Book Review: The Assignment

This week, Jewish people all over the world observed Tisha B'Av, which is a day of mourning. It is the day we remember the destruction of both Temples that once stood in Jerusalem as well as a number of other tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the course of history. (Description courtesy of My Jewish Learning.) So it's fitting that I recently read Liza Wiemer's sophomore novel, The Assignment. Based on the synopsis, you will see why.

SENIOR YEAR. When an assignment given by a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution, a euphemism used to describe the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people, Logan March and Cade Crawford are horrified. Their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand.

As the school administration addressed the teens' refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community are forced to face the issue as well. The situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

About five years ago, I read Liza Wiemer's debut novel and was extremely impressed by it. So waiting this long for her to publish another one took a lot of patience from my end. I just wanted her to mass-produce books right away! I can confidently say for the record that The Assignment was well worth the wait.

The assignment itself was horrifying and the fact that two non-Jewish students were appalled by it gives me hope for their generation, as well as future ones. This was based on a real situation, which is written about in the author's note. Seeing what Logan and Cade had to put up with in hopes of getting the assignment cancelled was equally horrifying. It's similar to stuff that happens in real life, as well. The fact that a lot of comments people made were antisemitic was even more disheartening. Liza puts a lot of emotional impact into her story without making it sappy. She even presents the teacher's side at times. I also liked that there was focus on Logan and Cade's friendship and other characters got to share their perspectives, as well.

The story is educational for anyone who isn't familiar with what happened during the Holocaust by now. I think it should be included in school curriculum, whether it is for an English class or a history class. There is so much material to discuss and Liza leaves some things open ended, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. It's perfect for book clubs, as well. And if you have a teenager in the house, be sure to get this into their hands as soon as it publishes. If you think a preteen could handle it, let them read it too!

I definitely recommend this novel as it is insightful and thought-provoking. It will make you feel things and you might even want to have some tissues handy.

Movie casting suggestions:
Logan: Alexis G. Zall
Cade: Noah Lomax
Mr. Bartley: Tom Hiddleston
Mason: Jake Brennan
Heather: Harley Graham
Daniel: Jamie Kaye
Kerrianne: Jade Pettyjohn
Reggie: Christian Martyn

Thanks to Delacorte Press for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Schittiest Summer Ever

This summer has been one for the books, and we're only halfway through. Thanks to COVID-19, we haven't been able to do all that much. Camps were cancelled. The heat has been unbearable. And there's an icing on the cake moment that happened to me this week, but I will be okay. In any case...the one thing keeping me happy this summer has been one amazing show that I never thought I'd even watch. My friends kept telling me to watch it and I finally decided to give it a try, since we didn't have much else to do. Little did I know, I'd fall in love with this show and would be sad about finishing it. I've been waiting to write this post until I was completely done with it, and now I am. (And I already want to watch it again.) Given the title of my post, you may have guessed that it's none other than SCHITT'S CREEK!

Heads up: There are spoilers ahead. If you haven't seen all six seasons, save this post and come back when you're done. And if you were on the fence about watching it, get off that fence already! It's just so incredible and uplifting and you're going to want to binge-watch it (possibly over and over again). I could give you a billion more reasons for watching it, but I just think you should see for yourself why it's so great. The first season is a slow burn, but after that, it just picks up and takes off from there. The last few seasons are so wonderful in so many ways!

Photo courtesy of Glaad

I don't even know where to begin. I just love everything about this show. The comedy is fabulous, on par with Arrested Development in my opinion. It's quirky and there are a lot of inside jokes and fabulous memes and gifs to come of it. I'd laugh so much from some of the things the characters said or did. Here are some of my favorite funny moments:

* Roland telling David about his Devil Wears Prada role play and David's reaction.
* Twyla explaining to Alexis how to ride a bike.
* Johnny's conversation with Alexis when he thinks she's pregnant.
* Johnny trying to get Roland to keep Moira's surprise party a secret by having him ask Jocelyn to tell her it's for something else.
* Alexis's reaction to a beardless Mutt.
* The sign. "Don't worry, she's his sister!" (Also the sign at the very end.)
* Johnny trying to roast Roland.
* Moira saying "oopsy daisy."
* Stevie and David at the spa for their "honeymoon".
* Alexis breaking the sink in the bathroom at the store and then lying about it with a really bad cover story.
* Johnny not realizing who he rented rooms to until Stevie makes a certain hand gesture to explain.
* Anytime Moira slaps someone. (Especially the first time when she slapped Roland. I think that alone sold me on the show.)
* Twelve "things" of raw milk.
* David's reaction to the guy with Wendy, whom he thought was trying to look like him. Then Wendy trying to justify the mirror on the ceiling of the room her husband shares with another man.
* The whole scene revolving around the "happy ending."
* Jocelyn giving her baby the middle name Moira.
* Johnny and Moira going to the wrong cabin to have sex.
* "Fold the cheese!"
* Moira doing her crow voice.
* The "auditions" for Larry Air
* Patrick getting too much of a spray tan
* Bob's jog walk

These are just a handful of moments that really made me laugh. There were also some incredibly sweet and beautiful moments.
* Moira giving Stevie the lead role in Cabaret.
* Patrick singing "Simply the Best" to David at open mic night.
* David and Patrick's first kiss.
* David saying "I love you" to Patrick.
* Patrick coming out to his parents and the love and support he gets.
* Ted crashing the singles party to kiss Alexis.
* Johnny offering to partner with Stevie on the hotel.
* Roland standing up for Johnny at the investors meeting.
* Patrick proposing to David.
* The wedding.
* Alexis asking Ted what it was like when she broke up with him.
* David buying the house. Also his tearful conversation with Stevie beforehand.
* David and Stevie talking about being each other's best friend.
* What Patrick says to Johnny during their talk
* Jocelyn telling Moira how much Alexis has accomplished.
* When Alexis helps David get Heather as a client.
* Alexis postponing her date to help David through a situation with Patrick.
* Stevie singing "Maybe This Time".
* Alexis changing her mind about convincing Stevie to let her be maid-of-honor and then helping Stevie pick a tie.

Schitts Creek Obsessed GIF from Schittscreek GIFs

As you can tell, there is so much I love about the show. One of the key things is the cast. Schitt's Creek has the best ensemble cast. The only other show I've said this about lately is Speechless. I love everyone on the show and how well they work together and interact. All four of the Roses are amazing in their own ways. David is, hands down, my favorite though. There are also some great supporting characters. I'll list a bunch of characters and tell you what I like best about each of them.

David: Everything about David is AMAZING! His overall look just slays me every time, with the sweaters and the multiple rings on one hand and how he'll sometimes wear a kilt or short pants. I just can't get enough of him. I love his personality and facial expressions and he has such great lines. His sincerity bowls me over and I love that he's able to cry on screen like that. Dan Levy plays him to perfection and the fact that he also wrote this show adds even more to how wonderful he is. Dan has officially usurped Lin Manuel-Miranda for me, in that he's the number one celebrity I'd want to meet in person, even though I'd need paramedics standing by because I'd have a reaction similar to what David had to Mariah Carey in this video.

Moira: She's got it going on between her outfits, wigs, and the way she talks, which includes her accent. At first, Moira grated on me, but then I started getting used to her personality and she ended up surprising me sometimes. The moment I truly loved her was when she gave Stevie the role in Cabaret. I cry just thinking about that. I liked seeing how the town grew on Moira and watching all her comedic moments. I've always enjoyed seeing Catherine O'Hara in movies from Beetlejuice to Home Alone to Waiting for Guffman (one of my favorite roles of hers), but Moira takes the cake as her best character EVARR! (Say that in her voice.)

Alexis: Alexis is absolutely adorable! Her facial expressions, hand gestures, the way she talks, her outfits, etc. add to her essence. I loved watching her grow throughout the series and seeing her vulnerable side always threw me for a loop, but I loved it! Her name dropping and all the mentions of her time spent in other countries with random men was always amusing. I loved her banter with David too. (I thought it was funny that they had similar facial expressions and they looked more related than Dan Levy does with his real life sister who plays Twyla.) I love how she says "EW!" and have now attributed an "Alexis 'EW!'" to anything I think is gross. She's definitely girl-crush worthy. Boop!

Johnny: What I said about Catherine O'Hara earlier also applies to Eugene Levy, since they were in the mockumentaries together. I really like Johnny a lot for his role as a father to his kids and father figure to Stevie. He's more subdued than the others in his family, but he also has some great comedic moments, especially when he interacts with Roland. His smile lights up a room and reassures us all that everything is going to be okay somehow. He's a great balance for Moira, as well. This is definitely an iconic role for him and I can't imagine anyone else playing it.

Roland: Chris Elliot was really the best fit for this role. He plays Roland to perfection. While Roland can be super annoying (which is part of his "charm"), I like that he truly loves Jocelyn and that he tries to be a good friend to Johnny. He really won my heart in one of the last episodes though. There are certain aspects of him that remind me of my younger son, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Just his little quirks and facial expressions and the fact that his hair is always a mess. He has a good heart.

Jocelyn: I love watching Jocelyn interact with Moira. It makes for some great moments on the show. I also enjoyed seeing her come into her own. I think having another baby took her in a new direction. Even though I didn't like her new haircut, I get why she did it and I loved seeing her try to justify it to herself. I also love how she was such a good salesperson at David's store, but then realized it wasn't what she really wanted. She and Roland are a good fit for each other.

Mutt: He looks better with a beard. Enough said. ;) He seems like a nice enough guy, but I didn't like him and Alexis together all that much.

Stevie: One of my favorite supporting characters. I love how she has so many layers beneath her sarcastic demeanor. She and David are so great together as friends and I love how they bring out the best in each other. I also love the bond she forms with Johnny. Her awkward moments make her even more lovable. And after seeing her in her usual outfit, I enjoy seeing her in a dress or even a Sally Bowles costume. Watching her sing "Maybe This Time" was such an amazing moment. I also love that she wore a suit to David's wedding.

Twyla: As mentioned earlier, the actress who plays Twyla is Dan's sister and Eugene's daughter. So it surprised me that she didn't have an even bigger role. I wish she had as much on-screen time as Stevie. I like her personality a lot and it was fun to finally get more of a backstory for her toward the end of the series. Just like her real-life father, her smile lights up a room too.She also has some great lines. I love when she's teaching Alexis how to ride a bike.

Bob: This is all you really need to see. P.S. My husband does a great impression of his jog walk.

Ronnie: She's really funny with some great lines and I love how she butts heads with Moira a lot. My favorite moment of hers was when she outdid Johnny as Bob's wing man.

Ted: I saw Dustin Milligan on 90210 (the new series) in 2008 and thought he was one to watch. He left the show early into the first season though. So I was surprised and delighted to see an older version of him appear as Ted Mullens, a love interest for Alexis and competition for Mutt. I was mad at Alexis for breaking his heart but then loved how they slowly got back together when she realized she truly loved him and he realized the same. Then I was sad about them deciding to go their separate ways in order to let each other grow. I wish he would have come back for the finale and said that he found a better job in NYC or something. A girl can dream.... However, he needs to lose the beard. That's where he and Mutt are truly opposites.

Patrick: Just like the show itself and the song he sings to David, he's "simply the best". I was given a spoiler about him and David ending up together, but I loved watching things develop between them and how he balances David out in the best ways. He has such a sweet and earnest face and I love the things he says to David. Noah Reid has some albums, so I need to listen to them, even though I can't imagine him singing explicit lyrics. He's another favorite supporting character.

Ray: Where would we be without Ray? He's so funny and quirky. That's all.

Now for my favorite episodes! So I don't keep this post going on forever and ever, I'll just list my top five.

1. Singles Week (season 4, episode 12): David says I love you and Ted comes back to Alexis and kisses her in front of everyone.
2. Meet the Parents (season 5, episode 11): Johnny accidentally outs Patrick, but it leads to such a sweet conversation.
3. Happy Ending (season 6, episode 14): Best series finale ever!
4. Grad Night (season 3, episode 13): I loved this for Alexis...not only does Ted come to her graduation, but Moira and the Jazzagals perform! And David and Patrick's first kiss is everything!
5. The Hospies (season 5, episode 8): The episode where Moira gives Stevie the part in Cabaret.

Obviously, there were so many great episodes and moments overall, but I'd never finish this post and be able to share it with all of you otherwise, bebes!

If you've made it this far, it means you already watched the series and love it as much as I do. I'd love to hear any of your thoughts on it in the comments. Thanks for being on this journey with me. I love it for all of us!


via GIPHY

Two fabulous teen shows

Both pictures courtesy of IMDb.

Recently, I have really enjoyed two shows targeted to a teen/young adult audience. Since I am young at heart, these shows were totally up my alley. Here are some reasons you should watch these shows (spoiler free).

Never Have I Ever

I was sold on this show when I heard that Mindy Kaling was the creator and that it was loosely based on her life. I had heard good things about it and decided to check it out. I am SO glad I did and am even more glad that there will be a second season!

Check out the trailer:

Some reasons you should be watching:
*Two words: Equatorial Guinea. You'll see...
*The cultural stuff, like the party Devi and her family attended.
*Featuring a character with Down Syndrome in a positive way without it being focused on their disability.
*The fact that Ben got his own episode. It made me adore him so much more afterward.
*Kamala and her Riverdale binge-watching. I just love Kamala's personality in general. She's so much fun to watch.
*Devi is not perfect. She says things she regrets. She disappoints her mother and her friends. She lies a lot. The list could go on...
*Devi's two best friends are fabulous. I can't get enough of Fabiola's hair.
*The Rocky Horror Picture Show and 90 Day Fiancé get shout-outs.

Love, Victor

A couple of years ago, I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and loved that book so much. I saw Love, Simon a while after that, but it didn't have the same effect as the novel, even though it was still enjoyable. As a TV series, Love, Victor won me over the same way Simon's story did in novel format. Ten episodes of this series is not enough for me and I really hope there is a second season coming, given how it left off. I haven't loved a show on Hulu this much since Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Check out the trailer:


Some reasons you should be watching:
*Same producer and writer as This is Us (Isaac Aptaker), also featuring an actress from that show (Rachel Hilson, who plays young Beth on TIU also plays Mia on LV).
*Awesome theme song that I can't get out of my head!
*Michael Cimino is adorable as Victor
*Nick Robinson (Simon) has a cameo both in voice and in person
*So raw and honest, not just in regards to Victor, but also with the other characters on the show.
*Ana Ortiz from Ugly Betty (Betty's sister, Hilda) plays Victor's mom
*Felix and Lake come off as annoying at first, but then they both grow on you so much and they become as lovable as Victor.
*Victor's little brother is so sweet and funny.
*Ali Wong has a small part as a teacher and she's really funny.

What I love about both shows:
*They have other story lines aside from the main character's, which I love.
*They feature an LGBTQ theme, but on Never, it's for a supporting character.
*They have so many great moments that have made me laugh and cry.
*They have strong casts that work really well together.
*They have great kissing scenes (I won't say who is doing the kissing though...)

If you haven't seen either of these shows, get ready to binge-watch them both! If you have seen them, let me know your thoughts.

Decades of Laughter: The Goldbergs (Season 7) and Schooled (Season 2)

The Goldbergs (Season 7)

Courtesy of Wikipedia

I'm keeping up my tradition of mentioning my top 10 favorite episodes of the most recent season. I am looking forward to season EIGHT! I worry that they're going to run out of references soon. Like I said last year, I hope they'll feature Can't Buy Me Love, Adventures in Babysitting, and maybe some other lesser-known classics like Moving Violations in the next season. Grease 2 is fair game, as well!

After you check out my favorites for this season, keep reading for my thoughts on Schooled.







1. Episode 3: Food in a Geoffy
When a job for Geoff Schwartz's new food delivery service goes awry, it's up to Murray and Geoff to race all over Jenkintown in search of an important cheesesteak; a handful of local customers are anything but helpful.
This episode has actors from Cheers.

2. Episode 5: Parents Thursday
While at school, Erica attempts to fool Beverly into thinking parents weekend has been rescheduled; Adam joins the school production of "Romeo and Juliet."
I love anything involving Adam doing theater.

3. Episode 6: A 100% True Ghost Story
Beverly scores a bargain on four paintings, but something supernatural is causing them to be destroyed; Barry decides to throw a huge "Rocky Horror Picture Show"-themed party against Erica's wishes.
If you don't know why I liked this episode, then do you really know me?

4. Episode 10: It's a Wonderful Life
Hoping to outdo the Kremp family, Beverly decides the Goldbergs must do an even better family holiday card; a prank war with Barry and JTP quickly spirals out of control.

5. Episode 12: Game Night
Geoff struggles to keep his living arrangement with Erica and Barry a secret from Beverly during game night; Adam goes to his guidance teacher for a lesson in being cool so he can get closer to a new girl in chemistry class.
I just remember the game night parts being really funny. This is also the first time we meet Brea Bee (I later saw the same actress on Dead to Me). And Anthony Michael Hall is the cool guidance counselor!

6. Episode 15: Dave Kim's Party
A big party is being thrown at Dave Kim's house and Pops has a plan to make Adam cool for the big event; Beverly's cookbook has made her "famous," leading her to become out of control and fame hungry.

7. Episode 16: Body Swap
Adam is torn between following Beverly's rules when it comes to off-campus lunch or going to the food court with his friends; after using Barry's college ID to get food at the dorm, Geoff becomes the "student" Barry wishes he could be.

8. Episode 17: A Fish Story
Adam and Murray don't want to go on a camping trip, so father and son create a film faking it; Erica joins an all-girl a cappella group and learns an important lesson after taking over the group.
I always enjoy when Erica sings. She has a great voice. Also, "The Molly Singwalds." 

9. Episode 18: Schmoopie's Big Adventure
Beverly buys a bicycle for Adam just like the one from Pee Wee's Big Adventure; Barry and Erica turn Murray's furniture store into an after-hours lounge for college students.
It brought back fond memories of Pee Wee's Big Adventure for me.

10. Episode 21: Oates & Oates
While throwing a telethon at their college, Barry attempts to woo Ren by promising to get Hall and Oates to perform; Beverly attempts to set Bill up, but things go awry when he finds happiness with a woman he meets through Beverly's enemy.
One of the funniest scenes ever is in this episode. I could not stop laughing! Hall & Oates even liked my tweet where I said that my older son thought they were a cereal.

Schooled (Season 2)

Courtesy of IMDb

I loved watching Schooled over the past year or so and was so disappointed to find out that it was cancelled. I literally yelled "NOOOO!" when I read the unfortunate news. It was such a funny series and since I went to high school in the nineties, I could totally relate to all the pop culture references. The only thing I wouldn't have minded less of was all the arguments between Coach Mellor and Julie.

I'm sharing my top 10 favorite episodes of this past (and last) season.

1. Episode 3: The Rudy-ing of Toby Murphy
After watching the classic film "Rudy" in C.B.'s class, a student wants to play football; Principal Glascott suggests Lainey find a girlfriend to give her advice on life, so she tries to befriend Wilma.

2. Episode 4: Kick Like a Girl
Hoping to improve the football team's chances at winning the title, Mellor and Glascott recruit star soccer player Felicia to kick field goals; CB chaperones an overnight ski trip and hopes to get in some quality time with Lainey.
I loved the potential for CB and Lainey in this episode.

3. Episode 7: Hakuna Matata
Lainey is asked to direct another school musical, but she is unsure if she can top herself after the success of last year's show; Coach Mellor's athletic records may soon be broken, so he must find a way to keep his name in the spotlight.
The Lion King. Enough said.

4. Episode 10: Beanie Babies
CB hopes getting Lainey a Beanie Baby for Christmas will show his true feelings for her, but it doesn't go as planned; Principal Glascott tries to convince Felicia that she needs to participate in a Kwanza play he has written.

5. Episode 11: Boy Bands
Wilma encourages Ronnie to pursue his dreams of being in a boy band but goes too far when a music video gets out for William Penn to see; the school hires Aunt Julie as the nurse, which quickly affects her relationship with Coach Mellor.

6. Episode 13: Titanic Love
Lainey has a realization about CB; Principal Glascott uses the season's bad football team to teach Coach Mellor how to be both a good winner and a good loser.

7. Episode 15: Moving On
Wilma steps in to help CB move on from Lainey with help from Coach Mellor; Lainey learns she has unresolved issues from her past when mentoring a student.
I got teary-eyed from this episode.

8. Episode 16: Rock Star
While preparing students for the school's show choir, Lainey realizes Wilma might be a better singer than her and gets competitive; Coach Mellor and Aunt Julie fight over how to parent Toby.
I liked it mainly for the parts about Lainey and Wilma.

9. Episode 20: CB Saves the Planet
CB is smitten with environmental consultant Paloma, who was hired to oversee William Penn's Earth Day activities; Wilma gets a surprise after convincing Lainey that yearbook superlatives are not important.

10. Episode 21: Clueless
Lainey has a difficult choice regarding her relationship with Barry and her friendship with CB; Coach Mellor and Julie are put in a tough parenting position when Toby is invited to prom as a freshman by a senior.
It paid homage to one of my favorite nineties films. What's not to love?!?

If you watched either or both series, what were your favorite episodes this past year?

Unorthodox: Thoughts on the TV series and book

Courtesy of The Daily Nexus

So...my husband and I binge-watched Unorthodox this past weekend. There were only four episodes, so it wasn't hard to do, but we really wish there were more. Since the series is loosely based on the 2012 memoir by Deborah Feldman (reviewed below the trailer), there are so many places the story could go if a second season were to be filmed. Having said that, we really enjoyed this show. Esty's new life was shown balanced against flashbacks from the time leading up to her marriage to the time she decided to escape. I read Exodus, the follow-up to Unorthodox, a long time ago, but it was nowhere near as interesting as what the writers of this show dreamed up for Esty. I loved her group of friends from the music school and how they brought her into their fold and supported her. I liked that they gave her mom a bigger role, as well as a backstory. I even liked seeing Yanky and his cousin wandering around Berlin looking for Esty.

There are some ways in which the show is similar to the book. Like Devorah, Esty was raised by her grandparents, as her mom had left (we don't get told why in the book) and her dad wasn't able to raise her on his own (in the book, he has a developmental delay, on the show he is an alcoholic). The scene where she goes to meet her future mother-in-law is similar to the book, as well. They also talk about her difficulty with consummating her marriage. She is also sheltered in regards to knowing about sex. (In the book, there's a part where her grandma gets mad at her for asking about the word "virgin" on a bottle of virgin olive oil.) I like that the writers included a lot of details about Jewish rituals on this show. My husband and I agreed that they did a great job with it.

As with the book, I felt overwhelmed by Esty's life in Williamsburg. It seems strange for me to say that with growing up Jewish and having relatives who are frum, but I felt claustrophobic for Esty at her wedding and during the Passover Seder. Her husband told his family about their difficulty consummating the marriage, so everyone was in her business about it, which was so awkward and uncomfortable to even think about!

I really liked the use of music on this show. The pieces that were performed elevated the intensity of the story in some ways. There was such a passion for music, whether it was instrumental or vocal. It made me sad for Esty when she was told she couldn't take piano lessons anymore. It was something she really enjoyed. While I am a wife and mother, I appreciate being able to have interests of my own too. I am also glad to share those interests with my family. I love that I passed my enthusiasm for reading onto my kids, and now my husband is getting back into it, as well.

Overall, this is a great (limited) series and I would really like to see it continue. Shira Haas was delightful to watch as Esty. She really did well in this role.

Check out the trailer:



Book Review (originally posted at Chick Lit Central in 2012):

For those of you who don’t know much about me yet, you may want to read this blog post (be prepared, it’s long) about my transition from a secular lifestyle to one of a Modern Orthodox Jew. I still do a lot of secular things, mind you, but there are also things I don’t do anymore. For instance, I don’t use technology (computer, phone, television, etc.) from Friday night to Saturday night, in observance of Shabbat (the same applies during Yom Tov holidays, like Passover, Rosh Hashanah, etc., which usually go for two days, unless they are connected to Shabbat at one end or the other). That’s why I’m never online. I also don’t wear shorts, even in the summer (I wear jeans, pedal pushers, or skirts). And for two weeks a month, I do not so much as even hold hands with my husband. Those of you who think my lifestyle is restrictive may not want to read Unorthodox. The level of restrictions Deborah Feldman describes being raised with would be sure to cause eyes to pop out of their heads. However, if you have an open mind and are interested in reading about one aspect of a widely diverse religion, I highly recommend this book.

Since becoming more observant with Judaism was a choice for me, I find it hard to judge people who are more observant than I am. Parts of my family are frum (highly observant with many rules pertaining to keeping Kosher, observing Shabbat and holidays, modesty, etc.) and I respect their beliefs, even if I could never see myself wearing a shaitel (wig) and long sleeves all year long (especially on 90-100 degree--Fahrenheit--summer days). I respect anyone who has strong faith and does what they feel is important to them to show this faith. As long as they are not using it to hurt or oppress someone else, who am I to judge? Also, coming from a less “restrictive” secular lifestyle during which I watched Saturday morning cartoons and ate cheeseburgers at McDonald's, I am not one to tell a Satmar Hasid how to live their life. I would never fit into their lifestyle and don’t plan to. Especially if it meant I wasn’t allowed to read my books!

Deborah Feldman makes a strong case for herself as to why she decided to reject her roots. She starts off by describing her childhood and takes us up to the time she left everyone behind for a secular lifestyle. I don’t think she was ever meant to be Hasidic to begin with. As they say in the song “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast, “It’s a pity and a sin, she doesn’t quite fit in.” Deborah knew she didn’t fit in right away and her aunts, uncles and cousins made this clear to her from the start. They thought something was wrong with her because her mom left to become secular and her dad was basically a child in a grown man’s body. While most girls her age sat quietly in school and did what they were told, Deborah was sent to the principal’s office many times for one rebellious behavior or another. She also smuggled secular books into her house and hid them where she thought her Zeidy wouldn’t look during Passover cleaning.

As she grew older, she tried her best to fit into the life she was given. She made friends and participated in all the Sabbath and holiday rituals. She even helped her Bubby cook. Still, she found ways to stand out, which made finding her a proper shidduch (marriage match) that much harder. When she was finally paired off, she eagerly participated in the excitement leading up to her wedding day, which included giving and receiving gifts on the holidays, graciously taking her part in the spotlight during the pre-wedding ceremonies, setting up a home for herself and her soon-to-be chasan (husband) and taking kallah (bride) classes, which culminated in going to the mikvah prior to marriage. However, her wedding night was a different story. Deborah goes into a lot of intimate detail about what happens in her bedroom, which may be comfortable for some and cause others to squirm. Being as sheltered as she was, with a lack of sex education up until her kallah classes, she had no clue on how to consummate her marriage and this cluelessness led to a very difficult first year for her husband and herself. To top it off, her family (including her in-laws) knows what happened (or didn’t happen) in the bedroom and this adds to her shame and embarrassment. If only she had smuggled Judy Blume books instead of Little Women, she might have been more prepared for what was to occur on her wedding night and beyond.

I liked all the parts where she describes all the traditions for Shabbat and holidays, as well as wedding rituals. Even though I understood what was going on, I still felt as though I had an outsider's view into another way of life. While most of the events in this memoir took place between the 1990s and 2010, it felt like I was dropped into the time period of Fiddler on the Roof. Although Khaled Hosseini's novels are fictional, while reading Unorthodox, I got the same feelings of nervous trepidation that I did while reading The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I kept thinking the whole time: "Oh, this can't be good." I don't know why I would dread what was waiting around the corner for Deborah, but perhaps the book's synopsis built me up to that level of anxiety.

I know the book cover and summary both imply what happens as Deborah gets older, as it mentions her giving birth to a son and how she eventually leaves her family behind for what she feels is a better life. And honestly, I don’t blame her for doing so! It was clear from the beginning that she was not meant to have this lifestyle, no matter how hard she tried to fit in, as it was her best bet for survival at the time. When she realizes there’s more to life than what she has experienced and tries to fit into the secular world, there’s still a lot in store for her. It’s not easy to transition from a sheltered life to one without rules and customs. I would have liked to know more details about her adjustment into this world and any setbacks she may have had. I also wanted to know if she kept up with any Jewish traditions after she became more secular. She just sums everything up in an epilogue, not really giving the full picture. It makes me wonder if she’ll write another book eventually, as she is an incredibly engaging writer.

Aside from some of the “gory” details, I really enjoyed getting to know Deborah and even saw pieces of myself in her. I was glad I had the opportunity to read Unorthodox (thanks to receiving it as a birthday gift) and would definitely recommend it to anyone who can handle reading about a lifestyle very much different from their own, without becoming judgmental. Reading this memoir made me realize how important it is to raise my children in a positive and fulfilling way, even while keeping to the rules we have embraced. If religion is crammed down ones' throat in a negative fashion, there could be more individuals who decide to become secular and the traditions and customs could eventually die out. It's important to have certain traditions and customs that will carry on for many more generations, but there's no reason they can't be made enjoyable.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
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My latest binge watch: Upload

Courtesy of IMDb

I haven't been blogging over here much, but I finished watching a new show that is worthy of a blog post: Upload. The best way for me to describe this show is Wreck-It Ralph, but with real people. Well, it's not as tame as Wreck-It Ralph and children should definitely NOT watch it. However, it is similar in terms of extreme creativity and an engaging story that just leaves you wanting more and more....and more. (How is it only ten episodes?!?)

Upload appeals to fans of a several genres: romance, comedy, sci-fi, and thriller. They blend together in so many perfect ways. The plot and storylines are so interesting throughout each episode and there are some cliffhangers, including one at the very end. The characters fit so well into the story and complement each other. Nathan (Robbie Amell, total eye candy) and Nora (Andy Allo, #girlcrush worthy) are such genuine lead characters that it's easy to ship them right away. I was so invested in both of their situations the entire time and I felt their emotions. I was so nervous for both of them, as well. There are a lot of sweet and funny moments involving them in each episode.

Some of the other interesting characters on the show were Ingrid (Nathan's girlfriend, a piece of work, but has a likable side too), Aleesha (Nora's best friend and coworker, she's just really funny), Luke (Nathan's friend at Lakeview, he reminds me of Steve Zahn), Dylan (a kid at Lakeview who isn't what he seems), and Fran (a relative of Nathan's who has suspicions about his death). I also like Nevaeh (Nathan's niece) and Ernie (the therapy dog).

I love how Lakeview is set up similar to a resort. The set looks amazing and being set in a digital world allows for some cool visual effects.

What I thought was really cool was that people were still able to communicate with their departed loved ones, thanks to the upload. I wish that technology had been around earlier, as I'd love to maintain a connection to my grandparents that way. I also like that it's set in the not-so-distant future, thirteen years from now. In some ways, it feels strange to think of people around my kids' ages as adults when that time actually arrives. (Nathan is technically close in age to my oldest child.) However, some of the music they play is either from now or from even further back into the early 2000s. (The first episode starts with "Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige. There's also a part about "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" by Silentó in another episode.)

There is some product placement, but it's done in a funny way, with weird combinations of different companies. You'll see...

I just can't get enough of this show and wish there were a second season right now. The first season is currently on Amazon Prime. If you don't have it yet, it's worth doing a free trial just to binge-watch these 10 episodes (like I just did). I still can't stop thinking about it and it's definitely a new favorite for me.

Check out the trailer:

Sweet Sixteen!

My husband and I are celebrating 16 years of marriage this weekend. How is that even possible when it feels like we just got married yesterday?!? (The spark is still going strong!) In honor of our special day, I am going to post a little bit about the vacation we took for our 15-year anniversary, as I never got around to it before. (I don't even know how that happened.) We went to Miami last year, at the end of April. It was our first vacation without kids since our trip to Las Vegas in 2006, so we were long overdue! We stayed at an Airbnb, which was nice and in a good location. It was a bit of a walk to the beach, but nothing we couldn't handle. Right before we got to the beach, there was an area to sit that had a great cross breeze from the ocean. It felt so nice to sit there!

We spent some time on the first day just walking along the beach. The second day, we spent some more time there, playing in the ocean. We also spent time at Wynwood, which has really cool graffiti artwork. On the first night, we walked around South Beach. On the second night, we went to downtown Miami to see a comedy show. (It turned out to be an amateur night, but we still had fun.) We also went to some great Kosher restaurants. My favorite was Backyard Barbecue. The brisket there was incredible! On our last day, we walked around the Botanic Gardens for a while.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable trip and I still think about it a lot. I'm sharing some pictures here. Enjoy!

The following photos were taken at Wynwood:

South Beach at night. It was really busy for a Monday!

We saw these lizards all over the place!

Miami at night. I love how relaxing the ocean looks.

I'm hoping we won't have to wait another 13 years to do another trip as a couple. Until then, I also look forward to more trips with our kids. I love my husband and our 16 years of marriage have been incredibly sweet!