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So so so many good books out there right now and more on the way! Right now, I’m loving Sue Monk Kidd’s Traveling with Pomegranates that Linsey gave me for Christmas and The Inner Voice of Love by Nouwen that Elyse texted me a timely excerpt from. I can’t wait to read Scary Close (the newest from Donald Miller) and Home is Where My People Are (the newest from Sophie Hudson) and Simply Tuesday (the newest from Emily Freeman) and The Art of Memoir (coming this fall from Mary Karr!!!).

Stories are some of the greatest companions I’ve known. A story can stay with us, comfort us, and keep our feet warm when nothing else can. Like a loyal old dog.

I want to tell you about two stories that have captured me recently: Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I Thought to Look by Emily T. Wierenga and Steel Will: My Journey Through Hell to Become the Man I Was Meant To Be by Shilo Harris. And, LUCKY DAY, I’m giving both of these memoirs away this week!

Steel Will is the story of Staff Sgt. (Ret) Shilo Harris who enlisted in the Army after 9/11. On his second deployment, he sustained catastrophic injuries when his vehicle was struck by an IED and, as a result, spent nearly three years in the burn unit of Brooke Army Medical Center. Harris’ story is about injury, recovery, trauma, post-traumatic stress, selfless love, and the internal journey of a man whose life was changed in every conceivable way.

I am particularly motivated to share this book because I believe so deeply in the importance of all of us rallying around our wounded warriors and making an effort to better understand trauma and the fall-out associated with trauma. I believe in supporting those who are bravely talking about their journey–emotionally, physically, mentally, relationally, spiritually–and how war has affected their lives and homes.

This book is not just for a military family. It’s a book for anyone who has experienced brokenness and who needs healing. I love what one endorser said on the back cover: Staff Sergeant Harris is “a soldier turned messenger.” That is so very beautiful to me. And I want to honor him and his wife Kathreyn for their heroism, their loss, and their battle. You will be touched by this story.

Additionally, I want to share Atlas Girl with you. Emily’s story is about brokenness and recovery, too. Perhaps these are the stories I’m drawn to these days. I am so inspired to read stories about people in a real and present struggle and how they find themselves, God, and their own path through. Atlas Girl is about a young woman who is struggling with debilitating anorexia, her faith, and her relationship with her parents. She sets out to find herself across the globe. And then, she is brought back home to care for her mother who is dying from brain cancer.

This book is written so beautifully, so passionately. It is a deeply personal look at where and to whom we belong. It is about a globe-trotting search that leads right back home. You will get lost in Emily’s world, and you will find yourself in her story.

I’m thrilled to be putting both these books in one of your mailboxes! In order to win, please leave a comment below sharing a book that has saved you. One winner will be chosen randomly to receive both books. I will choose and announce the winner on Wednesday morning, so please have all your comments submitted by Tuesday (tomorrow!) night. And feel free and share this giveaway with someone you know who might be encouraged by one or both of these books.

Love and stories,

Leeana

 

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