Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home
10 journalers for this copy...
A memoir that reads like fiction. Funny, thought provoking, sweet. I am so glad to have found this book at the United Way book sale!
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At first, the worst week of Janzen's life—she gets into a debilitating car wreck right after her husband leaves her for a guy he met on the Internet and saddles her with a mortgage she can't afford—seems to come out of nowhere, but the disaster's long buildup becomes clearer as she opens herself up. Her 15-year relationship with Nick had always been punctuated by manic outbursts and verbally abusive behavior, so recognizing her co-dependent role in their marriage becomes an important part of Janzen's recovery (even as she tweaks the 12 steps just a bit). The healing is further assisted by her decision to move back in with her Mennonite parents, prompting her to look at her childhood religion with fresh, twinkling eyes. (She provides an appendix for those unfamiliar with Mennonite culture, as well as a list of shame-based foods from hot potato salad to borscht.) Janzen is always ready to gently turn the humor back on herself, though, and women will immediately warm to the self-deprecating honesty with which she describes the efforts of friends and family to help her re-establish her emotional well-being.
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At first, the worst week of Janzen's life—she gets into a debilitating car wreck right after her husband leaves her for a guy he met on the Internet and saddles her with a mortgage she can't afford—seems to come out of nowhere, but the disaster's long buildup becomes clearer as she opens herself up. Her 15-year relationship with Nick had always been punctuated by manic outbursts and verbally abusive behavior, so recognizing her co-dependent role in their marriage becomes an important part of Janzen's recovery (even as she tweaks the 12 steps just a bit). The healing is further assisted by her decision to move back in with her Mennonite parents, prompting her to look at her childhood religion with fresh, twinkling eyes. (She provides an appendix for those unfamiliar with Mennonite culture, as well as a list of shame-based foods from hot potato salad to borscht.) Janzen is always ready to gently turn the humor back on herself, though, and women will immediately warm to the self-deprecating honesty with which she describes the efforts of friends and family to help her re-establish her emotional well-being.
On loan to my good friend, Beulaa.
fun read / laughed out loud.
.....my father was raised in a Mennonite / Scottish community - - he was German-Lutheran - he always had a great appreciation for their hard work and respect for what they believed in. As strict as they may seem to the outside world, he too knew they were actually fun to be around !
.....my father was raised in a Mennonite / Scottish community - - he was German-Lutheran - he always had a great appreciation for their hard work and respect for what they believed in. As strict as they may seem to the outside world, he too knew they were actually fun to be around !
I love a book that stays with you long after the last chapter. This memoir is one of those books. It's a woman's story of exploring her Mennonite roots, as she's recovering from a failed marriage and also a severe accident. The story is engaging, soul-searching, funny and some times down right salty!
Hoping the next readers love this story as much as I did.
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Will be released at the November BookCrossing Calgary meet-up at the Joshua Tree Café.
Hoping the next readers love this story as much as I did.
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Will be released at the November BookCrossing Calgary meet-up at the Joshua Tree Café.
Picked up at the November meeting; how is it that I invariably end up coming home with more books than I bring?
ETA: I'm trying to get through some books for mysteries so I won't get this this on for Feb meeting so I loaned it to my mom.
ETA: I'm trying to get through some books for mysteries so I won't get this this on for Feb meeting so I loaned it to my mom.
lent to my mom.
To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at the Joshua Tree Cafe on Edmonton Trail. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!
To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at the Joshua Tree Cafe on Edmonton Trail. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!
Kept me interested, touches of humor, good storyline and glimpse into life of the mennonites.
Back to my daughter.
Journal Entry 9 by megami-no-ushi at Joshua Tree Café, Edmonton Trail in Calgary, Alberta Canada on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (7/14/2012 UTC) at Joshua Tree Café, Edmonton Trail in Calgary, Alberta Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Taking to the meetup to be passed on or left on the shelves.
A very good book to have on hand when the entire office was gone to stampede but me yesterday! No work left to be done and I could enjoy this witty little memoir with no worry! I only wish it had been a couple pages longer as I finished five minutes before my bus stop!
To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at the Joshua Tree Cafe on Edmonton Trail. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!
A very good book to have on hand when the entire office was gone to stampede but me yesterday! No work left to be done and I could enjoy this witty little memoir with no worry! I only wish it had been a couple pages longer as I finished five minutes before my bus stop!
To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at the Joshua Tree Cafe on Edmonton Trail. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!
Picked this up at the July BC meeting
I tried but couldn't seem to get into this book. There are other people on the list wanting to read it so will pass it on.
Taking this to the May bookcrossing meeting to pass onto the next reader.
Picked up at the meetup.
I had a preconceived notion of the book based on the title and cover art and as I read half the book, I didn't like the story very much. I then read the back cover and discover it is a memoir. But it reads like fiction. And then I didn't find the story humorous at all.
My fault for pigeon-holing the book right from the start and not having an objective mindset.
My fault for pigeon-holing the book right from the start and not having an objective mindset.
Took the book to the Calgary BC Meetup today.
Picked up at the January Bookcrossing meeting.
Loved this author's writing style. Growing up in a similar religious community allowed me to connect with many of her references and experiences.
Journal Entry 18 by nada50 at Cravings Market Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta Canada on Friday, April 18, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (5/10/2014 UTC) at Cravings Market Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Taking it to the May bookcrossing meetup.
I have heard great things about this book, so I look forward to reading it...one day...soon.
Finally got to read this, very enjoyable and made me laugh.
Returning this to Fracula today.
Returning this to Fracula today.
Having coffee with Fracula, and passing her some books to return to the group.
Picked up from Herchelle to return this to the Calgary BookCrossing group.
Taken to the February meet-up of Calgary BookCrossers, held at Cravings Market Restaurant.
Picked this book up at the February book crossers meeting of Calgary.
Releasing at the next monthly meet up.
Picked up at Feb 2020 meeting
