Let's Talk TTYL
I wish you guys were in the room with me and we could just have this conversation instead of me writing out all that's in my head and waiting for your comments. This is why the internet will never take the place of real relationship. So let's pretend...my first question is how many of you have read this book? And in my head I think maybe a lot of you have because it's a bestseller. I also think I heard some of you say that it's just a harmless book that's fun to read because it's written in IM or because it's stuff you can relate to. But I have to tell you that it made me so incredibly sad when I read it. It made me sad for anyone who reads it and thinks that it's harmless and sad for the author who wrote it and thinks that it's harmless...because it really is anything but. What I have learned from experience is that the more junk I put into my head, the more my view of things gets twisted and warped until it lines up with the junk instead of with the truth. I have also learned from experience that the only truth I can really trust is the truth laid out by Jesus himself. And I honestly believe this book makes Him sad too. Sad because so many of His beautiful girls think it's normal to be obsessed with boys and sex. Sad because He created us for Himself first and to be a light in this world instead of just another gossiping, crude, cussing, self-centered, desperate, over-sexed young woman who gives herself away freely to whoever or whatever seems like the most fun in the moment.
I know that there are girls like the characters in the book and messed up teachers like the one in the book - I have met them. What the author doesn't show in the book is that these girls aren't usually happy-go-lucky and they often struggle with depression and all that goes with it. God never intended for us to be all about ourselves - we are here on a mission to love Him the most and others like we love ourselves.
So here's what I walked away with after reading the book: First I need to pray. Pray for all of us who have chosen any life other than a life with Jesus, because there is minimal joy there and it goes away pretty quickly. Pray for authors like Lauren Myracle who do more harm that good with their abilities and lead others away from God instead of toward Him.
If you haven't read the book, please don't. It's offensive and base and shows girls at their worst instead of encouraging them to be women of character and integrity. If you have read the book...let's talk. Let me know what you thought. I really want to hear from you guys.
love
jamie
Comments (12)
I appreciate the heads up as I have not read this book, and I appreciate the reminder of such important things even though I haven't read the book. And the reminder to pray--so often our first thoughts are thoughts of judgment not prayer and that's not what God wants. I love how you guys take things that are real and now and talk about them (music, books, etc.) I love that it's a Christian influence. Thank you so much.
Posted by Elizabeth | October 1, 2008 8:29 AM
I've read that book......but i never really thought of it that way. thanks for opening my eyes.
Posted by kat | October 1, 2008 10:05 AM
I have never read that book and don't plan on reading it, plus this is my first time hearing about it. What does ttyl mean?
Posted by Anonymous | October 1, 2008 12:37 PM
This book is part of a three-part series. The girls eventually start discussing their sexual activity, in fairly vulgar terms and discuss relationships with teachers as well. The books look innocent but border on pornography, in my opinion.
Posted by Ellen | October 1, 2008 3:27 PM
Not only have I read the book, I own it. I was in Barnes & Noble looking at the best-sellers and that one caught my eye. Once I started reading it though, two thoughts came to mind; "Put the Book Down" and "Keep Reading." It was hard not to stop reading because it had that sort of story line that makes you want to know what happens next, but it was also digusting and vulgar, and I can't believe I let that trash into my mind. Once I was done, I let my friend read it, which I thought was a mistake but it turned out to open a door. Because once my friend was done reading, she gave the book back to me and said "It's like this book was wrote about me." I felt like God wanted me to give her the book so she could tell me that, so I could pray for her. Needless to say, my friend is doing so much better thatnks to the Lord, and those books; I'll never waste my time again.
Posted by Morgan | October 1, 2008 3:29 PM
i read like half of this book but then i got bored, i do kno that a couple of my friends did read it though.
Posted by Maya | October 1, 2008 5:13 PM
I am i library research assistant at my school and i saw this book and decided that i would check it out as soon as i finished the other book i was reading, that was 2 days ago, i checked it out yesterday, but haven't read it yet and was already questioning on whether i should read it or not, i deleted my hold for the 2nd book ttfn, and was going to return the ttyl book tomorrow, and getting this email....for some reason it was marked as junk because the email wasn't recognized.....it had a review on it and i know that was God's way of saying, don't put this in your head, and i'm so glad you guys sent this to me, please send me more things like this.
Thanks
Posted by Haley | October 1, 2008 6:37 PM
WOW. Thank you for letting meknow this, I haven't read it, but going in to local book stores like Borders, or Barnes and Noble, have seen that it is a best seller, and was curious to read something in ALL text messages, but your article tells my gut instinct, that seeing that cover in the book store should make me thankful that I am not going to read that book, and stay true to Christ.
Posted by Samantha | October 1, 2008 7:59 PM
u r so right! i think i picked up the book and then i had to put it down it was soooo bad. Being a avid reader...its hard to find books that glorify god!
Posted by april | October 1, 2008 8:17 PM
This is so true. I read it. I wish I hadn't. I think I resold it. Good riddance.
Posted by Emily | October 1, 2008 9:31 PM
i honestly never heard of this book in my life but im really happy you guys wrote about it...infact it would be rly great if you guys did more reviews about books, moovies, etc... i think that many of us would really appreciate it simply because we would know about the stuff we plan on reading watching, etc... so PLEASE if it isn't too much to ask (cuz i know u guys do a lot for us already)it would be really great if more reviews were posted!!!
Posted by jessica | October 2, 2008 6:29 PM
Yeah, thanks for really looking into stuff like this for all us girls that don't even realize...
I haven't read this book, but i saw it at a book store and wanted to know what the fus was about, and THANKFULLY, i saw a few thing i didn't think sounded quite right. i picked a differant book, and i'm glade i did. thanks for all you do,
-Emily
Posted by Emily | October 2, 2008 9:33 PM