Somewhere in the dark, hidden corners of my heart hovers a dream. Occasionally I allow it to surface -- the secret, improbable idea that I could write a book. That someday, magically, I could have the ability to paint pictures and draw images and weave words that would carry a reader through page after page. That somehow I could acquire the determination to accomplish such a monumental feat.
Then, I read books like Anything But Simple by Lucinda J Miller, and I shake my head decidedly. I am quite content to write little blog posts and let others accomplish the monumental feats.
I've been reading Luci's blog for quite some time. I've enjoyed reading about her life, her dreams, her stories. More than a tiny, hovering dream, Luci has had a passionate desire to write a book. The burning intent for her words? To capture life as she has experienced it.
Luci grew up in a small, Mennonite community in rural Wisconsin. To grow up Mennonite is to be set apart from the world at large for life. The best way I can think of to describe this odd phenomenon is to imagine being born Russian and living in America. You can learn to speak English fluently, dress American, eat American, adopt the customs and the thoughts and the ways of Americans but you will always be a Russian. So it is to be born Mennonite.
As God so often seems to enjoy doing, in an odd twist of circumstances, Anything But Simple is not the book Luci first dreamed of writing. However, I think it captures the burning intent she so longed for: life as she has experienced it.
Luci is a very gifted writer. Not only does she weave stories and ideas for the reader to ponder and digest, she infuses emotion and layers of feelings into her words. As you read about her childhood, her family, her dreams, her struggles -- you are there. You feel the painful shyness of the little girl who cannot bring herself to mention needing a bathroom; the sensitivity of the lonely teen who is sure they are not only different, but alien; the growing awareness as an adult of two worlds and the struggle to navigate through both.
In the telling of her life as a Mennonite, Luci pours out her heart openly and honestly. There is no catching the high points of the Mennonite world and exaggerating them, no unrealistic portrayal of how Mennonites think they should look. What Luci shares is reality and the reality is that while she was born a Mennonite and will always be set apart from the world at large, she was also born a sinner with a heart no less in need of a Saviour - no less bent toward sin - than any other person ever born.
When I contacted Luci with an offer to do a book review and giveaway on my blog, she graciously accepted my offer and sent me an autographed copy of Anything But Simple and the chance for one of my readers to win a copy of their own! Her books are available on Amazon and Menno Media or you can contact Luci through her blog to purchase an autographed copy.
For a chance to win your free copy, leave me a comment and be sure to include an e-mail address where I can contact you. This giveaway will close one week from today and is open to only US mailing addresses.
54 comments:
I would love to win! 😉
I'd love to win this book! :)
I loved be hearing about what other people are reading and their thoughts on the book. This book looks really good!
My email is jisforjo82@gmail.com
Life is complicated... Interested in reading her version of it!
Also I wanted to tell you... You could write a book. No, you can't tell someone else's story in the way someone else describes it, but you can tell your own story with your own voice. You have a valuable gift to offer the world!
Oh, I'd love to read this book! My email is reachn4starz@gmail.com
I would LOVE to read this book! Your review makes me want to read it even more than I already did.
After your recommendation, I'd like to read it too. LRM
I'll send you a separate email.
I'd love to win this book!
conroyandkatrina@gmail.com
Since I didn't win the giveaway last week on another blog, I'll try for this book again here. friendlywiggles@gmail.com
I have been wanting to read this book!
I have been reading your blog for some time now. It has really been a blessing to me! Thank you for sharing your heart. Blessings. Nernandpap@yahoo.com
Maybe with the third try I'll be able to read the book.:) Also enjoy your blog.anjshowalter@gmail.com
Hi Bethany,
You don't know me, but I've been one of your quiet readers for quite a while. ☺ Don't give up your book dream; you have a wonderful way with words, too! Please enter me in your drawing...sangrejess@yahoo.com Thanks!
Awesome 😊
Sounds like a great read! 💜
No need to enter me in the giveaway, I was/am one of the editors at Herald Press who published this amazing, honest and open book. Thanks for sharing it here!
I have had my eye on this book and would love to win! And keep up the good writing yourself, Bethany! I really enjoy your blog. :)
I'd love to read this book. Lynndalem@gmail.com
I'd love to read this book!
sweetmommy04@gmail.com
I would like to read tis book.winning it would be a neat way to get it.
Diane
Jdhistand7@frontier.com
I would love to read this book. My email is inspiredbygod@agapemail.com. Thanks for sponsoring it!
I would enjoy reading this book. keithnjulieforever@gmail.com
Since I enjoyed reading this book, I would love to win it.
I'd love to read this book! Email is maryk2534@gmail.com
I'd like to read this book!
I'd love to read this book :)
nebraskasenorita93@gmail.com
Sounds like a fascinating book. I grew up in a conservative Christian home, my parents were both raised conservatively so passed that along those values to us although we didn't attend a conservative church. Talk about confusing. Your review was great, thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.
I'd love to win this book!
I'd love to "hear" what you have to say!
I have been wanting to read this book. Looks so interesting! rachaelrudolph@yahoo.com
I enjoy reading your blog and would be delighted to win this book.
katrinanolt@gmail.com
This book sounds very interesting, and I'd love to hear her honesty about Mennonite living struggles.
limegreenbug@emypoeple.net
I would like to win this book, if the LORD wills.
Thanks for offering a chance to win. Learned of the offer from Lucinda's blog.
kenandcarie (at) dirksfarms (dot) com
Thank you, have a great day.
Carie
A very interesting book! And by the way, your writing is too! bearsden@afo.net
I too would love to read this book! It sounds very interesting!
onetaoverholt@wctel.net
This book sounds do interesting and intriguing.
Rez84girl@yahoo.com
I, too, would love to win a copy of Luci's book. I've followed her blog for a while now and really enjoy it. Now that I've found yours, I'll be following it as well. I didn't see a separate field for email and the one below is incorrect. Please use sewnitter@yahoo.com. Thank you for sharing about Luci and this opportunity.
Would love this book. Neadnitromom (@) aol.com
I would enjoy reading the book.
I met Lucinda a couple of weeks ago and would love this book. Molliemj07@gmail.com
It sounds like a fascinating book. I'd love to read it! natruthfisher@gmail.com
I would love to read this book, so I think it would be awesome to win it! :P Keep up your good work on your blog!! email is....
ilovethcountry16@gmail.com
Would love to read this book as well! :)
susannafaith1997@gmail.com
I knew Luci as I grew up n I would love this book!!
I've also followed her blog and would love to win! ~Sharon
huevosatld@gmail.com
Waiting for my copy. ;)
abloom4jesus@yahoo.com
Add me to your list please. You made the book sound so interesting! galmar1020@gmail.com
Looking forward to reading this book sometime! Pls add my name to the drawing! Thanks! noahfaith1123@gmail.com
I enjoy reading your blog. This book looks like an interesting read.
My email, weaver8808@gmail.com
I would love to read this book; thanks to you (and the author) for the giveaway! belauvibes @ yahoo.com
I would like to win this book. It sounds very interesting. My email is zuvers2009 at yahoo.com
I would love to win this book!! Luci is a good friend of mine and beautiful inside and out!!my email is jennizimmer90@gmail.com
I like to read and this looks interesting! Carmen 7happylappys@gmail.com
Always enjoy reading your blogs! Don't remember ever winning anything but that's fine. More to life than that. I'd buy your book once it's written! Blessings, Marlene marbren0118@gmail.com
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