So I mentioned a week or two ago that I had had the chance to do a brief email interview with Shauna Niequist, the author of Cold Tangerines.
And I’ve been rereading parts of her book (that I read awhile ago) recently.
Cold Tangerines is a collection of 40 stories about life and God and the author’s journey through life to find Him. Her writing is polished but conversational, her thinking is intense but absolutely natural, and her ideas are unique but common to the rest of us walking through marriage, motherhood and awareness of God and his goodnesses.
Shauna on Prayer:
Prayer heals all the muscles that I’ve been clenching fro a long time, while I’m holding it together, gritting my teeth, waiting for impact. Prayer, like yoga, like singing, brings soft from hard, pliant from brittle, possible from impossible, warm from cold, breath from breathless. And no matter what gets you there, it is better to be there than not. (CT, pg 149)
Shauna on Babies:
I think babies really do make you believe in God. They make you believe in God because there’s just something beyond understanding about their freshness and fragility and their smell and their toes. When they take their first breaths, and when they land, floppy and slippery, on your chest under the bright overhead light in an otherwise dim delivery room, when you watch their tiny sleeping selves, when you hear their wild animal cries, you know, you just know in your gust that God is real, and that babies have been with him more recently, have come more directly from him than our worn-out old selves have… This is my new prayer, my mother-prayer: Dear God, please please please and thank you thank you thank you. (CT, pg 188)
Shauna on Celebration:
For me, the first part of celebrating is noticing. I find it’s easy for me to get stuck in what’s broken or wrong with a situation instead of seeing the beautiful parts of it, too, or that I move so fast I don’t see anything at all. These days I’m trying to notice everything, to live slowly enough to see what’s unfolding around me, and especially to look for the tiny, beautiful surprises even in the midst of wreckage and ugliness. (from her interview)
Shauna has been more than generous with us. She has given me FOUR signed books to giveaway to my readers. So I am SO EXCITED to be able to host this giveaway this week.
What you have to do? Leave a comment. Please. Right now. Before 10 pm PST on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
What I have to do? Announce the winners at the end of the week and then send off the books to the winners.
So comment. To win. Now.
I found your blog through Lisa Leonard … and wow … what a find.
Love your writing style. God is using you to connect with people in a {real} way. Continue following his lead!
~ Lindsay in Eastern Oregon
Thanks for your *real* writing. It touches me where I am and pushes me to go where I want to go. The book sound fantastic– I'd love to read it!
Sarah C.
sing me up!
love what she says about prayer.
have a blessed week.
Hi Sarah,
You mentioned this book last week in your post. You told me how inspiring and awesome this read was for you. I can't wait to read another writer who can touch the soul of so many.
Erin
Sarah, I think I mentioned in one of my comments to you in the past how I think your blog posts are similar to Shauna's style of writing and that's one of the many reasons why I love reading it so much. I DESPERATELY want you to pick me to win a book. I have bought 4 copies and eventually end of giving them away because I love Cold Tangerines so much. I promise if I win I will KEEP this one! Both you and Shauna are brave enough to say out loud the things we are all thinking and feeling. Blessings. Monica
I already have Shauna's book (since she's an old friend), but I wanted to comment anyway to say I'm glad you had a chance to connect!
I'm a new follower and have so enjoyed your writing!
I've followed your blog from time to time over the past year, initially following a link from Mel @ Diet Naked. I enjoy your musings!
From the sound of what you posted of Shauna's writing, I would really enjoy her book. I like the way she thinks!
- Jen K in MN
jenknox at hotmail dot com
I really really needed to read (and probably reread from time to time) what she had to say about celebrating. Good stuff!
I would love to read this book.
By the way, I hardly ever leave a comment, but I visit your blog often. You've really inspired me to cherish every moment with my children and my husband. Thank you!
mtcarrie@att.net
sounds like a wonderful book!
I need a good read for summer and this sounds like one that would keep me interested.
Thanks Sarah!
i'm back! (uh huh i'm gonna be annoying) sign me up again!!
I LOVE shauna's words on babies! it is so true. not only do babies themselves make me believe in God, but the whole pregnancy thing is FAR TO AWESOME (in the true sense of the word) to experience/ see and not believe in God! I can't wait… haha (but I will…)
Found your blog through Cindy Beall's. Love Shauna's speaking. Her interview about being a pastor's kid and all of the things her parents did right is definitely worth the listen. Would love to win this book. Thanks so much for having the contest!
I so need this right now!
I just found your blog through lisa leonard designs and I love hearing your thoughts for the past week or so! Interested in what this book has to say, I could use a new author by the pool as the weather is heating up again!
I was drawn to your blog when you wrote about you and your husband living passionately towards each other, i.e. yelling and screaming and still working it out! i love that you have the guts to write this and encourage the rest of us that feel that way! thanks!
I keep up with your blog daily and love your posts, your honesty and your humility in handling life's messes. Thank you for sharing your interviews with Shauna and for hosting the giveaway. I'd love to read her book and can't wait for yours, too!!!!
Yep, throw me in the hat! Sounds like a really uplifting book!
wow…love her words!
You both have such a way with words and the Lord uses you to encourage others. Thank you!
Wow, beautiful words–so raw and real, the kind that ring true in your heart and make you say, "Yes, yes, it is so." I would love to read more.
Missing you, sweet Sarah girl, and smiling because you're out there somewhere in this great big world.
"Dear God, please, please, please, and thank you, thank you, thank you"….wow, I cried when I read that. I think I pray like that every day for my baby. It's so comforting to know that God made our mommy hearts so similar.
I love you, cuz! Thanks for sharing a new book! xxoo
This books looks great- right up my alley. I would love to win. Thanks Sarah.
me again! just thought you missed me,and wanted me to sign up again.
This looks like a great book. If I don't win, I'll have to buy it!
Sarah, I love reading your blog, your tweets, and all of the insights into your world. Thanks for sharing!
I like cold tangerines.
i would love to learn more from her book-i can always use a great book!