What do you think?
Rate this book
The Truth About The The Sky
As a Pastor's kid, Kim has been told her whole life that God can see every mistake she makes. Now that she's a college dropout, unemployed and in a questionable relationship with a party guy, her mistakes are all the more obvious. (Especially to her demanding mother, who, apparently, thinks wearing jeans on a commercial flight is a sin.) If only she could move away! Then she could hide from gossip and no one would see her mess up! Kim can't move to Dallas unless she saves her money, so she swallows her pride and heads back to her childhood church to reluctantly serve as her father's congregation's secretary. Her mother makes it clear, Kim better get her act together. Not only is the church watching her, but Kim is also bothered by her theme obsessed mother; a creepy mortician who wants to court her; a sad, but good-looking music minister (whom she may or may not have been kissing) and her childhood friend, Eddie, who, as a lawyer, has an inexplicable interest in lawn care. Even if God was in her childhood church, Kim would be too busy and discouraged to find him. Then her father is caught in a scandal -- one that challenges her already shaky faith and her dysfunctional family. She has to choose: will she run away from critical eyes to Dallas as quickly as her car can take her? Will she be as critical and condemning as her own family has been to her? Or will she take her brother's advice and believe, for the first time in her life, that God's grace is as big as the Oklahoma sky?
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2013
9 people are currently reading
327 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 3, 2016
This is the third Katharine Grubb novel I've read so far, so I had a good idea of what I could expect--biting, witty social commentary that will make you laugh out loud and have a good cry, all while warming your heart.
This book reminds me a little of Pride and Prejudice, if Pride and Prejudice were set in the modern-day Tulsa suburbs. There's a Mr. Collins, a Wickham, and of course, a Darcy to satisfy your Austenite heart, but there's much more to it than that. Christian readers like me who tend to shy away from Christian fiction because of its tendency to gloss over human nature and idolize certain aspects of the Christian life will find this book refreshing for its honesty, which somehow manages to be simultaneously brutal and filled with grace.
As always when dealing with a Grubb novel, the characters are so real, you half expect to run into them at the store. They're all unique, relatable, and so delightfully flawed. Have Kleenex ready when you reach the end! You'll need it.
Recommended for everyone, but especially those raised in the Christian church. (Note: must be able to laugh at yourself.)
I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book reminds me a little of Pride and Prejudice, if Pride and Prejudice were set in the modern-day Tulsa suburbs. There's a Mr. Collins, a Wickham, and of course, a Darcy to satisfy your Austenite heart, but there's much more to it than that. Christian readers like me who tend to shy away from Christian fiction because of its tendency to gloss over human nature and idolize certain aspects of the Christian life will find this book refreshing for its honesty, which somehow manages to be simultaneously brutal and filled with grace.
As always when dealing with a Grubb novel, the characters are so real, you half expect to run into them at the store. They're all unique, relatable, and so delightfully flawed. Have Kleenex ready when you reach the end! You'll need it.
Recommended for everyone, but especially those raised in the Christian church. (Note: must be able to laugh at yourself.)
I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2017
The Truth About The Sky is both a funny and and honest portrait of the contrast between authenticity and hypocrisy, control and surrender, and interior conversion versus exterior appearances.
Sometimes we have to be brought low so we can see what's above. Sometimes we need to be stripped of our false sense of control so we can see who IS in control. Sometimes we need to be humbled so that we can gain empathy and show mercy.
All this wisdom comes packed in a humorous and ordinary story of a couple of pastor's kids, party girl Kim and prankster Quentin and Quentin's pregnant wife, supermom Suzanne. Katharine Grubb casts an eclectic assortment of minor characters, including mortician Jeffrey, musician Marty, and lawn guy Eddie, who's endured his own fall from grace. There's also a brief but funny appearance by a pygmy goat.
The version I read could use another pass by a sharp set of eyes to catch some errors and inconsistencies, which didn't diminish my enjoyment of the novel.
(The author is the foundress of 10 Minute Novelists, of which I"m a member. Opinion is my own.)
Sometimes we have to be brought low so we can see what's above. Sometimes we need to be stripped of our false sense of control so we can see who IS in control. Sometimes we need to be humbled so that we can gain empathy and show mercy.
All this wisdom comes packed in a humorous and ordinary story of a couple of pastor's kids, party girl Kim and prankster Quentin and Quentin's pregnant wife, supermom Suzanne. Katharine Grubb casts an eclectic assortment of minor characters, including mortician Jeffrey, musician Marty, and lawn guy Eddie, who's endured his own fall from grace. There's also a brief but funny appearance by a pygmy goat.
The version I read could use another pass by a sharp set of eyes to catch some errors and inconsistencies, which didn't diminish my enjoyment of the novel.
(The author is the foundress of 10 Minute Novelists, of which I"m a member. Opinion is my own.)
October 11, 2013
This is one of those novels that sweep you up in the lives of the characters, who seem so real that you almost expect to meet them in the aisle of the nearest Super Wal*Mart. Katharine Grubb is masterful with one-liners and understatement. The theme of this novel, that grace does not require perfection (or even anything anywhere near perfection), shines through without beating the reader over the head.
July 1, 2014
A fabulous book which explores faith and religion with lots of humour and very interesting characters. I am sure that even if you don't have a church background you would recognise many of the characters in this book with other groups of people you do know. The twists and turns this story take keep you relentlessly wanting to see what happens next and while some things might be predictable, many are complete surprises.
July 14, 2014
I loved this book - Grubb's characters crackle with real passion and life. It's like sitting in a diner and hearing all about the neighbors. The theme, Redemption, is not so overt that it smacks you over head, but it truly gives you hope that you, like everyone else in the world, are just on a journey.
August 5, 2014
Loved the storyline, great characters and really enjoyed the ending. Katherine Grubb is an author to take note of, love her style and her spunk!
July 24, 2016
Kim's worked hard to get away from her family, the venerable Reverend and his perfect wife. But her plans backfire when she and her boyfriend break up, and she resigns from her job (owned by her ex's father) to avoid seeing him. Her mother drags her home with the "perfect" solution: a temporary position as church secretary while their current one recovers.
Over in Boston, Kim's sister-in-law Suzanne, wife to Quentin and mother of three gets some incredible news: her husband's job is moving him home to Oklahoma, and she's finally going to get that dream house she's been hoping for.
It sounds like a great big family reunion, except for one thing, neither Kim nor Quentin want to move home and lose themselves in the overbearing perfection required of a preacher's kid.
Literally everything falls apart. Suzanne gets pregnant and is unable to run her house in a way that would make her late mother proud. And Kim's position as church secretary puts her in the line of fire of her overbearing mom, dismissive dad, and demanding congregants. Not to mention she's being pursued by an old-time acquaintance, church member, and local mortician who thinks its God's will they be together, there's a cute new choir director and associate pastor. It's a recipe for disaster.
The beginning was a little slow for me, and a little confusing as I got used to the dual points of view and blur of events. I also believe I got one of the copies that the author mistakenly put out that wasn't as edited, so I'm not counting that against her. Once I got past the beginning, though, I was sucked in. The drama, the misery, the hopes and shattered dreams. It was a story of broken individuals letting go, and the simple truths that make bearing our hurts a little easier. There's romance and breakups, heartache and new life. It's an emotional journey that in the end I found very satisfactory. The Christian setting is not overly preachy, despite being about a preacher's family, and I believe it's a valuable perspective into the difficulties that those types of families face.
Over in Boston, Kim's sister-in-law Suzanne, wife to Quentin and mother of three gets some incredible news: her husband's job is moving him home to Oklahoma, and she's finally going to get that dream house she's been hoping for.
It sounds like a great big family reunion, except for one thing, neither Kim nor Quentin want to move home and lose themselves in the overbearing perfection required of a preacher's kid.
Literally everything falls apart. Suzanne gets pregnant and is unable to run her house in a way that would make her late mother proud. And Kim's position as church secretary puts her in the line of fire of her overbearing mom, dismissive dad, and demanding congregants. Not to mention she's being pursued by an old-time acquaintance, church member, and local mortician who thinks its God's will they be together, there's a cute new choir director and associate pastor. It's a recipe for disaster.
The beginning was a little slow for me, and a little confusing as I got used to the dual points of view and blur of events. I also believe I got one of the copies that the author mistakenly put out that wasn't as edited, so I'm not counting that against her. Once I got past the beginning, though, I was sucked in. The drama, the misery, the hopes and shattered dreams. It was a story of broken individuals letting go, and the simple truths that make bearing our hurts a little easier. There's romance and breakups, heartache and new life. It's an emotional journey that in the end I found very satisfactory. The Christian setting is not overly preachy, despite being about a preacher's family, and I believe it's a valuable perspective into the difficulties that those types of families face.
September 5, 2016
What a witty story about a southern pastoral family. The characters in this book could be the people I grew up with or the people I go to church with. (or me and my family) Katharine definitely knows more than a little about the inner-workings of a church.
The characters are wonderful! We all know people like these people. We live amongst them, we are them. Flawed, and hoping and praying no one sees how messed up we are. Some, wishing to move somewhere where no one knows them and starting all over again with a clean slate.
The story shows several characters who find that God loves them just the way they are. These are the best parts of the story. We have seen the struggles of each individual in the Roche family and we get to see how they come to terms with the grace God has given them, and whether or not they accept God’s unconditional love.
A very heartwarming, witty story. I loved it. Katharine Grubb has written a wonderful novel. I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
The characters are wonderful! We all know people like these people. We live amongst them, we are them. Flawed, and hoping and praying no one sees how messed up we are. Some, wishing to move somewhere where no one knows them and starting all over again with a clean slate.
The story shows several characters who find that God loves them just the way they are. These are the best parts of the story. We have seen the struggles of each individual in the Roche family and we get to see how they come to terms with the grace God has given them, and whether or not they accept God’s unconditional love.
A very heartwarming, witty story. I loved it. Katharine Grubb has written a wonderful novel. I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
January 28, 2016
I didn't know what to expect when I recieved The Truth About the Sky through First Reads. I usually stay away from Christian fiction because it tends to be peachy and cloying, and all of the characters are just a little too perfect. That is not the case with this delightful, thought-provoking novel. Every character is recognizably flawed as they attempt to find or keep their faith through particularly trying times. There are some characters who represent all of the things people dislike about so-called Christians but the reader, like the main character, Kim, discovers that the majority are not like that. This is a wonderful read if you sometimes have trouble with your own faith, if you have trouble with your family, or if you are just looking for a nice story about family and love.
December 13, 2016
A fun story about the journey of life through the eyes of the judged. Growing up in a religious household doesn't always mean faith. And living a life in the church doesn't always mean perfect decisions. The story is funny, filled with witty humor.
January 2, 2014
This was a very engaging story with realistic, relatable characters. The story really pulls the reader in too. I do feel like the story seemed a little rushed at some points. I also wanted more character development of Eddie and to see more of his relationship with Kim develop sooner than it did. All in all, a good story and very honest.
June 27, 2016
Love is elusive hold it gently and fasten seatbelt! r
A good read! A Christian book about the trials of family life, being loved and loving; faith in God, our selves and others! Put it down several times and picked it up again! Give it a chance!
A good read! A Christian book about the trials of family life, being loved and loving; faith in God, our selves and others! Put it down several times and picked it up again! Give it a chance!
March 28, 2014
Loved it.
Great book. Loved the setting in Oklahoma and the storyline about less than perfect people. Kudos to author Katherine Grubb.
Great book. Loved the setting in Oklahoma and the storyline about less than perfect people. Kudos to author Katherine Grubb.
June 15, 2016
This was such a great book! Having grown up in church, many of the characters were recognizable. Her description of the sky brought me to tears. It is an engaging story that conveys a deep truth.
June 30, 2016
Good read
Light, entertaining book. A little too simplistic but fun all the same. I enjoyed it and will look for this author again. Good beach read.
Light, entertaining book. A little too simplistic but fun all the same. I enjoyed it and will look for this author again. Good beach read.
July 19, 2016
Lots of typos, still good story. Enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews