I met Emily Freeman a couple of years ago at Blissdom. Before I met her in real life, I knew I’d love her. She was as easy to talk to as she is easy to read her words of grace that she shares regularly on her blog. I sat with her one morning over coffee – I’d slept through my alarm and woke up 3 minutes before I was supposed to meet her, throwing on jeans and a sweater and racing down to meet her. I spilled coffee on my sleeve while we talked. But there is something about Emily that makes all self-consciousness slide away. She’s generous, kind, and she instantly puts a girl at ease with the beautiful way she shares herself. She doesn’t just talk, she listens too. And so, when she announced she was writing a book, I anxiously awaited her words of comfort that I knew would spill off the pages. I was fortunate enough to have received a review copy a couple of weeks ago, and I am happy to share with you today about this book that truly, in my least melodramatic voice ever, changed my life.
Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try Hard Life
This book instantly drew me in. I felt like I was sitting at that little cafe table all over again with coffee spilled on my sleeve and bedhead. With each page that I turned, Emily was assuring me that not only am I not alone, but I am normal. She gives permission to all of us women to take off our masks, be our crazy imperfect selves and know that God loves us. What a sense of relief. This book made me laugh and cry. It gave me a strength and confidence to stop hiding and pretending that I can do it all when we all know none of us can.
Emily gracefully and kindly navigates the topics of performance, expectation, disappointment, loss, love, friendship, heartache, and joy with a loving voice. She vulnerably shares her imperfections – big and small – so that we can see that we are not alone. It’s more than just commiserating about these things though. She shares comforting words that make it feel like it’s okay to let go of the masks, take down the walls, and finally live freely.
Revell provided me with a copy to giveaway. If you’d like to win a copy of this beautiful book, leave a comment and I will randomly choose a winner this Sunday, September 18th.
Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
i’ve seen some wonderful comments on this book recently. I definitely plan to read it.
This is a book that would surely be passed around my friends. I can only imagine how reading this among a community of women would inspire good conversation and help each of us live freely.
I need a book to change my life too!
Thanks for the give-away.
Kim
Making some changes in my life. May be just the thing I need to read. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to win a copy of this book!
I’ve enjoyed reading all the reviews of Emily’s new book and can’t wait to read it myself. Thanks for the giveaway!
sounds like a terrific read!
Hi Emily – I am glad you are back from your summer vacation. Thanks for telling us about the book, it sounds like a message a lot of women need to hear.
Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Beckie
I would love a book to change my life and it looks like a good one! Hope I win!
This sounds the just the book I need right now.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this book! It sounds fabulous!
sounds great!
I would love this book–sometimes I wish I had a friend that I could feel just the way you describe how you feel while talking with the author. Seems like people of that type are few and far between!
Looks like a great book!
Rebecca
I would love to be able to read this book!
I so need this book right now, and I loved your post at Simple Mom. Thanks for the chance to win.
I wonder if this giveaway is still active!
The book sounds wonderful and the author sounds like the real thing!
Regardless, I love your blog.
Jane in Los Angeles
When I saw the promo video for Emily’s book, it brought me to tears. I can only imagine the impact this book will have on so many lives. I would feel honored and blessed to win…love your blog…your candor…your humility…keep on sharing!
This sounds like a book I need/want to read! Thanks!
the book sounds interesting; thanks for the opportunity to win.
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm
I’ve read a lot of amazing comments on that book and would love to have it.
Claire at Nice person, wrong planet!
this books sounds incredible – thank you for the giveaway!