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It’s Called a Spade: A Collection of Hard-To-Tell True Stories by [JJ Barrows]

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JJ Barrows

It’s Called a Spade: A Collection of Hard-To-Tell True Stories Kindle Edition

by JJ Barrows (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

34 ratings

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“it’s called a spade” is a reference to calling life like it is instead of hiding the tough stuff and pretending like everything is fine. It’s a collection of stories about life, about people and God, recovery and relapse, heartache and brokenness, and the reality that life is hard, even if you believe in God, even if you don’t. But there is also hope and humor and healing that comes without answers. This is a collection of stories from a human who almost disappeared in her efforts to be seen, a girl who called spades hearts and smiled while bluffing.

Print length

111 pages
Language

English
Publisher

WestBow Press
Publication date

October 4, 2019
File size

257 KB
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JJ Barrows is an artist, writer and stand-up comedian, born and bred with southern manners and a wanderer's heart that has taken her all over the globe. Though she's known for her humor and bright colors, as a "grownup" middle child in recovery from an aggressive eating disorder, confusing religion, dysfunctional family and an on-again-off-again relationship with depression, she writes honestly about the darker shades of life that are often hard to talk about. When not speaking or performing, she enjoys traveling with her husband or life at home on the beaches of Southern California, surfing, biking, or crying at sunset. Life is too beautiful not to cry.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07YZ1KJ2F
Publisher ‏ : ‎ WestBow Press (October 4, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 4, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 257 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 111 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #857,672 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #11,703 in Memoirs (Kindle Store)
- #43,598 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
34 ratings

About the author

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JJ Barrows

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JJ Barrows is an Author, Artist and Stand-Up Comedian, juggling jobs, passions and Instagram accounts, and letting it be okay to let some stuff go-- including her Instagram account dedicated to Peanut Butter.

She has toured all over the country performing comedy or speaking on topics close to her heart, finding common ground between pain and humor, and the need for both to exist at the same time. Her Dry Bar Comedy Special "Doodle All Day" can be found on Amazon, as well as DryBarComedy.com.

In addition to the written and spoken word, you can find her abstract expression over on one of her remaining Instagram accounts: @jjbarrowsart (as well as @jjbarrows for more comedy).

Her videos and updates can be found through her website www.jjbarrows.com (be sure to check out her kid's class about authenticity), as well as her weekly blog posts over at itscalledaspade.blog.

She still enjoy peanut butter outside of a virtual reality.

In the words of JJ, "Please feel free to leave a review, spread the word and enjoy each moment as it comes!"

Customer reviews

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Rebekah M. Sanborn

Well done, J.J.!!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019

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THIS BOOK = AMAZING for the heart, mind, and soul!!! J.J. puts great perspective into the hard things of life and does so with such authenticity from her own experiences from her life. Her sweet, God-blessed soul put together with her bursting heart of love that has experienced tragedy, loss, and just life-stuff will open your eyes to the beauty of God, every persons need to be KNOWN, and the design of humanity also reaching out for someone. There just aren't enough good words to say how wonderful this book truly is. What a gift to humanity!!! Well done, J.J.!

One person found this helpful

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Anonymous

Raw, eloquent, and real

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019

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J.J. reveals it all, with heart, vulnerability, class, humor, and unabashed faith and understanding of and compassion for differences and the struggles of being human. Many will be inspired and encouraged by J.J.’s courageous and witty exposé. Contemporary, relevant, and clever. Well done, J.J.!

Helpful

Pastor Mike

Transparent and thought provoking - A great read to help you see life from a different perspective

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019

Verified Purchase

Thank you to JJ for bringing a transparent perspective of real life especially for those of us that have grown up in the church and/or Christian homes. The honest approach will provide support to those that are trying to get through life understanding that it is ok not to be ok all of the time. The spiritual aspect was powerful that I believe it calls us to be honest with ourselves and God about who we truly are. I have already used an example from the book to encourage someone else. Thank you again to JJ for sharing your experiences. Very well done.

One person found this helpful

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Candice

A must read!!

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2019

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I highly recommend you read this book. It will make you laugh & it will make you cry. These are stories that were written well from the heart. They are about experiences in her life that are not easy to share, but that many (including myself) can relate to. It will open up the door to share your own life experiences (that may even be similar) with others and to talk about the hard things in your own life. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Go ahead and put this book in your cart. It's a great one!

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

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JJ Barrows is honest, funny, and inspiring. This book is an easy read because it's short but it will stop you in your tracks at times to make you think. You will be a better person after getting introduced to JJ and her way with words.

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Steve Brewer

Wisdom often proceeds from acknowledging our lostness

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2019

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These stories ring true and clear. They come from the depths of a heart full of grace and a mind bent at a funny angle. There is humility here that is refreshing. Sometimes we get pulled out of our grounding by the roots. Only then can we wander and truly wonder. I'm sure this story teller is just getting started.

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Jane Schmitz

I love how honest JJ is in her book.

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019

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I love how honest JJ is in her book. I could relate to so many of her stories and she told her story as only JJ can. God has used her in a way that can relate to people in so many ways, through writing, comedy and creating art. Thank you JJ for sharing your story, I look forward to reading more stories of your adventures!

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Funny, touching and refreshing. JJ is a great story teller with a transparent heart❤️

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