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.
 
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:
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.
Â
I’d like this because I think it could be really useful for me
I would love to win this for our daughter, she would love it.
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.
The book sounds like something I would like to read.
I saw this on Pioneer Woman and was intrigued! Looks like a good read!
I would love to win because it sounds like a good one.
I love a new read!
It looks like it would be a good read!
Sounds like a good read!
because it sounds like a fun one!
I’d love to win this because I’m an avid reader & I’m always looking for a good read 🙂
I want to win because I can always use a new good book. This one sounds like it will be great and very hilarious!!
i love memoir..i love learning new things
I would love to win because I could use and uplifting book right now.
I’d love to win because I’m finding lately that I need to look at some situations with a bit more humor.
Since I’ve been married for 40 years, I would really like to read this great book.
I want to win because i need a good laugh 🙂
i’d love to give this to my wife to review
I love when a book can exude a range of emotions. That is why I read.
My niece is engaged, would like it for her
Sounds like a great book
Getting married Nov 15. Looks like good reading.
I would love to read it- I am always looking for a good book!
I want the book
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! 🙂
It sounds like a great book to read!
This sounds like a good read
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.
I would love to win the book. Melanie writes as if she is can read my thoughts!
it sounds like a hilarious read!
I LOVED her first book and I am so excited to read this one!
Melanie’s blog is so funny, I’m sure her book will be too!
I am writing our love story as part of a memoir and hope to learn by reading other authors.
I enjoyed the first one, this one looks good too!
id like to win because I love to read an this sounds like something I would enjoy
i read the Big Momma Blog and would love to read her book as well!
I’d love to win this book because I desperately need the perspective and the laughs right now.
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)
I have the first book… I need to have this one to make a pair of Melanie’s fab reads!
I would love to win this book because I need some laugh-out-loud moments!
I love to read and have already read Melanie’s first book Sparkly Green Earrings and it was great!
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. 🙂
I’d love to win because it sounds like a great book to read!
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!
Ooh! I’d love to read her book. Her blog makes me laugh almost every day!
I loved her first book and can’t wait to read this one
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 🙂
I love Melanie so much – I love laughing til I cry so I can’t wait to read her new book.
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!
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!
I loved Sparkly Green Earrings and would love to read this one too!!
I loved Sparkly Green Earrings – this one looks even better.
I would like to win this book because I think it would make me laugh. Thanks for the chance.
I want to win because I love Melanie’s writing!
I want to win because what mom doesn’t need a laugh.
Well, basically because I never win anything. And I want this book.
I love Mel and am getting married this August, would love some “insight” as to what I am signing up for! 🙂
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.
I would love to win because it is a wonderful book
I really enjoyed Melanie’s first book. Can’t wait to read this one!
melanie makes me laugh out loud and i need that in my 40-something sleep-deprived with a newborn state
I can’t wait to read this! I love Melanie’s blog!
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!
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.
I loved her first book cant wait to read this one.
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
I’d love to win! Big Mama is a favorite of mine!
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.
I want to win because I love Melanie’s sense of humor and I want this book really, really much!
I’d like to win b/c it sounds like a great book!
This book and blog look wonderful, I haven’t heard of either before, thanks for introducing me to it!
Love Melanie’s blog and thoroughly enjoyed her first book so I know I will enjoy this one as well!
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!
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!
Would LOVE to win
Thanks
Would LOVE to win
Thanks!
I’m always looking for a good book and this sounds hilarious
I want to win because i need a good laugh and I heard this book is hilar!
I would like to win because I’ve heard great things about this book from friends!
This would be enjoyable and very memorable.
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!