STILL LOLO

I still vividly remember the news story from December 3, 2011: Lauren Scruggs had just landed with a girlfriend after viewing Christmas lights from above in a small prop plane piloted by a family friend. The young communications graduate, who had started a fashion website called Lolo and had worked in the wardrobe department of the TV show "Gossip Girl," is thought to have turned to say a final goodbye to the pilot when the horrible accident occurred. The 23-year-old fashion blogger and model, “Lo”, as her family and friends affectionately call her, was hit by a still-spinning airplane propeller. She was rushed to a hospital where she underwent a series of emergency operations. She lost her left hand and left eye. Far from dwelling on the horror of this face-changing accident, she writes about its life-changing spiritual implications. "I have kind of gained a new perspective of life," she told a recent interviewer, "and I feel like I need to use my message of hope and healing to help others, and inspire others, just like people have inspired me."

As a model and fashion blogger, Lauren Scruggs built a life and career that prioritized beauty and physical appearances. She had interviewed tons of gorgeous celebrities and traveled to Paris, Montreal, and New York to report on Fashion Week. But far from wallowing in self-pity, “Lolo” now sees God’s beautiful plan in her life. The accident has transformed the way Lauren sees herself and her God-given mission in life. She realizes that there are more important things in her life than the way she looks.

The Scruggs Family

Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family's Journey of Hope is a story that spins out of human control but not beyond the control of God. In this memoir, “Lolo” and the Scruggs family with Marcus Brotherton, embark on a journey of fear, anger, despair, hope and beauty as they shift gear to and fro.

The book, all of thirty-two chapters, is a well-written 272-page book, with contributions from Lauren’s mother Cheryl, father Jeff and sister Brittany. It begins with fear An Unmistakable Premonition and ends with praise Giving Thanks. Lauren's courage and insight shines through out in her memoir. Each family member shared their own take of the night's events and how hope triumphed. The book and the story of the Scruggs family, most importantly that of Lauren Scruggs, is a clear demonstration that even when we despair and find ourselves helpless God is not helpless even among the ruins of life.

This is a must-read book for all - to find hope and succor in troubled times and to continue to be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness even during the good times.

If I were to rate this book on a scale of 1-5, I would give it 5+

BOOK DETAILS:

Lauren doing "push up"

Publisher/Distributor: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: November 15, 2012
Category: Biography/Autobiography
ISBN: 978-1-4143-7669-1
Pages: 272
Binding: Hardcover
Price: $24.99

Check out the book at Tyndale

Read the First Chapter here

Lauren Scruggs

About the Author: Lauren Scruggs is a fashion journalist and the founder and editor-in-chief of LOLO Magazine, an online lifestyle experience magazine that integrates coverage of the food, fashion, beauty, health, and travel industries. She has served as a contributing editor at MyItThings.com, SMUStyle, and PR Couture. A 2009 Dallas Baptist University graduate, Lauren has worked in the Michael Kors showroom and reported from New York, Paris, and Montreal Fashion Weeks. She was an intern in the fashion department of the television series Gossip Girl. See her magazine

Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs are authors, speakers, and counselors. Their writings include the widely used book I Do Again and are the founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries in Dallas. See their website Brittany (Scruggs) Morgan is Lauren’s fraternal twin. She works in accounting for a commercial insurance company and is married to her best friend, Shaun.

Marcus Brotherton is a journalist and professional writer known for his literary collaborations with high-profile public figures, humanitarians, inspirational leaders, and military personnel. He has authored or coauthored more than 25 books, including the New York Times best-seller We Who Are Alive and Remain, with 20 of the last surviving Band of Brothers. See his website

Disclaimer: This book was obtained through the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.