Book share -- "For the Love"

Click here to find the book! 

Oh man. I love this book for so many reasons. It had me crying then laughing within the first few pages. (I'm capable of the full spectrum of human emotion within 20 seconds these days.) I think I recommended this book to 8 friends this week. Not kidding. 

From the Amazon book summary: "Jen Hatmaker bares the refreshing wisdom, wry humor, no-nonsense faith, liberating insight, and fearless honesty that have made her beloved by women worldwide."

My favorite sections are her sarcastic "thank you notes" throughout the book, in between the more serious subjects. Here are a couple to give you a taste... 

"Thank you, Obvious Warning Labels. Without you I might have stuck my kid in a washing machine, lit a match near an open gas line, used my hair dryer while sleeping, or, God forbid, not realized eggs may contain—wait for it—eggs. I have no idea how I ever function without you. (I almost ingested the contents of a lava lamp just yesterday, but your label made another quick save. God bless.)"

"Thank you, Instagram filters, for you have helped me put out many works of photographic fiction that make me appear younger, tanner, and thinner than I actually am. Natural lighting may be my nemesis, but Lo-Fi is my BFF. LYLAS."

"Thank you, Department Stores, for the flickering fluorescent lights, dingy yellow wall paint, and adjustable mirrors in the dressing room where I try on bathing suits. You are why I drink."

This book was a great reminder of how to take myself less seriously, stop aiming for perfection, and to give myself the grace I try to give to others. Jen hatmaker is a genius. 

Just finished reading...

Have you read it?  If you know me well, you know I'm not an avid reader... although I wish I was! A book has to be pretty darn good to get me engaged enough to finish it. And this one passed that test. I really enjoyed this book...

Do you know about sin eaters? Historically, sin eaters were used in 18th and 19th century Scotland, England, and possibly Wales. They were outcasts to society who had to hide away until they were called upon when someone died. While everyone turned their backs, the sin eater had to perform a ritual believed to remove the sins of the decreased person, so that they would not carry their sins into eternity.


The Last Sin Eater is a fictional story that takes place in a 1850s Appalachia settlement community.
The main character, Cadi, is wrestling with a tradgedy that she is blamed for. She seeks out the sin eater to see if he can help remove the weight and guilt of what she's dealing with (while she is still alive.) Meanwhile, a preacher comes into the valley and offers to preach the truth to whoever will listen. Most shun him, as they stick to what is familiar and known... the tradition of the sin eater. But Cadi and another child secretly meet and listen to what the preacher has to say. Their lives are changed by learning the truth about Jesus. But their newly found faith leads to confrontation in a community that was so founded on secrets, hate, and tradition.

Need a good read?

I'm not an avid reader. I wish I was. So if I can stick with a book and finish it, you know it's good!

I just finished reading "Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall. It's based on a true story about two unlikely men whose paths crossed and lives changed. And I can't recommend it enough! It was funny, inspiring, and heart wrenching. If you haven't read it, please do!

This is a picture of the real Ron Hall and Denver Moore.