Jen!!! You made me appreciate this book so much more. You specifically made me appreciate the ending as I thought it was a bit of a let down when I initially finished it. I don’t think that way anymore! I read it last month or two ago and I definitely had fun with the road trip side of things, how I didn’t know where the heck the story was gonna go. It could definitely become a mini series on Hulu for sure. I don’t have any significant personal trauma regarding religion but there’s so much in our society that is based on puritanical perceptions of sexuality and femininity that you just have to exist in our country to be shaped and influenced by it in terms of how you see yourself and engage with the world. I always appreciate your analysis and especially your vulnerability in this vlog. Thank you for sharing yourself with us! It’s powerful and important. 💜
Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words. I was really nervous about putting myself out there in this video; however, as you wrote, it's important to share our stories and experiences for our own healing purposes and in the hopes that others will hear and know they are not alone. I am so thankful to C J Leede for writing American Rapture. The timing of this book seems especially fitting given the recent political events in the US. I feel sure that we will see more books like American Rapture over the course of the next four years.
@ It is SO important to use our power in the ways we have it. Like you said, horror books are the vehicle to confronting the darkness and paving a new way through it!
Fantastic vlog, Jen! I loved everything about it. What fun you had while in the thick of this heavy read. I grew up in purity culture as well. I still have my faith, but have dropped the religious aspects and realize just how much it messed with my mind growing up… and how certain aspects still haunt me. My home was fairly balanced, but my school and church were heavily drenched in many of these values. I was terrified after watching a play called Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames. Oh my word! The fears instilled in us were outrageous! I remember that flower analogy as well. So much to chew on here. Thank you for sharing your heart and your experiences. You're wonderful! 💕
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with religion and purity culture. It's wonderful that you have found a way to embrace your faith and beliefs without the traumatizing religious aspects. As you mentioned, many effects of being indoctrinated in purity culture and the threat of hell linger even when we've moved on from those beliefs. Reading American Rapture truly helped me process and come to terms with feelings I still have after all these years.
Hi Jen- glad you and your friend had a lovely day filled with special memories 🥰 Can’t go wrong with stickers 👍 Happy anniversary 🎉 Kudos on being able to read that book and sharing your experiences. Glad you had some wonderful times as you read 👍
Thank you! The time with my best friend and my husband truly lifted my spirits. It was especially good to have those kinds of days while reading and processing a book that feels so personal to me.
@@literarylove123 absolutely. Like you lots I have had to work through from childhood. As a counsellor I know although the work has been done and we have moved forward in so many ways, those memories are still there and sometimes get triggered and can take a few days to shake that off again. Kudos on the self care and great video sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Idk if I could read this book, the trauma and the abuse that people/ children are put through is gut wrenching. And I'm so sorry for what you had to go through at the church, it was inexcusable and they really should have done something about that deacon.
American Rapture is a difficult book to read, especially for those with religious trauma. I had to take breaks from time to time, and I'm glad I scheduled time for fun and relaxation while reading this book. Yeah, at the very least, that deacon should have been removed from his position. But patriarchy🤬
Geez, I love that cover, & I think that virus has a human form (in America toady). And yes, I can relate to your religious trauma, odd, quirky stuff, isn't it? I'm sure it's more damaging for girls, but I certainly can relate. I was taken every year to watch these horrific left-behind genre films (spreading fear & angst), & as a consequence, I am still allergic to all dystopian fiction. I can't go near any of it. It's all such a pickle...
@apoetreadstowrite This book really hit close to home. I remember being forced to watch a film called A Thief in the Night at a church youth event. I was thirteen, and that film absolutely terrified me. I was traumatized for quite some time after watching it.
Jen!!! You made me appreciate this book so much more. You specifically made me appreciate the ending as I thought it was a bit of a let down when I initially finished it. I don’t think that way anymore! I read it last month or two ago and I definitely had fun with the road trip side of things, how I didn’t know where the heck the story was gonna go. It could definitely become a mini series on Hulu for sure. I don’t have any significant personal trauma regarding religion but there’s so much in our society that is based on puritanical perceptions of sexuality and femininity that you just have to exist in our country to be shaped and influenced by it in terms of how you see yourself and engage with the world. I always appreciate your analysis and especially your vulnerability in this vlog. Thank you for sharing yourself with us! It’s powerful and important. 💜
Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words. I was really nervous about putting myself out there in this video; however, as you wrote, it's important to share our stories and experiences for our own healing purposes and in the hopes that others will hear and know they are not alone. I am so thankful to C J Leede for writing American Rapture. The timing of this book seems especially fitting given the recent political events in the US. I feel sure that we will see more books like American Rapture over the course of the next four years.
@ It is SO important to use our power in the ways we have it. Like you said, horror books are the vehicle to confronting the darkness and paving a new way through it!
🖤📚
🖤📖
Fantastic vlog, Jen! I loved everything about it. What fun you had while in the thick of this heavy read. I grew up in purity culture as well. I still have my faith, but have dropped the religious aspects and realize just how much it messed with my mind growing up… and how certain aspects still haunt me. My home was fairly balanced, but my school and church were heavily drenched in many of these values. I was terrified after watching a play called Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames. Oh my word! The fears instilled in us were outrageous! I remember that flower analogy as well. So much to chew on here. Thank you for sharing your heart and your experiences. You're wonderful! 💕
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with religion and purity culture. It's wonderful that you have found a way to embrace your faith and beliefs without the traumatizing religious aspects. As you mentioned, many effects of being indoctrinated in purity culture and the threat of hell linger even when we've moved on from those beliefs. Reading American Rapture truly helped me process and come to terms with feelings I still have after all these years.
@ I’m so glad it helped you! It sounds like a terrific read! I look forward to reading it! 💜
@@DarkVioletDreams I can't wait to hear what you think of it when you read it.
Hi Jen- glad you and your friend had a lovely day filled with special memories 🥰 Can’t go wrong with stickers 👍 Happy anniversary 🎉 Kudos on being able to read that book and sharing your experiences. Glad you had some wonderful times as you read 👍
Thank you! The time with my best friend and my husband truly lifted my spirits. It was especially good to have those kinds of days while reading and processing a book that feels so personal to me.
@@literarylove123 absolutely. Like you lots I have had to work through from childhood. As a counsellor I know although the work has been done and we have moved forward in so many ways, those memories are still there and sometimes get triggered and can take a few days to shake that off again. Kudos on the self care and great video sharing your thoughts and experiences.
I love the mix of vlog and reviews in this! Cannot wait to read this one in 2025!
I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Thank you so much for watching!
@ 🙂
Idk if I could read this book, the trauma and the abuse that people/ children are put through is gut wrenching. And I'm so sorry for what you had to go through at the church, it was inexcusable and they really should have done something about that deacon.
American Rapture is a difficult book to read, especially for those with religious trauma. I had to take breaks from time to time, and I'm glad I scheduled time for fun and relaxation while reading this book.
Yeah, at the very least, that deacon should have been removed from his position. But patriarchy🤬
@literarylove123 Hex the patriarchy
Geez, I love that cover, & I think that virus has a human form (in America toady). And yes, I can relate to your religious trauma, odd, quirky stuff, isn't it? I'm sure it's more damaging for girls, but I certainly can relate. I was taken every year to watch these horrific left-behind genre films (spreading fear & angst), & as a consequence, I am still allergic to all dystopian fiction. I can't go near any of it. It's all such a pickle...
@apoetreadstowrite This book really hit close to home. I remember being forced to watch a film called A Thief in the Night at a church youth event. I was thirteen, and that film absolutely terrified me. I was traumatized for quite some time after watching it.
@@literarylove123: Yes, I can certainly empathise. Sorry you had to go through that also, hope you're at peace now.
So glad you enjoyed this book, Jen! C.J Leede is a great author ❤
@@NicolesBookishNook I'm looking forward to seeing what's next from C J Leede. Thank you for watching!