The Exiles, by Allison Lynn {Review & Giveaway}

Well, hello there!  I didn't intend to disappear from the old blog like I did, but I've been enjoying a pretty busy summer and writing moved to the backburner for awhile. 

One thing I haven't been skimping on lately?  Reading.  I have read lots of good books this summer (and at least one terrible one, but that's not what you want to hear about, right?).

While on vacation/Jeremy's work trip in Nashville a couple of weeks ago, I read Allison Lynn's new book The Exiles.  It was a great vacation read, weighty enough but not overly depressing. 

Set in the early- to mid-2000s, The Exiles is the story of a couple struggling to have it all.  Nate and Emily have come to terms with the fact that they can no longer keep up with the demands of their extravagant New York City lifestyle.  Nate is offered a respectable job in Rhode Island, and the couple, along with their ten-month-old son make the decision to relocate.  The book details their move-in weekend, which turns somewhat disastrous when the Jeep containing many of their belongings is stolen.  As Nate and Emily tough it out in their new situation, they face some hard truths about their lives and the secrets they've kept from one another.

While I basically did not like Nate or Emily very much, I did feel a bit of pity for them at times.  Yes, they are in desperate need of a kick in the pants, and someone should tell them to grow up and take responsibility for their lives and the family they created.  No, I cannot imagine the pressure to "keep up with the Joneses" they felt among their NYC social group.  I guess I felt sorry for them because they don't seem know how very good the world can be beyond that group they struggle to fit into (and then feel a bit of shame over leaving).

Most of all, though?  While reading The Exiles, I felt really, really grateful that Jeremy and I have never really felt that we had anything to prove.  We don't feel pressure to have prestigious careers or to have the best of everything.  We are happy with our simple, comfortable lifestyle and we are content with what we have (for the most part--I'm not saying I wouldn't like to have a slightly bigger house or a pool in the backyard...but we all have a wishlist of some sort, right?).  Nate and Emily managed to redeem themselves a little by the end of the book, but their story really did make me appreciate my life, and the family I have, more than ever.

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~GIVEAWAY~

Thanks to the publisher, I am able to offer a copy of The Exiles to one reader!  To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  The giveaway will end at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, and is open to U.S./Canada residents only.

I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton {Review & Giveaway}

I don't remember exactly how I came to hear about Glennon Melton's blog, Momastery, but I know I spent a chunk of time one afternoon browsing through her writing.  A few things I read made me laugh out loud, others had me nodding in agreement, and still others caused my eyes to well up with tears.  While I don't read her blog regularly, Glennon stayed on my radar.  When I was asked about reviewing her new book, Carry On, Warrior, I quickly agreed.

I knew a bit of Glennon Melton's story from her blog--a "recovering everything", she is now a shameless "truth-teller" who doesn't hide behind a created image of herself.  She is passionate, dramatic, and honest, and her writing is in turn hilarious, sappy, and touching.

I found these same things to be true about Glennon as the author of Carry On, Warrior.  If you have read and enjoyed her blog, you'll love the book.  You will see some of the same material--even not being a regular reader, I recognized a few of her more popular posts.  There were also things I hadn't read, and some of those essays turned out to be my favorites.  If you don't know anything about Glennon Melton, you may very well enjoy the book all the more.  Reading the blog is in no way a prerequisite, is what I'm saying.

I confess that I find Glennon and the whole Momastery thing to be a little...well, much, for lack of a better term.  The same was true for the book at times.  Parts of it had me rolling my eyes at her flowery and grandiose writing.  I was a little put off by the entire chapter devoted to her sister's divorce.  I mean, I totally understand the closeness of a sister, but it was her divorce to experience, not Glennon's.  The description of a full year of crying, self-pity, and focus on Sister, of giving little to no attention to her husband and children--the prime example of all that is just too over-the-top about Glennon, in my opinion. 

On the flip side, however, there are essays like "Unwind" (about a married couple who forget to value one another) and "A Mountain I'm Willing to Die On" (about teaching our children by example that they are good, they are valued, and they are loved just as they are).  Those are examples of Glennon's serious writing at its best.  She really does seem very open, and is obviously willing to share her weaknesses and dirty secrets, because as she says, no one makes friends by sharing their strengths.  Glennon's writing about her addictions and recovery is gritty, moving, and real, but always with an undertone of humor.  I do love a lady who can laugh at herself.

In fact, my absolute favorite essays in Carry On, Warrior are the funny ones.  Glennon is at her best when she's milking the comedy from everyday life, in my opinion.  Essays like "Sucker--On Vacuuming", "Initiation" (which I had read on the blog, but remains one of my favorites), and "Transcendentalist" are ones I will mark to come back to when I need a laugh.  They are the ones I will read aloud to friends, and they are what makes me recommend this book to others who I know will appreciate the same things.

Are you a Momastery fan?  Interested in reading Carry On, Warrior?  (If so, be sure to keep reading!)

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GIVEAWAY

I am pleased to offer an opportunity for one reader to win a copy of Carry On, Warrior, courtesy of Scribner Publishing.  To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  If you're stumped for what to say, tell me the last time you vacuumed your floors (that's related to the essay I mention above, and the fact that I haaaate vacuuming!).  Or tell me if you've ever heard of Glennon Melton?  Perhaps her essay "Don't Carpe Diem"?

The giveaway will close this Sunday, April 28, at 10:00 p.m central time. 

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I received a copy of this book for review via TLC Book Tours and the publisher.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews, check out the full tour post.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce

I rarely print the publisher's description of a book in my reviews, but in this case, I just don't think I could summarize it any better:

Meet Harold Fry, recently retired.  He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast.  Little differentiates one day from the next.  Then, one morning, the mail arrives and there is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in twenty years.  Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.  Thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce's remarkable debut.  Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick upon Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live.

If this sounds like a quiet, quirky British novel....well, that's exactly what it is.  Harold and Maureen are quiet, unassuming people who hardly even talk to one another.   Much of Harold's walk is solitary, although he meets a few interesting characters along the way.  Still, as the story goes on, both characters delve into their pasts and reveal the heartaches, regrets, and secrets they kept hidden.

Much like Harold's walk itself, The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a meandering journey, with details revealed like new landmarks along the way.  My initial thought was that this book was a little slow for summer, when my taste tends to lean more toward the lighter "beach read" sort of material.  But the more I read and the more I came to know Harold and Maureen (especially Maureen, she is a gem!), the more I liked the story, and especially the author's understated style of writing.  The ending was especially beautiful, I thought, and not in a way I very much expected.

I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for review.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.  For more reviews and information about this title, check out the full tour post here.

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GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away one copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, compliments of the publisher, Random House.   To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  I will select a random winner on Wednesday, August 1, at 10:00 p.m.  (Requires a U.S. mailing address to win.)

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The winner of the giveaway for The Homecoming of Samuel Lake is Jessica R.  Congrats, and I hope you love it as much as I did!  (Jessica, I will pass your address to the publisher to mail the book.)

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: Review & Giveaway

Over the past couple of years, I have come to appreciate the type of book that I like to say represents "good storytelling".  These are the books that can transport me to a different time and place and leave me thinking about the characters long after I've finished reading.

The Homecoming of Samuel Lake is good storytelling, plain and simple.  I shouldn't be surprised; the author Jenny Wingfield is also credited with writing The Man in the Moon, one of my favorite movies as a young teenager.

Surprisingly, the book is less about Samuel Lake himself (a recently-displaced Methodist minister) than it is about his wife and children.  He comes through with a bang at the end, but contrary to its title, this is not Samuel's story.  The real star of the show is Samuel's young daughter Swan (yes, Swan Lake!).  She is precocious and spunky, genuine and endearing. Really, though, the story is much bigger than any one character.  It's a complex story of family, faith, redemption, and the battle between good and evil.

There are so many things to love about this novel:  the rural Louisiana setting, the hilarious and captivating Lake children, strong, resilient female characters, unshakable family bonds, and the subtle exploration of the adult characters' relationships to one another.  In fact, the quiet, understated glimpses into Samuel and Willadee's marriage were some of my favorite scenes of the entire book.  Take this passage, for example:

Samuel didn't argue.  When he and Willadee had gotten married, and the preacher had asked her whether she would love, honor, and obey, she had answered like a Moses.  "Yes, yes, and that all depends," she had said with a grin.  The Moses family had laughed, and the Lake family had winced, and Sam Lake had taken his bride with the conditions laid out.  Up until now, those conditions had never caused any real problems.

I am not exaggerating when I say this will likely be my favorite book of the year.  I am not liberal with the five-star reviews on Goodreads, but The Homecoming of Samuel Lake earned it, fair and square.

 

 **I received a digital edition of this book from the publisher through TLC Book Tours.  For more reviews and giveaways, check out the full tour schedule here.

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~GIVEAWAY~

Want to read this awesome book for yourself?  I am glad to report that the publisher, Random House, is offering to give away a copy of The Homecoming of Samuel Lake to one reader!

• To enter, just leave a comment on this post and make sure your email is linked, or to leave a way for me to contact you.
• I will select a winner at random on Sunday, July 22 at 10:00 p.m. central time.
• U.S./Canada residents only

If you want, tell me in your comment if you've seen the movie The Man in the Moon!

Some Things I've Read Lately, Volume 2

The Last Plea Bargain, by Randy Singer
I love a good legal/crime thriller, and The Last Plea Bargain is one of the best I have read in a long time.  At more than 350 pages, it is quite long, but I never once felt like the story was dragging.  I hate when I see a "twist" coming a mile away or when I can guess the ending too early on in a book, but that was not a problem here.  In fact, I was fooled right up to the end, along with the main character.  If you like John Grisham-type legal fiction, you need to grab this book up now.  The female protagonist was a fun change for this genre, and I realize now how few and far between the female main characters are in Grisham's books.  I will definitely be reading more by Randy Singer!


Laugh with the Moon, by Shana Burg

This book, written for middle grades, was easily one of my favorites of the spring.  Thirteen-year-old Clare is still dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death when her father (a doctor) whisks her away to a remote African village for a year.  Laugh with the Moon is a simple, yet heartfelt and emotional chronicle of Clare's time in Malawi.  With genuine characters and poignant plot lines, this book is great for younger teens or anyone else looking for a beautiful story.



The Lifeguard, by Deborah BlumenthalThe beach, budding teenage romance, a slightly crazy family member, and a touch of the supernatural....what more can you ask for from a summer read?  Though the secrets and supernatural elements could have been fleshed out quite a bit more, The Lifeguard is perfect light summer afternoon reading.  






Exclusively Yours, by Shannon Stacey
Every once in awhile, a girl just needs a good old-fashioned romance novel.   Exclusively Yours is just that, with bearable (and even likable) characters, chemistry, and an entertaining storyline.  This is another book that would be perfect for a long summer afternoon on the beach or by the pool.  (Sensing a theme here?)

Anything, by Michael Baron
Very odd.  It felt like there should be so much more to this story.  There were paranormal elements, but then it was almost like the author backed off in that regard, so nothing was ever explained.  When it was over, it felt more like I had read a detailed outline than the whole book.

Shooting Stars, by Allison Rushby
A super cute YA book about a teenager who takes paparazzi photos as a side job.  As one of the few people in "the business" young enough to pull it off, Jo is assigned an undercover job to get photos of a hot young celebrity at a vague-sounding retreat center.  Predictably, Jo finds herself attracted to the superstar, but the rest of the story was actually pretty surprising.  This one was not nearly as fluffy as it seemed from the start, and despite the characters' terrible names and the maddening use of the term "papping" to describe the action of working as paparazzi (is that a real term?  I have no idea.), I liked it quite a bit. 

First Date, by Krista McGee
Despite a little bit of cheesiness, I really liked this book as well.  The main character, Addy, is selected by her principal to go on a reality show to compete to win a date to prom with the U.S. President's teenage son.  There are hints of backroom deals and scandalous behind-the-scenes behavior, calling to mind any recent season of The Bachelor and other reality shows.  But the real story centers more around Addy, her faith, and how she chooses to use it during her time on the show she never wanted to be on in the first place.  One of my favorite quotes related to faith and witnessing is "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are", and it perfectly fits Addy's experience in First Date.  It's a really fun story, with a wholesome, feel-good plot.

What are YOU reading this month???

(And by the way, the winner of the giveaway for a copy of Brand New Human Being is Amy!  Congrats, Amy, and I'll be emailing you for your address.) 

Brand New Human Being--Review & Giveaway

In her debut novel, Emily Jeanne Miller weaves an authentic tale of a modern family dealing with realistic issues.

Logan Pyle is a 30-something grad student-turned-stay-at-home-dad.  His wife is buried in her work as an attorney, his father recently died after a long illness, and his son is exhibiting some irritating regressive behavior.  To say Logan is having a rough time is an understatement.

Despite his pitiable circumstances, I didn't care for Logan throughout much of this book.  I wanted to see him stand up for himself, make a decision..."man up", if you will.  When he catches his wife in a delicate situation with another man, Logan finally takes a stand.  Unfortunately, he does it by loading up his son and heading out of town, at which point, I actively disliked him for awhile.  

It says a lot about the quality of writing in a book when I never particularly liked any of the characters, but I still liked the book overall.  I think maybe it's okay not to like them, because Miller portrays these characters as genuine people.  They are dealing with real-world issues, many with no clear-cut right or wrong, and react to them as real people might.  Things don't always wind up neat and tidy in life, and the same holds true for Logan and his family.

I have to say, though, I really liked the Logan I saw emerging at the end of the book.  He seemed to be taking control over his own life and actions, which was obviously missing in the first half of the book, when he just reacted to the things that happened to him.  I ended with hope that Logan was back on the right track (though I'm less sure about his wife...I still didn't see her taking responsibility for anything that was wrong in their family).

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher through TLC Book Tours.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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GIVEAWAY

The publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is offering a copy of Brand New Human Being to one of my readers!  

To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  Be sure to leave an email address if it is not linked with your profile so I can contact you for shipping information.

I will select a winner at random at 10:00 p.m. CST on Sunday, June 17, 2012. 

Because the book will be shipped directly from the publisher, this giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.  (Sorry, international friends!!)

Good luck!

Some things...

Do you know someone who has been affected by leukemia or lymphoma?  Do you know someone who has lost their life to some form of cancer? 

Chances are, you do. 

I am terrified of one of my parents getting cancer.  I am scared that Jeremy or I will have to face it ourselves at some point.  I hate that it's so prevalent; it almost seems inevitable that someone in our immediate family will have it eventually.

What can we do about it?  Well, for starters, we can go support Lani in her effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Every little bit helps provide more research to aid in the fight against cancer.

Lani is hosting the Blog for a Cure Blog Party, with tons of great giveaways.  The best part?  You can enter them ALL for a simple donation of $1.00.  Yes, that's ONE dollar.  If you choose to donate more, you get extra entries to use in your favorite giveaways. 

We can all spare a dollar to support an awesome blogger in her efforts to fight cancer, right?  Head on over here for more details and how to donate.

The second thing going on right now is the End of Summer Blog Party going on at Multiples and More.  Click over here for MORE great giveaways, and a link to other bloggers hosting giveaways this week.  Who doesn't love free stuff?? 

And if you're a mom of multiples and you aren't involved in Multiples and More, what are you waiting for?!

For a Good Cause

Have y'all heard of that new little piece of technology known as the iPad?  I don't profess to know much about the latest technology trends (after all, I refuse to even upgrade to a cell phone I can get email on), but I have to admit, the iPad looks pretty fun.  I sure wouldn't turn one down if it was offered to me!

If you feel the same, you should head over to Melissa's blog and enter her Great Big Giveaway.  For a donation of just $5.00, you can get a chance to WIN an iPad, or some other fun items.  Ten dollars gets you three chances to win!

The best part?  This isn't a just-for-fun or promotional giveaway.  This is a giveaway to raise funds for a wonderful and amazing purpose.  Melissa and her husband Nathan adopted their son Iliya from Russia in 2007, and now they are ready to add to their family through a second adoption.  (You can find their story from the beginning on her original blog...it's a good read!) 

So if you're feeling lucky, and you can spare a few extra bucks, click on over to the Giveaway page and help them bring a waiting child into a wonderful family. 

And if you win the iPad, feel free to send me a thank-you gift for referring you there!  Kidding, kidding....  : )

Birthday thoughts

At the last minute, I decided to take off work yesterday to get some more stuff done around the house.  I was gone all day Saturday with our church youth group, so I really didn't get a lot done at all this weekend.  My goal for yesterday was to find some curtains for the double glass doors that lead out of our kitchen onto the deck.  Right now, there's nothing covering it, which is a little weird now that we have neighbors!  Here's what I have in mind:

Photo credit here.

Anyway, now that we have returned to the small-town life, finding decent curtains requires a trip to Huntsville, about 45 minutes away.  I decided to make a day of it, and pick up some other things on my list for the house.  I did find some curtains that will work for the time being, but I'm not in love with them.  I am going to keep an eye out for some fabric and when I find THE ONE, I'm going to make (or have made, more likely) some curtains myself.  These doors are really the main focal point as far as curtains go, because the windows in the living room are overshadowed by the fireplace.  I picked up some valances for in there, but same story, I'm on the lookout for fabric.  I'm hoping to get everything up next weekend, and I will take some before and after pics to share.

SO, I did get the main thing I set out to find yesterday, but I also lucked up on tons of birthday supplies.  I'm a champion procrastinator, but I'm trying so hard to get things organized for the girls' first birthday.  I will share about my finds later this week. 

In the meantime, if you also happen to be looking for birthday party goods (we're all going to have one sometime this year, right?), check out this blog.  Cat is hosting a Princess Party giveaway bash this week, and it looks like there will be some great prizes.  Even if I don't win, I'm looking forward to finding some new ideas.  Though the button and the title are pretty girly, I'm sure you mamas with boys can find something useful...and if you win something you can't use, feel free to pass it on to me!  : )

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Summer Blog Party Giveaway is Cecilia of Keeping Up With the Joneses!! The winner was chosen using random.org. Thanks to all of you who participated...it was a lot of fun to read all the comments! Congrats, Cecilia, and be sure and let me know how you would like the notecards personalized.

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...Giveaway!

In case you haven't heard, it's Summer Blog Party day over at Multiples & More! I am excited to be hosting my very first giveaway today. I agonized over what to give away, and finally decided just to go with a couple of my favorite things! (I should also mention that both items came from my favorite local store, one that's near and dear to my heart. Check out Talk of the Town's website and feel free to browse around! If you see anything you're interested in, let me know and I will help get it to you.)

I'm a romantic at heart, and I think there's no better way to say hello than a cute, handwritten note. With email, twitter, blogs, and Facebook, we seem to get more caught up in technology and think less about personal touches. I can't resist bright, colorful notecards, which I stockpile, just in case I ever run out! For the first part of the giveaway, I'm offering a set of personalized Whitney English notecards. The cards can be personalized pretty much any way you want, including a name, monogram, or a simple "thank you" or "hello".



The second part of my giveaway is an all-natural, 100% Pure Soy Heirloom Candle (in a cute little travel tin!). The scent is Lemongrass Verbena, which is pure bliss...seriously, I can't even describe how good this candle smells. Even better, these candles can also be used as a moisturizer! As it burns, the candle will leave a pool of soy oil. Just dip your finger in and rub on your skin anywhere you need a touch of extra moisture! It won't dry and harden like regular candle wax.

How to enter this giveaway, you ask? Simple...just leave a comment on this post! For an extra entry, follow my blog (or tell me if you already do). I will draw a random winner on Sunday evening.

By the way, you don't have to be a Multiples Mom to enter...everyone is welcome! : ) Good luck on all these amazing giveaways!!