Where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books Ive read!
The Pioneer Women: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story
by Ree Drummond
February 14, 2011 by William Morrow
Paperback, 352 Pages
Review Copy
“That’s when I saw him—the cowboy—across the smoky room.”
I’ll never forget that night. It was like a romance novel, an old Broadway musical, and a John Wayne western rolled into one. Out for a quick drink with friends, I wasn’t looking to meet anyone, let alone a tall, rugged cowboy who lived on a cattle ranch miles away from my cultured, corporate hometown. But before I knew it, I’d been struck with a lightning bolt . . . and I was completely powerless to stop it.
Read along as I recount the rip-roaring details of my unlikely romance with a chaps-wearing cowboy, from the early days of our courtship (complete with cows, horses, prairie fire, and passion) all the way through the first year of our marriage, which would be filled with more challenge and strife—and manure—than I ever could have expected. This isn't just my love story; it’s a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet. It’s the story of a cowboy. And Wranglers. And chaps. And the girl who fell in love with them.
Thoughts
Hilarious!
If you enjoy Drummonds famous blog and her snarky, fun sense of humor then you'll love this book. Its no doubt funny and has tons of laugh out loud moments, though outside of Ree's signature humor the book gets personal as Ree shares some deeper issues like her parents divorce, her insecurities and the sometimes less than pretty things during pregnancy and birth. As a woman -minis the whole rancher wife thing- I was able to relate with Ree when she talked about reinventing herself and finding her place in a new life or finding significance in such a drastic change to the way she lived (like me going from gung-ho career banker girl wanna-be social worker....to stay at home mom trying to finish her degree).....and of course the having children chapters. I can defiantly say Drummond offers up more than fluff and recipes as she tackles the love story of her and Marlboro Man. I really enjoyed it.
4/5- Nonfiction-Memoir
Thanks to William Morrow and TLC Tours for Review Copy
Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson
October 13, 2011 by Blackstone Audio
9 Hours 4 Min
Narrated by Carrington MacDuffie
Review Copy
A compassionate, humorous story of faith, betrayal, and coming of age on the sawdust trail. Only three when her mother became tent revivalist David Terrell's organist, Donna was soon part of the hugely popular evangelist's inner circle. At seventeen, she left the ministry for good. Holy Ghost Girl brings to life miracles, exorcisms, and face-offs with the Ku Klux Klan--and that's just what went on under the tent. As Terrell's fame grew in the 1960s and '70s, the caravan of broken-down cars that made up his ministry evolved into fleets of Mercedes. The glories of the Word mixed with betrayals of the flesh, and Donna's mom bore Terrell's children in one of his secret households. Thousands of followers headed to cult-like communities to await the end of the world. Jesus didn't show, but the IRS did, and the prophet-healer went to prison. This memoir bypasses easy judgment to articulate a rich world in which the mystery of faith and human frailty share surprising and humorous coexistence.
Thoughts
Holy Ghost Girl is one of my favorite memoirs to date....and not because of the scandals or the sad often heartbreaking child neglect that went down, but because Donna's story was so honest and in the mix of soap opera drama I heard a little girls voice similar to my own and found so many things I could relate to.
Donna walks readers through her childhood years living with her mother and a traveling caravan of tent revivalists, where miraculous healing, chanting women and exorcisms were the norm. As a child (until the tween years) I was raised in a very similar religion, no traveling tent revivals but in a very strict Pentecostal Church that required women to look and act like the Amish, you know what Im speaking of, the no makeup-no jewelry-no pants-no speaking in public- woman who's inherent evil tempts a man to sin. David Terrell's message was almost the same of what I remember growing up- the fire and brimstone, the damnation and constant reminder of being set apart from the heathens and of course the unexplained miracles that seemed to happen in front of me. Donna explains some of the same things I saw as a child- like how people would roll around on floors, yell, chant, moan and get crazy with the shaking and dancing, but instead of being frightened or thinking these things were weird it was just apart of her daily life...just like mine were. There were of course plenty of differences in her experience, I never faced the traveling, the unsettled state of being, the lack of schooling and watching the adults around me get corrupted by sex or money, which did eventually bring the entire empire Terrell had built tumbling down.
While I have some sweet and tender memories of the people I grew up with and like Donna remember that part of my life as normal, as an adult I only see the legalistic, man-made rules that overshadowed the Grace of Christ. I really appreciated the candor and honesty of Holy Ghost Girl and only wish Donna would have shared her current feelings on religion and where she is spiritually today.
Narration
The narration was perfect for this story. Carrington's voice was raspy and a bit gravely, it fit the persona of Donna and brought to life the scenarios being told in a unique presentation that made you feel right there with the moaning, screaming and weirdness of a tent revival.
5/5- Nonfiction Memoir
Thanks to Publisher and Audiobook Jukebox for review copy
Great review and I did want to read that Pioneer woman but I love her cook book more LOL
ReplyDeleteOMG! You know I DID want to read The Pioneer Woman's book!!! Reminds me of Green Acres!!! I love it!!
ReplyDeletePioneer Woman sounds hysterical. I would have definitely not noticed this one if I saw it on the shelf. Sounds like an entertaining read and for once, uplifting. Many of the memoirs I've noticed are darn depressing. Glad you enjoyed it, Tina!
ReplyDeleteSo. I have a confession. My husband is obsessed with Pioneer Woman on Food Network. He watches that every single time it's on. I think he wishes I could cook like she does:) I share his wish, but I don't share it enough to take the time to actually learn to cook well! Lazy, party of one:)
ReplyDeleteThe Pioneer Women: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: A Love Story sounds awesome! I love hilarious books so you really just convinced me with that one.
ReplyDeleteAs far as memoirs go, it isn't often I like them. I'm just way too picky. There was one I did that had to do with the Rwandan genocide, but it was so depressing. I don't like being sad. I'm kind of evil.
Lastly, our boy Chan is coming out in 21 Jump Street! I almost texted you last night when I saw the preview. It looks so funny, I'm so excited! This is mostly because I'm a nerd. Carry on. LOL! ;)
I enjoyed the Ree Drummond book too. I wasn't a fan of hers but I did love her story :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Its a shame you couldn't relate to the rancher's wife part. You need to tell the hubs to saddle up and maybe enter a rodeo. :)
ReplyDeletePioneer Woman is incredible. She has twenty chores done before I even wake up in the morning, and I'll let you in on a little secret: She's the only woman in the world that Chuck Norris is afraid of.
LOVE Ree! Gotta read this. SO glad it's good and offers some more meat. Great reviews!
ReplyDeletePS To Missie: LOL! Ha! Cute! True! I bet Chuck loves Ree too.
ReplyDelete@Jen!!!! Oh my gosh I almost text you too about the 21 Jump Street....LOL...and I know what you mean about sad stuff....I normally like to laugh not cry...;)
ReplyDelete@Missie- Tell me about it! She hads like natural ADD meds in her blood....I couldn't be a ranchers wife, Im too lazy....(haha)but I have tried some her recipes they are fantastic!!
@Jenny- Your husband must be awesome, I mean he watches a cooking show....my hubs watches Chopped with me, we love it...;) And PS- you could totally make Ree's mash potatoes those are really easy....:D
@Juju- it is! And thanks...
@Julie, Ashley and Rummanah- it really is a fun book to read and offers some behind the scenes to her life...:D
@Felicia- Glad you liked the story!! Make some of her recipes like the stuff with LOTS and LOTS of butter, you will become an adoring fan or perhaps your butt will....:D
Both of these are going on my TBR list! I love a good memoir!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thought on PIONEER WOMAN for the tour - I'm looking forward to reading this one myself!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read Ree Drummond's book. Great review! I definitely want to pick this up now! :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Pioneer Woman memoir as well - I related to her really well, being from OK myself. Definitely a great story.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to swing by and tell you that I picked up Ree Drummond's book today and B&N! :)
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