Display Search Bar

5 Minutes for Mom

Main navigation

The Antelope in the Living Room by Big Mama Melanie Shankle #Giveaway

by

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

All month long we’ve been focusing on marriage and family, with a series of posts inspired and sponsored by Big Mama Melanie Shankle‘s new memoir. Read my thoughts about Making Time for Mom and Dad and Anna’s ideas for family fun night and ways to show your spouse you love him.

Jennifer Donovan, 5M4M contributor and 5 Minutes for Books Managing Editor, has read the book and is here to share her thoughts on The Antelope in the Living Room. She received a copy for review purposes.

 Antelope Review & Giveaway

If you’re like the thousands of people who visit the Big Mama blog, you know you can count on Melanie to be funny and practical and honest. I enjoyed her first memoir, but I can honestly say that this one is even better.

I laughed out loud several times. I also teared up as she shared honestly about her shortcomings, unreasonable expectations and her heart full of love for Perry and for God.

Getting married teaches a person a whole lot about themselves and about getting along with others. There are also everyday matters that get more complicated when you are sharing time, space and a checkbook with another person. Melanie muses on this list of things and so much more:

  • forgiveness
  • ugliness
  • shopping
  • sickness
  • in-laws and out-laws
  • gift-giving
  • decorating

Melanie has been married 16 years. She shares stories about hers and Perry’s courtship, wedding, and marriage. I’ve been married 21 years, so I loved reliving those early married years through her eyes, as well as recalling some of my own challenges as I read about hers.

Many books by bloggers read like a republishing of their best posts. That’s okay, but if you are a regular reader, you want something new. I may not have read the blog as carefully lately, but many of these seem like stories she hasn’t shared, or perhaps they are just put together in a new way. I appreciated that.

This is the kind of book that someone who’s been married for many years will appreciate, but I think it would make a great gift for a newly engaged friend or relative as well.

I love this book trailer. It truly represents the sweet and honest nature of this book:

Win it

 

 

About the Book:Antelope in the Living Room

New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle comes through again with her hilarious memoir of married life. Read The Antelope in the Living Room!

 

Melanie reminds you of the joy that comes when couples learn to laugh together. Welcome to the real story of two people sharing one life.

Order a copy of Melainie’s book today.

 

 

 

 

 

Reader Interactions


Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

81 Comments

  3. I would like to win because it sounds very interesting. I love reading about other people’s experiences because there are things I can relate to.

    Reply

  12. I want to win because I can always use a new good book. This one sounds like it will be great and very hilarious!!

    Reply

  15. I’d love to win because I’m finding lately that I need to look at some situations with a bit more humor.

    Reply

  25. I would love love love to win a copy of this book! I have read her first book and laughed and cried and was encouraged all the way through! 🙂

    Reply

  28. Melanie Shankle is real, and really funny. Her first book was so encouraging to me as a mom, as well as fun to read. I would love to continue the encouragement and hilarity by reading her new one! Thank you.

    Reply

  38. I used to read Melanie’s blog… when I had time to read blogs for fun! It would be so nice to have a book to take with me and read (no smartphone here)

    Reply

  42. I would love to read this because I’m a mom of 6 and sometimes you just need a good laugh. Reading her blog keeps me entertained and I’m sure this book will light up my day as well. 🙂

    Reply

  44. I would love to win! Melanie’s first book was hilarious and I know this second one will be just as witty and side-splitting, yet also insightful. Fingers crossed!

    Reply

  47. I’d love to win because I have yet to purchase the book and loved loved loved the first one! plus who couldn’t use a few tips/suggestions on marriage 🙂

    Reply

  49. Melanie is a mom at my school and I just think she is so funny! As a new mom and relatively newly-wed, I love to hear how “normal” my life really is, even when it seems so crazy!

    Reply

  50. I LOVED Green Sparkly Earrings and want to read The Antelope in the Livingroom SO BAD, but am watching our pennies right now with hubs off work due to an auto accident.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  57. I love Mel and am getting married this August, would love some “insight” as to what I am signing up for! 🙂

    Reply

  58. This book sounds like it would be a good read. I’ve been married for 18 years and it’s always fun to hear about someone elses story because it really does give you a chance to sit and relive yours.

    Reply

  63. I would love to win because I have been reading The Big Mama Blog for years and would love to support her writing. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Reply

  64. I’ve been reading Melanie’s blog for 7 years now. Absolutely LOVE her sense of humor and can’t wait to read this book.

    Reply

  66. Just had my second baby and need a good book to read while nursing! Loved Melanie’s first book and have been wanting to read this one

    Reply

  68. Don’t need to win since I’ve read and re-read my copies (on the Kindle and a signed hard copy) already. Just want to highly recommend this book. It is, as Jennifer said, laugh out loud funny, while at the same time being one of the best books about realistic marriage I’ve ever read. Worth buying for those who don’t win the giveaway.

    Reply

  73. Melanie’s blog was one of the first blogs I ever read starting about 6 years ago. I’ve been following ever since. Love her heart!

    Reply

  74. Melanie’s blog was one of the first blogs I ever read starting about 6 years ago. I’ve been following ever since. I love her heart!

    Reply

  81. I would love to win because it’s been a looooong time since I read a good memoir, and I especially love ones written about faith and family. It’s been a long time since I read Big Mama’s blog too, so the refresher would be fun!

    Reply