A “personal theological memoir.” Okay, cool, but so much was Jinger debunking Gothard, yet telling us nothing about herself. He’s the scapegoat, full A “personal theological memoir.” Okay, cool, but so much was Jinger debunking Gothard, yet telling us nothing about herself. He’s the scapegoat, full on. Zero blame falls on her parents. In fact, she barely mentions her massive family at all. It’s all very surface level. Reads like a term paper compare/contrast of the old religion (bad?) and the new (better?). So many scripture quotes. Just tell your story. Use YOUR words. Not free. ...more
Jill Duggar Dillard lays out her life growing up in the IBLP religion (ahem, cult). Homeschooled, and vastly cutoff from the outside world, but totallJill Duggar Dillard lays out her life growing up in the IBLP religion (ahem, cult). Homeschooled, and vastly cutoff from the outside world, but totally exploited on tv. It wasn’t for the money, y’all, it was for Jesus. Okay, Jim Bob. Sure. Jill and Derick are incredible. It takes courage to leave such a controlling situation. And let’s not forget the sexual deviant brother. I’d like more accounts from this family. ...more
I know, another cult book. I’m promise I’m a well-adjusted human. This was a slow read; such dry writing and not attention-grabbing at all. It took meI know, another cult book. I’m promise I’m a well-adjusted human. This was a slow read; such dry writing and not attention-grabbing at all. It took me nearly a month of dipping in for a couple of chapters, here and there, mostly at soccer practice. I think the wild Manson cover kept people from talking to me, so mission accomplished. ...more
I thought this would be cultier. That sounds weirdly ungrateful. It’s just not what I was expecting since she left the cult as a kid. I appreciate TurI thought this would be cultier. That sounds weirdly ungrateful. It’s just not what I was expecting since she left the cult as a kid. I appreciate Turner sharing her experiences in the Lyman Family, and her challenging, and sadly abusive, experiences in the “real” world. Told largely through diary entries, this unfortunately really struggled to keep my attention. ...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had no idea who Heather Gay was when I grabbed this for the catchy title. I’ve never seen a single episode of any Housewives season, though⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had no idea who Heather Gay was when I grabbed this for the catchy title. I’ve never seen a single episode of any Housewives season, though now I’m tempted to watch SLC, especially since we lived in Holladay for a couple years. This exceeded expectations. Gay speaks of growing up in the LDS church, and the challenges she faced coming of age; big life decisions, marriage, kids, business, divorce, and, of course, the show. Solid (sorta) celeb memoir. ...more
The Branch Davidians, a Seventh Day Adventist offshoot cult stockpiled an arsenal in preparation for a supposed doomsday. The US government caught winThe Branch Davidians, a Seventh Day Adventist offshoot cult stockpiled an arsenal in preparation for a supposed doomsday. The US government caught wind. Y’all know the rest. Twelve year old me remembers watching this in total befuddlement. I wish I’d known then how much I would come to love studying cults. Not my favorite Guinn, but I blame my lack of interest in David Koresh. ...more
Sex Cult? Yes. Nun? Nope. The provocative title is just obnoxious marketing. Faith Jones, granddaughter of The Children of God founder David Berg, recSex Cult? Yes. Nun? Nope. The provocative title is just obnoxious marketing. Faith Jones, granddaughter of The Children of God founder David Berg, recounts her life in this sexuality exploitative, abusive cult. I was no fan of Educated, but I hate how this memoir’s description uses that comparison. Again, garbage marketing. Educated is a massive success regardless of my skepticism. That aside, I sincerely hope writing this was therapeutic. ...more
Enlightening isn’t the right word. Bizarre. Preposterous. Horrifying. Rothschild details the inception, progression, and eventual silence of the groupEnlightening isn’t the right word. Bizarre. Preposterous. Horrifying. Rothschild details the inception, progression, and eventual silence of the group whose propaganda fueled the Jan 6th attack. These Trump extremists believed and pushed so much bullshit, it’s truly incredible. I’ll never understand how conspiracy theorists navigate their daily lives. It must be exhausting residing in that headspace. ...more
I’ve read several Scientology books, from apostate memoirs to Leah Remimi’s celebrity perspective to Dianetics (yep), but never an LRH biography. WhatI’ve read several Scientology books, from apostate memoirs to Leah Remimi’s celebrity perspective to Dianetics (yep), but never an LRH biography. What a weird dude. Like most cult leaders, he’s a bombastic, charismatic, compulsive liar. But unlike others, he was a prolific science fiction author who started a religion to make dough. Scientology is his greatest fiction. ...more
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I did this backward. I read Bowler’s newest book “No Cure for Being Human” first. In it, she references this one, but now having read both in t⭐️⭐️⭐️ I did this backward. I read Bowler’s newest book “No Cure for Being Human” first. In it, she references this one, but now having read both in the same month, they’ve run together. Too much repetition. So, don’t be like me. Here, Bowler openly speaks of her diagnosis and treatment for late stage cancer. As a religious scholar, wife, and new mother, she tries to reconcile her life. It’s obviously a tough read, but poignant, and worthwhile. ...more
This title and cover are absolute fire, but between this, and The Project by Courtney Summers, I can unabashedly say that cult stories should be reserThis title and cover are absolute fire, but between this, and The Project by Courtney Summers, I can unabashedly say that cult stories should be reserved for nonfiction. The fictional accounts lack authenticity. Rarely is there enough about the leader or how vulnerability is exploited. I need more emotion, not just stage direction-like storytelling. The real life versions are always more fucked up, but sadly, more entertaining. ...more
Fascinating and frustrating. Evangelicals are master business people. Du Mez, a scholar of American Christianity, explores decades of cultural evangelFascinating and frustrating. Evangelicals are master business people. Du Mez, a scholar of American Christianity, explores decades of cultural evangelicalism and how we arrived in the Trump era. Gender roles, white supremacy, masculine Christianity (heaven forbid Jesus be depicted as slight with long, wavy hair and robes), and the wielding of political power are covered, backed by specific examples of “leaders” and their manipulations....more
The different ways we use language never ceases to amaze. I loved Montell’s “Wordslut” and this as well! Ranging from full-on deadly communal cults toThe different ways we use language never ceases to amaze. I loved Montell’s “Wordslut” and this as well! Ranging from full-on deadly communal cults to fitness groups to MLM, she dissects the phrasing that draws folks in, eliciting importance. Sure, there are some tiny liberties. Not all of these groups are true cults, but do exude cult-like devotion. As weird as it sounds, so much is marketing jargon. Utterly fascinating! ...more
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