Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Story of a young woman who works with the elderly. She has a “gift” of drawing out Alzheimer’s patients, but the story is more about her childhood. Somewhat Erin Brockovich in nature with a big pharmaceutical company causing harm to unsuspecting children. I actually got a little verklempt toward the end.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All through this book, I was interested in the life of Treha. I wanted to know what made her like she was, what was in her past. She was such a unique character, one I had never read before, or any like it. I was intrigued. The first two thirds of the book were great. But then the book ended.
We find out why Treha has her disorder, but not why she has her gift. We learn of her past, but it doesn't effect her future. The scenario with her mother just disappointed me. And have I mentioned Devin? We don't learn how popular his documentary was, or if he made more. The banker we had wanted to grovel at his feet was never brought back up. There was just no real end to his part of the story.
I feel like this book could have been great. Perhaps if there is a second book, one that answers all the questions left in this one, than I would love them both. But I have seen no mention of a sequel.
I received a review copy from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
To see what books I back, go to my blog at http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/
We find out why Treha has her disorder, but not why she has her gift. We learn of her past, but it doesn't effect her future. The scenario with her mother just disappointed me. And have I mentioned Devin? We don't learn how popular his documentary was, or if he made more. The banker we had wanted to grovel at his feet was never brought back up. There was just no real end to his part of the story.
I feel like this book could have been great. Perhaps if there is a second book, one that answers all the questions left in this one, than I would love them both. But I have seen no mention of a sequel.
I received a review copy from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
To see what books I back, go to my blog at http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/
The cover blurb refers to this as "an uplifting, human tale" and so it is. The characters all seemed familiar - they resembled the ordinary people we all live with, each one with little quirks and longings and loves. The author presents them all graciously and respectfully, even when they might not be the nicest people around. The only real antagonist in the story is the stock in trade big bad chemical company. The book challenges the reader not so much with intriguing ideas but with people doing things with genuine compassion and sincere respect toward others.
My Thoughts:
I was so excited to see another work by Chris Fabry. I have loved his other books - Dogwood, June Bug, Not in the Heart and Almost Heaven as well as his joint venture with Gary Chapman - A Marriage Carol. Although I was never captivated by Every Waking Moment like I was his other books, I pushed through to the end and there were points that I felt his writing style was more similar to his earlier works.
After completing Every Waking Moment, I wondered what had been different with this story and found what I think is the answer in this Author Q&A document. I wish I had read this prior to reading the book because it would have given me a point of reference for Fabry's viewpoint.
I was so excited to see another work by Chris Fabry. I have loved his other books - Dogwood, June Bug, Not in the Heart and Almost Heaven as well as his joint venture with Gary Chapman - A Marriage Carol. Although I was never captivated by Every Waking Moment like I was his other books, I pushed through to the end and there were points that I felt his writing style was more similar to his earlier works.
After completing Every Waking Moment, I wondered what had been different with this story and found what I think is the answer in this Author Q&A document. I wish I had read this prior to reading the book because it would have given me a point of reference for Fabry's viewpoint.
Dogwood I loved. I also liked JuneBug and Almost Heaven. Not in the Heart was pretty good too, so Chris Fabry is pretty trustworthy to me. I liked this novel. It was an interesting story, and I appreciated the overarching themes, but it just wasn't my favorite of his.
Chris Fabry consistently challenges me with his stories. His books are among the best, and most unique, I've read in the last several years, and while I don't consider his latest, Every Waking Moment, his best book, it was still a worthwhile read. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my review.) every waking moment
It's the story of a girl, Treha, who works in a nursing home and has an incredible gift of listening to the residents. So much so, that she often reaches them in ways no one else can or thinks possible. But her own life is a mystery. She has no memories of her childhood or her past. With the help of the nursing home's recently retired director, Miriam, and filmmaker Devin, who is capturing the residents' stories for a documentary, Treha begins to unlock her past.
One of my favorite things about how Fabry writes is that I'm never quite sure where he's going with the story or how he's going to get there. The ending is usually a surprise, something I feel like I should have guessed all along but couldn't see. It's a good thing because it keeps me invested in the story. This one was no different.
A quote on the back cover of the book is one of my favorite lines from the story: "Our stories intertwine in ways we can't know when we first hear them. And maybe the point of all this is that we'd do well to listen."
I'm a big fan of listening to other people's stories, especially those of the older generation, and I appreciate the emphasis on that in this book. But it's about so much more than that.
It's the story of a girl, Treha, who works in a nursing home and has an incredible gift of listening to the residents. So much so, that she often reaches them in ways no one else can or thinks possible. But her own life is a mystery. She has no memories of her childhood or her past. With the help of the nursing home's recently retired director, Miriam, and filmmaker Devin, who is capturing the residents' stories for a documentary, Treha begins to unlock her past.
One of my favorite things about how Fabry writes is that I'm never quite sure where he's going with the story or how he's going to get there. The ending is usually a surprise, something I feel like I should have guessed all along but couldn't see. It's a good thing because it keeps me invested in the story. This one was no different.
A quote on the back cover of the book is one of my favorite lines from the story: "Our stories intertwine in ways we can't know when we first hear them. And maybe the point of all this is that we'd do well to listen."
I'm a big fan of listening to other people's stories, especially those of the older generation, and I appreciate the emphasis on that in this book. But it's about so much more than that.
This book is a story of hope and courage in the midst of odd, sorrowful circumstances. It is a story of learning the truth about life and choosing how to respond to it. It is a story of forgiveness, compassion, and learning to accept and love others who – for whatever reason – we may not understand why they are the way they are or do the things they do or make the choices they make.
Merely an opinion, I felt the ending lacked substance and I personally didn't care for how it ended. But that's just me. I did, however, really enjoy Fabry's timely inserted, subltle opportunities for sharing the gospel with his readers and also how he is not shy about pointing out untruths told of scripture, an example being that nowhere in scripture does it say (although it is highly referred to as such) that God never gives us more than we can handle. The author's take on this phrase is very refreshing.
All in all, I would recommend Fabry's book for a good read if you want a serious book with some lighthearted moments filtered in.
Merely an opinion, I felt the ending lacked substance and I personally didn't care for how it ended. But that's just me. I did, however, really enjoy Fabry's timely inserted, subltle opportunities for sharing the gospel with his readers and also how he is not shy about pointing out untruths told of scripture, an example being that nowhere in scripture does it say (although it is highly referred to as such) that God never gives us more than we can handle. The author's take on this phrase is very refreshing.
All in all, I would recommend Fabry's book for a good read if you want a serious book with some lighthearted moments filtered in.
This book is a story of hope and courage in the midst of odd, sorrowful circumstances. It is a story of learning the truth about life and choosing how to respond to it. It is a story of forgiveness, compassion, and learning to accept and love others who – for whatever reason – we may not understand why they are the way they are or do the things they do or make the choices they make.
Merely an opinion, I felt the ending lacked substance and I personally didn't care for how it ended. But that's just me. I did, however, really enjoy Fabry's timely inserted, subltle opportunities for sharing the gospel with his readers and also how he is not shy about pointing out untruths told of scripture, an example being that nowhere in scripture does it say (although it is highly referred to as such) that God never gives us more than we can handle. The author's take on this phrase is very refreshing.
All in all, I would recommend Fabry's book for a good read if you want a serious book with some lighthearted moments filtered in.
Merely an opinion, I felt the ending lacked substance and I personally didn't care for how it ended. But that's just me. I did, however, really enjoy Fabry's timely inserted, subltle opportunities for sharing the gospel with his readers and also how he is not shy about pointing out untruths told of scripture, an example being that nowhere in scripture does it say (although it is highly referred to as such) that God never gives us more than we can handle. The author's take on this phrase is very refreshing.
All in all, I would recommend Fabry's book for a good read if you want a serious book with some lighthearted moments filtered in.
Chris Fabry brings his readers on yet another amazing journey. What I like most about Fabry's novels is that the stories are so much different than most. Every Waking Moment is a beautiful story about one girls journey to find out who she is, why she is the way she is, and where her future will take her. While I felt there could have been more character development it did not stop me from enjoying the story. After about 1/3 of the book I couldn't put it down.
While the main plot focus's on Treha's journey, there are other nice little sub-plots throughout the book. They all tie in beautifully together. I felt Treha's heartache as she searched for answer's form her past. I connected with Miriam while she was struggling between doing what she loves and trying to fit her personal life into the mix. Some parts of the story with Devin and Jonah, two producers for the documentary, were confusing at first but wrapped up neatly in the end.
Personally I feel the ending left something to be desired. I felt like parts left me hanging with no answers left to give. I would love to see a sequel to this novel. I want to know more about what happens with Treha's biological mother, how her medical condition improves, and where Devin and Jonah's business takes them next.
I'd give this book 3.9 starts out of 5. Without the ending I would have given it 4.5 but the lack of important details at the end left me a little disappointed.
More reviews on my blog booksnlattes.wordpress.com
While the main plot focus's on Treha's journey, there are other nice little sub-plots throughout the book. They all tie in beautifully together. I felt Treha's heartache as she searched for answer's form her past. I connected with Miriam while she was struggling between doing what she loves and trying to fit her personal life into the mix. Some parts of the story with Devin and Jonah, two producers for the documentary, were confusing at first but wrapped up neatly in the end.
Personally I feel the ending left something to be desired. I felt like parts left me hanging with no answers left to give. I would love to see a sequel to this novel. I want to know more about what happens with Treha's biological mother, how her medical condition improves, and where Devin and Jonah's business takes them next.
I'd give this book 3.9 starts out of 5. Without the ending I would have given it 4.5 but the lack of important details at the end left me a little disappointed.
More reviews on my blog booksnlattes.wordpress.com