Stand All the Way up - by Sophie Hudson: Book Review

Title: Stand All the Way Up: Stories of Staying In It When You Want to Burn It All Down
Author: Sophie Hudson
Pages: 224
Publisher: B&H Publishing
Publishing Date: 16.06.2020
Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Memoir
Format: Kindle

I'd missed Sophie story-telling. And make no mistake, this is a collection of stories from the south, told in a southern way. If you've read her previous books, read her blog, and/ or listen to her podcast with Melanie Shankle than I am sure you'll like this book, too.

Sophie is one of those Internet people I wish I knew in real life and I'd also like her to be my friend/ mentor because she's wise, but in a totally relatable and down to earth kind of way.

The book is divided into 13 chapters, each one sharing stories relevant to an idea she presents in that chapter. The second part of the chapter is where she makes her point and she makes it relevant to her readership. I like this sort of nonfiction writing, especially since the ideas are relatable, despite the age difference between me and the author.

However, one thing that fell flat for me were all those details and digressions. Of course details are the sauce of a story, and her story-telling skills are on point, but at some points I felt that the focus was too much on the anecdotes (plus, they were too long sometimes), and too little on the substantial part. I wish she had written more on the deeper aspects because she makes Scripture passages so relevant and easy to understand for the day-to-day life. 

Having read her first three books, I can see how her writing has become better. This book is funny, yes, I have laughed out loud a few times, to my surprise, but also honest, deep, and mature. I love it when an author I've been reading from the very beginning becomes more settled into their craft. This is the case with Sophie Hudson in this new book, a book I recommend for fans of Christian nonfiction and lovers of family stories; you'll laugh, and then take something to heart and think about it. 

I can't wait for her next book!

I received a free book copy from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

Recently read

I am ashamed to look at my good reads shelf for 2015! Ashamed, I tell you!
I have only read three books this year! Three!
Goodness.
It's true that I have three books started but I have yet to finish them.

So here are the three books I've actually finished reading:

1. The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You - by Jessica Turner

I reviewed this book in January. I was surprised that I liked it, but I did. It's Jessica's practicality throughout this book, and this is probably why I liked it so much. This is also the pick for the Bloom Book Club. This is a whole 'nother story, but Bloom Book Club has been going on for a few years now. It was started by Angie and Jessica, whom I have been following for a very long time. Since 2006 or 2007. A long time! Anyways, this is their last book club for Bloom as hosts. I couldn't believe it when they announced it. This being said, it's going to be extra special having read this book in advance because now I will actually know what they are talking about in the videos. Always a plus, I'd say.







2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - by C. S. Lewis

I read this as the third book in the Narnia series. Me and my friend are reading this as part of out "book club". Book club of two. whatever. I remember I read this before, but as all good books, it gets better and better every time you reread it. I am sure this will not be my last time reading it. Also, the first time I read it in Romanian, but now I read it in English, so imagine my delight!










3. Home Is Where My People Are: The Roads That Lead Us to Where We Belong - by Sophie Hudson

This is Sophie's second book. I like her first book and since I like to finish what I start, I decided that the first book is also the first in a collection. Therefore, I bought her second book as well. No regrets. It's better than the first one. I am a firm believer that a person who is willing to truly invest in a book he or she is writing, will write better and better with every new book. This was the case with Melanie's books, as it was with Angie's books. I will probably write a longer review for Sophie's book, but in a nut shell, I liked it and I liked it better than the first one. Also, I was clearly born in the wrong place of the world. I was supposed to be born in the Southern part of US of A.