I highly suspect that the author and I are not kindred spirits. She seems like a person who has a way of seeing the world with hope and humor, but she's not my people, and I suspect I wouldn't be hers. So, part of the low score is due to fit.

However, part is also because as far as memoirs go, this one is mediocre. It feels like a random assortment of stories without any system as to why these stories were the ones she chose to include. Although I have not read her blog, the book is clearly in the genre of blogs that were turned into books without significantly changing things.

So all-in-all, not my preferred reading choice. ( )

Just okay. Focused on motherhood of a single child. ( )

A memoir of motherhood from a Christian author. Available in audio and e-book formats through Hoopla.

See original review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-sparkly-green-earrings-by.html

Oh my goodness. This has to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. And I seriously mean ever. I honestly couldn't put it down because it was like watching a comedy flick. Make sure you have some popcorn and a delicious beverage ready when you read this. If you are a woman, have children, or ever plan on having children, you need to read this book. Melanie Shankle goes through just about every detail of child birth, from trying to conceive to raising a child and surviving it. I found myself laughing and crying with her through the journey of motherhood.

I myself have not yet had children, but I am reaching that time in my life and I found this book eye opening and useful. You always hear about the early mornings and time consumption, but Miss Shankle didn't sugar coat anything for us. Actually, her personality and no-beating-around-the-bush gusto reminded me a lot of myself (is that a little ridiculous to say?). She must be part redhead... ;)

Anyway, this was the most enjoyable book I have read in quite a while. It's a nice, light read and I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Shankle's insight and wit. I think the only thing that knocked off that .5 point was the formatting, which I'm positive was meant to be informal in the least. I thought the side notes were funny, but my OCD (or CDO, in alphabetical order as they should be) caused me to cringe at the back-to-back parenthesis. I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I am human.

Should you read this book? YES. When? RIGHT NOW. So go ahead and run to B&N, grab a Caramel Salted Frappuccino from the Starbucks within (those things are freakin' AH-mazing!) and if your B&N has the same placement as ours, this lovely little gem will be waiting for you on the end cap of the Christian Biography section. ( )

This was a quick, light read written by mommy blogger, Melanie Shankle (thebigmamablog.com). In fact, the whole thing had a blog feel to it — is that a style now? I guess maybe so. The book provides a comical, sentimental journey of a mother (the author) through the beginning stages of motherhood. I say beginning stages, because it seems that at the time the book ends, the daughter is around 8 years old, so it doesn’t cover the whole parenting gamut, it just catches you up to where she is in her journey. Her writing style is personable and the book reads like you could be catching up with a good friend over coffee.

Although she shares her faith in God throughout the book, I didn’t feel like it was preachy. It just seemed like a natural part of her story. There was nothing too deep or earth shattering to learn from the book. It was more a personal memoir, explaining that parenting takes you places you’d never think you’d go, it’s hard, but oh-so-rewarding. I think this quote from the book sums up its style nicely:

"Along the way, Gulley and I have decided there is really no better indicator you’re a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened."

As I said, a fun, quick read. I gave it 4 of 5 stars. ( )