What do you think?
Rate this book
Pushing Upward
Pushing Upward is a remarkable debut novel that will sweep you along on one woman’s unforgettable spiritual quest.
The year is 1974. While trying to eke out a living as an actress in L.A., 21-year-old Sandra Billings discovers the I Ching, the ancient Chinese oracle; and uses it as her GPS to navigate a torrid love affair, battle with demons of the past, and search for meaning and truth.
She places a fateful newspaper ad—Drama student in need of RM AND BRD in exchange for housekeeping—and encounters an assortment of outrageous and inappropriate individuals. But it is one unlikely stranger who will change the course of her life.
Events ultimately build to a stunning climax, where everything Sandra has gained is challenged by a poignant and surprising twist of fate . . .
The year is 1974. While trying to eke out a living as an actress in L.A., 21-year-old Sandra Billings discovers the I Ching, the ancient Chinese oracle; and uses it as her GPS to navigate a torrid love affair, battle with demons of the past, and search for meaning and truth.
She places a fateful newspaper ad—Drama student in need of RM AND BRD in exchange for housekeeping—and encounters an assortment of outrageous and inappropriate individuals. But it is one unlikely stranger who will change the course of her life.
Events ultimately build to a stunning climax, where everything Sandra has gained is challenged by a poignant and surprising twist of fate . . .
- GenresFiction
266 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2012
10 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 26, 2019
I read this for the 2019 Popsugar Challenge category of "A debut novel". The author has written a fair amount of non-fiction, but this was her first novel. It's about a young actress who goes to California to break into acting, and finally gets a role in a stage play. Somewhere along the way she finds the I Ching, and uses it to make her life decisions--until she doesn't like the answer she gets. There are some interesting and appealing characters, including the elderly woman the actress moves in with to provide companionship in return for room and board. I wasn't so crazy about the main character, but overall it was pretty well written.
March 19, 2021
Huh. Had its moments, and certainly I wanted to love this (70s!), but it didn't quite do it for me. I'm curious about the I Ching content (and I sort of love that Sandra only listens to the I Ching when its advice aligns with what she wants to do anyway), but it sometimes feels ever so slightly too on point. Overall I think it feels largely as though things are en route to getting to a tipping point, but they back off every time the tipping point gets too close. And (the worst crime, in my eyes!) I'm not sure I'd have known the book is set in 1974 (or in any other year than 2012, when the book was published) if I hadn't read the description.
August 29, 2013
Inspiring and insightful, Pushing Upward seemed to come into my life as serendipitously as the elderly Emma responded to Sandra’s fateful ad in Andrea Adler’s tale of transformation. Sandra’s entertaining story isn’t just for the young twenty-something looking for direction; it’s for anyone who has let doubt derail their dreams and is open to examining themselves, just as Sandra does on her journey.
The novel is a cautionary story of how we let our past hold us back, how we use excuses to prevent us from acting in the present and how to positively embrace what our future holds. Uncertainly is expected, the test is how we respond to it!
Incorporating the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination system popular in the 70s, Pushing Upward introduces a tool that readers can use to better reflect on the big and small questions in our lives. After reading Andrea’s book, I bought the I Ching and its millennia-old wisdom is a helpful sounding board and guide.
For the people who give us strength and guidance, Andrea and the I Ching remind us to value them. And, more importantly, to be a source of strength and support for others - no matter how consumed we become in our own lives.
Pushing Upward is a lesson to be open and realize that “every encounter, every experience teaches us something.” People come into our lives for a reason - to help, to test, and to teach.
Pushing Upward helped me to overcome my own uncertainty and reluctance to ask for help, and appreciate those that offer it. Andrea’s book and the I Ching taught me to “not allow daggers of doubt to puncture your heart” and that with patience and effort, success is what you make of it.
Learn more about Andrea, the I Ching and Pushing Upward at www.pushingupward.com. Follow her on Twitter @pushingupward or Facebook here.
The novel is a cautionary story of how we let our past hold us back, how we use excuses to prevent us from acting in the present and how to positively embrace what our future holds. Uncertainly is expected, the test is how we respond to it!
Incorporating the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination system popular in the 70s, Pushing Upward introduces a tool that readers can use to better reflect on the big and small questions in our lives. After reading Andrea’s book, I bought the I Ching and its millennia-old wisdom is a helpful sounding board and guide.
For the people who give us strength and guidance, Andrea and the I Ching remind us to value them. And, more importantly, to be a source of strength and support for others - no matter how consumed we become in our own lives.
Pushing Upward is a lesson to be open and realize that “every encounter, every experience teaches us something.” People come into our lives for a reason - to help, to test, and to teach.
Pushing Upward helped me to overcome my own uncertainty and reluctance to ask for help, and appreciate those that offer it. Andrea’s book and the I Ching taught me to “not allow daggers of doubt to puncture your heart” and that with patience and effort, success is what you make of it.
Learn more about Andrea, the I Ching and Pushing Upward at www.pushingupward.com. Follow her on Twitter @pushingupward or Facebook here.
August 24, 2012
I agree with Carma, not a book I would typically read, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I identified with this novel.
As a recent college graduate, with no real career path in sight, I was definitely feeling a bit lost in the world. I had no idea how to make my next move, and I seemed stuck in a situation I desperately wanted to get out of. Luckily, and at the perfect time, this wonderful book came into my life.
Sandra Billings, the main character of the novel, finds herself in a similar situation to mine, at the beginning of the story. Discovering how she masters her journey, and over-comes hardship was just so inspiring.
I also gained a new found interest in the ancient art of the I Ching, if you don't know what that is, you should go look it up right now!
Great read for any age, I highly recommend this novel!
As a recent college graduate, with no real career path in sight, I was definitely feeling a bit lost in the world. I had no idea how to make my next move, and I seemed stuck in a situation I desperately wanted to get out of. Luckily, and at the perfect time, this wonderful book came into my life.
Sandra Billings, the main character of the novel, finds herself in a similar situation to mine, at the beginning of the story. Discovering how she masters her journey, and over-comes hardship was just so inspiring.
I also gained a new found interest in the ancient art of the I Ching, if you don't know what that is, you should go look it up right now!
Great read for any age, I highly recommend this novel!
August 23, 2012
Not the type of book I usually read, but it is well-written. I think it will appeal to those who like to read non-speculative fiction. The main character is relatable. It's not exactly chick lit, but women of all ages can find something to relate to. For those with a spiritual inclination, you'll find some wonderful tidbits for you here, too. Pushing Upward is almost magic realism, but rooted in reality.
December 9, 2012
Pushing Upward. I didn't like the protagonist and never did warm to her. The story, a spiritual quest, has Sandra, an out-of-work actress using "I Ching" to find her way except her way is series of boring encounters that fail to teach her. The most interesting person is never really explored but rather exploited by Sandra. And then the cost of redemption (for both Sandra and the reader) is too high. I wish I had stopped at the midpoint, when I put it down for 3 days!
August 30, 2012
Not just another "chick book". The fictional story of a young woman, her struggles and successes as an aspiring actress. Written in first person the book flows smoothly, it's an easy read and it held my attention. (I'm a guy, straight hetro). The ending begs for a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews