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rachelelizabeth's Reviews (1.21k)
I posted this review on my blog, Rachel Reading. For more reviews like this, check it out!
So I have this thing about cults. Mostly that I’m obsessed with them, and while I knew the story of where “don’t drink the Kool Aid” came from (sort of) before I knew about Jonestown, I honestly had no idea the extent of it. I, like most people, seem to be addicted to Netflix documentaries, and I found some on Jonestown and decided to watch. I was entranced. This was after I watched a crap ton of documentaries on North Korea, so I was just in the right mind set I think. But, when I got “Going Clear” a book about Scientology, I decided to find books on Jonestown and I’m so glad that this is the one that I found.
“Seductive Poison” follows Deborah Layton, often referred to as Debbie in the book, and her journey through the People’s Temple. She joined fairly early on from what I could tell, and was really active right away. It became clear later in the book that Jim Jones took an interest in attractive young women and got them involved, mostly for his own sexual satisfaction. She ended up pretty high up in the Temple, was trusted with many secrets, which is maybe why I loved this book so much.
It starts off in a way that I could totally understand, she was drawn to the temple because of a charismatic leader, and a revolutionary new church, which made promises to give her a place to be radical. She joined after her brother joined, and even though Jim encouraged his wife to divorce him, that didn’t seem to warn Debbie. Don’t think I’m coming down on her, because I can completely understand how she was thinking, and saw everything at the time, but as a reader you absolutely start to know that things are amiss.
The entire time that you spend in Debbie’s brain is amazing. It truly is interesting to see how things went from what seemed totally normal, to more and more engrossing, and how this happened extremely gradually to where things just didn’t seem that crazy. One of the things that was extremely interesting to me was how Jim Jones brought in white people. He did this by talking extreme amounts about white privilege to the point that white people who could possibly pass as a minority, including Debbie, began to WISH and try to turn into a person of color. I’d never heard of a group where shaming the dominant group who came was there way of attracting that group. It was super interesting, and something that I’d never heard of working in my many Anti Racism/Anti Oppression/Multicultural trainings.
The book was really interesting, but not “harrowing” like I’d expected and been told it was. Until her escape. Oh my goodness her escape. I seriously felt like I was going to have a panic attack. I just wanted to scroll to the next page on my Kindle immediately because I had to know what was going to happen. That part was like a heart attack in two chapters. The way she wrote it made it truly feel like you were there, and all the backstory and the long discussions of before her trip to Jonestown set up the severity of what she was about to do. It was amazing, and it really made the book for me.
Overall, I did give this book five stars, because I found it all so interesting. There really weren’t any parts that I wanted to skip over, or that I wished was over. It was extremely well written, informative, and hungering for more information and books.
So I have this thing about cults. Mostly that I’m obsessed with them, and while I knew the story of where “don’t drink the Kool Aid” came from (sort of) before I knew about Jonestown, I honestly had no idea the extent of it. I, like most people, seem to be addicted to Netflix documentaries, and I found some on Jonestown and decided to watch. I was entranced. This was after I watched a crap ton of documentaries on North Korea, so I was just in the right mind set I think. But, when I got “Going Clear” a book about Scientology, I decided to find books on Jonestown and I’m so glad that this is the one that I found.
“Seductive Poison” follows Deborah Layton, often referred to as Debbie in the book, and her journey through the People’s Temple. She joined fairly early on from what I could tell, and was really active right away. It became clear later in the book that Jim Jones took an interest in attractive young women and got them involved, mostly for his own sexual satisfaction. She ended up pretty high up in the Temple, was trusted with many secrets, which is maybe why I loved this book so much.
It starts off in a way that I could totally understand, she was drawn to the temple because of a charismatic leader, and a revolutionary new church, which made promises to give her a place to be radical. She joined after her brother joined, and even though Jim encouraged his wife to divorce him, that didn’t seem to warn Debbie. Don’t think I’m coming down on her, because I can completely understand how she was thinking, and saw everything at the time, but as a reader you absolutely start to know that things are amiss.
The entire time that you spend in Debbie’s brain is amazing. It truly is interesting to see how things went from what seemed totally normal, to more and more engrossing, and how this happened extremely gradually to where things just didn’t seem that crazy. One of the things that was extremely interesting to me was how Jim Jones brought in white people. He did this by talking extreme amounts about white privilege to the point that white people who could possibly pass as a minority, including Debbie, began to WISH and try to turn into a person of color. I’d never heard of a group where shaming the dominant group who came was there way of attracting that group. It was super interesting, and something that I’d never heard of working in my many Anti Racism/Anti Oppression/Multicultural trainings.
The book was really interesting, but not “harrowing” like I’d expected and been told it was. Until her escape. Oh my goodness her escape. I seriously felt like I was going to have a panic attack. I just wanted to scroll to the next page on my Kindle immediately because I had to know what was going to happen. That part was like a heart attack in two chapters. The way she wrote it made it truly feel like you were there, and all the backstory and the long discussions of before her trip to Jonestown set up the severity of what she was about to do. It was amazing, and it really made the book for me.
Overall, I did give this book five stars, because I found it all so interesting. There really weren’t any parts that I wanted to skip over, or that I wished was over. It was extremely well written, informative, and hungering for more information and books.
I posted this review on my blog, Rachel Reading. If you like this and would like to see more like it, check it out!
I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishers for an honest review.
I did a book study on Furtick's book "Crash the Chatterbox" and was immediately intrigued by this fairly young pastor writing such a compelling and optimistic, loving view of God in his books. I'd heard rave reviews about "Sun Stand Still" which within 20 minutes of reading it became one of my favorites. While "Greater" is still amazing, truly, Furtick is one of the only Christian non-fiction authors I really seem to enjoy reading and relate to, this one falls short of "Sun Stand Still".
"Greater" felt like a take off of "Sun Stand Still", that it was an extension of the ideas, without using the same terminology. Sure one talks about audacious faith, and this one is using the catch phrase "greater", but they both said essentially the same thing. Maybe that's because the message does boil down to the same thing, to trust God with his plan for you, and when you do that, things all seem to fall into place.
It's still amazing, and half of it is underlined, so don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved and enjoyed this book as much as his others, but I felt like I was getting the same message over and over again. Maybe I needed to get this message over and over, honestly. It could be that God needed me to hear it, and it's good then, that it's being ingrained in my life. I also feel slightly biased because recently I did discover what I feel God called me to do, so "discovering" it, doesn't really apply to me anymore.
Furtick is always spot on with theology in my opinion. I honestly value what he has to say, and usually take it to heart and I will take this book to heart as well as recommend it to a friend (as I always do with his book), and I have to say that even my friend who is well versed in the Bible hadn't really read the story of Elisha so that was an amazing eye opening experience. I enjoyed his writing style, mostly because when he writes I always feel like it's just so obvious that what he's saying is true. I've experienced so much of it.
I love Furtick's books, and I am so happy I got a copy of this one to review, he is one of my favorite authors of all time who continuously puts out books that enlighten and make me feel inspired to live a better Christian life.
I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishers for an honest review.
I did a book study on Furtick's book "Crash the Chatterbox" and was immediately intrigued by this fairly young pastor writing such a compelling and optimistic, loving view of God in his books. I'd heard rave reviews about "Sun Stand Still" which within 20 minutes of reading it became one of my favorites. While "Greater" is still amazing, truly, Furtick is one of the only Christian non-fiction authors I really seem to enjoy reading and relate to, this one falls short of "Sun Stand Still".
"Greater" felt like a take off of "Sun Stand Still", that it was an extension of the ideas, without using the same terminology. Sure one talks about audacious faith, and this one is using the catch phrase "greater", but they both said essentially the same thing. Maybe that's because the message does boil down to the same thing, to trust God with his plan for you, and when you do that, things all seem to fall into place.
It's still amazing, and half of it is underlined, so don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved and enjoyed this book as much as his others, but I felt like I was getting the same message over and over again. Maybe I needed to get this message over and over, honestly. It could be that God needed me to hear it, and it's good then, that it's being ingrained in my life. I also feel slightly biased because recently I did discover what I feel God called me to do, so "discovering" it, doesn't really apply to me anymore.
Furtick is always spot on with theology in my opinion. I honestly value what he has to say, and usually take it to heart and I will take this book to heart as well as recommend it to a friend (as I always do with his book), and I have to say that even my friend who is well versed in the Bible hadn't really read the story of Elisha so that was an amazing eye opening experience. I enjoyed his writing style, mostly because when he writes I always feel like it's just so obvious that what he's saying is true. I've experienced so much of it.
I love Furtick's books, and I am so happy I got a copy of this one to review, he is one of my favorite authors of all time who continuously puts out books that enlighten and make me feel inspired to live a better Christian life.
I posted this review on my book review blog, Rachel Reading. If you like this, check it out for more!
This book started my Labor Day book marathon and it set the tone for the rest of the books I read that weekend.
Honestly, I was kind of talked into buying this book. The woman at my favorite bookstore told me that she LOVES this author etc etc and his writing style didn't disappoint. I also loved that the copy I ended up buying revealed that he was a local author (double the local!) and ended up being signed. Pretty cool.
Overall, this book was a really quick read. I knew I was supposed to feel conflicted or whatever, and I didn't really get that. Tori royally fucked up, this is true. But cyberbulling is so heavily covered these days that the whole intrigue of "is this guy for real or not" just...I didn't care. I was more interested in the actual Facebook posts that this book included. The phone call was...I don't know how to describe it, it seemed a little weird? But again that was probably intentional on the authors part.
I did fly through this, wanting to know more about the characters but in the end,when Tori found out that everyone had planned this to teach her a lesson it felt like an after school special. I don't like books that tend to leave me feeling like I've been lectured at, which this did in a way. Bullying is so heavily covered in the world now that I feel like I've beat my head against with it.
Yes, bullying is real. Yes, I was bullied, I'm not discounting those experiences, but I didn't feel a visceral connection to many of the characters in here. I know that bullying is bad, I've experienced it, but I think because I work with kids and I repeat that so many times, maybe that's why this book didn't connect with me? I would have much preferred something revolving around the trial? Maybe because I'm weird and like law and order-y like things.
ANYWAY, I did love the writing style, it flowed, I wanted to keep reading, which is why this gets four stars. There are absolutely people out there who need to read this, no doubting that, just not sure if it was me.
This book started my Labor Day book marathon and it set the tone for the rest of the books I read that weekend.
Honestly, I was kind of talked into buying this book. The woman at my favorite bookstore told me that she LOVES this author etc etc and his writing style didn't disappoint. I also loved that the copy I ended up buying revealed that he was a local author (double the local!) and ended up being signed. Pretty cool.
Overall, this book was a really quick read. I knew I was supposed to feel conflicted or whatever, and I didn't really get that. Tori royally fucked up, this is true. But cyberbulling is so heavily covered these days that the whole intrigue of "is this guy for real or not" just...I didn't care. I was more interested in the actual Facebook posts that this book included. The phone call was...I don't know how to describe it, it seemed a little weird? But again that was probably intentional on the authors part.
I did fly through this, wanting to know more about the characters but in the end,
Yes, bullying is real. Yes, I was bullied, I'm not discounting those experiences, but I didn't feel a visceral connection to many of the characters in here. I know that bullying is bad, I've experienced it, but I think because I work with kids and I repeat that so many times, maybe that's why this book didn't connect with me? I would have much preferred something revolving around the trial? Maybe because I'm weird and like law and order-y like things.
ANYWAY, I did love the writing style, it flowed, I wanted to keep reading, which is why this gets four stars. There are absolutely people out there who need to read this, no doubting that, just not sure if it was me.
I posted this review on my blog, Rachel Reading. For more like this, check it out!
I was super super pumped for this book, mostly because I love Greek Mythology, and also because, well I love Percy Jackson. Although I will say I didn't expect this book to be so big in size. I think that's part of the reason why it ended up taking me awhile to get through, it was hard to just sit and read it, as it had to stay in my lap most of the time.
The content in this book was amazing, and I wish that I had it when I taught Percy Jackson for the first time. It would be amazing to use it in conjunction, especially with one of the activities where the groups were divided to research the Greek gods. It's amazing that now I could easily make it cohesive. Percy Jackson book, and Percy Jackson talking about the Gods.
The illustrations are seriously breathtaking. Once I get my own apartment, I, no lie, plan on buying this book again so I can rip out the pictures and frame them. Sure, some of them are dark, but they're seriously so breathtakingly beautiful that I can't stand it.
Overall, easy read. Sometimes a little heavy, especially for middle readers, but I would probably recommend this before any other mythos book.
Also I now own my first coffee table book and I feel very adult.
I was super super pumped for this book, mostly because I love Greek Mythology, and also because, well I love Percy Jackson. Although I will say I didn't expect this book to be so big in size. I think that's part of the reason why it ended up taking me awhile to get through, it was hard to just sit and read it, as it had to stay in my lap most of the time.
The content in this book was amazing, and I wish that I had it when I taught Percy Jackson for the first time. It would be amazing to use it in conjunction, especially with one of the activities where the groups were divided to research the Greek gods. It's amazing that now I could easily make it cohesive. Percy Jackson book, and Percy Jackson talking about the Gods.
The illustrations are seriously breathtaking. Once I get my own apartment, I, no lie, plan on buying this book again so I can rip out the pictures and frame them. Sure, some of them are dark, but they're seriously so breathtakingly beautiful that I can't stand it.
Overall, easy read. Sometimes a little heavy, especially for middle readers, but I would probably recommend this before any other mythos book.
Also I now own my first coffee table book and I feel very adult.
I read and review books on Rachel Reading. Check it out!
So this graphic novel was super hyped to me by a few people, and I'll admit when I finished it last night I was curious what would happen next and committed to reading the others.
Now, I can't stop thinking about what happens next. This may be a problem.
I've never really been into graphic novels, I've read a few here and there, I think I read one about some Zodiac Chicks when I was in seventh grade, and they're beautiful and all, but I tend not to focus on how beautiful they are and focus on plot. Probably because I read novels like...24/7. But this was intriguing. I was promised Star Wars meets Game of Thrones, but I don't...honestly really see either of those. I see a world of it's entire own new creation. And it reminds me a bit of the world I've seen in [b:Zodiac|20821306|Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)|Romina Russell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404743153s/20821306.jpg|40167162] and from what I've seen of "Battlestar Galactica". Maybe it's because too many things are said to be like GOT when...they really aren't and it's just to entice readers, but I digress.
Some of it was really funny, and some of it was very adult, and I enjoyed how those themes seemed to move flawlessly through the novel, and how easily you could move from one to the other. I find one of the most intriguing characters the freelancer who wants to save the six year old girl (whose name is currently escaping me). And I'll admit, I was ready for this to be cliché, and was usually sure how something would turn out but then it didn't, so that was refreshing.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next novels. I'm anxiously awaiting payday at this point. I honestly feel like this might be the year of graphic novels and manga for me. High four stars.
So this graphic novel was super hyped to me by a few people, and I'll admit when I finished it last night I was curious what would happen next and committed to reading the others.
Now, I can't stop thinking about what happens next. This may be a problem.
I've never really been into graphic novels, I've read a few here and there, I think I read one about some Zodiac Chicks when I was in seventh grade, and they're beautiful and all, but I tend not to focus on how beautiful they are and focus on plot. Probably because I read novels like...24/7. But this was intriguing. I was promised Star Wars meets Game of Thrones, but I don't...honestly really see either of those. I see a world of it's entire own new creation. And it reminds me a bit of the world I've seen in [b:Zodiac|20821306|Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)|Romina Russell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404743153s/20821306.jpg|40167162] and from what I've seen of "Battlestar Galactica". Maybe it's because too many things are said to be like GOT when...they really aren't and it's just to entice readers, but I digress.
Some of it was really funny, and some of it was very adult, and I enjoyed how those themes seemed to move flawlessly through the novel, and how easily you could move from one to the other. I find one of the most intriguing characters the freelancer who wants to save the six year old girl (whose name is currently escaping me). And I'll admit, I was ready for this to be cliché, and was usually sure how something would turn out but then it didn't, so that was refreshing.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next novels. I'm anxiously awaiting payday at this point. I honestly feel like this might be the year of graphic novels and manga for me. High four stars.
This and 100+ book reviews can be found on my blog Rachel Reading. Check it out for more!
This book is seriously one of the most phenomenal that I have EVER read. Ever. I have an entire note devoted to this book on my phone with quotes, and things to remember. When I came to Christianity, I was really worried that I was going to be told that I couldn't be a feminist. That I couldn't believe in what I always have. I am a really strong, outspoken feminist and I didn't want to give up any of that. When I found this book, I knew I had to read it.
I almost just think that my own words on this book are pointless and I should just include my favorite quotes so you can all understand why this book is so fucking amazing.
"If a woman is held back, minimized, pushed down, or downplayed, she is not walking in the fullness God intended for her as his image bearer, as his ezer warrior. If we minimize our gifts, hush our voice, and stay small in a misguided attempt to fit a weak and culturally conditioned standard of femininity, we cannot give our brothers the partner they require in God's mission for the world."
"Often when a woman exhibits leadership, she's accused of having that Jezebel spirit. I look forward to the day when women with leadership and insight, gifts and talents, callings and prophetic leanings are called out and celebrated as a Deborah, instead of silenced as a Jezebel."
"The Kingdom is a glimpse of true manhood and womanhood without fear or stereotypes or abuses from the world. We are restored image bearers in concert together, all participating, all parts functioning with holy interdependence. It's trust and laughter and holy risk taking; it's vocation and work and worship. It's sharing leadership and responsibility. It's turning away from the language of hierarchy and power to the posture of servanthood. It's affirming all the seasons and callings of each other's lives. It's speaking out and working and advocating on behalf of our oppressed brothers and sisters around the world."
"One needen't identify as a feminist to participate in the redemptive movement of God for women in the world. The gospel is more than enough."
If you aren't blown away, you absolutely should be. I LOVE THIS BOOK.
This book is seriously one of the most phenomenal that I have EVER read. Ever. I have an entire note devoted to this book on my phone with quotes, and things to remember. When I came to Christianity, I was really worried that I was going to be told that I couldn't be a feminist. That I couldn't believe in what I always have. I am a really strong, outspoken feminist and I didn't want to give up any of that. When I found this book, I knew I had to read it.
I almost just think that my own words on this book are pointless and I should just include my favorite quotes so you can all understand why this book is so fucking amazing.
"If a woman is held back, minimized, pushed down, or downplayed, she is not walking in the fullness God intended for her as his image bearer, as his ezer warrior. If we minimize our gifts, hush our voice, and stay small in a misguided attempt to fit a weak and culturally conditioned standard of femininity, we cannot give our brothers the partner they require in God's mission for the world."
"Often when a woman exhibits leadership, she's accused of having that Jezebel spirit. I look forward to the day when women with leadership and insight, gifts and talents, callings and prophetic leanings are called out and celebrated as a Deborah, instead of silenced as a Jezebel."
"The Kingdom is a glimpse of true manhood and womanhood without fear or stereotypes or abuses from the world. We are restored image bearers in concert together, all participating, all parts functioning with holy interdependence. It's trust and laughter and holy risk taking; it's vocation and work and worship. It's sharing leadership and responsibility. It's turning away from the language of hierarchy and power to the posture of servanthood. It's affirming all the seasons and callings of each other's lives. It's speaking out and working and advocating on behalf of our oppressed brothers and sisters around the world."
"One needen't identify as a feminist to participate in the redemptive movement of God for women in the world. The gospel is more than enough."
If you aren't blown away, you absolutely should be. I LOVE THIS BOOK.
YAAAAS!!! WicDiv is back in all its glory and it's the comic I fell in love with again. McKelvie is back!!!!!!! Yesssssss just yes.
I JUST WANT GILLEN/MCKELVIE ISSUES AGAIN
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