Ashlee Gadd’s You’re in Good Company is one of those rare books that gives you time to take a deep breath and realize what it means to be a creative woman living in the tension of these times and that creativity is a God-given gift woven into our being.

Gadd’s collection of stories reminds us that creativity isn’t confined to art studios or writing retreats; it’s in the midst of parenting, the dusty corners of our homes, and the age-old art of making nothing into something. The stories share that there is a creative spark in all its forms, from painting to pottery to simply being attentive to a friend’s needs.

Wanting to be creative while juggling the demands of real life is a struggle we all experience. Something that eases that struggle, however, is in the power of community. The stories of these women’s communities give us hope that it is in community rather than isolation that we can flourish creatively. Each of the women’s stories also includes a recipe that became part of their gatherings and led to forming a new friendship or recementing an old one.

These gatherings bring memories of similar times in my own life. One in particular was having a big lunch after church at my mother’s house. All the local family would make their way over for “lunch” at grandma’s house. We’d sit around the table, in community, and share anything and everything, including “a nice piece of cake” as Mom liked to say.

This book offers ideas on how to use your creativity to bolster community among your own circle of friends or, indeed, how to create new “circles” for those who are looking for a friend.

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.