Here’s the thing about gratitude: It’s a catch-all feel-good. When you thank someone for something you appreciate, you both feel better. A little while back, when I was having a harried day and had to run to the pharmacy for another sick child, I ran into an elderly man that I recognized from my college days. I said hello to him, but for some reason I felt a flood of gratitude when I got back in my van as I realized what an important role he had played in my life. (He was my mission-prep teacher at BYU, plus the Stake president that set me apart for my mission.) I went home and wrote him a thank-you letter to tell him how much I appreciated all he had done during a very developmental time in my life and in my testimony. I can’t tell you how good it made me feel to write that. I just mulled over and over the blessings that the Lord has given me. I really have no idea how he felt when he got it, but I’m sure he’s been secretly trying to hunt me down since then to thank me profusely for my life-changing note. Or something. Anyway, thank-you notes rock.
Beloved blog friend Melanie Jacobson just published her second novel, Not My Type. In her own words, the genre is “LDS chick lit,” so it’s full of romantic tension, characters that are both hip and righteous, and very fun, sassy banter in the dialogue. The cool thing about the book is how the theme of gratitude is woven throughout the main character’s conflict resolution. Pepper Spicer (cute name, huh?) is extremely discouraged about her young adult life– embarrassing romantic failure, living with her parents, working at a sandwich shop instead of living out her career dreams — in short, not at all what she’d wished for. Her current circumstances leave her flitting between depression and bitterness. Her wise father challenges her to take some steps toward a happier life, and a key element of his advice is writing thank-you notes. She scoffs at the naivete of his solution, but agrees to give it a shot. It’s fun to see how her life changes as she learns to embrace the good in her past and her present. And since it’s LDS chick lit, of course this solution also involves a handsome, witty man. So if you’re looking for a fun read that lets you relive the exciting upheaval of your young adult dating years (without the terrible accompanying emotional pain), you need to get a copy of Not My Type for yourself.
Can I help you out a little with that? On Saturday, September 22nd at the Barnes & Noble in Murray, Utah, Melanie is having a book release party along with several other talented authors. More info below*. Anyway, I’m going to go. And I’m going to buy one of you a copy of her book. Here’s the catch. You have to write a thank you note to someone. Go do it right now. It can be an email or snail mail– I’m not picky. It does, however, have to be sincere; maybe think of someone who could really benefit from your gratitude. When you’re done, come back here and report in the comments. Anyone who does so will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Not My Type, which I will purchase and get Melanie her majesty to sign in person, with a love note to you.
In case you have no desire to thank any one at all, or if you just want to double your chances, I think there are repeated giveaways going on here, too. Or you could come to the book release and buy your own. Or, of course, you can just buy one here or here or even on Kindle here. 🙂
“My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love. . . . We often take for granted the very people who most deserve our gratitude. Let us not wait until it is too late for us to express that gratitude.” — Thomas S. Monson
See that, Melanie? You and President Monson were in the same post! It’s like vicariously participating in General Conference Book Club. *wink*
Okay, everyone, as you were. After you write a thank-you note or buy a book. Okay, I’m done.
* Thursday, September 22 · 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Barnes & Noble: 5300 South State Street, Murray, Utah; participating authors: Sarah M. Eden, Melanie Bennett Jacobson, Josi S. Kilpack
Diapers and Divinity 
I just finished reading this and loved it! I will be reviewing it myself soon. I have author envy for Melanie’s talent.
I wasn’t sure what to think about Pepper not attending all of her Sunday meetings, though. Maybe it was a symptom of the funk she was in after her engagement breakup. Jacobson doesn’t explicitly note this, but it would make sense. Lots of people start to neglect basic commandments when they are depressed.
Oh, my gosh. I love you right now. You just blew my mind!
And yes, Becky, it’s definitely a symptom of the funk. That’s why as she starts to come out of it, she decides to go to all of her meetings and remembers how much she enjoyed that. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!
Well, I sent a few email thank you’s today before I read this, does that count?
I sent two thank you’s to some women who I think, needed them . Thank you for this amazing idea, and I really would love to win this book!!
Sent a thank you note to my kids former teacher. She was amazing at what she did and I am glad she knows how much we appreciate all she has done for our kids 🙂 !!
This book sounds fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Love the review, Steph! Especially the “(without the terrible accompanying emotional pain)” Seriously, THAT is perfect romance. 🙂 I can’t wait to win Melanie’s book! And then to read it!! 🙂
Duh, I forgot to mention that I wrote a thank you email to a former roomate yesterday and plan to write another today. Thinking about my single life has made me very aware of the good people I had around me and the influence they have had on my life. So thankful for them and their love and support.
First of all, wow, she is publishing books left and right. Go Melanie.
Also, the craziness is almost tangible, before I read your post this morning, I left a note on the front window of my husband’s car telling him how grateful I am for all he does. I just felt like that would make him feel good, and guess what, it sure did. Thank you notes do rock.
I taught the lesson in relief society on Sunday and a woman came up to me after and wanted to talk about it some more (it was on the law of chastity). I wrote her a thank you to thank her for her comments to me after that made me feel like I did the lesson the way it needed to be done. I love thank you notes!
I send thank you notes all the time, I love them. Somehow when I turn my heart over to gratitude life just gets better. I’ve also found that if I can be grateful for or to a person my love for them increases.
I just sent a thank you note to someone who gave me a hand when I needed it this Sunday. Thanks for being the catalyst!
I sent a thank you note to the sweet girl that organized my class reunion. She didn’t have to do that, yet, she did so we could all get together and have a good time.
I sent a thank you card to someone who I have not always enjoyed being around, because of rude actions and remarks, but decided a thank you note is a great way to forgive and move on. In the note I listed all the admiral qualities that she has. Praying for her has helped ease the hurt as well. So the thank you note did double duty and my heart is doubly happy 😉 ya for thank you and move along notes.
you are awesome Stephanie and thank you for all your awesome bloginess and reminding us of all the great general conference talks. ya for steph (my awesome cousin might I add) coolness runs in the family 🙂 love ya girl! Tonya
It is so wonderful to express gratitude. Thank you notes are GREAT for the sender and the receiver.
I recently had a friend say she had read something were someone had written, “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday”. Made me stop and think more about gratitude.
I sent a thank you to my sister. She struggles with her self esteem and needs all of the positive re-enforcement she can get. :o) Quick story–My son (now a missionary) gave each of his professors at college a thank you note at the end of each term. Some of them were quite touched by it. The professor that seemed most touched by it was the one my son least liked as a teacher. I teared up hearing some of the stories from him. I was quite proud of him.
I would love to win this book. What a wonderful message to remember to be grateful.
I have the privilege of expressing my gratitude daily to 2 of my children as they do over-time in helping with the three special needs children we adopted a couple years ago! I would love to win the book. I have the opportunity to read at work and go through about 3 books a week…I’d love to read this one!
Found your blog through Chocolate on my Cranium. Um, I like you. And I love a good chick flick book! I wrote a thank you note to a high school friend yesterday for the great memories created at her wedding last year. Does that count??
I wrote a thank you note to my son’s teacher, and I even blogged about it today because I love her so much. And Not My Type was such a fun book! I (again) wish I lived closer so I could go to the book signing.