cover image Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life

Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life

Melanie Shankle. Zondervan, $22.99 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-0-310-34887-0

Shankle (Nobody’s Cuter Than You), writer for The Big Mama Blog, thinks life is simpler than people make it. Through 19 rip-roaring chapters on the pains and foibles of everyday life, readers will laugh at Shankle’s self-deprecating account of her many mishaps and misunderstandings, including the struggle to find a job after college, learning to live with a pristine white couch she was afraid to sully, redoubling her efforts to work exercise into her daily routine, and trying to find a doggy day care for her two renegade pups. Shankle revisits her childhood in later chapters, which allows her to dip into more serious matters such as her parents’ divorce, how she made time to spend with her grandparents, and her evolving relationship with her younger sister. Fans of Martha Bolton will find much of the same wit and levity in Shankle’s writing. Most chapters close with a “Small Things” list that begins with a quote and includes lessons and reminders gleaned from the theme of the chapter. Shankle’s winsome book will be well-received by Christian readers looking to be more conscientious in everyday life. [em](Oct.) [/em]