The full title of this book is, Stand All The Way Up, Stories of Staying In It When You Want To Burn It All Down.  I am here for this title, y'all.  Sophie Hudson and I have never met, but I feel as if we should.  We would have one entertaining visit over coffee.  Ten things you need to know:

• Target audience: Women who have lived enough life to know the savor of simple things is a luxury, time is too short for non-essential shenanigans, and investing in your people will always yield the best returns.
• More-than-I-can-count Laugh Out Loud Moments!  Best medicine ever, y'all!
• Musical references that will make any child of the 80's/90's proud.
• The roller coaster that is teenage parenting
• Brilliant use of fonts to get a point across!  (All caps are for a reason;)
• The Bullet Point Lists (Everybody Relax! 13 Essential Clothing Items for Middle Age, Button Pushers)
• Biblical truths weaved in to real-life stories doused in transparency and humility
• The COVER
• Aging/Body Image wisdom
• Favorite Quote: "And for bettter or worse, in some ways that emabarrass me and some ways that make me proud, my forties and I have confronted all those things standing eyeball-to-eyeball.  We've tried our best to work it out.  We've worked it on out despite broken bones and hormone surges and a bladder that can no longer be trusted.  We've settled down and settled in and committed to real-live life in ways I couldn't have fathomed ten years ago.  We've (mostly) said good-bye to the angst-y comparison of my thirties and the approval of my twenties.  My forties have centered on asking some big questions and figuring out how to make my peace with the answers." pg. 17

The teacher is prepared. She has studied her subject matter inside and out. The lesson plan is spot on, designed to touch every learning style, every level of intellectual capacity. Ready, set, go! She writes the premise of the lesson on the board and turns to begin. A raised hand stops her in her tracks. She sighs—this kid. The student every teacher simultaneously loves to have in their classroom, yet dreads when they see that raised hand. The Questioner. 

"Yes, Knox?" 

"But what if it isn't?"

Patience. Patience is the key to victory. 

She raises her head, straightens her shoulders, and asks, "What if what isn't?" 

He nods at the board, and she, despite her aggravation, quirks a grin.

"Ok, Knox, what if it isn't?"

Time to reconsider.  To consider again, to turn a subject inside out and reevaluate.  

I taught high school for a lot of years. And I had an inquisitive Knox in my classroom each and every time. These people will make your brain hurt, but in the end, it's worth it. Why? Because everyone needs to reconsider as a form of checks and balances. Check yourself every once in a while.  You won't regret it. 

Check out the description on amazon.com:
If we ask just one question, does everything fall apart? 
In All Things Reconsidered, popular podcaster Knox McCoy uses a unique blend of humor, pop culture references, and personal stories to show how a willingness to reconsider ideas can actually help us grow ourselves, our lives, and our beliefs. 
In this laugh-out-loud defense of reconsideration, Knox dives into topics like:

• Are participation trophies truly the worst?
• Is it really worth it to be a ride-or-die sports fan?
• Do we believe in God because of the promise of heaven—or the threat of hell?
• Does prayer work? Is anyone even there?

This book is the catalyst we need to courageously ask the questions that will lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves—and God. It’s time to start reconsidering.

​I finished this beautiful letter from a father to a son today. My heart broke as I listened to the author read his poignant words. As a parent, I would do anything to protect my child-literally, shielding their bodies with my own. Protection is not only sacrificing but also preparing and equipping. There is no doubt the coursework for living this life is dissimilar, and the final grade is much more than a simple pass or fail.  

This read is powerful, necessary, and gut-wrenching. 

I have found myself craving human interaction like dark chocolate after a sugar fast.  Can you relate?  Quarantine has taught me how much I take for granted in the context of friendship/relationship.  To sit across from an empathic friend and catch up on life, get someone else’s perspective, be reminded you are not alone and there are abundant blessings to be counted and lifted up for thanksgiving-PRICELESS.  When I downloaded Melanie Shankle’s, On the Bright Side in April, the listen was a tonic to my soul.  Melanie reads the audible version of the book in a tone that is humorous and sympathetic.   I highly recommend!

Synopsis from amazon.com: 
These days, so many voices tell us what to do, what to think, and what kind of parent or friend or spouse to be that it's easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. Somewhere in the midst of online arguments and crazy politics and the ups and downs of life, we've lost sight of the gifts that are all around us: kindness, love, mercy, and joy.

In On the Bright Side, Melanie Shankle reminds us of the unchanging principles we can count on in a changing world. These are lessons that Melanie has learned along the way about how to find all the joy that life has to offer - and why encouragement is never something to keep to ourselves. Exploring topics such as dealing with comparisons, when life doesn't turn out like we expected, and how to find your people, Melanie invites us to lead with love in all areas of our lives.

This delightful memoir highlights the joys of life told in Melanie's down to earth, relatable, and totally enjoyable style. On the Bright Side is a how-to guide to knowing - and living - what matters most.


All things Melanie can be found here: 
 
https://thebigmamablog.com

Amazon Link to Book: 
https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Side-Stories-Friendship-Yourself/dp/0310349443/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=On+the+Bright+Side&qid=1592402181&sr=8-1

One Big Story Seek-and-Circle Bible Battles is a hardback interactive children's book that explores six major battles from Scripture, relating each of them to the passage presented in Ephesians 6: 10-19.


"God gives us what we need to stand strong against evil. Every day, we fight a spiritual battle. People and powers who are against God will fight against us, but we can be strong in the Lord. God calls us to put on the full armor of God so we can be ready to take the good news about Jesus into the world."

The book opens with a parent connection page discussing Romans 8:31-39, expanding the idea of God's people fighting enemies as they entered the promise land and Paul's discussion of fighting unseen spiritual battles.

Six pictorial battles are presented on 2-paged layout.
1) The Battle of Jericho
2) Israel vs the Five Kings
3) Deborah, Barak, and Jael
4) Gideon vs. the Midianites
5) David and Goliath
6) Judah Taken Captive

For each battle there is a scripture reference, 20 seek and circle items (you will need to purchase a dry erase marker), an armor of God "find" (the belt, the sword, the breast-plate, the shield, the helmet and the shoes), and a Christ Connection.

The positives are the Scripture references and the Christ Connection. I appreciate how B&H connects the Old Testament with Jesus and His ultimate purpose. The construction of the book is sturdy and the illustrations are colorful. The layout is easy for parents and kids to engage with the content.

The only drawback would be the "busyness" of the graphics. For some children, it could be a bit overstimulating.
​

The teacher is prepared. She has studied her subject matter inside and out. The lesson plan is spot on, designed to touch every learning style, every level of intellectual capacity. Ready, set, go! She writes the premise of the lesson on the board and turns to begin. A raised hand stops her in her tracks. She sighs—this kid. The student every teacher simultaneously loves to have in their classroom, yet dreads when they see that raised hand. The Questioner. 

Yes, Knox?" 

"But what if it isn't?"

Patience. Patience is the key to victory. 

She raises her head, straightens her shoulders, and asks, "What if what isn't?" 

He nods at the board, and she, despite her aggravation, quirks a grin.

"Ok, Knox, what if it isn't?"

Time to reconsider.

I taught high school for a lot of years. And I had an inquisitive Knox in my classroom each and every time. These people will make your brain hurt, but in the end, it's worth it. Why? Because everyone needs to reconsider as a form of checks and balances. Check yourself every once in a while.  You won't regret it. 
According to dictionary.com:
to reconsider: to consider again, especially for a possible change of decision regarding it.  

Do I still believe (fill in the blank)?  Turn the subject inside out and come to either the same decision or a different one.  

From amazon.com: 
If we ask just one question, does everything fall apart? 
In All Things Reconsidered, popular podcaster Knox McCoy uses a unique blend of humor, pop culture references, and personal stories to show how a willingness to reconsider ideas can actually help us grow ourselves, our lives, and our beliefs. 
In this laugh-out-loud defense of reconsideration, Knox dives into topics like:

• Are participation trophies truly the worst?
• Is it really worth it to be a ride-or-die sports fan?
• Do we believe in God because of the promise of heaven—or the threat of hell?
• Does prayer work? Is anyone even there?

This book is the catalyst we need to courageously ask the questions that will lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves—and God. It’s time to start reconsidering.