Awake

Author: Jen Hatmaker

Who Picked the Book: Joint Pick

One-sentence summary: Jen details how an affair upended her life and how she made a new one for herself with the help of friends, family, and determination. 

B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 8

Our favorite thing about it: Jen's spectacular way of writing that keeps you entertained and thinking deeply about what you're reading. 

Our least favorite thing about it: It's hard to find anything, honestly. Maybe just the implied privilege Jen has/had while working through something like this (see below) - which she would acknowledge but doesn't mention in the book. 

Main Topics of Discussion: What didn't we discuss. Church, Purity-Culture, Church Employees and Elders, Family Dynamics, Emotional Abuse, Trust, Healing

Our favorite quote: "The trauma someone else created is not your fault, but dealing with it is your responsibility."

Notes: Our discussion about this book was long and winding! But mainly, we all loved the book. Most of us listened to it since Jen read the audiobook (and added a few tidbits to that format). The audio format just played to her strengths as a speaker. She is a fantastic writer, but she also nails the delivery when speaking.

We loved that the blended her history and her healing. All of the stories made sense in her self-discovery about why she ended up where she was and how she was going to survive her unwelcome and entirely undeserved situation. 

One aspect Stephanie brought up while we were discussing the book with her via Facetime was just how privileged Jen was in this whole process. We don't say that to take away anything that she has. And we believe she would fully own all of it. For example - she is rich in family and friendships. The relationships she has with her friends and family are incredible. And they live so close to her. They offered support to her in ways that many (good) families and friends wouldn't or couldn't. She also had the time to take off for Me Camp for a month. And a flexible job that she could still do while there. This and more did help her journey, but again, it doesn't take away from her hard work and introspection. 

Memorable Meeting Moments: We had to fight the crowds at Frisco's Oktoberfest happening at the Star. And we went back to Rachel's house after dinner to discuss the book and Facetime Stephanie!

What We Ate: We ate at The Common Table in Frisco (hummus, meatballs, cocktails, salmon, fish & chips, smash burger, short rib, and Heath bar bread pudding for dessert).