There are a lot of great folks from Texas. I like to pride myself in all things Lone Star State, so humor me in a smidgen of Texas pride. There’s George W., Tommy Lee Jones, and Waylon Jennings. Don’t forget Gene Autry, Sam Houston and Don Henley. You probably would have guessed that Buck Owens, Roy Orbison, and George Strait all hail from Texas. A few of my personal favorites? Melanie Shankle, Shaun Groves, and Willie Nelson. Not to even mention Friday Night Lights, Tim Riggins, and Coach Taylor. (#texasforever #cleareyesfullheart)
I sometimes wonder if King David may have been from Texas, though you’re free to disagree. He definitely had some Texas tendencies.
What I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t surprise me when Texas shows off. And the great state has gone and done it again. They’ve given us another crown jewel and her name is Jennifer Fulwiler—a sixth generation Texan! She is absolutely one of my favorite Christian thinkers and writers. She’s also one of the funniest people I know, she has 6 kids under age 10, she homeschools, and she’s written a pretty amazing book, Something Other Than God, which is being released tomorrow! The book is the memoir of her journey to find happiness, which took her from atheism all the way to Christianity. I couldn’t be happier for her and for us. This book is a treasure!
All you need to do is go read her about page or this day in the life post and you’ll know why I love her so much. I interviewed her for her book and am so pleased to welcome her to the blog today! If you preorder her book tonight or early tomorrow, you’ll get a free ebook she wrote (which is FANTASTIC) about balancing creative work with family life.
For her book launch, she wanted “interesting” pictures of people with her book, so naturally I let the bust of David take a peek.
He seems to be thoroughly enjoying it. See what I mean about him possibly being from Texas?
All shenanigans aside, I think you are gonna fall in love with Jen and treasure her book. She’s having a Crazy launch party so head on over and join in the fun!
(Side note: About my professional videography? Yeah, about that. Don’t be jealous.
Never mind the “Call Recorder Demo” that I can remove or the fact that my head is 4 inches shorter than Jen’s. Never mind any of that.)
Meet Jen!
I’m giving away a copy of Jen’s book! Just leave a comment telling me the title of your favorite memoir.
(I’ll be taking notes!)
My favorite memoir is usually the last one I read which is Robin Roberts’ book just out: Everybody’s Got Something.
I rather enjoyed Laura’s {Texan!} “Spoken From the Heart.” But Barbara’s {Texan!! well, transplanted Texan} “A Memoir” is hilarious. I’ve just begun reading James Herriot’s {not a Texan} stories, and I’m thoroughly enjoying them.
Thanks to your tip, I read Phil Vischer’s book a few weeks ago. I’ve thought a lot about it since then, and that’s always a good thing.
I don’t know if it counts as a memoir since it’s a biography but I can’t speak highly enough about Unbroken. Read it before the movie comes out. I was bawling at the end and couldn’t put it down to finish it. Wonderful story of forgiveness.
Carrie@neatsmart.com
A recent memoir that held me long into the night was A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout.
A recent memoir that held me long into the night was A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout. Oh, and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls too.
I can’t think of one that I’ve ever read! Gasp! I know…inexcusable. I think shall start with this one and then read Barbara Bush’s. She is such a cool lady. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed Kelly Corrigan’s books The Middle and Glitter and Glue.
Born, raised and reside in Texas, I too agree that there is just something awesome about our state!! I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir or if I have I’ve forgotten it. I’d love to read Jennifer’s book seeing how I’m a homeschool mom and fellow Texan!!
Maybe it doesn’t quite count as a memoir, since it’s an autobiography?? But I just love Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis… I should read it again, actually…
Oh goodness of all the books that I have read in my life, I think the only memoir I’ve read has been Come Back Stronger by Drew Brees (who is a Texan!!!)
I would have to say “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom. Amazing life and testimony. And excited for Jennifer…what an accomplishment. I am anxious to read how God has worked in her life from a background of atheism.
Memoirs are my favorite genre of literature and perhaps my favorite (or one of the many) is Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s A Gift From the Sea. I fell I love with her writing when my dear father gifted me as a teenager with a book of her letters. I first read Gift from the Sea while in Medical School, given to me from my older sister, an ObGyn physician. When I turned 35 years old, a dearest friend gifted me with Gift from the Sea on tape. Since then (and many CDs later)I have listened to it hundreds of times, over and over in my car, over and over in my bedroom as I go through my daily rounds. Her wisdom has spoken over and over to me: as I had four children, homeschooled them during an 11 year leave from my career, as I have faced the challenges of living a meaningful life through divorce and single parenting. More recently, I listened almost 24-7 to her words as I prepared myself to be totally “In the present moment” at my daughters wedding. She never fails to inspire me ; she never fails to affirm my longing for meaning in life. What a blessing she has been in my life. And continues to be. I am grateful!
‘I sometimes wonder if King David may have been from Texas’ Now that is funny!
Glass Castle is my favorite.
It’s All over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg. Loved it big. Thanks,Edie.
A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. This book had me sobbing, literally. Vanauken was friends with CS Lewis which intrigued me originally. He’s an excellent writer but honestly I love reading about how God draws people to himself and opens their eyes and hearts to Him.
Yes, that was wonderful.
I don’t read memoirs often but two I enjoyed were James Herriot’s and Julia Child’s. I salivated through most of her writing.
My favorite memoir was “Girl Meets God: A Memoir” by Lauren F. Winner. She was an orthodox jew turned Christian. The book about this change in her life. (I’m sure Amazon has a better description of the book.) She also wrote, “Mudhouse Sabbath”, which I actually liked more than her memoir, although both are so interesting to read. It is about how Jews observe different situations, like eating, mourning, and fasting differently than Christians. It is interesting to read her perspective on religion and life through two completely different faiths that intertwine in both books.
Oh goodness! I just adore Melanie Shankle, but I just finished Surviving Motherhood by Lisa Jo Baker and loved every page. I’d say they’re at a tie 🙂
Not sure if it’s mynfavorite of all time but my latest favorite is The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle. Thanks for the opportunity.
Rebel with a Cause by Franklin Graham; ranks really high on my favorites list, couldn’t put it down at first reading!
Any book with a beautiful cover is definately worth reading!! The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman is wonderful as well..
True Compass, Edward M. Kennedy, a memoir, is my favorite.
Looking forward to reading Jennifer’s book.
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years.
I can’t think of a memoir that I have read and loved . . . Or really read at all. I guess I need to get started. I did recently part with a favorite t-shirt that was too worn to be around this house in ( which means it was pretty rough) that had a lone star flag on it and said underneath ‘home.’ My husband always gave me a hard time about it anyway. We have lived in East Tennessee for 17 years now. I have a pin board that is called ‘You can take the girl out of Texas but . . .” That sums up a lot. 🙂
And yet another reason why I love your blog . . .
I think the last memoir I read was Kelly Corrigan’s. I am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis and I recently read Melanie Shankle’s latest book. When you give titles of your favorites or latest reads, I look them up for more information and tend to track them down either through my local library or Amazon.
Living So That would be mine and it has been a great book to read and study through. Looking forward to this book and thanks for the give-away opportunity!
This book looks GREAT. I love books about real people and their lives. I recently read Elizabeth Smart’s book….a tough read, but really amazing to hear how she survived her ordeal for 9 months.
My most recent favorite is Melanie Shankle’s very own – Antelope in the Living Room – it was laugh out loud funny, so relateable and so loving! Would love to read this new one – Something Other Than God!!
So many good memoirs! The first one that pops into my head as enjoyable was All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg.
Perhaps the most important memoir I have read is ” The Problem of Suffering: a Father’s Hope”…..there is not a better explanation of Suffering that I can think of. A close second would be Gillian Tchuvidjian’ s ” Jesus plus Nothing Equals Everything” And as we are transplanting ourselves from Minnesota to the Great State of Texas this summer I was giving a hearty Eye Haw to your post ;)!
Silly smart spell…..I meant TULLIAN not Gillian. 🙂 and YEE HAW. Obviously! Sigh! 🙂
I loved Unbroken – surprised and the repetitive theme of grace and forgiveness! Highly recommend!!! Would love to read this one as well!!
Corrie ten Boone’s “The Hiding Place”…. I read it as a young girl and have read and reread it numerous times.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
My favorite memoir is Love Has a Face by Michele Perry…I love a book that causes you to read into the wee hours of the morning with tears intermingled with delightful laughter and a fire in your bones!! Blessings!!
“Silver Boxes” by Florence Littauer, this is a wonderful book of encouragement.
I read this book after meeting her and attending a spiritual weekend where she was the keynote speaker.
I really loved Melanie Shankle’s book, Antelope in the Living Room. It felt so good to laugh so much and so hard. My husband was giving me funny looks for laughing out loud every 5 minutes.
Corrie ten Boone and James Herriot
I would love to read her book! My favorite memoir, so far, was Barbara Bush. I listened to it on CD on a long trip and it was so entertaining that I was sorry when I arrived!
moir-ebook/dp/B003T0FK6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398777734&sr=1-1&keywords=barbra+bush
Does Jen Hatmaker’s “Seven” count as a memoir? I grew so much after reading that book, and I really enjoy a hilarious Christian woman, which is why I’d love to read (win) “Something Other than God.” 🙂
As a 6th generation Texan myself, I take great delight in this. The two Georges made me want to name my son George….my husband wasn’t feelin it! Ha! The book sounds great!! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Dr Tom Dooley has been an inspiration to me since I first read his books in high school.
One of my favorites is education of a wandering man(la’mour), if for nothing else but the list of books he read in his travels.
I just finished Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker and Spiritual Misfit by Michelle DeRusha. Both were fantastic.
Fondly,
Glenda
“A little salty to cut the sweet” Sophie Hudson, Melanie’s partner in crime!!
Sorry but I have 2 favorite memoirs thus far “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls and “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed 🙂
“An Autobiography” by Agatha Christie. It’s really interesting learning about her childhood and early education.
Ditto: Severe Mercy and Unbroken
And I’ll add Coop by Michael Perry. I think you’d get a kick out of him, Edie…he has medical training, a farmette, and a band. You won’t be able to help reading excerpts aloud to your family.
Oh so many books to add to my list! The first ones I thought of (you know I can’t stop with just one of anything) are “Night” – Elie Wiesel, “Diary of a Young Girl” – Anne Frank and “Look Me in the Eye” – John Elder Robison.
By the way, the pic of David reading is most awesome! 🙂
I am one of those people that gets completely sucked in by whatever I’m reading. Completely. Several memoirs that I love are: Sparkly Green Earrings, The Middle Place, The Glass Castle, and A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet. All four are VERY different, but I loved each of them.
I think the memoir I go back to the most is The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun, a house church pastor in China. Couple that with Jen Hatmaker’s book 7, which I’ve read at least 3 times, and Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider, there was housecleaning of the mind and home…good times!!
I’m not sure… I have such a hard time remembering what I’ve read. but my most recent memoir was “Freefall to Fly” by Rebekah Lyons.
Glass Castle!
I LOVE to read but I’ve never read a memoir and apparently I’m missing out. I would love to start with “Something Other Than God”. Being from, and residing in Texas, having 2 kids 2 and under, and wanting 4 more and very, VERY interested in homeschooling, I’m now wanting to be besties with Jennifer Fulwiler. Thanks so much for introducing us to her and for this great giveaway opportunity!
~Shayna.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Favorite memoir…I read them all…everyone I can find…even ones written by faithful atheists. There shouts of unbelief raise the roof over my mustard seed faith. As I pray over their denial; they are wrestling with satan and his coward. I digress..
“Surprised by Oxford” by Carolyn Weber. Don’t miss this book.
Glass Castle hands down is my favorite. I am reading All Over But The Shoutin’
right now.
I haven’t ready memoirs really. I did just read Out of Water, which is a faux memoir written from the perspective a young girl with cerebral palsy who is a genius but nobody knows it until she gets a computer that helps her talk. I bought it for my daughter, but of course, like what usually happens, I ended up reading it first!
First things first!
Your David bust receives a most interesting award (and a free book!)
Jennifer’s day in the life post: HILARIOUS! How can you even document those times & events like that?! What a scream 🙂 I can picture all of it & I feel her thoughts too!
Crazy Launch Party- Love her colors with the blue & yellow- and that gif at the end, with the guys & the $$$$$ FUNNY! Lots of giveaways- thanks Jennifer
The video: loved it- when Jennifer shared that nothing is more effective than praying for our fallen away loved ones (and the 1’s we are having a hard time loving) & bathing them in the love & light of Christ- YES! Agreed
Texas favorites: George Jones, Buddy Holly, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Patrick Swayze (loved him) just to name just a few! And Janis Joplin 🙂
Favorite memoir? Well, Edie, once again, I am called to grow. I was curious about the specific definition of the word. Looked it up. I have not read one that I recall.
So I am going to start with Walden, by Thoreau. Then I am going to order Jennifer’s book, based on your recommendation. And go over & read her blog on occasion as well.
Thank you for your post, the video & all you share 🙂 Thanks for adding to my day-
I love memoirs and have just recently started reading them. At the top of my list would be Kelly Corrigan’s Glitter and Glue as well as The Middle Place.
My most recent favorite is A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, by Sophie Hudson, but I also loved Carry on Warrior, by Glennon Doyle Melton.
Oh goodness I just finished Kristen Welch’s “Rhinestone Jesus” and it’s just consumed my heart and mind! I also loved Melanie Shankle’s AITLR. :).
And now I’m delighted to add this to my tbr list!
Xo Heidi
I love The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.
Thanks or sharing the book with us. I’m going to buy it and possibly share it with our staff.
David reading SOTG?? I DIE. (And I’m eagerly awaiting the UPS delivery … and my copy!)
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom…. always good.
Not sure if this really counts, but currently reading the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (which are an account of her childhood/growing up years) to the children… we are all really enjoying them!
Unbroken. I was so surprised when it was revealed that none other than Billy Graham played such a pivotal role in Louis Zamperini’s life. What an inspirational story.
I love Jen Fulwiler too! I haven’t been following her blog as long as you, but it has been at least three years now. My favorite memoir is Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up in Polygamy, which is about a woman’s escape from a false prophet, and absolutely fascinating.
Two of my favorites are The Hiding Place and the Glass Castle. They are such very different stories but both are about surviving sand overcoming through horrible situations.
Would love this book. I love her reason for choosing the title.
A Gift from the Sea is a favorite. I need to read it again this summer. Something Other than God sounds like a wonderful book!
i love biographies…don’t know if they are considered memoirs, but Unbroken was certainly memorable to me. And its coming out as a movie in Dec. 2014 – plus I saw Louie Zamperini live here in Atlanta – on his 96th birthday. If I don’t win Other than God – I will go buy it. Thanks for sharing your heart and life.
So want to read this! My fav so far is Glass Castle… I am about to read The Antelope in the Living Room and super excited to see it listed above also!
phil vischer’s is high on the list.
Maybe not a true memoir, but I loved Unbroken. Such a message in that book! I’ve also recently read A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout.
I’ve read a few good ones this year:
The Artist’s Daughter
Alexandra Kuykendall
Packing Light
Allison Vesterfelt
Beauty in the Broken
Elisa Morgan
Sparkly Green Earrings and The Antelope in the Living Room
Melanie Shankle
I think I most enjoyed “Uncle Tungsten” by Oliver Sacks and “Cross Creek” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings – neither of which have much in common with each other or Jennifer Fulwiler’s book, except being very well-written, as was already obvious from the sample available on her site.
I love the book I’m in Love With Texas. My son and his family live in Texas. We go there often. In fact we will be going there in a few weeks and will be there a couple months. We live in West Hamblen county. We would move to Texas,but my parents health is not good. I saw you on Your Stories on WBIR this morning and I loved it. A new fan!
Annette
How or where can we get a copy? 😉
I can’t believe I am reading this post of yours~ having JUST finished listening to Jennifer’s CD from Lighthouse Catholic media…. 3 times in a ROW…. and loving every minute of it. I am itching to get the book as I have found a new friend ( I’m a convert, too!). I don’t have a favorite memoir~ maybe this book will be it! Love Love Love her story. Amen. 🙂
Texas loves you! Would love for you to do a tour and stop in Austin one of these days! Thank you for the book recommendation, can’t wait to check her out!
The Last Lecture
It’s awesome for me to have a web page, which is helpful in favor of my experience.
thanks admin