Sparkly Green Earrings

So, you know how you feel when watching a well-writted television show and there is a montage with just the perfect song to frame it all? In those instances, I find myself nodding my head, feeling a kinship and thinking Yes. This. This captures so much of what I feel about life. I am not alone. Others share this experience. I felt this way reading Melanie Shankle's brand new book Sparkly Green Earrings.

I have often wondered how someone could take a blog like Big Mama's, an entertaining romp through the realities of everyday life, and convert it to the format of a book. In this memoir of her first eight years of motherhood, Melanie had me literally laughing out loud on several occasions and dabbing my eyes at others. (I even read the last couple of pages aloud in my hair salon to my male stylist! Yes, it might have been Steel Magnolias 2013)

Despite starting a dozen, it has been eight months since I actually finished a book. I read 170 pages of this one within four hours of receiving it--and completed it by the end of the week. Why? Because of Melanie's voice. It was refreshingly authentic, yet sewn together with gratefulness and humor.

Melanie is a normal, but hilarious, Texas wife and Mom. Her memoir is a collection of stories from the last decade of young motherhood--real, everyday life stuff. She doesn't offer checklists or right answers, simply an invitation to share stories about this wild ride of motherhood and how it leaves us humbled & changed. Time and again I found myself nodding at this kindred spirit's recounting of her journey. This is my life told much funnier!

I am a deep thinker. I like to leave a book changed. This one left me thankful for the often comical, usually humbling lessons that come from everyday life. I was reminded that we are in this together--and grateful for the ride.

I would love to pass it on. Comment below before noon Sunday (EST) if you'd like a copy. I'll use a random number generator to choose three winners (because I love that number) and ship it out to you on Monday. 

Yahoo for Melanie's dream coming true & the joy it will bring so many!

**In terms of FULL disclosure: I do not usually do stuff like this. Melanie did send me a free preview copy, but the enjoyment is real enough that I am buying the three copies I am handing out myself :)

UPDATED WITH WINNERS:
The first number drawn was 46 Nat
Second number was 15 Sara
The third was 8 Happy Working Mom (Debbie)
Congratulations ladies!! Enjoy!