Nothing like a good old THREAT as the title of a blog post, is there?

*cracks whip*

Anyway.

Listen, ya’ll, I don’t do book reviews. I don’t rate books on Goodreads, I don’t talk about books very much here on the blog, and I rarely find a book that warrants a substantial amount of publicity on my part.

UNTIL NOW.

“Well, it’s official: I’m in love with this book. Sophie Hudson is hilariously appreciative of her very Southern roots, and she shares tales of all the experiences (and the lovably eccentric relatives!) that shaped her. Threads of love, family, and faith hold the stories together, but it’s Sophie’s laugh-at-life humor that sings forth from every page. She writes as if you’re sitting on her front porch drinking a tall glass of sweet tea, and it’s impossible not to come away from each chapter without feeling like you know her a little better. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book.”

–Ree Drummond, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pioneer Woman Cooks

 

No big deal, her book just got blurbed by THE FREAKING PIONEER WOMAN.

I KNOW. WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING.

Here’s the great thing about this book and its author: Sophie is a personal friend of mine. Not just through the Twitter (although sometimes, those Twitter relationships feel just about as solid as anything else); she’s a friend in REAL. LIFE.

Sophie’s been blogging since 2005 and let me just tell you that she has QUITE the dedicated following. Any time she links to something I’ve written here, I know she’s done it before I even see her post because my website hits pretty much septuple.

(I’m guessing that’s what it’s called when something is multiplied by seven, but even if it’s not, I’m totally going to keep saying that because oh my goodness has there ever been a more fun word EVER?)

(Septuple.)

(Try it. Say it out loud. You can’t do it without smiling just a little bit.)

Back when I started my publishing journey, Sophie was intrigued and followed my progress every step of the way. When I asked if she would ever consider writing a book, she waved me off with a hearty GRACIOUS NO, or something along those lines. “I just don’t have a book in me,” she claimed. “I just don’t. No. I’ll never write one. I just couldn’t do it.”

Well. As it turns out, Sophie DID have a book in her. And it’s quite a fine book, indeed.

I KNEW IT, SOPHIE.

A LITTLE SALTY TO CUT THE SWEET is a collection of stories about Sophie’s family. It is hilarious and moving and just the best thing ever. Southern, witty, charming… okay, all those words sound really cliche and inferior to this book’s awesomeness. I just can’t even.

It’s so good, I rated it five stars on Goodreads. (Again: I DON’T RATE BOOKS.)

It’s so good, I’m blogging about it right now. (Again: I DON’T BLOG ABOUT BOOKS.)

And it’s so good, I’m going to post the book trailer here for your enjoyment. (And listen, even if you have no interest in the book itself, please PLEASE watch this trailer just so you can hear Sophie’s delightful southern voice. I hear it every day, but OH, it makes me smile.)

Here are just a few quotes from the book:

“In the South we adore grandmamas. We even give them funny names: MiMi, Shug, Honey–and that’s just the tip of the MeMaw iceberg.”

“What can I say? I’m a people pleaser. If that’s okay with you, of course.”

“It’s important to acknowledge that whenever we quote a passage from ‘The Message’ translation, the ESV totally rolls its eyes.”

YOU GUYS. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. *grabs your collar* *shakes*

Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to get forceful like that. By all means, please excuse me.

So after you read Sophie’s book, you should hop on over to her blog and read up on all her goings-on. She’s one of the best writers I know, and her blog posts will have you rolling. Especially this one about taking her mother-in-law to “the Steinmarts.”

So there you have it. Hope your Monday is exceedingly kind, and I’ll see you soon.