The topic (watching our speech carefully) is one that each of us needs wisdom on, and I really appreciated Ehman's humor and transparency throughout the book. She told a few stories of instances where she was hurt by someone else's careless words, but mostly she shared experiences of her own failings. It was very refreshing to hear someone speak humbly in a Christian book.

I did feel that it could have been pared down just a teensy bit, and she quotes a LOT of scripture. I hate to write that as if it's a negative, but sometimes the verses she quoted were so similar (lots from Proverbs) that it seemed a little choppy, and I think certain points could have been better driven home by sticking just to one or two main verses per chapter/topic.

Overall, though, it was a good book containing lots of wise words and practical, helpful advice! ( )

I purchased this book from Amazon to #buddyread with Kayla. All opinions are my own. Kayla and I met through #modernmrsdarcy Bookclub. We discussed doing a bible study together and we decided on Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Let me just say this book couldn't have been presented at a better time and place than now. With all the inside struggles of a family when a parent becomes sick and other daily issues that normally seem minimal, tempers flare and words get said that you can't take back. Remember just because it's how you feel doesn't mean this is the time to say so. Everyone wants to help and being the loudest doesn't always work. Sometimes it's not what you say it's how you say it and when you say it that works for the best. Lehman walks through using words to wrap people in love even when telling them what they don't want to hear works better than being angry or spouting it out loud in person or online all while tying it with scripture and helping you ask for help from the right person to get the words right in your heart before they spew from your mouth. She even uses examples from her personal conversations to set the tone of the chapter. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Go Read, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com ( )