Thursday, October 11, 2012

"Life with Lily" Book Review and Giveaway

Last month, I received a copy of "Life with Lily" from the author. Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Amish, but as an adult realized she was not truly a Christian, and as a result, was born again and is no longer Amish. She chronicles her journey on her popular blog, A Joyful Chaos



Her book, aimed at children ages 8-10, recounts stories from her childhood through the adventures of "Lily Lapp". It is a glimpse into the life of a young girl growing up Amish in today's world. 







Our family has greatly enjoyed reading the book for our nightly storytime. Every evening, the children beg me to read the next chapter, and when we are done, to read just a little longer. The style is a lot like the "Little House" books, another favorite at our house.

We are eagerly awaiting the release of the second book in the series, "A New Home for Lily," due out in February 2013.

The website "The Adventures of Lily Lapp" was created to be enjoyed after reading "Life with Lily." It has recipes, coloring sheets, puzzles, and other fun stuff for kids.

If you are looking for a good book to give as a gift for Christmas, I can wholeheartedly recommend Life with Lily. You can buy it anywhere books are sold, or on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook.


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Also, I am giving away one copy to one of my readers. You have three FOUR opportunities for entries:

1. Become a follower of the "A Joyful Chaos" blog. 

2. Like "Mary Ann Kinsinger" on Facebook.

3. Become a follower of my blog.

4. (edited to add) Blog about this giveaway, or share it on Facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each entry, letting me know which one you did, for a maximum of three entries/comments. If you are already a follower of either blog, you cannot use that as an entry. Anonymous comments with a name provided are ok, but please be aware that in the event you win, I will need your full name and shipping address.

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Disclaimer: While I did receive a free copy of this book from the author, it was simply a gift, not in exchange for a review. I chose to do a review because we like the book so much, and thought others might enjoy it, too. The book I am giving away is a new copy, purchased by me, not a courtesy copy from the author. All that to say this: this is truly an unbiased book review! :)






21 comments:

  1. I just became a follower of Joyful Chaos.

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  2. I just liked Mary Ann Kinsinger on facebook. It sounds like a lovely book and I would love to read it to my little ones. Thank you for an opportunity to win a copy.

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  3. I am a follower of your blog and would love to win this book. I think it would be fun to read myself and for my daughter.

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  4. Sounds wonderful! I just spent almost an hour reading her blog! I'm a follower now, and hope I win!

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  5. And you don't have to publish this- I know it's not another entry! But I went ahead and blogged about your giveaway. I really enjoyed her blog :)

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    1. Well, I just updated the blog post above, to include blogging/sharing about it on FB, so I published your comment. Thanks for reminding me about that option, too!

      Her blog is great. I enjoy reading her stories. There was one a long time ago about how they were encouraged NOT to read their Bibles, except for just a few "approved" books, it was funny. I'll have to try and find that post again.

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  6. I just shared your giveaway on facebook so that is my third entry. I don't get the fourth because I am already a follower of your blog. Thanks!!! Hope to win.

    I second you on loving breastfeeding. It is nice to have an excuse to sit down. If it weren't for nursing sessions I would never have a chance to get on the computer.

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  7. Ok, my first entry...I just became a follower of Mary Ann's blog!

    FYI ~ I remember actually reading on her blog before AND I've been following her on Pinterest for a while! Small blog world I guess! ;)

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  8. Thanks for your kind words about the book. So happy you enjoyed it!

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  9. I became a follower. This book sounds good!!!

    Jessica

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  10. Sometime ago the BBC ran a couple of programmes about an Amish family who were trying to work out their place in their community after coming to the conviction that the many rules they were following could not earn their salvation. For a TV channel which is often so anti true Christianity, it was a remarkable, and moving film. It might still be available on the internet somewhere, in which case I really recommend it.

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  11. I must get this book. I want to know why you think (or am I reading more into your post than I should) that Amish aren't Christian? Anyone who believes and follow Christ is a Christian, no matter what denomination/culture/sect they beling to.

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  12. I liked her page on FB, and though I already follow her blog, I don't do it in a reader format.

    (Z. might have meant Amish in place of the Christian. It is my understanding that a proclamation of acceptance of Christ as one's saviour is considered prideful and not done, but rather a 'Godly' life lived with final verdict of whether it was good enough rendered at judgement. I do not know if that is a blanket enough statement to cover all Amish ordnung's, but many I've read about it does.)

    Kris K

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  13. I liked her page on facebook. I would love to get her book since I grew up close to Amish in PA.

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  14. I just started following her blog. Wish I were still nursing so I had time to read it. :)

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  15. I subscribed to A Joyful Chaos.

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  16. BensonJen comment #1- Just "liked" her on FB!

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  17. BensonJen comment #2 - I started following A Joyful Chaos blog!

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  18. BensonJen comment #3 - I just added your blog to my reader list, so now I officially "Follow" this blog.

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Your KINDLY WORDED, constructive comments are welcome, whether or not they express a differing opinion. All others will be deleted without second thought.