*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!
I am not sure about the final title but it would be something like “what in the world am I doing”!
Ada Roeser
My book title would be “Lovin Him”
Being a single mom of 4 children (!) I always said, “I could write a book!” so that would be my title!! haha
I love this site and getting emails! If I had a book I would probably title it “Life of a Texan in the Carolinas!”
janalese mcknight
Thanks for all the give-away opportunities!
Beth Utterback
My book would be titled Southern, Sassy, and Saved!
My book title would be “God knows what He’s doing”
Sub-title, “so stop trying to help Him!”
Would like to win.
I follow Beth through Twitter and came across this blog. I would like to enter the contest for the book give-away if possible. I would also like to follow the blog and will try to figure out how to do so! The title of my book would be, What A Wonderful World. That was the theme of my school where I served as the assistant principal, then principal, for 10 wonderful years.
If I was to write a book on this cold, wet, dreary day, I would title it “Fast Forward to Spring.”
Trials and tribulations TO Victory in Christ!!!
Cynthia Leverett
This sounds like fun! Still can’t nail down a book title for myself though.
Oh I’d love to win this book. I’ve been checking out Big Mama and she has my attention. I love gals who are funny AND love Jesus!
My book: “I wrote a book “
My book? Breathe Deep and Open your Eyes.
Kari Flom
The title of my book would be Curly Girl Foodie: a journey of loving myself, my curly hair and food as much as the Lord loves me.
Never say Never!
.
Laura Harris
I’m so uncreative, I’ll leave the book titles to someone else!
I would love to read the book!!!
Sheila Hankins…How God Pulled Me Out of the Muck & Mire
Sarah Wright
Nelda Adkins – Houston, TX
One day I hope to write my personal story about “Accepting Forgiveness”.
Christi Hudson
I guess if I wrote a book it might be called, “Just Because…”
“Slap Yo Mama!” An account of my life with the southern recipes that shaped who I am today.
Jenna Burns
If I wrote a book I think I’d call it “Red Heads Do Have the Most Fun!”
Mary Bucy
Mary’s Unveiled Heart
Jan Kalne
From Dust to Dust; A Memoir
Sounds like a fabulous read! I hope I get one of the free ones! My book: “Don’t use the A Word!” The story of a family’s dance with ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder. 🙂
How exciting!
kathy olson
Kids, Kitchens, and Crazy Days
Jenn Glass, Orlando
If I wrote a book I would call it “Broken into Beautiful” but I’m pretty sure that has already been done.
Laura McKinney
The title of my book would be “Enough” as in Christ is enough!
Anya Bermingham
I would love to read a good book like that. My book title would be something like “There is a reason”
renda barr – thanks for the fun giveaway offers
Lorri Geeter
Title of my book…What was God thinking???
My book would be called: The Crazy Adventures of a Missionary Family! 🙂
Jill P.
Living by Faith is HARD
I sure hope I win the book! Thanks!
I would love a copy of the book! My book title would be, “My Journeys With God.”
Ms. De Goes Back to College 🙂
I want this book!!
I would love to win!
A Day to Remember
by Sandy Kreider =)
Vickie Barbee – “Redemption: The Story of A Barbee Girl Being Redeemed in This Barbie World” 🙂
I definitely want to read this book….. After this semester of nursing school! Haha… Probably won’t win but I’m trying! :))
Emily
If I wrote a book I would name it “Almost There”.
My book would have to be Crazy Train!
Betty Simpson
Would love a Do-Over!
I would entitle my book, “Invited”.