Book Giveaway Monday!
Happy Monday! Congrats to Robyn for winning a copy of Just Between You and Me. Robyn, just email me (jen at jennybjones dot com) with your mailing addy, and I’ll get that out to you. Hopefully this year.
This week I’m giving away someone else’s book. I recently read Gone to Green by Judy Christie. If you’re into journalism and the behind-the-scenes life of a newspaper, you will enjoy it! I come from a small town where the paper knew everyone’s business and the town knew the paper’s business, so I could relate to some moments in the book. You can read the synopsis and sample chapter after my sign off. I would love to give a copy away. So here is this week’s question. . .What town did you grow up in (or towns) and what’s one thing you loved best about it? You have from now until Thursday night when the crickets start carrying on to leave your comment. I’ll announce the winner on Friday’s blog. I grew up in a small town in Arkansas and my favorite thing was just knowing everyone. I loved walking to the football games and smelling fall–leaves, concession stand, the voice of the announcer that has been the same since the 70s. Cheering for a game in which I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I got to go back and teach in my hometown for six years, and they were my best professional years for sure. I love small towns.
Just Between You and Me will be on the shelves Tuesday. I’m TOTALLY excited about that. It’s exciting and yet it’s. . .scary. You have no idea how people are going to react. I can paint a room in my house, and if I stay in the lines and don’t fling paint everywhere know it’s a good job. But books and anything creative? So subjective. I have a friend Sal, and if she likes a movie, there’s a great chance I’ll strongly dislike it. And vice-versa. So it’s hard to know how a book will be received. BUT if all the reviews use words like: hideous, hazardous waste, and worthy of blow torch, at least I’ll have THIS FABULOUS REVIEW by Evangeline Denmark. Not only is it amazingly positive, but it’s so well written! Like it made ME want to buy the book. Evangeline has some other great posts on her blog as well, and I love her bio that says “I’m 29 and will be from now on.” Me too! Welcome to the 29 Forever Club where our motto is “Lying is Okay Here.”(motto tattoos are optional.)
So this weekend I saw Second City. This is an improv troupe based out of Chicago that has launched the careers of many a Saturday Night Live star, like Gilda Radner, one of my favorites. They have a touring show and came to Arkansas. It was pretty good. There actually wasn’t that much improv (more sketches). I love improv–like on Whose Line is It? Improv is such an art and talent. I love drama and theater, but I happen to STINK at anything off the cuff or improvy. I mean I stink. I just kinda stand there and uh-uh-uh. I need a script! Lines! Preparation! And all six of these actors could sing–and did so often. Can you imagine having to think of lines on your own AND spontaneously sing? There’s no way. When I first started teaching, I would script out my entire lesson. Like I wrote myself LINES for the class period. I’m not kidding. I did that for the whole first year. I don’t remember if I wrote stage directions or not. (Look stern here. Point at student and scowl. Tell funny knock-knock joke. Pause and pretend to consider student’s question. Say something witty about dangling participles.)
Did I ever post the video of Chester the Peeing Dog? Because you shouldn’t go another day without seeing it.
Have they buried Michael Jackson yet? What the heck is going on? If I ever die, I do not want to be left out so long I’m worm bait before I even get in the ground. I mean are they waiting for some sort of Thriller resurrection? Zombies can burst through dirt AND caskets, so just lower him down already. But if there is a zombie uprising, you KNOW MJ will be part of it. I hope Chris Farley is too. Just because he’d be a funny zombie. If there is such a thing. And maybe a JFK zombie because I really have some questions for him. I would say a Keith Richards zombie, but I think he might already be one. Though highly functional.
I hope you have a great week. We are experiencing unusually cool temps here, which has prompted me to research the weather forecast for our winter. Will it be cooler this year? More moisture? Because when cool meets moisture it equals snow. And I’m also working on a new snow dance for Snow Loving Holly and myself. Never too early to start. Especially when it involves some pyrotechnic details.
See you Wednesday! Don’t forget to answer the Question of the Week to get in the running for Gone to Green.
JEN
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gone To Green
Abingdon Press (August 2009)
by
Judy Christie
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Judy Pace Christie, after working as a journalist for twenty-five years, left the daily news business to open a consulting firm that works with individuals, businesses, and churches on strategies for meaningful life and work, including goal-setting, living fully, and balancing personal and professional lives. She is the author of Hurry Less, Worry Less; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime; and co-author of Awesome Altars. Judy and her husband live in northwest Louisiana.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lois goes from being a corporate journalist at a large paper in the Midwest to the owner of The Green News-Item, a small twice-weekly newspaper in rural North Louisiana. The paper was an unexpected inheritance from a close colleague, and Lois must keep it for at least a year, bringing a host of challenges, lessons, and blessings into her life.
When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people. She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2, she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named Kevin.
Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of real people and the importance of being part of a community.
While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Gone To Green, go HERE
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18 Comments so far
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I grew up in a town in Mo. Its not big but I wouldn’t call it small either. I don’t really know what I love most… I just love it cause its my hometown…
That book sounds like it’d be pretty good. So enter me in please! : ) When I was little, we lived in a town in Texas. I love that place. It was kind of small and country like. [[Which I absolutely love small country towns. So not trying to suck up. I just really do love small country towns.]] But, it’s not so small anymore. I have lots of memories from that house and town. We had chickens, and lots of doggies, and a very mean goat, and kitties. It was awesome there : )
I lived in Chicago and I never got to see Second City-no fair! I love improv too. I was on the improv troupe in college, but wasn’t all that great-I’m only good at the guessing games, like Blind Date and stuff, and I got to be on the team because I started it! It was a blast and I miss it.
I can’t wait until I get to read your book
I grew up in Mobile Alabama and I think the one thing
I loved most was summer because we got to swim
almost everyday and then we would baraque
It was wonderful…very good times. LOL
The book sounds cool! It has a nice front cover! : )
I can’t believe you got to see Second City! That is too fun. I’m a Gilda fan too. There are so many old SNL alums I think are hilarious. Seems like Old SNL was a bit funnier than now … but I don’t watch the new much anymore. FYI: I’m really loving JBY&M. It’s so good I keep forgetting I’m holding it. It’s like it disappears in my hands and I’m actually there. Which is my most favorite kind of book to read. (And this Connor fellow … *low whistle*)
Yer the book sounds awesome…. hmm, im not sure what to say about where I grew up, since im pretty much still growing up, lol
I’ve switched around a few paces. I dont have much to say about the previous house. We had THE worst neighbours who just made us go to court 24/7 for no reason what so ever. Plus, let me say, there was a public school next door that would play a really lame high school musical 3 times a day (really loud!) Which is just very frustrating. Not to mention the small backyard. Actually we really want to move. But I kind of remember the house I had WAY before that. In mountains where it snowed in winter 
(yes it does snow in certain parts in Australia) I remember, even though I was so small, my older half brother givin me little picnics. I remember dad putting me on and old motorbike. I remember painting with the paints I got for christmas in the lounge room and dancing to telle tubies with my sister. There are so many good memories there even though I was so small! especially since my brother lived with me then.
I grew up in Garland, TX. And what I loved about it…? That it reminded me of ‘Cap Garland’ – you know – the character from Little House on the Prairie. So you can imagine my delight when I grew up and married Mike WILDER! (Pick me, pick me!!)
Have a great week!
I grew up in a tiny town in Germany. Near Black Forest.
My favorite thing about it was how everything was so different from here in North America.
Sounds like a great book!
I grew up in a SERIOUSLY small town in Washington….we’re so small they call it the ‘Forgotten Corner’. No kidding.
I was born in Portland but moved there when I was four.
Its so small…when I go to camp in the summer where theres about 400 teens or so…there’s more people there than live in my town.
I love it ’cause you know everyone, (you can NEVER do ANTHING without no one knowing it).
And like some of my friends saying…
When you live in a small town everyone knows what your doing…even if you don’t.
I grew up and still live in Fremont, CA. The town has chaged alot over the years. What I like about it is that my kids all have gone to the same schools as I did. My oldest son even had some of my teachers. I only live 2 blocks from my childhood home, where my dad still lives.
Can not wait for the new book!!!
this is scary ironc. I’m the editor of my school paper and I’m job shadowing the staff of my small town paper. ZI would love more than i can believe to read this book!!! SO… here’s my answer:
I live in Charleston, Arkansas. Always have probably not always will… but I’m lovin’ life where I a. the school here is high academics and I love the people here because if you didnt it would make other people who you Do like not like you because they like the person you don’t. If you can sort that out…
I also love the fact you can walk anywhere because its so close to everywhere. like if you were out of school you could be at Sonic in 3 minutes.Awesome, I know!
anyway, It is getting cooler all of a sudden, I love snow, too. I just hope I get some snow days- we only had 2 last year… oh well. I’ll freeze my driveway.and my road. the whole town. I’ll need some water and about 50 less degrees. and for everyone who reads this to not tell the school board.agreed? good.
ANYWAY, please enter me in the drawing. I will probably save up and buy the book if I dont win, but why wash dishes when you can win, right?
Well…we may not agree on movies(by the way, that’s totally how i choose if i’m going to the movie or not)BUT we do agree on BOOKS! You know what i like and yours are ALL great! Can’t wait to read this one!
SAL
Yay!! Thanks for the book!
I also really enjoy how many other books you promote on your blog… helps keep us aware of what’s out there!
Second City — love me some Second City! Of course I remember SNL launch year. I was just a babe, but I remember talking about it in 6th grade — we all thought Chevy Chase was great, not as great as say, Andy Gibb, but still pretty great.
Improv! Have you ever seen 321 Improv? Oh my stars, these guys are the BEST! Christian Improv — and so stinkin’ funny. Google it. I met them on the girls’ getaway Cruise — and why aren’t you going? You should go — Oct 14-18 2010! Plenty of time to save.
Cassidy, i love small towns too.
Mary, Second City is so great. EXCEPT. . .act two was kinda rated R language wise and they definitely have a political/social agenda that got OLD. I’m okay with differing opinions, but ANYTHING repetitious is just not entertaining. And I’ll def look up 321.
Salle, ha. Thanks. You may have awful taste in movies (because surely it’s NOT me!), but we’ll always bond over chips and salsa.
Katie, I’ve been to Charleston! I seriously want some snow days too. Totally.
Sherry,how neat your kids have gone to the same school you did.
Siri, I totally get small. There are more students in my high school where I work than people in my hometown.
Alli, very cool that “home” is Germany.
Staci…Garland…Wilder. That is funny! Melissa Gilbert is gonna be in our area next month for the play Little House On the Prairie.
Liana, those sound like great memories. I love that you can remember the really young years. Write that stuff down so when you’re old like me you’ll have it. ; )
Nat, thanks for the JBYAM compliments. And Gilda is probably my favorite SNL alum ever.
Sarah, I’m sad you missed Second City! I’m so impressed you started a group yourself. You were the cool girl in college–admit it!
Tammy, bbq and swimming–great memories!
I grew up in Benton, Illinois. What I liked best about it was when you went to bed you didn’t have any worries. Your door was unlocked and there was no fear in this small town. Unlike today, the doors are locked and so are the windows. We played awesome games “Annie Annie Over”, Kick the can, and just enjoyed the friendship of the neighborhood kids. We knew are neighbors, life was great.
I grew up in Canonsburg, PA.
Where is that, you ask? It’s just south of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg is the home of Perry Como and Bobby Vinton and Sarris’ Chocolate. The chocolate was my favorite thing about growing up there. Oh and the roller skating rink aptly named Roll-R-Skate.