Last week I added a new tab on the blog announcing the plan to start a private online book club for anyone interested in joining.  You can read all about that HERE.  This week I want to announce our first book and offer you a chance to win a free copy!  

Sharing stories of frailty and strength, of darkness and light,
Palmer shows that vocation is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be
received. (from the book jacket)

If I could, I would give this book to every twenty-something graduating from college, especially those graduating from a Christian college.  

It’s also the book I would recommend to my mid-life friends struggling with meaning, purpose and disillusionment in their current careers.  I would suggest it to the many women I know stepping out of years of intense care-giving with young children and wondering what comes next.   

For those whose lives have turned out drastically different than they expected or hoped, I would also recommend this book as well as to those sensing something like the Spirit within them awakening something new, the heart of which they they cannot yet discern.

I’ve used stories and quotes from Let Your Life Speak in teaching and preaching, have dog-eared, underlined and post-it noted its pages.  The spine on my copy is broken.  Are you getting the picture?  I really love this book 🙂

I love it because Parker Palmer, a Quaker teacher, author and activist, leads by example, telling the story of his own difficult journey toward vocation with deep honesty and self-deprecating humor.  Palmer resists the temptation to write a prescription for vocation, instead opting to offer an example of his own listening and the bits of wisdom and insight gained along the way.  

Interested?  These are the details:

The book has six chapters so our book club will run for six to seven weeks (depending how things unfold).  It will be hosted in a private Facebook group so our conversation will not be public.  You will need to “friend” me on Facebook so I can add you to the group if you want to participate.  

Monday, September 22 will be our official start date, which should give plenty of time to order, win or borrow a copy of the book.  We’ll plan to discuss one chapter a week and be done by the end of October/beginning of November. 

Every Monday I’ll post a quote from the chapter under discussion as a starting point for conversation.  On Wednesdays I’ll invite those interested to post a quote they especially liked or that raised questions for them, that way YOU can help lead the discussion.  The best part about online book discussion is that you can check in and comment or reply at a time that works for YOU. 

You’re free to comment as much as you like or be a “stalker” if you’re more shy.  Some weeks you may not get to the reading, but you’re still welcome to participate as much as you can.  The main rules will be that we will all show grace and compassion in regard to each other’s experiences and opinions.  

You can link to the book for sale on Amazon here for around $11 or find it somewhere else.  One follower on A Field of Wildflowers’ Facebook page had the following to say,  

I
couldn’t possibly wait until closer to book club so I ordered the book.
And it came today. And some biscuits may or may not have almost burned
because I didn’t want to put it down. – Joan Norton Stoneking

Now, (drum roll, please!) I do have one extra (lightly used) copy to give away for FREE.  To be entered into the drawing for the free book, just comment below by 12 midnight on Wednesday September 10th indicating your interest.  To have your name enetered a second time in the drawing, you can also comment on or like this post on the Wildflowers Facebook page (this will ensure that more followers see the post).  All names will be put into a bowl and the winner will be picked and announced by Friday the 12th. 


Guess what?  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, chapter one is only 8 pages long.  I think we can do that, right? 


I would love your help in spreading the word!  Please share 🙂and let me know if you have any questions!

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