From Tracie: All That Is Bitter & Sweet

Monday, March 03, 2014

All That Is Bitter & Sweet

I finished reading Ashley Judd's book All That Is Bitter & Sweet last week, and despite telling everyone I know about it over and over until they tell me to shut up, I'm still having trouble writing about it.

All That Is Bitter And Sweet Book CoverSometimes a book grabs your heart in such a way that there is no short way to talk about it - you just have to say every single thing you learned, and thought, and cried about, and wished, and loved. But I'm going to try to restrain myself from doing that, because I know you have a life and will eventually need to leave your computer to get some dinner.

All That Is Bitter & Sweet. There could be no more fitting name for this book. Judd shares the good and bad stuff of her life, from her early years to now. If you are looking for an inside story of someone who grew up in a prominent family, you will enjoy this book.

She doesn't hold back on those personal stories, but the real story is not Ashley Judd's famous family or her acting career. The real story is the work she has been doing with PSI and other aid organizations, and the work she has done in her own life to seek recovery and healing.

I cried my way through her trips to southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. During those trips she kept diaries that detailed the stories she heard as well as her own experiences and feelings. This book was born out of those diaries, and it is full of the powerful emotions that come with writing something in the moment. She says many times that her mission is to tell the stories of the poor and vulnerable she has met in her travels. This is a promise she has made to the people who have opened their hearts and lives to her, and this book is a beautiful fulfillment of that promise.

It isn't all heavy. There are lighthearted moments, too, and pages where you want to stand up and cheer for Ashley, for the staff at PSI, and for the people who are overcoming fear and circumstances to bring light to the darkness that surrounds them. Ultimately this is a book of surviving, overcoming, standing strong, and working and fighting for what you believe is important.

I closed the cover feeling completely inspired, and I believe you will, too.

*I received a free copy of this book because I am a part of the PSI Online Moms Club. I was under no obligation to blog about it. I wrote this post because All That Is Bitter and Sweet touched my heart.

33 comments:

  1. I didn't even realize she had a book out, but I would definitely like to read it at some point!!

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  2. My friend had told me about this book a while ago but I completely forgot. Thanks for the reminder- I've got to read it!

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    1. Yay! I'm glad I was able to help. It is definitely worth the read.

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  3. I love Ashley Judd as an actress but didn't realize she had a book out! From your review, it sounds like an amazing and inspiring book. I can't wait to check it out!

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    1. I love her, too. I really think you will enjoy the book.

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  4. I love Ashley Judd. This would be a perfect book for me to add to my library.

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  5. I hadn't realized she wrote a book but I'd love to read it, she's always been one of my favorite actresses.

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  6. I didn't realize her humanitarian efforts were that far-reaching. This sounds excellent.

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  7. Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing! Definitely something I would enjoy. Adding it to my list!

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  8. She Is A Amazing Woman I Can't Wait To Read!!

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  9. I didn't realize she had a book out! I will have to check this out - love her!

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  10. I love ashley judd- i would love to read her book!

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  11. I didn't know she had a book out...I will check it out for sure! I have a huge list right now, but that's what lists are for, right? Eventually we get through them all!

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    1. Exactly. There is always room for more books on the list....even if there isn't room for more books on the shelves. Of course, that is what chairs are for, right?

      I've got more chairs with books stacked in them right now than I have open for people to actually sit down.

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  12. This sounds like a great book and I am adding it to my reading list!

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  13. I've been looking for a new book to read. Currently finishing up Charles Dickens David Copperfield, so perhaps getting into the new millennium will be refreshing!

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    1. Did you enjoy David Copperfield? I've had a hard time getting into Dickens in the past (Tale of Two Cities is one of the five books I've never been able to finish), but I've heard good things about Copperfield.

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  14. I've always thought Ashley Judd was an interesting person! I think this would be a great (emotional) read. I'm certain I'd end up crying too.

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  15. What I love about Ashley Judd is that she is such a kind hearted humanitarian!

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  16. Definitely another book to add to my summer reading list! I had no idea she had a book! I love this kind of stuff, anything based in reality is worth reading

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  17. I have always loved Ashley Judd - I'd put this on my "must read" list.

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    1. Yay! I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

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  18. Oh I like her, I didn't know she had a book!

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  19. Sounds like a great book! Adding to my list to read!

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  20. I have this on my list of reads. Sounds great

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  21. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. This sounds like a fun book to read!

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  23. I would love to read this book, it sounds like a great read. I like her too so I'd be interested in this.

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  24. I have always thought that Ashley Judd was so much more than just an actress. Not that being an actress isn't enough, but she uses her platform to do so much good.

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    1. Yes. You are exactly right. Being an actress would be enough, but she has taken it to a whole new level by using her name and influence to do good for so many other people.

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  25. Sounds like a great book and now I want to read it. We love Ashley Judd in KY...she attended the University of Kentucky (although I'm a University of Louisville fan myself). College basketball kind of state. Thanks for reviewing the book!

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  26. Thanks for this. I had no idea she even had a book out. I'll definitely be adding it to my list!

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