On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself

by Melanie Shankle

Big Mama blog founder and New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle helps us sort through our questions about being true to ourselves in a world gone crazy and what matters the most in the end.

These days, so many voices tell us what to do, what to think, and what kind of parent or friend or spouse to be that it's easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. Somewhere in the midst of online arguments and crazy politics and the ups and downs of life, we've lost sight of the gifts that are all around us: kindness, love, mercy, and joy.

In On the Bright Side, Melanie Shankle reminds us of the unchanging principles we can count on in a changing world. These are lessons that Melanie has learned along the way about how to find all the joy that life has to offer - and why encouragement is never something to keep to ourselves. Exploring topics such as dealing with comparisons, when life doesn't turn out like we expected, and how to find your people, Melanie invites us to lead with love in all areas of our lives.

This delightful memoir highlights the joys of life told in Melanie's down to earth, relatable, and totally enjoyable style. On the Bright Side is a how-to guide to knowing - and living - what matters most.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Christian, Audiobook, Humor, Christian Living, Faith

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2020

About the author

Melanie Shankle is a graduate of Texas A&M and lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, Perry, and daughter, Caroline. Melanie began blogging in July 2006 when she started her blog, Big Mama. She’s also a regular contributor to The Pioneer Woman blog. Her first book, Sparkly Green Earrings, came out in February 2013 and debuted on the New York Times Bestseller list. Her second book, The Antelope in the Living Room, was released on February 4, 2014 and also hit the New York Times list.

Reviews

[Rebecca Speight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read anything Melanie Shankle writes - it’s never heavy, will make me laugh out loud at some point, and always teaches me something. In this weird time we are living in, taking a moment to reflect on the bright side of ‘shelter in place’ is a good reminder that God is ever faithful and always present.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s the thing, I really enjoy this authors voice and I very much enjoy her books and humor BUT she regurgitates many of her stories. So if you’ve read one book you’ve basically read 3/4 of them all with a little new info thrown in. Maybe if I hadn’t listened to them back to back and instead spread them out over a few years I wouldn’t have noticed this - but since I didn’t do that it was very apparent. I’ll probably skip any more of her books for now and go back later to finish when the information isn’t as fresh in my mind.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that quotes the Scriptures, C.S. Lewis, and Dr. Seuss? An author who makes you laugh and cry, think and sigh? That’s my kind of book! On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle offers anecdotes and thoughts on a variety of relatable topics ranging from friendship, faith, and family to beauty, aging, and being brave. She is faithful, forthcoming, and funny! While many people have “lost the art of looking on the bright side”, Melanie helps us do just that. Even though I am retired and an empty-nester, my soccer mom days a distant memory, her words still resonated with me. For example, she shares her feelings about her teenage daughter growing up and muses: “The worst thing kids do is grow up, turn into lovely people you genuinely adore, and then move out of your house.” Oh, how I could relate! At the end of each chapter, she offers an “on the bright side” reflection, because “We will love better, live richer, and laugh more when we live on the bright side.” This book is a delightful read that feels more like a conversation with a kind friend, one who knows that life has both ups and downs, but “the bright side is that you have a God who is always working for your good, even in the hardest of times.” I highly recommend this book!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this coming-soon book in two days, two rainy days to be exact. Honestly, I’m over this wet winter we’ve had. The dreary, short days leave me longing for the next season. I find myself doing that with life sometimes too.

But Melanie Shankle's new book is a breath of fresh, bright air. She’s real and funny while writing about the ordinary and important stuff that make up our lives. This book reminded me of the bright side of parenting, friendship, pain, marriage, faith, fear, and bravery.

“Our whole lives are journeys with beginnings, middles, and ends. We worry about whatever the next stage of life is that feels too uncertain, because it’s in those middle places that we often experience the heartbreak and hard times of life. But if we are willing to stop and look, it’s in those same middle places that we will see God for who he really is, because we finally have to admit that we didn’t know as much as we thought we did.”

The sunshine came out the other day and gave me a renewed perspective of God’s faithfulness. That’s exactly what this book did for my soul. I was left encouraged and ready to finish this season well before another one begins.

[Addie Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently pressing this book into the hands of everyone I know. Thank you, Melanie Shankle. I have picked up several nonfiction books in this same vein during our at home life and then put them down. On The Bright Side was exactly what I needed in terms of humor, faith and good life lessons. I needed to have this light hearted take on being positive and getting through rough times with grace so much. Go buy this now. You won't be sorry.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️— I don’t know if it’s because I read it at exactly the right time or because I listened to it on audio, but I think this is Melanie’s best work yet! I resonated with every single thing she says, even though we are in different life places. She’s hilarious and truthful, and that combination is a powerful thing.

[Teresa Staton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Shankle is one of my favorite writers- funny, encouraging and relatable. And out of the five books I’ve read of hers, this one may be my favorite. Whatever she writes, I will be there to read it because she doesn’t disappoint.

[Wynne Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in almost one setting. I laughed and cried along with melanie's relatable stories. it honestly was the perfect book for my current season - I felt so seen!!!! maybe i'm just tender, but gosh I loved this so much.

[Megan Helmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve read all of her books and this might be my new favorite.

[Crystal Lawrence Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was the exact right balance between laughter and light heartedness and practical life wisdom that I needed. I love her sense of humor! Sometimes you just need to laugh out loud.

[Joy]

This book is subtitled “stories about friendship, love, and being true to yourself.” It is actually stories for *married moms* about friendship, love, and being true to yourself. If I had realized that, I wouldn’t have started reading this book.
The book is read by the author at a speed that is about twice as fast as it should be. She does not stop at most of the periods. This made it feel like she was vomiting the book content on top of me.
I had to stop.

[Christa Joy Kirtland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman can bring me to momentary tears and have me laughing at any given moment. Love her real, raw, simple way of looking at marriage, parenting, friendship, and simply the reality of life being hard, but finding beauty in it. I listened to the audio, but I sure wish I had written copies of some of these chapters. Contains gems of wisdom.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her review, my best friend wrote that Melanie Shankle has the unique gifting of making her laugh on one page and tear up on the next... and I must say, I completely agree! This book was a delight and very entertaining with nuggets of godly wisdom peppered throughout.

[Geales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and heartwarming short stories—part of the five stars might be because Melanie reads the audiobook herself and is hilarious.

[Sydney Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. Hilarious. True.

[Kayla Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to Melanie Shankle on The Big Boo Cast podcast, but this was her first book I have read. I thought it was such an encouraging read! I love Melanie’s sense of humor and appreciate how she highlights the value and meaning in ordinary, everyday life through her stories and perspective. I feel like I will read this book again whenever I need a pick-me-up or need to be reminded that right where I am is right where I should be.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few laughs and a few nuggets of truth and wisdom. I was hoping for something more and new from this author.

[Anna Caranci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud throughout the whole thing! Totally relatable writing. A light and airy but meaningful read. I enjoyed this immensely.

[Kim Sutphen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Even though I’m several years older it was a bit nostalgic for me as she recalled popular things from her childhood. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.

[Sherrie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie is one of my favorite authors and not just because she lives in San Antonio Texas. She is from my same decade and the way she can tell a story is with memories from the good old days has me laughing throughout the book. I also love how she can take bible stories and apply them to life. She truly has a gift!!!

[Andrea Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it, as I have all her books. Just feels like I’m chatting with a friend. I’ll say I did read this at the perfect time. It was the perfect dose of encouragement during this season of Coronavirus. I’ve given most of her books as gifts to my friends. I think I’ll be sending this one out as gifts as well.

[Jillian Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was sweet and encouraging. Nothing revolutionary but it was nice to listen (free on Scribd!) to something lighthearted yet still meaningful.

[Paige Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Shankle feels like your best friend and big sister and mom and little voice inside of your head who just GETS you. I've read lots of her other books, which are a mixture of autobiography, Christian self-help, anecdotal motivation, and humor, and I've never been disappointed by one.

This one's topic is the importance of focusing on the "bright side" of so many different situations, and it could not have been more timely to read than in this moment of life. It doesn't feel like a lot of good is going on in the world right now, but Melanie reminds us--through stories of canine poop explosion, microneedling your face, retro fashion styles, parenting a teenager, and more--that there is always a bright side to see when you focus on the positive things and lessons from the Lord.

It's a quick read and one that will leave you laughing, nodding your head, and wanting to underline the million truth nuggets throughout. I can't recommend all her books enough!

[Carole Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I liked in this book: the author reads the book and I enjoy her voice. She has a good sense of humor. She seems authentic. I liked hearing her talk about her marriage, daughter, and girlfriends.

What did not resonate with me were the frequent scripture quotes and references to God's Plan for each of us. I am not a believer. I recognize that many people do believe and feel better for that. It's just not for me. Had I known there was so much of that stuff in the book, I wouldn't have picked it up. But I persevered to the end and enjoyed the non-religious parts.

[Julie Manthey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of fun stories here about finding happiness in daily life. I wasn't expecting to find so many religious references, however, so that might be a surprise to other readers as it's not obvious based on the book cover itself. If you are looking for stories the focus on the bright side, then this is an uplifting book to add to your reading list.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Melanie Shankle (and, if I’m being honest, often refer to her as “my friend, Mel” even though we’ve never met). I’ve read all her books, am an avid listener of her podcast, and buy many of the products she recommends. She is real and honest and relatable. And, because we are the same age, her reflections on the 80’s are spot on and always make me laugh.

My only “complaint” (more of an observation, I guess) is that, because I listen to her podcast, I’d already heard a lot of the stories in this new book.

On the bright side, the book came out right in the middle of an unexpected week of doctor-prescribed bed rest so I was able to enjoy it immediately.

[Karen Kimbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book as the pandemic began. It was perfect timing. The book started our sweet and very positive. One night I was reading in bed and my husband was trying to sleep. I was laughing out loud and I had to cover my mouth as I read the chapter on marriage. I’m an only child so I cherish my friendships-all of them! Childhood, college, young married life and now! Do not put this book in any category. It’s encouraging, funny, gives great beauty tips and much more.

[Sarah Worley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️- (*reread*) I last read this in Apr 2020, and it’s funny how it ministered to me in different ways this time around, but nonetheless poignant. You can’t help but love Melanie Shankle— she’s a hoot!

[Jessica Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, quick, easy read. A great little palette cleanser between heavier books.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Those who fail to plan often find themselves binge watching Netflix” so plan to “gather ‘round the campfire known as Insta stories” for Melanie Shankle's Girl, You Ain’t That Great (retitled On the Bright Side for publicity purposes)! This could get wild, so grab your Bible for protection (because “serial killers don’t carry Bibles”), marshmallows for smores or an English muffin for sustenance (because “generally speaking, English muffins don’t just disappear unless the rapture happened and said muffin believed in Jesus”), and sweatpants (because “sweatpants are like a hug for your legs, and I think we could all use a good hug right now in light of the fact that we are living in a time when it seems as if the whole world has lost its mind...Plus, sweatpants pair nicely with Netflix and a glass of wine.” What more could you ask for in the day of quarantine and social distancing?!!

“The only place I really like to be is in the center of my couch.” But then came COVID, the dirty, wet, smelly cat that leapt out of nowhere onto our global couch… “and none of us are immune to those moments, no matter our spiritual depth, socioeconomic status, or family situation…COVID-19 is like the universe is putting the world on time out to think about our actions. But God is a God of cleaning up messes, both the ones we make with our own two hands and the ones that are the dirty, wet, smelly cats that get dropped into our lives.”

“We have become a culture that binges on fear-based click bait....What we do with our fear reveals what we really believe...We will never really know ourselves or our God until we have been tested by adversity and hard times...Just because there are times when nothing works the way we thought it would doesn’t mean God isn’t working all those things together for our ultimate good.” What matters isn’t what we said or did; it’s how we loved and lived. “We aren’t defined by our last bad decision; we are defined by the decision we make next...The key to fighting for who and what you were created to be is remembering that the outcome isn’t ultimately up to you...It’s in the pouring out of ourselves...that we alternately find who we were created to be.”

Many people believe in God, but “you have to have a relationship with God to be able to trust him...Ultimately, faith is believing that God always does what he says he will do, but realizing that rarely ever looks the way we thought it would. Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God. ‘Be still’ doesn’t mean be quiet...It means let go...Everything we put our faith in which is not God has to be burned to the ground in order for something new to grow.” Shankle reminds us of God’s people in Israel. “In the midst of what had to be the scariest time of uncertainty they had ever faced...they trusted God and packed the tambourines.” I have to believe their soundtrack was DJ Snake and Bipolar Sunshine’s The Middle!