Nothing says CELEBRATION! like Two Buck Chuck
If you follow the FB page, you know I'm celebrating something. It's not what you think. Or is it? Only a couple of more days until I exclusively reveal the news on the FB page.
I also announced HopefulLeigh is getting a facelift. I cannot wait to show it to you! There might be a little radio silence but if all goes well, everything will be in place by the middle of next week.
Suffice it to say I'm a big fan of August.
Read and Reading:
I cried through the last 100 pages of The Fault in our Stars (Green). Honest, wry, poignant. Even though you know it won't have a happy ending, the plot headed in an unexpected direction. I now want to read everything Green has written.I'm not quite sure what to make of The Art of Fielding (Harbach). The overarching story of Henry's rise and fall was compelling. There was great character development and some of the early chapters made me laugh out loud. The baseball game scenes were exciting and I often felt I was living and dying with each play. However, I didn't understand a certain character's decision-making and why there wasn't discussion of his changing sexuality; the conclusion to this character's storyline was a cop out.
The 11 year old I "take care of" asked me to read his favorite series: Eragon this summer. He described them as Harry Potter with dragons. I've read the first and enjoyed it, though the main character is a bit of a punk. I'm sure he'll grow on me.
Tamar Adler has such a reverential approach to food and eating in An Everlasting Meal. Beautifully written, her book also serves as a handy guide. I will never approach eggs or leftovers in quite the same way after reading her words. A must read for anyone who enjoys eating or cooking.
I've read The Bloggess less than a handful of times. Everyone has raved about her memoir Let's Pretend This Never Happened (Lawson). I never pass up the opportunity to laugh- and I'm glad I gave this book a chance. Though it's a little awkward explaining why you're laughing out loud while reading in a coffee shop. Note: Lawson has a bit of a potty mouth. And by a bit, I mean this book is profanity-laden. If that doesn't scare you away, prepare to laugh the day away and thank your lucky stars you've never encountered Beyonce the Chicken or almost set your house on fire via oven.
I reviewed The Healer of Fox Hollow here.
Currently reading: Walking on Water (L'Engle), Book of Hours (Rilke), When Helping Hurts (Corbett and Fikkert).
My friend Chad Gibbs wrote a new book Love Thy Rival. What's greater than having a book published? Deciding to raise $40,000 for Samaritan's Purse to built a women's and children's medical clinic in Haiti. And even better than that? Allowing people to give money in honor of their favorite team. Let the smack talk begin! Don't even try to bring my Chicago teams down.
I am so, so, so excited Shauna Niequist's new book Bread and Wine is available for pre-order.
(I read 10 books this month.)
TV: Must-see TV: So You Think You Can Dance
I enjoyed Bunheads' short summer season and hope it'll be back for a second season, even if only for it to have more time to develop its own voice. I'm a big ASP fan but most episodes were like a dancing version of Gilmore Girls, which does neither show justice.
Arrested Development started filming. (!!!) That's all I have to say about that.
Favorite Video:
I'm almost sick of Somebody That I Used to Know. Almost. But this a capella version is amaaaaazzziiinng.
I wish Pacey-Con was a real thing. Don't judge me.
Music:
New discovery: SHEL, Imagine Dragons
I presume you are like me and have repeatedly listened to the new songs from Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers.
I don't remember how I first heard of Dry the River(maybe one of you?) but I love their album Shallow Bed. I rounded up a friend when I saw they were coming to 3rd & Lindsley. Those Brits were quite entertaining. Also enjoyable: opening act By Lightning, which featured quite an array of genres. It was like 5 bands for the price of one.
Tuesday night I went to Mocha Club's Birthday show featuring Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and more. Great night celebrating a good cause.
In the Blogosphere:
Here are the mid-August links.
A few of my dear friends (Allison, Joy, Laura, and Shawn) are in Sri Lanka with World Vision until September 1.
I am a big fan of World
Vision and hope you'll consider child sponsorship. It's worth reading all the bloggers' posts but if you don't have time, here are my favorites so far: 5 Reasons Why I Do This, The Needy in America vs. the Needy in the Third World: Who is More Worthy of American Aid?, Sri Lanka Market and Fire-Walking Ceremony, Meet Afra and Your Life Might Change, Meeting My O, and The Crowd Waiting for Us in the Street, and My New Hero.
Steve DeWitt is a pastor and, until recently, a 44 year old single. Loved reading his last sermon as a single man. Why don't more churches a) hire singles as pastors and b) talk about celibacy, sex, and dating?
Please keep my friend Ellie's son Chase in your prayers. He started chemo the other week and now the hospital routines have begun.
Baby Pearl is almost 5 weeks old! Glory.
I especially appreciated the Missiological Imperatives included in Ask an Indigenous Theologian.
Seth Haines is a favorite writer friend of mine because of pieces like this. The courage to ask for that kind of conformity? Lord, have mercy.
"And I mean that—everything is fiction. When you tell yourself the story of your life, the story of your day, you edit and rewrite and weave a narrative out of a collection of random experiences and events." Wonderful piece from the New Yorker.
Man, this bit of lovely writing from Preston Yancey hasn't left my mind the past week. Fleeing to Paris, yes.
The ever fabulous Addie Zierman gives us Outreach Events and the Old Bait-and-Switch.
"The Publishing Process in GIF Form. Absolutely. spot. on.
Celebrating Sarah Bessey's TWO book deal. So happy for her and excited to read her words in book form!Elizabeth Esther and Kristen Howerton have started Left Mom/Right Mom, a video series demonstrating how to have civil and respectful political discussions.
Speaking of politics, I'm sure you realize The Wrong Side Absolutely Must Not Win
Two filmmakers decided to film a movie using a homeless crew, which led to changed lives and starting a non-profit. Incredible story. Be sure to watch the video.
Read Rachel Held Evans' phenomenal Confessions of an Accidental Feminist and then Kathy Escobar's suggestions on how to stand up for women. We can shift the tide.
Kevin Haggerty has a new graphic design business. Check it out, yo.
If you have kids, you'll want to check out this new weekly link up: The Parent 'Hood. A few of my dear blog friends have put it together and I can't wait to read their stories!
On Ye Olde Blog:
I shared a glimpse into my dating life with Another First Date, which Modern Mrs. Darcy kindly featured in her Perspectives on Life and Love Carnival round-up.
What have you been into this month?
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