Monday, September 4, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway: Anything But Simple

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:

Unknown said...

I would love to win! 😉

Rosina said...

I'd love to win this book! :)

Joanna said...

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

L.E. said...

Life is complicated... Interested in reading her version of it!

Rosina said...

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!

Unknown said...

Oh, I'd love to read this book! My email is reachn4starz@gmail.com

Treva said...

I would LOVE to read this book! Your review makes me want to read it even more than I already did.

Anonymous said...

After your recommendation, I'd like to read it too. LRM

I'll send you a separate email.

Katrina Martin said...

I'd love to win this book!
conroyandkatrina@gmail.com

Rhoda said...

Since I didn't win the giveaway last week on another blog, I'll try for this book again here. friendlywiggles@gmail.com

Rosie said...

I have been wanting to read this book!

Anonymous said...

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

Jane said...

Maybe with the third try I'll be able to read the book.:) Also enjoy your blog.anjshowalter@gmail.com

Jessica said...

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!

Stephanieridge73@gmail.com said...

Awesome 😊
Sounds like a great read! 💜

melodie davis said...

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!

hearthkeeper said...

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. :)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book. Lynndalem@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book!
sweetmommy04@gmail.com

Diane Histand said...

I would like to read tis book.winning it would be a neat way to get it.
Diane
Jdhistand7@frontier.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book. My email is inspiredbygod@agapemail.com. Thanks for sponsoring it!

Anonymous said...

I would enjoy reading this book. keithnjulieforever@gmail.com

Yalonda said...

Since I enjoyed reading this book, I would love to win it.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book! Email is maryk2534@gmail.com

ElaineR said...

I'd like to read this book!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book :)
nebraskasenorita93@gmail.com

...by CJ said...

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.

ZGramma said...

I'd love to win this book!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to "hear" what you have to say!

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read this book. Looks so interesting! rachaelrudolph@yahoo.com

Katrina said...

I enjoy reading your blog and would be delighted to win this book.
katrinanolt@gmail.com

Lynn said...

This book sounds very interesting, and I'd love to hear her honesty about Mennonite living struggles.
limegreenbug@emypoeple.net

Carie Dirks said...

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

Anonymous said...

A very interesting book! And by the way, your writing is too! bearsden@afo.net

Anonymous said...

I too would love to read this book! It sounds very interesting!
onetaoverholt@wctel.net

Rhoda said...

This book sounds do interesting and intriguing.
Rez84girl@yahoo.com

Tek said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Would love this book. Neadnitromom (@) aol.com

Michele said...

I would enjoy reading the book.

Anonymous said...

I met Lucinda a couple of weeks ago and would love this book. Molliemj07@gmail.com

Ruth Fisher said...

It sounds like a fascinating book. I'd love to read it! natruthfisher@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

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

Newswanger Family said...

Would love to read this book as well! :)
susannafaith1997@gmail.com

Anon said...

I knew Luci as I grew up n I would love this book!!

Unknown said...

I've also followed her blog and would love to win! ~Sharon
huevosatld@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Waiting for my copy. ;)
abloom4jesus@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Add me to your list please. You made the book sound so interesting! galmar1020@gmail.com

Faith said...

Looking forward to reading this book sometime! Pls add my name to the drawing! Thanks! noahfaith1123@gmail.com

Hannah said...

I enjoy reading your blog. This book looks like an interesting read.
My email, weaver8808@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book; thanks to you (and the author) for the giveaway! belauvibes @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this book. It sounds very interesting. My email is zuvers2009 at yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

I like to read and this looks interesting! Carmen 7happylappys@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

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