Are you a book lover?
When I (Angie) was a little girl, books were my best friends. I was picked on at school, terrified of life, and grew up in a foreign country where I didn’t have the luxury of speaking my native language with everyone. Through it all, books were the one thing I could count on; they never failed me. I loved the smell of a new book and the way it felt to get lost in possibility.
My friend Jess also has a deep love of books, so two years ago we started an online book club called Bloom. (To see our hilarious announcement of the Bloom name, click here. It still makes us laugh, even two years later.) It has been a rich experience to read Christian books with other women all over the world.
Today we are thrilled to announce that we are joining Bloom with (in)courage. We have loved, supported, and believed in (in)courage for so long and really feel like this is the perfect partnership. Many (in)courage readers have wanted a book club component to the site, and we are honored to be a part of making that happen.
If you are a fellow book lover, hugger, smeller, or if you just want a place to kick up your feet and share a corner of life, look no further. We promise we will always choose books that we feel will impact the way you see life and encourage you to relate to God and those around you.
As we go on this book-reading journey together, be assured that you are covered in prayer and cherished by all of us behind the scenes. There will be other details forthcoming and plenty of opportunities to connect, but first and foremost we just want you to know how glad we are that you might consider joining in, and we can’t wait to dig into our first book together. It is going to be AMAZING, and we hope you will be a part of this experience…in the meantime, enjoy this quick glimpse into our {very stoic} personalities, and learn a little more about the heart of the Bloom book club.
{Click here if you can’t see the video.}
Now doesn’t that get you excited? 🙂 Next week Monday we will be announcing the title of the first Bloom (in)courage selection, so be sure to check back. The book is going to change your life (it has already changed ours).
Blessings and love,
Leave a Comment
Sarah Markley says
i’d love to be a part. i’m such a failure at IRL book clubs. seriously. i flunked out of one. is that even possible??
i’m ready.
can’t wait to find out what book it is!!
angie smith says
looks like you and i were up late last night! next time, send me an email and we can be friends at the wee hours 🙂
im so excited about the book club, everyone!!! welcome!!
angie
gitz says
I love that you flunked out of a book club. Once, I was on a volleyball league through my Catholic church and they traded me to the Lutherns.
Not kidding.
Just didn’t want you to feel alone in your disgrace 🙂
Jennifer Crewe says
Oh just reading of someone else who loves the feel and smell of books excites me. The fact that you are doing an on line book club is exciting as well., I certainly hope to join you. I live in Australia so I will just have to pray that the books you choose are available here and that I can afford to buy them. Praying for a great success as you join with (in)courage. God Bless
Emily Freeman says
I’m so excited about this! Really and truly. And like Sarah, I’ve never been very successful with book clubs. And even though I’ve not read the Bloom books in the past, I’ve watched your videos because, hello? Too cute.
Meg says
Love it! Can’t wait to see what book you’ve chosen! 🙂
Melissa Irwin says
It WAS so good to see you both, and I’m so sorry you couldn’t see me sitting here in my morning chair with bedhead and an old ratty t-shirt on drinking my coffee and praying my kids sleep in. Excited for all things!
Amanda Fogarty says
I have been a faithful follower of the Bloom book club, and I’m so excited for the changes happening! a bigger, broader club can only help encourage us all, so I am all for it! can’t wait to check monday for the new book! 🙂
Ann Voskamp@A Holy Experience says
You two make us laugh righ out loud!
LOVELY seeing you both! 🙂 What a happy way to begin a Monday! 🙂
Books and Faith and Sisters — all in community. Does it get any better than this?
A perfect way to begin the new year — blooming (in) courage… and faith, and hope, and real change!
Yes!
Deidre says
You are both so cute! I’m excited about this and can’t wait to see what book you’ve chosen.
Staci Glass says
Yippee! Congratulations on this exciting new merge girls! Blook (in) Courage is a wonderful idea! I am so excited for you!
I can’t wait to learn about the new book next week! In the meantime, wishing happy days for both of you!
Hugs
Staci
Emily C says
I am excited!
Jen Martinson says
Love this…I am going to try to join.
And I love, love, LOVE….how real you both are and you crack me up!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Hot Diggity Dog!
We are so so so excited!
Yay Bloom!
LJ
Linda Stoll says
I’ve been wanting to join a book club FOREVER! I’m in on this one!
jeana says
VERY excited about this! Love the video, cracked me up! What joy you two bring. “see” ya next week =]
Jeana
Kelli says
Looking forward to this!!!
Tweets that mention Bloom (In)Courage -- Topsy.com says
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Sharon says
Very Excited!! Can’t wait!
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Looking forward to it!
How to Just Keep Breathing {on a Monday} » A Holy Experience says
[…] #2175 … community […]
Jackie says
One of my goals this year was to find an on-line book club – I actually had it written down on my to do list this week to research this and find one! Little did I know that one was sitting under my nose on your blogs. Can’t wait to see what the book is and am looking forward to being part of this!!
Kathy says
You girls are precious! I have wanted a book club for a long time. Sounds like a perfect fit. AND you love the smell and touch of a book. Hard to explain that but it must be a memory evoking thing. Blessings to you both.
Amber says
This sounds so exciting!! I’m excited to be a part of this!! I love a good book!!
erinbeth says
I just finished the book I was reading! I can hardly wait for next Monday!
Jenn L says
So excited! You ladies are wonderful 🙂 It really does feel like we’re in the room with you…
Looking forward to Monday’s big reveal!
God bless!
Jan says
It was so nice to “see you” two girls this morning! 🙂 I so love the way you banter back and forth with each other – it is obvious you are really good friends. I’m looking forward to this book club. I was part of a face-to-face book club for several years, and miss it so much.
I can’t wait to find out which book you are starting with and it was good to be “seen” this morning. 🙂
Blessings from icy, cold, middle Georgia!
Jan
lea says
i’m and can’t wait. you two are too cute!
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
What an awesome idea! I’ll look forward to seeing what your first selection is.
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
Holy smokes, are you two not the cutest thangs EVER?? YOU bloom bright!
So excited to see this chapter of (In)Courage and join in the sisterhood! LOVE!
Paula says
Your video is delightful and I look forward to hearing more about this book club!
Jenn says
Sounds like SO MUCH FUN!
Can’t wait to see what the selection will be 🙂
~Jenn
Melissa Brotherton says
This is fantastic! 🙂 I can’t wait to find out what the book is.
I Live in an Antbed says
Sounds interesting, indeed!
Dani says
Looking forward to it … I am a definite book worm 🙂
Melody says
Oh, that video was really funny…… I’m so glad to know about this and hope to get involved.
thesavingmom(jessica) says
Sounds great! As a kid my punishment was to stop reading and go outside and play, but it did not diminish my love of books. Fortunately I married a man with that same love. In our dream house we plan for a room where the walls are lined, with books that is. YAY for this coming together. ~Jessica
Amber says
Hooray! I have LOVED being part of Bloom and I also spend a lot of time checking (in)courage… this marriage of the two will be great! Congrats Ladies… I can not wait for the next read!
amy says
I am really looking forward to this!!!
Living the Balanced Life says
Very cool! I could do an online book club! Would not require leaving the house! Can’t wait!
Bernice
How does your faith affect your ability to cope?
Maytina says
I am so excited for this!! I love this site and am really looking forward to this book club!
Matthew Paul Turner says
This is awesome! It’s like watching Oprah and Gayle… except you’re not camping in the Rocky Mountains or trekking across country in a Toyota… and there’s no weird 80s songs being sung…
And neither of you mentioned being at John Travolta’s 50th birthday part…
(PS: You two are awesome!)
Karen says
Loved your video..had me laughing and feeling like I was in the room with you! Recently moved to a new area and I’m lonely. I’m excited to make some friends online thru this book club! Can’t wait until monday!
April says
can’t wait to be a part of this and I am so excited to hear the book we are reading first!!!!
kendal says
exciting! i love books. i love book clubs!
Patricia says
Fabulous!! You 2 are adorable & put a big smile on my face! Can’t wait to hear what the book is & so excited for this merge! Loved what you said, Jess, “Bloom (in)courage”…read Bloom as a verb & it takes on a wonderful meaning!
Caroline@CarolineCollie says
This sounds awesome! I’m looking forward to it and hoping I can get my hands on the book in my neck of the woods!
Stephanie says
I’m so excited! Can’t wait to find out what the new book is!
Andrea @ Savings Lifestyle says
OK, you two are having WAY too much fun!! Can’t wait to see what the next book will be! The few Bloom book selections I read in 2010 were amazing and I have been sharing the titles with many friends!
Courtney says
Can’t wait to see what the first book will be! 🙂
Dawn says
I’m (In)! Get it? =)
I’m seriously so excited. Your video made me giggle right along with you. It doesn’t get much better than giggling with girlfriends and it’s so cool to see your friendship.
See you Monday!
p.s. Angie, I just found out that you’re going to be at Women of Faith in Mpls/St. Paul and I am SO EXCITED!!! I just read your book and loved it.
Jennifer says
Oh my goodness. I ♥ you two already! I love your happiness and joy and excitement about your faith and your new book. I can’t wait to participate in your club.
Tiffany says
I am so excited! You ladies pick out some amazing books. Love Incourage and Love Bloom. Blessings!
Gussy says
yay — can’t wait to be a part of this! :]
gitz says
I might like you girls a little. Just sayin.
Patricia says
You too are a hoot! Loved you both from the beginning, the middle and to the very end! Can’t wait to hear the announcement of the book…But I will be away in beautiful Punta Cana. Leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Won’t be back til the 18th!! I’ll check with you all then. Congratulations on joining (in)courage with BLOOM…I’m so excited for the two of you and all of us as this gets started. Well not started exactly, but as it BLOOMS that much more~! ps. can I take a guess at the book you’ve chosen???It’s not A Lineage of Grace is it?
Blessings you too!! 🙂 Also wanted to mention that you girls are the cutest and those smiles of your could bring sunshine on the rainiest of days!! Woot, woot!
Jenifer Parris says
Ha!!! Angie and Jessica you crack me up!!!!!!!!!!! And I can’t even laugh OUT LOUD because everyone in my house is taking a nap at the same time! Can I get a WOOHOO for little ones that have the same nap time on occasion!!! Can’t wait to see which book you’ve chosen!
Glad you I got to “see” you and sorry you didn’t get to “see” me!! =)
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations says
Can’t wait! How exciting for you gals to be merging with In(courage) on this!
Wooo hooo!
Love,
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
Becky Roode says
Yea! SO excited! This will be a great community for discussion and encouragement. Can’t wait to find out the first book selection next week! 🙂
Melissa says
so cute!
this reminds me of when i gathered all my girlfriends, started a book club and never read the book! everyone showed up to my house so i could get the cliff notes version from their perspective. ma bad! needless to say, i closed the chapter on the book club and started a cooking club….that one lasted MUCH longer!
look forward to it!
Britt @ TheMamaZine says
So looking forward to this! Sharing christian reads with an amazing community of women sounds wonderful!
Mela Kamin says
Can’t wait – LOVE to read and haven’t been in a book club in many, many years. I’m certain it will add a very important dimension to my reading & growth. Thanks for committing to encouraging others in their faith using your passions and gifts! Blessings!
Dawn Camp says
I left a comment this morning, but apparently my iPad ate it. Y’all are just so stinkin’ cute, you made my day (besides the fact that the hubby got snowed in from work with us).
I’m looking forward to this!
Holley Gerth says
I’m so incredibly excited about this and can’t wait to get started! WOO-HOO and lots of love to all of you!!
Maria Graves says
Very exciting! This means you want me to join our book club and you haven’t even met me! Yes! I tried joining a book club at the local library (they actually had two book clubs), partly because I love to read but also because I am lonely in my town and wanted to meet new people. I left my information at the library and then received a voicemail days later telling me their book clubs were closed to new members. Hooray, Jesus always makes a way!
idelette says
I really look forward to seeing the book you choose. Sounds like a wonderful journey ahead.
Chantal says
Finally, a book club on incourage!!! Yeah!!!! Can’t wait to hear what the first book is. I’ve been a book lover for like, forever, at least since age 5, and I’m early thirties.
Amy Sullivan says
Super fun idea! I can’t wait to hear what book you choose.
desiree says
I am glad you guys merged it with (in)courage. I read the first couple at bloom & had a lot of fun.
Reese says
Hang on to your hats folks, this is gonna be fun. 🙂
love Bloom; love (in) Courage. love the marriage. Brilliant.
Kari says
this sounds great. I’ve never joined a book club and so this will be my first – and it’s online!!
look forward to monday (well that will be my Tuesady) when we you announce the book.
p.s. it was nice to see you both!!
Ligia says
WOW! I’m so excited, I can hardly wait! And for some reason I hope and pray at some point you will pick up Ann Voskapms “One Hundred Gifts”, it’s the next must-read on my list!
Laura says
Without knowing it, this is exactly what I have been looking for! Yay!!!!!!
Bindu says
so excited…can’t wait to see what book you choose
Janis@Open My Ears Lord says
Oh! It sounds wonderful! And I agree with Ann V. You two make us laugh. I would love to join along. I’m a lover of books and women in community growing in God. But I feel my life is sooooo full. I need to take this to prayer and see what the Lord would have me do.
How do you ladies find the time to do all the creative, talented, wonderful things you do?
I’m overwhelmed~and old, too.
With much love and excitement,
Janis
Cathie says
I LOVE to read and can’t wait to find out what book it is. It will be fun to be in a book club, I’ve never done that before!
Anna says
Hi,
I just loved the video. You both made me feel so welcome…thank you! This is a first for me, but I want to give it a try. Can’t wait to see what’s in store and the positive changes to come. SO VERY EXCITED 🙂
Many Blessings,
Anna 🙂
michelle says
I have been involved w/ Bloom for quite some time and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every book and discussion. Can’t wait for the new title. Am eager to start up again! Thanks ladies for all you do and who you are!
Kate {The Parchment Girl} says
I am totally excited about this new (in)courage Bloom! I’ve been following you ladies for a while and can’t wait to hear about your next selection!
Faith Barista Bonnie says
AAH! You girls are so hilarious! Books, faith, and smiles… I can’t wait. Sounds like slice of heaven – … what a cliff-hanger… what is that book?! 🙂
Nannette says
I am so glad to have found you! I came thru a link @ A Holy Experience and this really sounds like a fun new challenge for me! Thank you!
Sarah Mae says
Can’t wait to hear what it is! Thank you so much for leading this!
Sarah Mae says
P.S. Angie, are you Natalie Portman’s sister? You look just like her!
JWebb says
Love this! Really looking forward to hearing about the first book!
Nicole says
I love {In}Courage and I love books! I am excited to be a part of this and share in fellowship! Can’t wait to hear more. Will you be sharing on Monday how and where to go for the community sharing?
Blessings,
Cole
Erin says
So happy to be a part of this community. I can’t wait to see what book you picked!
tarena says
Can’t wait to hear what the book is!!!!! SO excited!
Jennifer says
I’m so excited that I found this through Jessica’s blog, which I also just found! I have been looking for a community of Christian women and it just doesn’t seem to be happening for me IRL. I can’t wait!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
I loved this video. Though I’m part of the (in)courage community, I don’t know many of the other contributors. It was great to meet you. 🙂 (And who doesn’t love book club! Awesome idea!)
Caroline says
I’m late joining the party, but I love books, love book clubs, and sure am thankful for all you all do here on (in)courage. I’m looking forward to this book club! Thank you for offering it!
Jennifer says
I’m so excited! I love books, especially the smell of a brand new one! ahhh can’t wait!
So Very Domestic says
[…] Morning Girls Bible study of the book of James and it’s also the day the first book for the Bloom / (In)Courage book club is announced. No lie, I will be picking up (or ordering) that book as soon as I know what […]
Emily says
Sooo Excited!!
Dianna says
This will be my first book club and I am so excited.
Marilyn says
Great book
Rhonda says
We were sitting around with some close friends and my girlfriend (the wife) asked me “Have you read….(whatever it was)?” My hubby jumped in and said, ” She doesn’t read.”
(Never mind that I homeschool our 3rd grade son, requiring hours of reading, research and curriculum prep, and we read chapters out of our family read-aloud books every night, and I am in a weekly Ladies’ Bible study, requiring reading.) Nonetheless, it really struck me. I thought about that comment over and over. It didn’t dawn on me to find a book club at the time, but when I “stumbled” ; ) upon yours, it was a V-8 moment!!! So I called the nearest Christian bookstore in a nearby town we visit weekly for music lessons, and LO AND BEHOLD, they had a copy!!! So I bought it. ANd I’m gonna read it. And do all the fun stuff with you guys. I tried to lure in a couple of girlfriends. I’ll let the Holy Spirit handle it from here.
MelissaG says
I’m really happy that this is going to be here and not on Facebook….if I’m not mistaken, that was the direction it was going to go last time I checked. I’m not on FB anymore (time waster for me) so I was thinking I couldn’t participate. So, thanks for this!!
Bonnie Buckingham says
Will check. I’m devouring the book this weekend as it stirs my heart and soul.
Gretchen Wright says
Hi!
I’m very excited too and think (if I’ve guessed correctly…) that I’ve already ordered the book you’ve selected and it will be arriving in my mailbox on Monday! If not, what a super opportunity to snag another new book! Also my first book club, online or otherwise! Thanks so much for this opportunity and for the community!
Becky Buriok says
I am so excited to do this. My sis told me about this and has jumped in. I am part of a real life book club but we only meet once every two or so months. Talking about a chapter a week will be fantastic.
shelly geyer says
I would love to join this book club…what do I need to do? Thanks!
Melissa Lincicum says
I am so excited to find this book club! I was part of another one that sort of fell by the wayside. My pastor’s wife just gave me a copy of One Thousand Gifts and sent me this link. I watched the chapter 1 video and loved it! Thank you ladies for sharing!!!
Paige says
I did the book with you guys and Ann-loved it! Do I need to do anything different?