify it with the words of Jesus.

Heart wrenching and hard to read. Racism, sexism and religious abuse placed on young children. It's overwhelming but an honest and well written book.

Day six - memoir. I found this - about a girl growing up in the heart of evangelical Christian America with her two adopted African American brothers - at the library book sale. Sounds like a great read. #readingwomenmonth #readingwomenchallenge #daysix

For this afternoon. ☝🏻

I have not read this, but it looks intriguing, especially for a Jewish girl who has grown up in the Bible Belt after moving to the states from Canada. #startswithj #anditsaugust. Need to start reading what I already own. :)

I remember having this exact exchange & fury with my ultra-Christian mom as well, how I burned with shame & rage

Early #blerd

How do you know Indiana is a shit state? When people long for Florida

Today's #bookmail is a copy I won from subscribing to Siel Ju's newsletter

"Just as Jesus requires blind faith from his believers, we require blind faith from our students."

Julia's narrative flows like a well-written novel which I appreciate because it broaches some tremendously tough subjects: racism, religion, mental, physical, and sexual abuse.

The school in the DR is only part of the story. Home life was a mess. A tough read, but worth it.

#nonfictionchallenge17

"You see such signs posted throughout the countryside: farmers using the extra snippet of land between their property and the road to advertise Jesus Christ."

This passage instantly reminded me of the sign on I-65 near Montgomery, AL. I'm sure some of you all know it. We used to live in southern AL and would pass it every time we travelled home to KY. It creeped me out even back then (when I still believed in God).

Just starting!

Having watched the documentary about the "school" Julia and her brother were sent to, I had to read this book. I wasn't disappointed. Highly recommended.