*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!
I have wanted to get this book for a while now! What a fun giveaway!!
Thanks….
Julie S. Woods
I might name it .. The Real Cindy Lou Who??
Could be a funny title. I have had some adventures in my life and to write them like a Dr. Seuss book. Could be a good one. Just a thought, God Bless you all today, Make a Jesus Day !!
The meaning of the Lord’s Prayer
Maureen GB
Stringing it all together
(would be the title )
I would love this!
Happiness happens
Erin Boling
My book would be called, Joy and Laughter from the Backseat (all about children and what they say and do on road trips)
Suzanne Howard
“The World According to Susie-Q”
My book would be titled ” Hottea Mama”! There’s a story behind that-too long for this post , but I love the play on words!
My book would be titled “Treasures from my Grandmother”
Janice Hostetler
I would love to receive this book and share it our Monday night group sisters
My book would be “Stand Up If You’re Broken” š
I don’t think I’ll ever write a book, but I imagine a title that is called “laugh at Yourself, Life is not that serious!”
Would love a copy of that book, Beth(:
Sita Henderson
Stephanie Volkmer.
Sounds like a good read, would like a copy.
My book would be called either “our broken gods” or “journals of a vagabond” š
Patrice M. I’ve heard great things about this book, I’d love to read it (and win a copy)!
Nicole Balazs
I would love this book if only for the title!
Heidi Robison
The title of my book would be: A STORY MADE FOR THE MOVIES
Thank You š
Cheryl Walters
I guess my working title would be “Cinder-cheryl” (from the sub-basement to the King’s Palace)
Can’t wait to read “Sparkly Green Earrings”!! āŗ
Sounds like a great book!
A fun title for a book, There ain’t no Maybeline or Hot Rollers in Heaven. It would be a book about God loving us just the way we are and that we should too!
I love Big Mama!
oh i would love this book gather a few ladies and read together that would be fun
I would be so excited to win this book!!!!!
Tambra R.
Sarah Miller, and I would be Wife of Homer! š
Fingers crossed!
My title:
“Beginning….again.”
I’d love Sparkly Green Earings Love the title.. And I’m pretty sparkly š If I were to write a book I have no clue Ha maybe Pammie Sue !!!
Pam Mundy
Fun book!
Thank you!
Jyothi J
I would name my book
“Grace to the disgraced”
“Joy in the Journey” Jan Moser
I think my book would (will?) be titled My Heart is a Garden.
Shiny Red Hoops (ha, just kidding) I hope you get that! š
P.S. I love parenthesis too! And ellipsis…
Ashley Skinta
Tabitha Kidman, Oh goodness I would love to read this book! It sounds so good! And my book would be called “The Blonde Leading The Blonde”…hee hee
Learning to Lean
Becky Roach
Emma S.
I tried to be creative and think of a possible book title but, alas, the snow we got in Kansas City last night must have sucked the creativity from me for the time being. Maybe a how-to book called “How To Properly Shovel Snow.”
Would love the book
I would love to receive this book. Not only have a raised three kids, but now I am pleased to say that I am walking down the “Grandmother Path” with one grandson and another mystery child on the way in August. God is good!
Kaye Davis
Beth Moss
“A Biography Of Life’s Journey”
I would so love a copy of this book!
Joell Morris
My book title– Life is a Bowl of Cherries: Ditch the Pits and Enjoy the Fruit!
SKay Fires
Detours
My name is Peppa Stark š
My book would be a flashback of my high school years. Possible title? Into the Heart of the Punk Next Door