This week I’m giving away THREE copies of Sophie Hudson‘s A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet. With an urge to document the hilarity of family life, Sophie began writing her blog in November 2005. Since then she has seen her blog readership grow beyond what she would have thought possible. Sophie hopes that through her stories, women find encouragement and hope in the everyday, joy-filled moments of life. In addition to her blog, BooMama.net, Sophie writes on a regular basis for HomeLife magazine and is a regular contributor to the Pioneer Woman’s blog. She also serves as co-emcee for LifeWay‘s annual dotMOM event and participates in Compassion International‘s blogger initiative. Sophie lives with her husband and son in Birmingham, Alabama.
I recently had a chance to ask Sophie a few questions about her new book:
Margaret: What has been the greatest encouragement in your writing experience?
Sophie: Honestly, it’s been the day-to-day interaction with blog readers. The fact that they show up and read and participate in the conversation is just enormously heartwarming and encouraging. I’m always blown away if someone has a “me, too” reaction to something I’ve written; the relational side of writing is probably my favorite part.
What sparked the cover design for your book and what is it trying to convey?
I am crazy about illustrations and paintings that have a folk art feel to them. For some reason the idea of a cover that looked hand-drawn seemed like the right direction to me, and when the folks at Tyndale showed me cover proofs, I was immediately drawn to the one that ended up being my book cover. I wanted something bright and cheerful and whimsical – because I think (well, I hope) that that’s the tone of the book.
Who should read your book and why?
My Southern, people-pleasing roots run deep, so my immediate reaction to this question is, “Oh, I don’t want to impose on anybody.” 🙂 But based on emails people have sent me, it does seem like the stories in the book prompt people to think about and appreciate their own families, and hopefully people will be reminded that God is always at work in the midst of what may seem like the most mundane, ordinary circumstances. Plus, if you like to laugh or have ever been the slightest bit interested in Southern culture – well, this book might be right up your literary alley.
What 3 books have most impacted your life and ministry (besides the Bible)?
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
Believing God by Beth Moore
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
(Sorry. I know that’s four. But I love ’em all.)
Check out a trailer for, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet.
(RSS Subscribers, click here to view.)
To win one of the THREE COPIES of A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, enter a comment on the original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. Winners will be selected and announced on Friday.
Congratulations to Lori, Erin, and Gretchen!
What are you grateful for today?
Thank you for the giveaway! This book sounds like a wonderful read. Have a beautiful weekend!
Loved this post and looking forward to reading the book 🙂
Also sending up prayers for your complete healing Margaret.
Many blessings, aryn
Family…so very grateful for them!!!
This southern girl would LOVE to win this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway…..:)
To Margaret…..thank you for blessing our hearts at the Extraordinary Women Conference in Roanoke last week. You are AMAZING! It was an honor to hear your testimony and a joy to watch my daughter listen to you. You have been….and will be in our prayers. God bless you! ♥
I being a Southern Girl who is really big into her Louisiana culture would LOVE a copy to read about another southern gal!
Today, I’m so grateful for my mom (who raised 72 of us, yes you’re reading this right. She was my foster mom and my earthly hero) who raised us with great morals and values but most importantly she taught me about Jesus.
I am thankful she taught me manners. To this day at the ripe young age of 37 I still mind my manners. Oh I love my Southern Culture and would truly love the opportunity to read this book!
Blessings,
Alicia
I grew up in the south and I wouldlove to win this book. Margret thank you for your book and blog. They have been such a blessing to me.
I’d love to win! Thanks!
Children!! I am most grateful for God to share his children with me!!
This book sounds great!
Would enjoy reading about southern culture. Thank you. Thankful for the “Body of Christ” that spans all cultures.
Love the cover! Would love to read the inside!
Thank you for introducing me to what looks like a great blog and good book. Of course I would love to win the book but will look for it if I don’t
I am grateful that my son is nearing 3 years cancer-free!! Thank you for this giveaway. I have seen this book and would love to read it!
As a transplant living in the South, I would love to read this book!
I’ve been trying to have a more grateful heart!! Grateful for God’s plan & timing today!!! 🙂 Would love to win this book!
Today at bell choir practice at church someone said I was kind. This was a huge gift to me as I don’t think of myself as a kind person.
Whimsical, humor though out, encouragement for women-how could I not want this fabulous book???
This sounds like a great read! I am grateful for my brother who surprised us today with a truckload of firewood for delicious warmth this winter.
I would love to read this book! I started a small Bible study at our church using your book and video “Pursuing Gos’s Beauty”. We just finished our third session and are loving it. Thank you so much. Faith
This sounds like one of those books that every Southern girl needs in her library… especially when life seems a little overwhelming. That’s always a good time to laugh!
I am grateful for the slow steady rain that patters on my metal sunroom roof, and the absence of the predicted BIG STORM that was predicted to move through this area. This book sounds like fun reading with wonderful observations, as does Sophie’s blog. Continuing to pray for your complete healing and strength for your ministry, Margaret (and Leif) .
I love folk art, too, and love that cover
This book and its author sound delightful. The title rather reminds me of the phrase “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”. I love the title because we all need salty and sweet, steel and velvet because our lives are definitely a mixed bag of pain and joy and we need this mixture to survive. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Awesome, thanks for the opportunity! God bless. 🙂
Today I’m grateful for a perfectly normal, laid-back weekend! I’m finding such joy in the ordinary.
I am grateful for my fabulous husband of 31 years. He loves me and has helped me become a better person.
Love a weekend like that too.
This book sounds fabulous! I definitely will read it. Getting it for free would be awesome!
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful writer. Just reading the sample took me back in time to my own Mema and Papa and my family. I would love to win one of the copies. By the way if am so enjoying Wonderstruck bible study right now. Thank you
I would LOVE to read this! (and now I am reminded to re-read “To Kill A Mockingbird” as well!) Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I am grateful for wonderful books and dear sweet friends.
Oh, how I would love to read Sophie’s words. You asked what I’m grateful for today? I’m grateful to have had a wonderful visit with my college daughter this weekend. She’s flying back right now, and I’m feeling a little sad. 🙁
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity. I’m from Texas but have lived in California for the past 6 years. I miss my Southern family and friends often. I’m thankful for a hardworking husband and the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom to my precious daughter.
I’ve been reading Sophie’s blog for quite a while now and she is PRECIOUS!!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win her book.
Just heard about this book from a friend. Would love to win a copy!
Sophie’s book sounds like just what the doctor ordered! I can think of several friends that I’d love to share this book with also! Of course, I’d love to win one!!
Margaret……..our womens bible study did WonderStruck this summer (Grace Church, Middleburg Hts., OH) and we are still wonderstruck, becoming more wonderstruck with each passing day. THANK YOU for sharing God’s inspirations with us. We are praying for you.
Blessings.