*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!
Rebecca Scott : ) I love her blog and can’t wait to read Sparkly Green Earrings!
Kathryn Carpenter
Sandra Rountree
My book’s title would be But a Shadow taken from a verse in Job about the brevity of life.
Hannah Frazier
Lynchburg,VA
His Law, My delight
Brittany Gooding
Hmmm, book title? It would be a metaphor including something about the Pacific Ocean š
Michelle Lee Wargo š (but only my mama gets to call me that when I’m in trouble.)
(I, too, like parenthesis)
Should anyone ever desire to publish my book that consists solely of a title… “From Purpose to Practice. Transitioning Pew Knowledge to Do Knowledge”
(If anyone has read a similar book detailing the transition of head knowledge to practical application… Help a siesta out. Thanks. )
Jet Pabst
Jet, what kind of name is that?
Margee Thomas
maybe, “figuring our the last half”
Even Beauty Queens go to the Doctor. (lol…jk)
Name: Brittany Gallaher (of Alma, AR).
If I had a book published, it would likely be called “A Pup & A Prayer”…with those two things, a girl can get through anything!
Although I’ve been told I’m a pretty good writer…or maybe I’m just good with words cause I usually have so many of them…I have no clue just yet what the title of my book would be. Probably depends on the content. Now I’m thinking something about my Asian travels. Anyway…I’d love to win a copy of Sparkly Green Earrings.
Living on the Highway
Robin Ince
I Forgot my Tiara
subtitle: Mishaps, mayhem and mysteries of a woman being shaped by the Lord
“Sparkly Green Earrings” looks like a great book and I would love to read it!
Jessica Mills
Title of book: The Not so Ordinary life of Nonnie, Nya Nya Doohickey
Kat Good.
Hmmmm I think it would be something like “Martha or Mary? A Quest to let Christ mold me somewhere in between.”
Heather VonBerg š
I love Big Mama Blog!
Caroline Klassen
Mandy Eley
I would love to have a copy of Melanie’s book! I have done some research and it sounds awesome!!!
Lynn Labs, Forney, TX
Tracy Starr
Jenae Blake
Jennifer Wetherington: Parted Waters
for some reason I’m fascinated that God parted water both to allow the Israelites to escape Egypt AND to enter the promised land. I wonder what kind of “water” he needs to part in my own life…
Lauren Williams
Kristina Nicole E
I have always dreamed of writing a book about my fun experiences
With my babies called: Memoirs of a Super Awesome Mom & her faithful Sidekick.
The sidekick being my handsome hubby. Lol Who knows what God has
For us maybe you’ll see it one day!! Many blessings!!
Lizard Lobster … (All Grown Up).
I hated being called ^. Not all grown up, but Lizard Lobster. Grin. Can you imagine being in third grade and having that be your (very unwelcome) nickname?
Melody Hemphill
Have a book written with my husband called “Every Marriage Needs a Divorce: The Pathway to Healing and Hope”
self-published, but still kinda fun to have a book! š (My husband came up with the title, btw…wanted to turn some heads!)
Anne Ormsby….I figure that by just having FB, our names and lives are totally out there! Would love to read this!
Amanda Furr
Kim Hulett
Book title: The Life and Times of Super Anonmymous
I think my book would be “I Wish God Would Finally Give In and Do It MY Way!!” haha
I am devoting this book right now. I bought three, gave two away and plan on giving mine away once I finish It’s such an awesome book that I want to give away to all of my friends, but I have bills to pay. š one more copy would brighten my day when I give it away and share my new friend, Melanie!
I would love to win, thanks!
Susan Cannon
Longwood, Florida
Little Things That Make Me Grin
The Jester Adventures of Dawny
Book: “Are You Kidding Me?”
Pam McDonald
Dionna Sanchez – hmmm…a book name? How about, “The Book No One Wants To Read?” Hahaha
Anita Inskeep…..Mine would be “God was always there”
Love it!! I really enjoy reading books/blogs by other women who truly follow Jesus! And who wouldn’t love having Sparkly Green Earrings… š
Megan Flaker
Sassily Southern Sayin’s
cuz that’s just how I roll…..
Pamela Williams
Catherine Seybold
book title? “Still Leaning and Learning”
Sarah Staples
On The Road Again: Tales from the Staples Family Adventures
Would love a copy!
Alyson Busch “Building the Glory Nest”
Diane Fowler
My book would be titled: (as my husband calls me…)
“She who jumps to conclusions”
(Have I won yet???) š