Emily Batdorf

Painful, but Hopeful

Reviewed: 11-02-23

It was painful, but hopeful. The story was crafted very well; I couldn’t wait to keep listening to it. I have been more of a casual fan throughout the years, but we all remember Britney’s more iconic moments, such as dancing with the snake or shaving her head.
I’m glad she got to tell her story.

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Great, except…

Reviewed: 10-13-23

This is a very good book, but I must subtract a star:
Ina May, Ina May! You emphasize the importance of not being afraid during the birth, so why do you share that horrible story in which a baby dies in the end? It was at that point that I had to stop listening to part 1 (the part with the birth stories) and skip to part 2.
Yes, the narrator is so bad, I had to double check it was a human and not a robot.
Anyway, part 2 was great! I can see how this became a classic read. If you worry and become affected by sad stories, like I do, just skip to that part and be fascinated by the knowledge and wisdom the book offers.

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Informative

Reviewed: 10-13-23

Lately, I have felt that books on pregnancy and child care are filled with “fluff,” but this book is much better about getting to the facts, studies, etc. If I were to change one thing, I’d have him tell us how to bed share earlier in the book. I was getting frustrated, hearing the benefits but not knowing how to do it! However, he does get there, eventually.

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Beautiful!

Reviewed: 06-19-23

This was such an inspiring book! Her love for God, children, her sister, and family were so beautiful. It is an encouraging book for all who listen.

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Good primer, relatable

Reviewed: 03-05-23

Not going to lie—the most funny lines are in the sample, but the author was relatable and there was good information.
I would argue some small details about nutrition, but the author acknowledges that there are lots of different and changing opinions, so I’m not holding it against her. I would just recommend further research, yourself. Personally, I’m more into animal fats and red meats and less into greens, but you’ll have to research it, yourself.

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Going in my top most helpful marriage books

Reviewed: 11-11-22

This book is great. It’s going into one of my top three helpful books. It explains why my man, who didn’t grow up in the church, has a healthier view of sex, modesty, and relationships than my “good Christian girl friends” and I do.
Now, there is one belief they completely left out and I can’t fathom why. It’s, perhaps, the most pervasive of all! The belief that both partners must be virgins when they marry. That that is the key to great sex. While reading between the lines of the examples would lead one to draw that conclusion, I wish they had addressed it! At least one of the books they describe as “harmful,” really emphasizes this. My friends, youth pastor, Christian influencers, and teen Christian magazine emphasized this. But, it is not good! The average age an American has sex for the first time is 17. The average age men and women marry are 31 and 29, respectively.
I know women who went too far and/or had sex with their now husbands of over a decade and still feel bad about themselves. I know women who were virgins and had to deal with jealousy when their man wasn’t. I know many of whom put that as a bigger priority than it should be. I was told by Christians, both at thirteen and at thirty, to “pray that my future husband be a virgin.” It’s a harmful, unrealistic belief and it’s not biblical. The Bible emphasizes purification as a process, not a purity that one loses and it’sit’s time the church recognizes that.

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Part of Toxic Purity Culture

Reviewed: 11-01-22

Another, more helpful book I have, has labeled this book as “harmful” and I believe it! I quit reading halfway through.
My friend sent it two me. 2 stars because it helped her and her husband: two “clueless virgins.” This author writes to that audience. If you and/or your S.O. aren’t, you would think there is no hope for you. If you listen to authors like him, you will have to deal with jealousy of your S.O’s past and shame about yours. That is the worst mindset going into sex and marriage! My helpful book has shown data that Christian women are more likely to have pain during sex. Clearly, it’s part mental. If we supposedly have better relationships with God, who created sex to be wonderful and good, then what is wrong with us? I would say these kinds of Christian resources.
Back to my friend: when she was 40 and I was 30, she suggested I pray that God would give me a husband that was a virgin. It was unrealistic, unhelpful, and the kind of mentality one gets when this is one’s favorite sex book. Ladies, find a man who loves and takes care of you and serves God.

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1 person found this helpful

Love it!

Reviewed: 04-25-22

This is a great book for women who want direction in how to do life.
It's a bummer that she went deeper about the three kinds of men (and women) in her other book: Preparing to be A Helpmeet, because most married women won't read that book.
However, I would highly recommend this book to any and all Christian women.

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Would recommend, but change a few things...

Reviewed: 04-25-22

I like this book a lot. It adds to the original. In fact, I'd have married women read much of it, alongside the original.
That being said, I'd change two things:
1. The way the narrator quotes the Bible. Her tone changes. She can sound, I don't know...patronizing(?).
2. The attitude toward waiting until marriage. It is not biblical to see someone as born "pure." The Bible says we are born into sin and go through a process of purification with Christ. Calling a girl a "candy bar that had been licked" is not helpful to anyone, nor does it reflect the redeeming grace we see in the Bible. I know this attitude and that of the "Cinderella" story might sound good to tell 13-year-olds, but most people will make mistakes and need to not see themselves or their future spouses as licked candy bars. And, the moment you make a mistake, you're going to hate "Cinderella" and her "I did everything perfectly" attitude.
If I were to have young girls read this book, I'd probably have them skip that chapter, altogether.
Other than that, I would highly recommend!

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Best Book I've Ever Read

Reviewed: 06-23-21

If you're a woman that is wanting to hear the truth during a time in which society disdains the truth, then listen to this book.
That being said, if you do not have Biblical or traditional values, this may be hard for you.
I'd like to add that I've read the vintage editions of Fascinating Girl and (most of) Fascinating Womanhood and would say that the updates were both necessary and helpful. Bravo, Dixie Andelin Forsyth!

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