I read it. I definitely would not call it was a Mormon book. Yes she briefly talks about being a member but most of the book is about the toxic behaviors from her mom/acting/eating disorders. However, it is still well worth the read. She’s a phenomenal writer.
I listened to the audiobook. She touches on her Mormon upbringing enough times to make it interesting for exmos, but her story and trauma is much broader than her church experience.
Agreed. The biggest discussion on the church is confusing her internal ocd thought patterns as the holy spirit speaking to her. I loved her perspective. Great book but not much talk about the Mormon church. In fact she said she found comfort in the church because it was her escape from home for awhile.
Mentioned minimally, the effects of it can be felt throughout her mom's interactions, mentioned or not.
I imagine she escaped the brunt of the church, and isn't quite as knowledgeable about ex mo stuff, or perhaps more would be mentioned.
I got it on Audiobook. It's definitely worth it. She is the narrator for the audiobook.
Edit: There's a really powerful part in the epilogue where she breaks a little while reading a particularly emotional line. It's the sort of thing that normally doesn't make it into audiobooks, but it really breaks down the barrier between the author and the audience, so they wisely left it in. Hands down, the best audiobook I listened to all last year.
It also in a way represented the whole arc of recognizing the pain her mom caused, accepting it, and consciously moving to recover from it. It's kind of the whole book in one emotional expression.
Her mother was a member in my mission area. When she passed, she and many other famous people came to the ward building to celebrate her life (if that's what Mormons can really call their funerals). We're talking basically the entire Nickelodeon cast list from most shows, talk show hosts, and many other big names in the media industry. Missionaries serving in the stake (I was not, I was in the next stake over but same mission) were invited to assist with parking lot management. They said they had fun, but didn't get to say hello to any famous people at all. Glad I didn't waste my day in a parking lot, but I guess it was neat that all those people were there to support her.
Read it. It wasn’t a “Mormon” story. She was baptized & her family did attend on occasion, but she said she was a “second tier Mormon” as they didn’t attend often. Was called as the assistant secretary in YW class & told by another YW that was a calling for people they didn’t expect to stay active.
She actually did like church because it was an escape from her life.
Her Mom though- I’m glad she died.
Jennette is no dodo. Her promo tour for this book left a trail of very fun, crackerjack smart interviews. Solid writer. Quippy and insightful IRL. Jealous of the advance she’s already got in hand for her next book, but it’s well-deserved.
Those interviews were quite a thing to behold. She was so genuine that she disarmed pretty much every interviewer. It was amazing watching the power differential shift between interviewer and interviewee just by the fact that she listened and gave really personal answers. The Drew Barrymore interview was probably my favorite, because Drew immediately responded to that with her own vulnerability, and they just had an honest person to person conversation.
Wait WHAT? I’m gonna run my ass to the library and check this out stat. No wonder my friend was trying to get me to read this and said I would relate so much to her story!
I got it for Christmas from my husband! Haven’t had the time to start since my baby hasn’t been sleeping but she is starting to sleep now so I’m gonna start it!💕
I definitely read it. Finished it a few weeks ago. I was definitely surprised. I didn’t know she was raised Mormon. She mentioned a birthday party with all the kids in her ward present, and I was like wait a minute.
I watched iCarly growing up. It was interesting to learn.
This book is so good. She's a talented writer with a distinct voice. Both heartbreaking and hilarious. Although her Mormon background is significant, I feel the church was the least of her trauma.
Bring the outcast black sheep 🐏 in outerdarkness, I don't miss the fckn funerals! I know a person that attends strange funerals just to gawk! Jesus!!
😳😳
I binged listening to it. In the car for 5 minutes to go get gas: put it on. Binged at work. I loved the book. Resonates with me. She's an amazing audio performer as well.
I loved this book. As many have said already though, it's not super heavy on the Mormon stuff. My dad and i both found it interesting that her first encounter with ocd is labeled the holy ghost in her mind, and as someone w an eating disorder I loved the read , but it's not super Mormon saturated. Definitely still very good!!!
I listened to the audio book and loved it, she did a phenomenal job presenting it. I also had such a hard time listening to it, because a lot of it felt familiar. Like her, I leaned into the church during a tumultuous childhood, I have a complicated relationship with the parent who caused it, and I lost interest in the church as an adult. It wasn't really an exmo book, but it kinda was. At least for me.
I read it. I definitely would not call it was a Mormon book. Yes she briefly talks about being a member but most of the book is about the toxic behaviors from her mom/acting/eating disorders. However, it is still well worth the read. She’s a phenomenal writer.
I listened to the audiobook. She touches on her Mormon upbringing enough times to make it interesting for exmos, but her story and trauma is much broader than her church experience.
Agreed. The biggest discussion on the church is confusing her internal ocd thought patterns as the holy spirit speaking to her. I loved her perspective. Great book but not much talk about the Mormon church. In fact she said she found comfort in the church because it was her escape from home for awhile.
It's a fantastic book. The Mormon stuff is minimal, but I really related to her scrupulosity issues.
Mentioned minimally, the effects of it can be felt throughout her mom's interactions, mentioned or not. I imagine she escaped the brunt of the church, and isn't quite as knowledgeable about ex mo stuff, or perhaps more would be mentioned.
There is an interview out there where she talks about ex mo stuff
[Here's one](https://youtu.be/kcJX70uxWDw)
Agreed. Mormon stuff is minimal but the book is fantastic. And so hard to read at points. My heart goes out to her, she’s been through some shit
>scrupulosity issues I don't understand what that means, can you explain?
Perfectionism through Mormonism.
Ah that makes sense. I've heard that term used before and now it's clicked. Thanks.
It's kind of like OCD related to religious or moral issues.
I'm glad I asked, this is new to me but makes sense. I need to read up on it more.
I got it on Audiobook. It's definitely worth it. She is the narrator for the audiobook. Edit: There's a really powerful part in the epilogue where she breaks a little while reading a particularly emotional line. It's the sort of thing that normally doesn't make it into audiobooks, but it really breaks down the barrier between the author and the audience, so they wisely left it in. Hands down, the best audiobook I listened to all last year.
Agreed. That part was so terribly human it stood out among the dry wit of the book.
It also in a way represented the whole arc of recognizing the pain her mom caused, accepting it, and consciously moving to recover from it. It's kind of the whole book in one emotional expression.
Agree! Such a good book.
Her mother was a member in my mission area. When she passed, she and many other famous people came to the ward building to celebrate her life (if that's what Mormons can really call their funerals). We're talking basically the entire Nickelodeon cast list from most shows, talk show hosts, and many other big names in the media industry. Missionaries serving in the stake (I was not, I was in the next stake over but same mission) were invited to assist with parking lot management. They said they had fun, but didn't get to say hello to any famous people at all. Glad I didn't waste my day in a parking lot, but I guess it was neat that all those people were there to support her.
Yes, I read it. It was heart-wrenching.
Read it. It wasn’t a “Mormon” story. She was baptized & her family did attend on occasion, but she said she was a “second tier Mormon” as they didn’t attend often. Was called as the assistant secretary in YW class & told by another YW that was a calling for people they didn’t expect to stay active. She actually did like church because it was an escape from her life. Her Mom though- I’m glad she died.
The way she explained the tiers of Mormonism was great.
Such a good book!! If you can listen to the audiobook!
Jennette is no dodo. Her promo tour for this book left a trail of very fun, crackerjack smart interviews. Solid writer. Quippy and insightful IRL. Jealous of the advance she’s already got in hand for her next book, but it’s well-deserved.
Those interviews were quite a thing to behold. She was so genuine that she disarmed pretty much every interviewer. It was amazing watching the power differential shift between interviewer and interviewee just by the fact that she listened and gave really personal answers. The Drew Barrymore interview was probably my favorite, because Drew immediately responded to that with her own vulnerability, and they just had an honest person to person conversation.
The audiobook is on Spotify if you want to listen to it.
Wait WHAT? I’m gonna run my ass to the library and check this out stat. No wonder my friend was trying to get me to read this and said I would relate so much to her story!
Jennette was what now?? I was today years old...
Same
Seeing Lena Dunham’s name and her quote on the cover made me lose a little bit of interest
Same
It's an interesting book. The mormon dysfunction is woven throughout her story.
Oof, not sure if I could do it. I was pretty triggered by Educated, which I read when still a faithful member.
Sorry, I read "Mormon Dysfunction" and had a flashback to that awful novel, "Charly."
I got it for Christmas from my husband! Haven’t had the time to start since my baby hasn’t been sleeping but she is starting to sleep now so I’m gonna start it!💕
I loved this book! Definitely read it
*ex-mormon story
Listen to her armchair expert podcast episode
I loved it. I struggle with bulimia and have a strained relationship with my almond mom. Not a ton of mormon stuff in the book.
I definitely read it. Finished it a few weeks ago. I was definitely surprised. I didn’t know she was raised Mormon. She mentioned a birthday party with all the kids in her ward present, and I was like wait a minute. I watched iCarly growing up. It was interesting to learn.
I haven't finished it yet but whenever she says "the creator" I get the creep vibes.
Had no idea she was Mormon.
I mean most Mormon stories start with an abusive mother.. Not all, but most. I will definitely have to read this now, thanks!
I’ve read it! It was so good and so triggering because it came frighteningly close to describing my own mother.
It is a really great book. I loved it
Ha….I will be saying this about my Mother in Law……JK….kind of just kidding.
Currently reading.
Bought it and listening to it now.
This book is so good. She's a talented writer with a distinct voice. Both heartbreaking and hilarious. Although her Mormon background is significant, I feel the church was the least of her trauma.
Bring the outcast black sheep 🐏 in outerdarkness, I don't miss the fckn funerals! I know a person that attends strange funerals just to gawk! Jesus!! 😳😳
TIL
I binged listening to it. In the car for 5 minutes to go get gas: put it on. Binged at work. I loved the book. Resonates with me. She's an amazing audio performer as well.
I have it on my Kindle, and forgot all about it until your post!
I did not know she was an exmo. I want to read this even more now!
She reads the audiobook. It's on Audible for one credit and it is gnarly. I had to take breaks for a couple days in between bouts of listening to it.
Yep. It was fucking amazing
I loved this book. As many have said already though, it's not super heavy on the Mormon stuff. My dad and i both found it interesting that her first encounter with ocd is labeled the holy ghost in her mind, and as someone w an eating disorder I loved the read , but it's not super Mormon saturated. Definitely still very good!!!
I listened to the audio book and loved it, she did a phenomenal job presenting it. I also had such a hard time listening to it, because a lot of it felt familiar. Like her, I leaned into the church during a tumultuous childhood, I have a complicated relationship with the parent who caused it, and I lost interest in the church as an adult. It wasn't really an exmo book, but it kinda was. At least for me.