Supporting Local, One Book at a Time (And Getting Back to Reading!)

Supporting local. It’s something I’ve always believed in.

Whether it’s purchasing fresh produce from a nearby farm, choosing a small business over a big-box store, supporting a local fundraiser, eating at a family-owned restaurant, or shopping at a little boutique, I love supporting the people in our communities.

And friends, that includes local writers and authors!

I love knowing that when we support someone local, we’re often supporting a dream, a passion, a family, or someone who has poured their heart and soul into something they believe in.

And lately, I’ve been reminded of just how meaningful that can be.

A Book That Caught Me Off Guard

I recently finished a book called Stuffing Cotton, written by Christine Stroebel, a beautiful lady I have come to know through our church.

And friends…I had NO idea.

No idea what this woman had experienced throughout her life. No idea how many challenges she had faced. And no idea how much she continues to navigate today.

To see Christine today, you would never imagine the story behind the woman. She is beautiful, confident, put together, and just one of those people you enjoy being around.

But her book? It opened my eyes in ways I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t necessarily a quick or easy read because of the subject matter, but it was one that kept my attention. I found myself turning page after page, thinking over and over, I had absolutely no idea.

And while I loved Christine before reading her story, I have an entirely different appreciation for her today. The woman she is. The strength she carries. The faith she holds on to.

All of it.

I actually wrote a more personal reflection about her book over on my faith blog, Lord, I am here.

Read my thoughts on Stuffing Cotton here

Another Local Author, Another Beautiful Story

And then there’s Gwen Humphreys Kangas, author of Grace in the Gray: Finding God’s Presence in the Midst of Uncertainty.

Another beautiful book, written straight from the heart.

I read Gwen’s book some time ago, and since then, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her more personally. I love that!

Sometimes we know people casually. We see them, talk with them, laugh with them, and assume we know a little about their lives. And then we hear their stories. And suddenly, we see them differently.

Not because they’ve changed, but because our understanding of them has.

Both of these books reminded me of something we hear so often, yet sometimes forget.

You never know what someone has been through. And you certainly don’t know what they may be carrying today.

That’s why kindness matters. All. The. Time. Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when someone is kind to us first. And not just when we understand what they’re going through. Always.

And Guess What? I’m Reading Again!

Now, there’s actually another reason I’m sharing all of this.

For those of you who know me, you know I LOVE to read.

I love books. I love learning. I love getting lost in a story or reading something that makes me stop and think.

But lately? I’ve struggled. I haven’t been able to focus quite like I used to. And honestly, I haven’t made as much time to sit down with a book.

You know how that goes. One thing leads to another, the day gets away from you, and suddenly it’s bedtime.

But when I downloaded Stuffing Cotton to my reader, something happened. Three days later, I was finished! THREE DAYS! And friends, it felt so good.

I felt like the old me again. The one who could settle in with a book and actually finish it before moving on to something else.

And I wasn’t done there!

Another Book That Really Made Me Think

I also recently listened to Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman on Audible.

Oh. My. Another eye-opening, thought-provoking, straight-to-the-heart kind of book.

This one really made me think about my faith and what it means to truly follow Jesus rather than simply admire Him from a distance and be a fan.

There were moments when I found myself thinking, Well, that one hit home! And honestly I don’t want to be a fan, i truly do want to be known as a follower so have some clean-up to do.

I finished listening to it in about four or five days, and I absolutely loved it.

I’ll be sharing more about this particular book over on Lord, I am here, because there’s so much to unpack.

But for now, I’ll just say it’s one I would certainly recommend.

A Little Reading Challenge for Myself

So, with two books finished in such a short amount of time, I’ve decided to set a little goal.

Nothing complicated. Nothing overwhelming. Two books every two weeks. One to read and one to listen to. I figure this gives me the best of both worlds.

I can sit down with my reader when I have some quiet time, and I can listen to Audible while doing things around the house, driving, or working on whatever project I happen to have going on.

And you know me. There’s usually a project. Ha!

Right now, I have The Awe of God by John Bevere downloaded to my Kindle and it’s ready to go. It sounds like this is mapped out pretty well, with weekly expectations.

I’m still deciding what my next Audible book will be.

This weekend, I’m hoping for a little downtime. Some time to relax, catch up on a few things, and decide what I’ll be reading and listening to in the coming week.

And honestly, that sounds pretty perfect to me.

Small Town Living and Supporting One Another

As I think about these books and the people behind them, I keep coming back to why I love supporting local.

It’s personal. It’s knowing the person behind the product, the business, the fundraiser, or in this case, the book. It’s celebrating someone’s hard work and accomplishments. It’s recommending their work to someone else.

And sometimes, it’s discovering a story that changes the way you see the world—or even the people sitting beside you on Sunday morning. Honestly, I recently stopped by a new place and didn’t buy a thing but they had a place for prayer requests. So friends, that’s all I did. Didn’t spend a penny but left a prayer request.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make a difference. Sometimes it’s as simple as purchasing a book, sharing a recommendation, leaving a review, or telling someone how much their work meant to you.

Those little things matter. And that’s what small-town living is all about to me. Community. Connection. Encouragement. And showing up for one another.

Hello, November!

Can you believe we’re getting ready to turn the calendar to November? Thanksgiving month!

I don’t know about you, but this time of year always makes me want to slow down just a little. Enjoy the cooler days, spend more time at home, think about the holidays ahead, and appreciate all the little blessings that sometimes get lost in the busyness of life.

And maybe, just maybe, start tackling the Christmas lists. We don’t do much but I actually start picking up little things months before. So my biggest challenge is sorting, wrapping and checking things off.

So tell me… What’s on your agenda as we head into November?

Are you planning holiday gatherings? Tackling projects around the house? Looking forward to some quiet time? Or maybe you’ve got a good book on your nightstand just waiting to be opened.

And while we’re talking books, I’d love to know what you’re reading or listening to these days!

Especially if it’s written by someone local. I’m always looking for my next good read.

Until next time, friends, support your neighbors, be kind to everyone you meet, and remember that sometimes the most beautiful stories come from the people right in front of us.

Here’s to simple living, good books, and supporting the people who make our communities special. ❤️