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.
This sounds like an amazing book written exactly for me!
I have been reading your blog for a while and I def need a new n inspiring book to read. just finished few! log fwd to this one one way (getting it for free) or another (buying it!)
I can’t wait to read _Grace for the Good Girl_. It sounds like a truly amazing book.
I love God’s grace, what a gift! My friend recently went through a terrible time in her marriage and finally made the heart wrenching decision that she could no longer stay in her marriage with a person who could betray and hurt her so much. I had invited her to church with me a few times and she eventually agreed to come with me. By the second Sunday, she accepted Christ into her life. He healed her hurt and pain, she has subsequently extended that grace to her husband and they are together and working through their marriage. I just know this book would be a beautiful read for her. Her name, by the way is Lucy. x Sumei
ending the “try hard”? sign me up, please!
I just found your wonderful blog and so happy I did. I am excited to read this book, it sounds like something I need! I am a worrier that is always trying to be “perfect”! Thanks again for your blog!
This sounds like an amazing book…I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
I stumbled across your blog this morning to find this…and it’s speaks directly to me and my journey right now.
I have been reading your blog for quite awhile – I would love to win a copy of Emily’s book – sounds wonderful!
I’ve been hearing alot about this book and it sounds like just what I need! Can’t wait to read it and would love to win a copy!
The book sounds lovely, Emily. Thank you for letting us know about it.
Ooh I’ve heard of this book! It is just what I and so many friends need to hear! I can’t wait to share it w them.
I thoroughly enjoy reading Emily’s blog & am looking forward to reading the book as well. I hope to use it with a small group at my church.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love a copy! The book sounds wonderful.
have loved reading about this book…now I really want to just read it! on my list…
I would love to give this inspirational book to
my best friend. Recently, she was diagnosed with
breast cancer. She begins chemotherapy treatments
this month.
Many thanks, Cindi
Jenifer M Reply:
September 15th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Prayers to your brave friend as she embarks a her warrior path.
This is just the book for me!
I need the extra encouragement in my life right now.
I could use a little life changing right about now! Sounds like a great book…
I could really use a book like this at this point in my life!
What a sweet book! I think that all women could use this!
This sounds like a book that would do me a great deal of good right now. I have a sister fighting very hard against a cancer the medical experts say she will not win
Between grief, raising a family, being a wife, and being there for my sister, it really feels like I need to keep “my crazy self” under control, but crazy self rears its ugly head all to often lately and I waterfall of guilt washes over me for letting crazy out. Either way, I am going to read this book, getting it for free right now would be an extra special blessing.
VHiggins Reply:
September 15th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
*hugs* Praying for you.
prayers to you brave friend!
Love your blog! Love Books, thanks for sharing!
I would love to win your give away. Reading something as opposed to hearing the spoken word always has more of an impact for me.
I love reading Emily’s blog and would love to read her book.
This book looks terrific – if I don’t win it I’ll be sure to get it at the library!
Oh I’ve been wanting to read this!! I never seem to win giveaways so I’m crossing my fingers for this one. I love Emily’s writing. ^_^
I need to read this book!
“Trying hard” is so exhausting! Grace is good!! I would love to read this book….
I am in need of a work like this. my jumbled mind has got me weary today. thank you for making me aware of this book.
I would love to read this book!
I’m taken in by your description of the author as well as the title of her book. Speaks to me. So enter me to win! and if I don’t win it, I’m going to buy it. Friday’s payday, and I’m ready to invest more in the good life and let go a little more of the try hard life. : )
I would love to win this book to give to my faith filled daughter, who just lost her Dad and is trying her best. She is a gracious, beautiful young woman and I think the message you tell of this book would be perfect for her. And if I don’t win, I will likely head to Barnes and Noble and buy it as a nice surprise for her.
Blessings,
Anita
I can’t wait to find/read this book! It’s so hard not to wear that mask and be who God made us to truly be – that sometimes I think I don’t even know WHO I really am. Sounds like a great and timely read!
Thank you for introducing me to this book. It looks fantastic! I am so thankful for the MANY encouraging and challenging resources out there!
yep–think I may need this one!
Sounds like a fabulous book. Hope I’m the lucky winner.
Sounds like an amazing book. I’m trying to win it for my wife.
Hopeful!
i would like to have copy! thanks for the giveaway!
The book sounds wonderful! I would love to win it!!
I would like to win this. Thanks :}
Sounds like a wonderful book, something we all need. Can’t wait to check it out!
I just came across your blog today from Simple Mom and I think it was divine guidance as the book you mention sounds like one I really need in my life. Thanks for sharing and please enter me into the drawing. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! I’d love a chance to run the book!
This book is going on my “must read” list…the description spoke LOUD and clear to me. Please enter me in the book give away. Thank YOU!
I am intrigued. Thanks for the opportunity!
I read your review of both your chat and your comments regarding her book, and I immediately thought of my wife. She is my best friend, and having a tough time right now trying to juggle the insanity of three beautiful but busy busy girls, a challenging job teaching high school English at a tough school, and dealing with me and my job that frequently puts me on the road traveling. She very much needs the encouragement a book like this might give her.
I am feeling completely lost and totally out of sorts so I am thinking that Emily’s book could be a real blessing for me. Would love to win it.
Peace & Love,
~Barb~