*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, Iām really into the parenthesis today.)
(Iām 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 youāre curious as to why she refers to herself as Big Mama, youāll be relieved to know she explains her alias in the first chapter of her book. But Iāll 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 Iāve loved Melanieās blog are because sheās 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 donāt know about you, but my materialistic side is really into fashion, and there is always something sheās finding online thatās 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.
(Yāall. I didnāt set my alarm yesterday morning, slept in, and went to our evening service. I donāt 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 theyāre just easy to read, charming and you want to keep going because youāve entered into their world without even knowing it? Thatās how I feel about Sparkly Green Earrings. I realize Iām only five chapters in, but I can guarantee you it wonāt take me longer than a week to finish it. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first, not because I donāt love Melanie or her writing, but because itās a book about motherhood, and, well, to state the obvious, Iāve not ventured into the land of motherhood, nor am I close, so I wasnāt 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, Iām no author, nor have I published a book, but I say thatās a pretty big stinkinā deal and deserves a celebration.
Need proof? Hereās 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 yāall had nothing better to do this weekend. Grin.
Hereās 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 Iām regretting right now is the fact that Caroline isnāt 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 donāt like your last name on the internet for the world to see, so if thatās you, your last initial would be so helpful. I donāt know if you realized there are A LOT of names on this blog, and not shockingly, A LOT of duplicates.)
For fun, if youāre 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 Iām not even going to pretend like I know what my book would be titled. Iāll just start with āLindsee Louā.
Howās 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!
Awe! My daughter is Lindsey and I call her Lindsey Loo. š
I would call my book………………..
“A Dumb Sheep, A Great Shepherd” …….. been reading “A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm”.
I dream of writing about the importance of family “Family – the Forgotten Force” š – Michelle O’Banion <3
Emily Haney
I love to read. My book…???!!!!!/////
“Say It With Punctuation!”
Scatterbrained š
Michelle Pendley
Flux
Donna Sparks – Currently writing a book called ” Struggling to Believe”
Suzi S
Teri Hepfinger
I have never actually thought of what the name of my book would be if I wrote one. wishing i was creative enough to come up with something cute off the top of my head, but alas, I am not :(.
green, sparkly,and godly! Yay God…Can’t wait to read it….
My book would be called “Be Still”
Alexis Matthews…would love to read that book. Cute cover! š
My book would be called ” The Prairie Wonders”.
Selena Cumbie
Tracy Peddy
My book will be “Keep Holding On”
I would title my book, “A Work in Progress”
The Journey of Raggedy Ann! Who she was and who she became.
Molly S.
Thanks for pointing out that you don’t have to be a mom to read this book. I was wondering, but now I’m excited to read it! š
I’d name my book “Frankly Speaking”… my maiden name is Frank š
Anne Lewis
I would love to read this book! Always looking for laughs as I care for my mom who has dementia. My book title would be Lessons I’ve Finally Learned To Live In Victory.
Kelli smith, title: is that a dried up banana on your sweater?
Stacey Ashley — “The Girl With Two First Names”
First contest to enter. Would love to win.
If I wrote a book it would be called, “Life at Five Nauts”–how to live at a sailing pace in this crazy fastlane world. Thanks for the fun opportunity to win!
Oh, if I’d only recorded all the book titles in my head over the years….. I guess today’s would be “I’m in WHAT season of my life?? (Surviving your 60’s with grace)”
My book title would be: Just Alive or Truely Living ( because there’s a big difference)
Book Title: Fallen
That sounds like a great book! I use parenthesis alot, but the dash (-) is my favorite – I’m always adding another line to a sentence! And I guess I probably overuse the exclamation point, too! I really don’t know what I would title my book. For right now I’m going with – ‘Seriously!?!’ I say that ALOT!
Tammy Hukill – “On the Way”
I would love a copy of the book! I get called “Tabby Lou” by one of my co-workers. (Ironic, huh?!) My book would probably be called Gabby Tabby. My sons and husband call me that sometimes. I’m not sure why! (grin)
My first book! What would I title it… “Life lived well” How do we as women of faith live and share life well?
Pamela Shelton
Betsy Roberts
“Things your Momma never told ya …”
Amanda Grasza…… Puzzles n’ Poodles and Princess Pink
Hi! My non-book is Chasing Rabbits. Thanks!
My book would be called, “Gray Hair CAN Be Covered!”
Kim Garrett
The title of my book would be Dessert First.
Lori Hall
My book would be titled, “I love to Win!”
“Embracing the Blessings in all the craziness”…single mom of 3 girls, 2 teenager, I have been blessed so much in this crazy chaotic life of mine š
Sounds like a great book.
Love the way you write and think you should publish your book soon! Mine: It Wasn’t Supposed to Turn Out This Way (But I’m Glad It Did!)
I would love to win a witty book about motherhood!
I need it, because I can’t think of a witty title for my own autobiography or memoir. Because I have little kids. And they sucked my brain dry. So intead, look for a Christian science-fiction novel because that’s what I’m writing. Though, it doesn’t have a title, either. (see above re: kids sucking my brain…)
Mine would be “Big Pink Bowls of Candy”.
Andi Crumrine
My book would be called Smiling Is My Favorite!
My book would be titled “Not Home Yet”
Karen Smith
Cindy Alphin
Joyce Bailey
My book title: Two Friends and a Beach House
Stacey Dobesh – Cardinals, Sunrises and Mountains
I think I would name my book “Mom How Did You Get In There”
(sub titled) Seeing Your Mom in the Bathroom Mirror