Okay friends, there's no time like the present, right?! Let's just get this glorious giveaway started! I am super excited to be giving away TWO copies of Bittersweet, the newest book by an amazing woman and exceptional writer, Shauna Niequist. Simply submit your entry by 11pm, Tuesday, August 10th! All you have to do is comment below by answering just one of following questions:
Where is your favorite place to read? What book has most impacted your life in the last year? What is the biggest obstacle that holds you back from reading more? What, in your opinion, makes a book super good? What is your favorite kind of book to read (fiction, memoir, romance, biography, history, etc) and why?
For those of you who live in Oregon, I'm sure you will be as stoked as I was to hear that there is a good chance Shauna will be stopping by the Salem area in late September! I've been working on making this happen for months and just when it looked like it wouldn't work out (on our end, not hers), we found another option to explore; something smaller, more personal and perhaps even in my home (silent scream). If this happens, fair warning that I will absolutely stumble all over myself that evening, which is why I'm inviting some of my good friends to balance my nerves with their calm, cool and collected presence. When we confirm the date and details, I'll be sure to let you know! What a fun night that would be!
Before I leave you to begin entering the giveaway, here are some of the chapters that really, especially resonated with me in the midst of my own bittersweet season:
The Closer You Get (community, friendship)
Heartbeat (motherhood)
Alameda (friendship, community)
What Might Have Been (motherhood)
On Crying in the Bathroom (motherhood, infertility)
Love Song for Fall (creativity, writing)
Join the Club (community)
The Home Team (community)
My Patron Saint (friendship, Chels Bell is mine!)
Knees or Buns (creativity, writing, self-discipline)
The Middle (seasons)
Steak Frites (marriage, seasons)
When you get done reading your copy (or if you are reading it now), let me know which chapters specifically connected with you, too (someone better say Grace is the New Math, Twenty-Five, and Things I Don't Do. I would have, but I already listed twelve...). And, of course, make sure to leave a review on Amazon, too.
Good luck!!
19 comments:
What book impacted my life the most in the last year? "The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. I cheered, I cried, and I was convicted. This world is not about meeting OUR needs, but about meeting the needs of the poor, orphans, widows, lonely, and the lost. I'm surprised more churches aren't all over this book. It's amazing!
Book that most impacted me in the last year: Fearless, by Max Lucado. I read it for a book review but it ended up really touching my heart. I love his stuff and this book hit home as I am AFRAID OF EVERYTHING!
I find it harder and harder to read anything because I have so much on my plate but my favorite place to read is at Mt.Angel Abbey but I do most of my reading in bed before I go to bed.
Finally, my favorite book to read is fiction or memoir but I really like books that resonate with my heart and the season I am in life.
I know I only HAVE to answer one of the questions, but here are a few answers. Reading for study, at my desk, reading for devotion, on the love seat in my worship room, reading for enjoyment, in the purple recliner. Book of great impact, Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray. Biggest obstacle - time, and the fact that when I get into a good book I neglect all other aspects of my life. Favorite kind of book is a good historical fiction, but I never read them because of the aforementioned neglect.
I have to say Donald Miller's "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" has made the most impact on me this year. His book resonated in my spirit. Our lives are a story, each of us has one. What are we doing in our lives to create a really great story? It was a book I couldn't put down because I found it to be so challenging. Our journey of faith can have so much more to it, if we just open our hearts to risk and adventure. God is waiting to join us, if we just let Him. Imagine the fun!
In my opinion, a book that is a super good read is one where I miss the characters when I finish the book. I mourn a little after each really good book I read. I guess that lets out a secret that I enjoy fiction.
I just finished an awesome book that was based on a blog I follow... "I Will Carry You" by Angie Smith, oh it is also bittersweet for sure! Can't wait to try this new book.
Can't wait to start reading it...if I win, I'll give it away to someone else to read... haven't started reading yet, because I realized I ordered the paperback of CT and it is still not shipped yet... =( oh the suspense...
Radical by David Platt. It seems that all of us are reading books that are about changing the world, and actually putting faith into action. So excited about that! This book just stirred my heart up more (it's already been goin' crazy with change!),and gave me another push to live a life that involves giving to the needy, going to the needy, and lovin' the heck out of an awesome God!
NOTE: EVEN IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE BOOK, WHY NOT ENTER ANYWAY? THEN YOU HAVE A PERFECT GIFT ON HAND FOR A LADY YOU LOVE!
Fave place to read? Curled up on a big comfy couch with a super soft throw and perfectly warm and creamy hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire.
What's keeping me from reading more? The ability to keep my eyes open when I actually do have a spare moment. And, finding good chunks of time to get sucked into a good story without neglecting my family!
A super good book? When I can't put the book down. And when I do force myself to actually put said book down, I can't stop thinking about the story, the characters, the implications of their decisions, the echoing of their emotions and experiences in my own life, the moment when I can pick the book up again. Also, a satisfying ending... not necessarily one that's all tied up neatly (in my opinion, a too-tidy ending is perfectly obnoxious no matter how well the rest of the book was written.)
Favorite kind of book to read? I'm not genre specific but I want something that grabs me and compels me to sink myself into it. I don't want to be too comfortable (because then I'm bored). But I don't want to be scolded or manipulated either. I like to read books that somehow strike this balance and inspire me to a better me.
My favorite place to read is in a clean room in a sunny spot. ha.
I love to read in the back yard in the summer in just my shorts feeling the sun just bathe me.
I love reading a mix of fiction, leadership and Christian heart stuff.
Biggest Obstacle? Myself. I have a hard time giving myself permission to sit and pour over a book. TV, magazines, blogs, no problem - they are easier for me to visit here and there so I can do things for my kids and house. However, a books take attention and I only have so much of that! When I do take the time, it is usually the Bible on the couch while the house is quiet with sleep.
I love to read anywhere, but my favorite place to read is the backyard on a warm summer day.
And I think a book is "super good" when you can actually empathize with the characters or author. More than just sympathy.
I'm not going to enter the contest because I won the last one and because I already own (and have read) the book but I wanted to comment anyway! :o)
I love, loved, LOVED it. Maybe even more than her 1st. Jury is still out. I read it mostly on the trains in Europe and it was just incredibly perfect for this time in my life right now. I think you have made me a little Shauna-obsessed. :o)
I loved most every chapter but the ones I loved the most were:
The Closer You Get
Alameda
Things I Don't do
Feeding and Being Fed
Twenty-Five
Thin Places
Coming Home
Happy Mother's Day
Say Something
Ravenous
Join the Club
Princess Free Zone
The Home Team
Knees or Buns
Your Story Must Be Told
Ok, that's almost every chapter. :o) Thanks so much for turning me on to this author Becca. Her honesty is so what I need. Wish I could be there when she comes to town!
Never have left a comment before but love reading your blog plus I am good friends with Jen Henderson and work right across the street from your house! I am Al DeBacker's daughter-in-law and used to work with your dad at Salem Alliance. Hi, I am Maryanne! And why not comment for a wonderful book giveaway.
I have hard time reading right now between work and life and my 16 month old. But I am a reader and maybe a really good book would get me back in to the swing if it. :)
My favorite place to read is sitting on my red chairs on the front porch. :) With a hot cup of joe.
My favorite place to read is outside deep in nature where i can be alone yet feel surrounded by God's love through his beautiful creation! I don't get a chance to do this much, so when I read, even if I am with other people, I try to imagine myself somewhere secluded or try to put myself in whatever I am reading as a silent observer of the plot or tale and it relaxes me right away so that I can enjoy what I read all the more.
Am I late??? Just saw this had a deadline...oops! Biggest obstacle that keeps me from reading more are my selfish desires for something "quick" and mind-numbing to do once my children are asleep and I have time for myself. I.e. internet, magazine catalogs, tv. It all ends up being trash & hardly anything I remember the next day so your posts on good books are inspiring :)
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