Woman By The Grace of God: Lit & Latte Love

Friday, August 17, 2012

Lit & Latte Love

I can't believe it has been nearly two years since the birth of Lit & Latte, which is (in my opinion) the greatest group of girlfriends to ever discuss a book over coffee! It's another one of those strange stories about how God had this plan for me and, even though I really wasn't totally sure I agreed with Him, I went along for the ride and quickly realized that (as usual) He was right. Funny how He's always right and I'm often amazed when... HE'S RIGHT! As usual, I am so glad He is right... L&L has blessed me in so many ways! Book club is amazing. Book club plus coffee is outstanding. Book club plus coffee plus amazing friends I might have completely missed out on without the book club and coffee is SUPERFANTABULAWESOMENESS!

So... flashback photo from last June, when we chatted with the bonniest lass to ever put pen to paper... Liz Curtis Higgs!

If you've ever spent more than 10 seconds discussing literature with me, you'll know that I truly believe Liz is the greatest author to ever grace the bookshelves. She is the first author to make me truly forget I am reading a book. Having the opportunity to discuss her books with her was very (um, very) high on the "Most Fantastic Events of My Life" list. Check her out: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/

You won't regret it!

Then one day, on a lark, I got this free book for my Kindle. It was called Love Amid the Ashes and was written by an author who was completely unfamiliar to me, Mesu Andrews. I had no expectations for this book, but I gave it a shot. Then I went and found it in print to share with my friends. Then I went and bought another copy to take to the L&L Christmas party. This was the first book I've ever put down and thought "This woman rates up there with Liz!" Mesu writes this story about Job (yes, THE Job) and Dinah in a way that flows perfectly, conflicts realistically, and ends... well, you'd resent me for telling you! I was left wanting more! Lo and behold, after masterfully handling Job's story, she tackles Solomon and his beloved in her next novel. I've already purchased three copies!

Now, let me tell you this... DO NOT read Love's Sacred Song if you want sugar and gumdrops. You will be disappointed. DO read Love's Sacred Song after you check out the bible study on her site: http://www.mesuandrews.com/ (Look under Free Stuff, then next to the picture of the book cover.) I read it cover to cover the first time, drinking it with gusto as if it was a caramel frappuccino. It was yummy...

Then L&L enjoyed a call with Mesu to discuss Love Amid the Ashes and in preparation for an upcoming call with her to discuss Love's Sacred Song, she challenged us to look for the Christ figure in the story. That prompted me to really get into the bible study and discussion guide for LSS. In my second reading of this story, which has already taken a week (6 days longer than it took me to slurp it up the first time,) I am only now getting to chapter 8. Why? Because every other sentence is highlighted, with notes on my Kindle and notes in my notebook... papers scattered all around me as I read. I can't wait to discuss it with Mesu and my L&L girls! (I sure hope I get through it again in time!) Here's the pic from our call with Mesu last month.