*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!
My book would be called….”For the love of Pete!”
This book sounds great! The Blessings of the Prairie Life.
Rena Gunther
I do hope to be published one day. My father has asked me to chronicle his life growing up in the area of Pensacola formerly known as “Tatertown” so I imagine I’d name the book Tatertown.
I’d also love to write about the many Sophie-isms I’ve learned from my six-year-old, Sophie. Have a child later in life while my oldest two daughters are adults has proven to be everything but dull or boring. God has used Sophie to teach me much. It’s often quiet painful. š
Leticia Pitts
Book Title: What To Do and What Not To Do When One of You Snores.
I have dreamed of being an author since I was in Kindergarten! Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be God’s plan for my life! But if I were to write a book the name of it would be Beach Girl!
Sue Sch, I would love this book, as I read all the time. I stay at home caring for my husband. Thanks. Blessings.
My book title? Warrior Pose.
Look forward to reading Sparkly Green Earrings – (signed or not). ^-^
Janet Leach
Sally Denton
Carla Foote
The name of my book would be “Footeprints”. š
My book would be titled “Pom Mom” (Pomeranian) š
My book title is now and has always been “You’ve Got To Be Kidding!”
Paula B: “Like the Grass”
Paulette B Book title? Adventures in WOW!
I have no idea what I would name my book!
Want this book badly! š
My book would be titled “A Widow’s Tale: A Story about survival”.
Jayme Jeane. My book would be titled “How to Truly Love Your Husband”
Sandy Keesee
I would title my book….”You make me dizzy” my mom always told me that when I was little, now I understand with little ones of my own.
Kelly Jo Hartman
My book would probably have the word “microphone” in the title… š
Would love to read this book. Hope it’s not too late to enter!)
Debbie Lowrie
I would love to receive this book on motherhood. I need some help with that right now!
“My Clutter”
Joanna Morrison
“Sapphire Dreams” would be my book for this September girl!
Christy Thomson
“…and Give us this day, our Daily Coffee”
š
Just kidding ofcourse!
I don’t think I’ve ever thought about writing a book, but being the mother of 4 boys, I have plenty to tell! I think an appropriate title for my book would be “What’s the Deal?!”
Lessons I’ve Learned… (from when I thought I knew it all)
My Three Ring Circus
I’ve heard so many great things about the book! Would love a copy. š
As for a book title, today it might be “Joy: Coffee, nieces and Jesus”.
Cassie G.
The Curious Case of Hutton James (my 5 month old, and he has honestly turned my life upside down with his daily doses of “curious cases” lol)
sorry, forgot this little fun part…Matthew,”the gift”
Kimberly Eades….Because God Said So ;o)
Marie Funchess.
The name of my book would be “Lessons I learned from my Fathers.”
Did not have a good relationship with my earthly father and for a long time, was mad at God about not having a “good” family life. But that is what drove me to my heavenly Father! When I realized that God chose my earthly father just for me, I learned so much! I wish young ladies in “bad” families would realize that God will use it!
Bethany Kertson
Would love to read that book..have some old 80’s memories of my “sparkly green earrings” and a “banana clip”!
Can I get an amen!! LOL!
My book: “Men-O-Pause…when God says Men-hit-the-PAUSE-button and PRAY”!
Life in a fishbowl “no one is watching”
Meredith Smith – not sure what my book would be called…maybe…”Motherhood a Juggeling Act”
My book would be titled “Do It Joyfully”. Easy to say, hard to remember š
Carla Sutherland
So fun! Thanks, Girls!! š
“The Story of Sudsy” Hah!
Chrissy Jones
I would love to win a copy! š
Vicky Duck – “Life With Louie – aka Tales From The Duck In(n).
“I won’t change anything”
Liz Brooks
It would be very interesting to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
If I wrote a book it would be called, Seeing God in the Little Things
Sounds interesting. I could use some girlfriend time even if it is just through a good book right now.:)
Glynda Reed
Ruthie: Thoughts on Life, Love and Jesus
Thanks Lindsee – you crack me up! š
Amanda Seidler ..my book would be called, “Put It On Your Calendar, Not Your To-Do List!”
I would call my book ” finding home, a work in progress “.