I just got back from the 2015 Midwest Writers Workshop, which is always my favorite event of the entire year. Perhaps it’s because some of my favorite people are at MWW with me, staying up late to talk and laugh and eat fried pickles at Scotty’s. Or because I designed our new logo this year and got to see it all over the place, including on our bright green shirts.
It could have something to do with meeting even more incredibly talented authors and connecting with people who share my passion for writing. It might be because I always come home with a bag of new books, most of which are signed by the authors. Or maybe it’s because when I get home, my kids are usually already gone for a week of church camp and I can write in peace.

(On a side note, this year I got to see Julie Hyzy again, one of my favorite authors—and got to sign a copy of Praying Upside Down for her. Me. Signing a book for her. How cool is that?)

There is a limit to the time I can write by hand in my journal before my arthritis kicks in and my elbow and thumb begin to throb. But I have not yet tired in any way of signing the title page of my book. And it’s not just because of my awesome pens.

But it might be partly because of them.

BTW, check out Julie’s newest book, Grace Cries Uncle, which just released a couple weeks ago. Yes, I’ve already read it. Yes, you should, too.

And while you’re at it, order The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, by another friend, Amy Reichert. I was giddy with excitement and knew I would love it. I mean, really, isn’t the title enough to make you fall in love? And the cover? And if you’ve ever met Amy, you know how fun and vivacious she is, so you just know the book will be fabulous. It’s her first novel, it’s only been out for a little over a week, and I’m already desperate for the next one. It would be a great book club pick. Just sayin’. (What I actually mean by that is order it. Now. I’m serious. Go ahead. I’ll wait.)

Since I have books on my mind, let me share some other books I’ve really enjoyed recently:

• Brennan Manning’s The Furious Longing of God
• Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
• Little Pretty Things by Lori Rader-Day
• The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough

and a few I’m dying to read (but I can only get to one at a time, so there’s always a waiting list):

• Flash, the Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances by Rachel Anne Ridge
• Nobody’s Cuter Than You: A Memoir about the Beauty of Friendship by Melanie Shankle
• For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards by Jen Hatmaker

Isn’t that just like me—now that summer’s practically over, I decide it’s time to give you a reading list. I haven’t had a moment to sit on a beach anywhere and do the mythological beach reading I hear other people talk about, but I guess I read every day anyway, right here in rainy central Indiana. The busier I am, the more I read. So I’ve been reading plenty.

Only ONE MONTH until my new manuscript is due. I could use some prayer. I love this book concept, but there are a lot of pieces that have to come together, and I’ve been doing things like going to MWW. And eating.

Speaking of which, look what my sister got me for my birthday last week. (Hint: There’s a theme.) You’d think I liked chocolate or something. There’s an eye shadow kit hiding in there (my “real” present, as she said)—but really, I think this should come with a “part two.” In the form of extra-large yoga pants. Because that’s a lot of chocolate. And the photo didn’t even include the chocolate cherry cake she baked me, too.

In the next three weeks, Bobby starts two-a-day soccer practices (with one at the insane hour of 6:30 am). Anna and Katie will move in to new colleges (if they manage to finish unpacking from moving home from the old ones). Bobby will start high school. And I have a little bit of writing to do. Right now, though, sleep sounds best of all, so I’ll schedule this post for tomorrow and sign off. (Sorry for the extreme randomness, but my mind is all over the place after writing for about 12 hours today.)

Now it’s your turn—what’s new with you? Did you discover any new books, foods, or other things this summer that you would like to share?