Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Chatting Books with Cheryl + Michelle + giveaway!

 
If we're mid-way through the month, it's time for THE BOOKBAG.  I've been writing short-ish book reviews for about 15 years now and the icing on the cake has always been connecting with so many passionate readers from all walks of life.  Over time, you guys have ramped up my curiosity, enlarged my borders, grown my faith, and toppled my TBR (to-be-read) list.  

And I can't help believing that avid readers are the most fascinating conversationalists!  That's why the comment section at the end of a bookish post is THE place to connect with like-minded people.  Be sure to join the dialogue ... and get in the running for our giveaway!

👓

Cheryl Smith has done what many of us have dreamed of doing but never set out to accomplish.  She's complied her favorite writings into a second quiet time companion, Homespun Devotions: Volume Two50 short stories of God's loving impact on her life's journey.

My friend writes, 'Homespun Devotions: Volume Two continues a series of books that record the piecing together or many of the stories of my life and the rich spiritual truths that God has imparted along the way.  As you read these homespun narratives of faith, family, love, marriage, motherhood, friendship, and the music that is such a part of my heritage, you will discover glimpses into moments of the soul-searching and intense struggles I have experienced while journeying to a place of complete surrender to the One who bled and died for me.'

Cheryl's writing is spiritually refreshing and yes, authentically homespun. She's the real deal and I'm happy to highly recommend her second devotional not only for your personal use but also to jump-start a family devotional time if that's something your gang is lacking or has given up on.

Cheryl is generously giving a paperback copy of Homespun Devotions: Volume Two to one reader!  Please leave a comment to enter the giveaway by this Friday, March 17th, at 10 pm {eastern}, USA only.  And be sure to check back to see if you've been randomly chosen!

Sorry - I am not able to track the winner down or ask for your name and mailing address!  I must have your snail mail address within 48 hours or, sadly, you will forfeit your book.
linda stoll @ juno . com

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE
CONGRATS TO THE GIVEAWAY WINNER
BILL GRANDI

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I seldom watch the news anymore (it ratcheted up my anxiety level), but I do appreciate a good read from those who've served on the frontlines, no matter what their political persuasion.  Every person has their own unique storyline woven from a lifetime of influences, especially those early formative years.  I find this reality to make for fascinating and informative reading.  

Both of these authors go there.  Come with an open mind and a discerning heart.

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
Michelle Obama
- on empathy -
'For each little point of connection between us, I also felt the possibilities for a kind of understanding that went beyond the things we shared.  Because the truth is, for whatever we have in common, there is plenty we do not.  We are different.  The same way you can't truly know the innermost contours of my life or feelings, I can't know yours ... 

All I can do is try to draw closer to your uniqueness, to feel linked by the small overlaps between us.  This is how empathy works.  It's how differentness starts to weave itself into togetherness.  Empathy fills the gaps between us, but never closes them entirely.  We get pulled into the lives of others by virtue of what they feel safe and able to show us, and the generosity with which we are able to meet them ... I think the most we can ever do, really, is to walk partway across the bridge toward another person and feel humbled that we get to be there at all.'
(313-314)

So Help Me God
Mike Pence
- on forgiveness -
'The truth was, as reckless as the president's tweet was, I really didn't have time for it.  Rioters were ransacking the Capitol.  Some of them, I was later told, were chanting, "Hang Mike Pence!"  The president had decided to be part of the problem.  I was determined to be part of the solution.  I ignored the tweet and got back to work.'

'I was still angry at how his reckless words had endangered my family and all those serving at the Capitol.  President Trump was wrong, I had no right to overturn the election ... That said, I believe in forgiveness.  My faith instructs me to "forgive those who trespass against us," and the Bible also admonishes to "forgive as the Lord forgave you."  I have been shown grace in my life.  So that morning I prayed for the strength to meet the remaining days of our administration in that spirit.  But that was easier said than done.'
(466 & 476)

👓


When Michelle Watson asked me to join her for a Page-Turners by the Dozen feature, I couldn't say yes please fast enough.  Click here to meet 12 reviewers and authors talk about our favorite all time page-turners.  

Michelle puts out a weekly 'balm for your bookish soul' newsletter with reviews, printables, and all kinds of worthwhile goodies.  I love it.  Click here to subscribe.



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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
KINDLE DEALS
Brene Brown
$4.99

$2.99


The Last Song
Nicholas Sparks
$2.99

$3.99

Lauren Winner
$2.99

Sarah Young
$3.99

What's on the top of your TBR pile?
Linda

P.S.#1
Subscribers - click on today's title, scroll down, and jump right into the conversation!  Not a subscriber yet?  Click here now!  

P.S.#2
linking with Anne & Paula & Jeanne & Donna & Richella & Lisa

P.S.#3
As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small commission when you do your regular Amazon shopping after clicking on their links here ... at no extra cost to you!   Thanks for continuing to support my work.

32 comments:

  1. I always enjoy what others are reading and recommending. I recently finished The Maid and highly recommend it. The main character was so endearing and the plot kept moving and twisting. I found a sweet surprise when I clicked on your friends link and saw one of my photos she used at the top of one of her posts. Always nice so see that. Debby

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    1. Debby, hi ... and thanks for the thumbs up on The Maid. I've added it to my Kindle sample reads. My favorite books usually come from like-minded friends, not random online reviews!

      P.S.
      All of you creatives out there, Debby has lovely artistic photos for your use ...
      https://unsplash.com/@hudsoncrafted
      📸

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    2. Amen-ing the Creative Debby Hudson! I love it when I can use her beautiful images for my posts, and she's my go-to girl on Unsplash.

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    3. The girl is absolutely ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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  2. I enjoyed Cheryl's Volume One and have recommended it to friends a number of times. She's the real thing.
    And I've signed myself up for the bookish newsletter. Sounds like a definite "Yes, ma'a'm!" to me!
    I always come away from here with goodness.

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    1. Michele, meet Michelle! I think you'll enjoy each other!
      📚

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  3. Linda!! Thank you so very much for sharing AND for participating in the roundup! Debby, I enjoyed The Maid, too! (I did not expect the ending!) I just finished Middlemarch, so I'm debating on which classic to start next. Maybe House of Mirth (per Elsie's page-turner suggestion). I'm also tempted to finish off the LOTR trilogy on audio with Return of the King.

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    1. You're such a welcome addition to our conversations, Michelle. I have no idea how I met you, but your enthusiastic bookish insights are certainly are a gift to us all. So glad you're here!
      👩‍💻

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  4. I love to read Cheryl's writings. I have just started on volume 2. I used volume 1 for a devotional for a long time. I love the idea of sharing her book as a family devotional. How great that would be for families that gather together for a devotional time. I hope your week is lovely to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. To be consistent in family devotional times is a rare thing indeed. What a gift to give our kids as we're parenting day in and out!
      🎁

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  5. Thanks for all your recommendations here, Linda! I, too, have a copy of Cheryl's book and will be reviewing it shortly on my blog. In other words, I'm skipping the giveaway! :)
    Have a wonderful and blessed week!

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    1. It's always fun to read everyone's book reviews, isn't it? I always discover things I missed or hadn't even thought of. I'll be keeping an eye out for yours, Martha!
      🧐

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  6. I am excited to see that Cheryl has another devotional book out. I loved volume 1 and look forward to her second. I am happy to find this site which reviews books for me. I don't have time to read "bad" books! haha! Thanks for your efforts. Am a new subscriber and looking forward to reading more of your posts. Thanks!

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    1. Helen, hi! Not only am I glad that you've subscribed but also that you've jumped right into our little community. I'm with you, I don't have time to waste on books that aren't hitting home for me. I'll do my best in offering you the best. Welcome.
      💐

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  7. Always appreciate your book recommendations, Linda. I haven't read John Grisham in awhile, so put Time for Mercy on my TBR list. As for Cheryl Smith's Homespun Devotions, I too enjoyed Volume 1, which I received as a giveaway--perhaps here at your blog! Therefore, I won't put my name in for Volume 2. That will allow the spread of wealth (Cheryl's rich insights) to others.

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    1. I was blown away at how excellent Cheryl's first volume was. I'm excited that she's on this path.
      ✍️

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  8. A lot of my reading is tied to my sermon prep so I am currently reading "I Choose Peace" by Chip Ingram. My TBR list includes 2 by Louie Giglio on Anxiety and Fear. I would recommend Jesus Revolution (the real book not the movie edition) and Rock and Roll Preacher by Chuck Girard (lead singer for Love Song and Alisa Childers' father). Also in my TBR is World Changers by Greg Laurie; A Mind for God by James Emery White; Right Thinking for a Culture in Chaos by MacArthur and Busenitz and several ongoing ones on Revelation (tops is Blessed by Nancy Guthrie). Whew! I think that is enough.

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    1. Oh this is a hefty list, Bill. I'm guessing that the popularity of the Jesus Revolution movie will prompt the reading of the books that led the way. Whatever it takes for people to come to know Jesus in a personal, life-changing way.
      ✝️

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  9. Believe it or not, I have never read Grisham. I've heard great things about him and have one of his books from a library sale that I have not gotten to yet.

    I just finished and reviewed Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo (of the Duggar family with the TV shows and 19 kids). Jinger wrestles through the teaching she grew up with that was extra-Biblical. Instead of throwing it all out, she studied for herself to find God's truth. Very good book. I also just finished a wonderful novel, The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix. A young women suffering from trauma finds and old sewing box with pages in it from the 1600s, written by a Huguenot woman whose family is being persecuted. The modern-day young woman's healing is tied up with finding out what happened to the Huguenot woman.

    I'm currently listening to Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis and reading All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson, Murder Your Darlings: And Other Gentle Writing Advice from Aristotle to Zinsser by Roy Peter Clark, The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon by Linda MacKillop, and All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese.

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    1. Barbara, thank you, thank you for taking the time to pull this list together for us! There's a whole lot of voracious readers around here who are taking notes even as we speak. Wow. What a huge gift you've left us this afternoon.
      🏆

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  10. I used to read for inspiration
    (perhaps this book would be the one
    to raise soul to a higher station),
    but now I merely read for fun.
    The answers are not out there;
    in truth, they never were,
    and so for depth I do not care,
    and in fact prefer
    narrative skipping 'cross the stream
    of life and space and time
    to tome descriptive of the dream
    of meeting the Divine.
    I'll stand before the Lord one day,
    but 'till then read what I may.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Who knows? You and Barb just might be the recipients of a new book! We'll see tomorrow night at 10 pm. All names will go into a hat. Literally. I'll close my eyes, reach in and voila!
      🎩

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  11. So many books. If they were all laid end to end they'd fall off my shelf.

    I think they should invent edible books. They'd feed the mind AND body and they would save a lot of space in keeping them after they are read. Imagine if all the libraries in the world turned into restaurants. And ... it would create employment in the printing industry who will have to print even more books to be read and eaten.

    I'll have mine in a Hollandaise sauce please.

    God bless.

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    1. I think God might have created you to be an innovative inventor, Victor ...
      🤷‍♂️

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  12. I always love your book talks!

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    1. And I'm glad you're here, whoever you are!
      🧐

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  13. Dear Linda, thank you ever so much for your support and encouragement and for hosting the giveaway! Congratulations to Bill! God bless you both in a special way.

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    1. Thank you for your generosity, Cheryl. I know that God is going to continue to use your books (and your music) to draw women, men, and their families into a closer relationship with Him. May He continue to prosper the work of your hands, friend.
      🤲

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  14. I really enjoyed Michelle Obama's book, too! I love reading wisdom from people who have struggled in ways both similar and different than me.

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    1. Yes, Lisa, I find the similar to be validating and the different to be enlightening.
      🕯️

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  15. Linda, I love your book reviews.
    Thanks for sharing these with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.

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