Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

thomas nelson

Hospitality made possible: Review of The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell

I was both curious and nervous to read this book. Any book on hospitality or building community has the potential to overwhelm me because what I want to do does not always line up with what I can do. I worry about feeling worse about my house or my efforts when I read those kinds of books.

THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF BOOK.

The Turquoise Table might be the first hospitality/community/connection book I’ve ever read that has left me feeling lighter and excited about possibilities. (Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. Opinion reflected is my honest one.)

Kristin Schell offers tons of practical tips and variations for people in all kinds of living situations to become Front Yard People. The book itself is gorgeous and hands-on with its color pictures, recipes, challenging questions and space for taking notes. I thought this book might take me a while to get through, but I kept turning the pages until I’d read every word.

And now my heart beats stronger with the potential for a turquoise table of my own.

This is a book and movement full of grace aimed at creating community in our neighborhoods, the very places we spend the most time. I can’t say enough about it.

Bringing moxie into the mess: Review of Jen Hatmaker’s Of Mess and Moxie

Of all the Jen Hatmaker books I’ve read, this one feels like the best one. Maybe it’s just the best one for this season of life. (But it’s not just for women in one season of life.) Reading this book is like receiving a letter from a dear friend. I couldn’t wait to open it and see what she had to say.

And girl, did she have some things to say!

And:


(I received a copy of the book from the publisher. Opinion reflected in this view is my honest one.)

Jen talks us through the hard stuff of relationships without an ounce of “should” or “ought.” Her words show us what is possible when life takes a turn we didn’t expect or don’t want. (She also makes us laugh. So much funny here. Would we expect anything less from Jen Hatmaker?)

And it is this blend of funny and wise that makes this book a must-read. It’s not all fun. It’s not all serious. It’s mess. AND moxie. The same stuff of life.

Besides reflections on faith, parenting, and friendships, Of Mess and Moxie contains recipes, “how-to”s (not what you’re thinking, though), and inspiring quotes at the start of each chapter.

I should also mention that if you pick up one of these beautiful books, you’ll see my endorsement on the front pages. Jen asks for real-life readers to endorse her books instead of other “celebrity” authors. (My name’s in the back, too, among the book’s launch team members.)

I’ll read this book again because it is so life-giving. I hope you will too.