*Update: Comments are now closed! And I’ve decided that y’all have some of the best hypothetical books around. You had me laughing out loud! Check back soon for our ten winners!
The weekend before last (I know, take a minute to figure that one out. It is Monday after all.), I drove myself to Katy, Texas. (While that may sound like I actually ventured out on a road trip, it really just means I drove 30 minutes across town.) (Also, I’m really into the parenthesis today.)
(I’m currently humoring myself and no one else. I know. Forgive me.)
The reason for my 30-minute road trip was because a sweet lady named Big Mama, I mean, Melanie Shankle, was doing a book signing at the Books-A-Million for her new book, Sparkly Green Earrings. You may have heard of her? Grin.
(By the way, if you’re curious as to why she refers to herself as Big Mama, you’ll be relieved to know she explains her alias in the first chapter of her book. But I’ll leave that story for her to tell. A little suspense is a good thing.)
Melanie has been blogging since before blogging became the thing to do, and her blog was one of the very first blogs I read. (How many times can I use the word blog in one sentence?) It was really love at first sight, or read. A few reasons I’ve loved Melanie’s blog are because she’s hilarious, real, a good writer, sarcastic and she loves Jesus. Need I say more?
Also, she does a really fun post every Friday called Fashion Friday, and I don’t know about you, but my materialistic side is really into fashion, and there is always something she’s finding online that’s adorable that I then put into my mental wish list.
Anyway, last Saturday I got lucky and both she and her equally hilarious daughter, Caroline, signed my copy of the book.
Truth be told, I love to read, but for the past week the book has sat on my bedside table. That is until I picked it up yesterday and devoured the first five chapters before I realized I would be late to church and miss prayer time unless I left right then.
(Y’all. I didn’t set my alarm yesterday morning, slept in, and went to our evening service. I don’t know, but I feel like a new woman. It was heavenly. But that has nothing to do with Sparkly Green Earrings. But I did feel sparkly. Whatever that means.)
You know those books that you pick up and they’re just easy to read, charming and you want to keep going because you’ve entered into their world without even knowing it? That’s how I feel about Sparkly Green Earrings. I realize I’m only five chapters in, but I can guarantee you it won’t take me longer than a week to finish it. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first, not because I don’t love Melanie or her writing, but because it’s a book about motherhood, and, well, to state the obvious, I’ve not ventured into the land of motherhood, nor am I close, so I wasn’t sure if it would apply to me. But alas, it is so much more than motherhood, it is her story of motherhood and it is a sweet one. In fact, she talks about her best friend from the start, and I really resonated with that as I thought about my best friend, and our friendship, especially since she just walked through pregnancy and has her first baby girl that is my current obsession.
I say all of that to say this, our friend Melanie, and her whimsical book, made it on the NY Times Best Seller list this week. Listen, I’m no author, nor have I published a book, but I say that’s a pretty big stinkin’ deal and deserves a celebration.
Need proof? Here’s a picture.
So, to celebrate, I thought it would be really fun to give away ten signed copies of Sparkly Green Earrings! Through a series of unplanned, or planned, events, we have those copies in our possession and they make me incredibly happy. Thank you, Amanda and Melanie, for making the signed books a reality. I know y’all had nothing better to do this weekend. Grin.
Here’s a look in the book.
How about this cover? I’ve tried endless times to get my ponytail looking like that.
Signed, sealed and (almost) delivered. Grin.
Someone else we all know and love also loves this book and the author!
And here is a picture of Nancy and me at the book signing with Melanie. The only thing I’m regretting right now is the fact that Caroline isn’t in the picture with us. Watching Caroline sign the books brought me pure delight.
(Notice the leg pop both Melanie and I are doing. That makes us cool.)
To win your own copy of Sparkly Green Earrings, simply leave a comment with your first and last name. (Side note: I know some of you don’t like your last name on the internet for the world to see, so if that’s you, your last initial would be so helpful. I don’t know if you realized there are A LOT of names on this blog, and not shockingly, A LOT of duplicates.)
For fun, if you’re feeling super creative, you can also tell us hypothetically what the name of your book would be called if indeed, you were to publish a book.
And I’m not even going to pretend like I know what my book would be titled. I’ll just start with “Lindsee Lou”.
How’s that for original? Catchy?
Okay, enough about my non-book.
I’ll leave comments open until mid-Wednesday morning!
Ready, set, go win a book!
Laura Moore
Embracing This Life
: )
Holly Roddenberry
I have an ecopy, and LOVE LOVE LOVE the book too; but oh, how I would love a signed copy as well. I love her blog too. And I will stop now without saying the L word another time!!
I would love a copy. Please 🙂
My Life as a Jesus Gurl with Curls
Lisa Covington
“Lesson’s I learned from my mom”
We have an agreement that if I ever write a book it will be all about the little life lessons my mom has taught me. Such as…if you have to get a mammogram then you automatically get to go to the mall. 🙂
Luann Habecker
The Amazing Adventures of Miss Carol
Tammy Kron
My book title would be “Write Your Own Book.” During our first newborn checkup with our doctor days after my first child was born, I was asking him questions, “the book says this….what do you think?” and “the book I was reading said…” He looked at me and said, “Kathy – you are going to need to write your own book here.” Those words have stuck with me ever since as my motherhood journey continues! Fun giveaway – thank you!
Judy Pauley
Teaching Children And Loving It
Have a great day!!!
Victoria Milam
Dawn Morley
Suzanne W.
CJ Cox 🙂
Carolyn S in Palmer, AK
Katie Smith
Corcoran, Laura Faith. “Faith is My Middle Name”
I would just love a copy of Melanie’s book!
My book would be entitled: “The Girl on the Stairs” That is where Jesus found me when I was all alone as a child and crying. He is ever faithful!!!
Mendy Iler
Perils of the Peeps
TAMMY VICTOR
I think I may be pondering a book title the rest of the day! 🙂
Mandi Sams
“Through the Eyes of a Blessed Redhead”
Stacy Bishop would really like to read that book!!!!!
A Red Herring!
-Red, because that’s my favorite color. A fish because I’ve spent most of my life floundering. (lol)
It’s hard to say what I would title my book. All I can imagine in my heads are swirls, roller coaster, and bends in the roads.
That sounds like a fun book to ready! 🙂
Hi! Lindsee!!!
Have no idea why I would want a copy of this book???? My kids are all grown I have no g’children and I would not look good in sparkly green earrings!!!
Name of my book ” All the French I Ever Learned I learned in the Pshych Ward!” Doesn’t that make you just wana buy that one???? This is fun-ny!
Love,
Betty M
My book would be “My Cup Runneth Over and other messes.
Maggie Hall 🙂
‘Out of Deep Waters’
I am sooo not creative enough to write a book or even come up with a title…lol
Emily Coleman
Charismatic Chaos: and the blessings keep coming!
Saw her at dotmom this weekend and cannot wait to read this book!!!
I’d love to win a copy.
I would be delighted to win a copy!!
Wow, that’s a hard question…. Maybe something along the lines of “Putting the “fun” in dysfunction!!” Haha!
Cece Lamascus Pixie Princess Diaries
Anna Smith (from DFW, TX- I know this is a very common name!)
Shelli Simontacchi.
My book would be called “Shell in the City”…the same name as my blog! 🙂
Cindy Barnfield
My book would be called “This is Amazing Grace”
I’m in my 50s and still wear a pony tail and since I am a May baby, sparkly green emeralds are my birthstone!
My name is Jenny Friend and I don’t think I’ll ever write a book, but if I did I might call it Mrs. Friendo?
Janette Shirey
“A Gift Devoted to God”
Mindy Crouch….pick me!!
My college roommates and I discussed this very topic years ago. Will not say how many years because that makes me feel o.l.d. My book title answer hasn’t changed since then, Louder Than Expected.
Tracey Hodge
Name of my book would be:
In Real Life God is Real
I would love to read and win this book 🙂