Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life
Reviews (179)
Melanie Shankle's BEST book yet!
When I started this one, I really didn't think I could possibly love a Melanie Shankle book more than the ones I had already read, the bar was already so high! But this book, oh my goodness!!!! This book spoke directly to my heart! This book will encourage you, It will lift you up. It will also make you stop in your tracks and reflect on what you are doing in your own life. Are you missing the small things? Knowing that I am not the only introvert who would rather die than be the center of attention, who suffered in agony the growing out period of some particularly bad 9th grade bangs, remembering the shredding (pun intended) pain of the great Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred of 2008, feeling more normal because my life is also run by a pack of crazy, wonderful dogs and most importantly taking that beautiful trip down memory lane because my beloved grandparents were exactly the same... All the while being reminded that every single precious memory is just a small, simple detail in my life. It really is the million small things that make up a life. You will love this book!
This book is a must-read!
I read Melanie's blog every day, and I've read her other books, always enjoying what she's said. But something in this particular book spoke to me in so many personal ways. It was as if she was speaking my thoughts and feelings. From questioning her feelings about church dissatisfaction to her feelings of being "beige", I related to her. If you've ever questioned your life's purpose (and who hasn't?!), please read this book. You'll find reassurances, very funny stories, as well as heartbreaking ones, and I think, a stronger feeling of just where God is in your life. I truly loved this book. In fact, I'll be reading it again- I want to go back and mark the passages that have touched my heart and mean so much to me. Well done, Melanie!
Such a disappointment from such a talented writer
This is the first book I’ve read of Melanie’s and it will be my last. I found myself skipping page after page because I couldn’t take her ramblings. It’s simply a book filled with her personal life stories—we all have them. Yes, she is funny but 200 pages worth equates to too much of a good thing. Melanie, if you read this please know you have so much talent in your writing abilities, the few moments when you used them in this book was inspirational. You landed in some very real topics that we can all relate to and rather than running with them, you ended the paragraph or chapter. Stop hiding behind your humor and write guuurl!!!
When small is big
This book. Wow. What a wonderful reminder of God in the small things in our lives. Most of the human race get stuck in believing we need to do big things in our lives. But, what about the small? Like, packing a lunch, smiling or speaking to someone in the store when you feel that nudge, getting eye level with a little one, just to name a few. Those small things are equally as important as the big. The author fills the pages with humor, reflection, and just real life. At the end of most of the chapters are a list of 10 things she has learned. You need this book in your library! (I highly recommend if you haven't already noticed!) **I was given an early copy from the author for an honest review**
A Fun Read
This is a very easy read. I love Melanie's writing style and story telling abilities. This book is similar to her other books, but this book was more of a collection of stories as opposed to a book all about one theme. Yes. The book is centered around how all the small things in life make a difference and can (and will be) used by God. However, I felt this point got a little lost at different places throughout the book. I don't usually respond to books the way I did respond to this one...I actually did laugh and cry while reading this book. Overall this is a fun read. So if you are looking for some fun reading, go ahead and pick up Church of the Small Things.
Good Read
If you have read her other books, then read this one. If not, don’t start with this one. Her other books flow - this book reads disjointed. Some of it reads like lovely letters written for her family more than a reading audience. Having said that, I am glad that I read her book. There are some beautiful chapters that give more detail than her blog. Since she has moved to more podcasts and less blog posts, it was nice to read her words but I don’t think this is the book that I will reread (I reread her other books yearly!).
Her best book yet!
I️ have been reading Melanie Shankle’s blog for five years now (just after I️ became a momma) and have read all of her books. This is the best yet. After just reading the first few pages, my life, my perspective was forever changed. And after finishing it, I️ want to read it again. It was exactly what I️ (and probably so many of us) needed to hear. I️ recommend this book to any woman (really any person) that sometimes feels blinded and trapped by this culture we live in and is unable to see or feel God in the day to day. Melanie reminds us of what we learned as children in church, God is everywhere and in everything. He calls us to be faithful in every little thing we do. He calls us to trust that He is captain of the ship and we just need to do our job and He’ll get us wherever it is He wants to take us. Melanie, Thank you for writing such a beautiful book (and accompanying Bible study) and for sharing your life and your heart with your readers. Not only are you a beautiful writer but a gifted teacher as well.
Melanie Shankle is one of my favorite authors! She tells the story of real life ...
Melanie Shankle is one of my favorite authors! She tells the story of real life and as you read you feel like you are sitting across a table having coffee with her. Church of the Small Things is a great read that will make you laugh, cry and really think about all the little things that really do mean so much more than you have given them credit. Melanie doesn't try to sugar coat anything and shares real life experiences. Like the times that are hard but end up shaping us into who we are, "The bottom line is, life is going to come with hard times, disappointments, challenges, and all those other things that we all know deep down are the very things that end up shaping our character." Along with the serious moments there are lots of moments of laughter. Reading on Melanie and her daughter's bang experience to "Things I Wish I Knew in High School" to her fun dog stories and everything in between! This is a great, fun read that helps us to remember it's "the million little pieces that make up a life". Enjoy!!
So glad I preordered this book!
I'm a big fan of Melanie Shankle and this book did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried and I laughed while crying a couple of times. Hidden in the middle of all that laughter and stories that brought a tear was so much biblical truth. Not once in my whole life and most of that has been in the church, have I given one thought to the mother of the boy who brought the fish and bread lunch. Without her that story wouldn't have happened. As a SAHM to 4 kids I so often feel forgotten or less then. That what I do doesn't matter at all. But it does and God is using this book to help remind me that these small things I do really do matter in the big picture.
Very Special
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me laugh , it made me think about my life right now; as a caregiver to my sweet 92 year old dad. I realized that I get so caught up in the big things, will he be better today, will he be able to walk, and on and on; that I forget about the small things we enjoy. His funny sense of humor and the way he makes me laugh, his ability to be so accepting of Gods' journey for him right now, and just his sweetness. When a writer can make you feel these things she has a true gift. I believe that there is not a person who wouldn't enjoy and benefit from Mrs. Shackle's book. I highly recommend it.
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