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Extraordinary Life Seeker #1
Find Me: She Believed in the Kindness of Strangers
What would you do if you came into possession of a book and the author desperately needed your help?
A thirty-something wife and mother’s adventurous spirit cannot be squashed. Not by her current role and not by her routine loving husband. Her birthday proclamation to live an extraordinary life does not gel with the status quo. An idea comes from the ethers, a secret way to ignite her fire again without rocking the boat. She sets out on a literary adventure of her own design with a mission that may take more than a lifetime to achieve. Pouring out memories of the people and times in her life, she bundles them onto the pages of five traveling books- only they hold the clues as to her identity; only they can guide someone back to her.
In Book One, we see the author launch her first book into the worldly abyss, banking on humanity to help her in the cause. Through her journal entries we see her struggle: Is this all there is? she questions, cramping further into herself as her world gets smaller and smaller with each “no,” or “not right now” that spouts from her husband’s mouth. In discontent she reaches out to a man from her past with a supposedly innocent, “Hello.” He responds curiously back. Feeling alive again for the first time in years, she dangles dangerously on the edge of infidelity. It is a battle of heart and head, but will anyone win?
Readers will also be voyeurs to the wondrous cast of secondary characters who come into the path of this literary unicorn against astronomical odds, its presence becoming an invitation to examine and expand their own lives. Perfect strangers~ bound together in this once in a lifetime game if only they choose to play.
You are now a part of this story...
A thirty-something wife and mother’s adventurous spirit cannot be squashed. Not by her current role and not by her routine loving husband. Her birthday proclamation to live an extraordinary life does not gel with the status quo. An idea comes from the ethers, a secret way to ignite her fire again without rocking the boat. She sets out on a literary adventure of her own design with a mission that may take more than a lifetime to achieve. Pouring out memories of the people and times in her life, she bundles them onto the pages of five traveling books- only they hold the clues as to her identity; only they can guide someone back to her.
In Book One, we see the author launch her first book into the worldly abyss, banking on humanity to help her in the cause. Through her journal entries we see her struggle: Is this all there is? she questions, cramping further into herself as her world gets smaller and smaller with each “no,” or “not right now” that spouts from her husband’s mouth. In discontent she reaches out to a man from her past with a supposedly innocent, “Hello.” He responds curiously back. Feeling alive again for the first time in years, she dangles dangerously on the edge of infidelity. It is a battle of heart and head, but will anyone win?
Readers will also be voyeurs to the wondrous cast of secondary characters who come into the path of this literary unicorn against astronomical odds, its presence becoming an invitation to examine and expand their own lives. Perfect strangers~ bound together in this once in a lifetime game if only they choose to play.
You are now a part of this story...
312 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2023
3 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
H.H. Rune
3 books14 followersH.H. Rune is a writer and storyteller based in the Pacific Northwest, where the natural beauty and rainy introspective days fuel her creativity. After turning thirty she experienced a transformative realization that she had allowed fear to shape much of her life. This awakening sparked in her a commitment to lead an extraordinary life within the space of an ordinary one.
Diagnosed with ADHD in her early fifties, Rune’s watchful self drew character inspiration from her interactions with others as well as her inborn sense of humanity and social justice. Words have been a constant for Rune as she has written in some way for most of her life, often using storytelling to encourage others to pursue what lights them up. The Find Me- Extraordinary Life Seeker Series has been a twenty-five year passion-project aligning with her decision to live meaningfully and reach beyond one's current self.
As of late she has been a guest on many author based podcasts. A list is on her website to listen in.
Contemporary Women's fiction author, literary journey, traveling books, find me extraordinary life seeker series.
Hi!
Women's fiction, Contemporary fiction, literary fiction, Chicklit, Bookclub fiction, Book Club fiction, Subversive fiction, Commercial fiction
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 24, 2025
Find me is about a woman who is a bit lost in her identity, and static in her marriage. She is a dreamer, and has worn many hats over the years, but none seemed to fit just right. So she decides to try her hand at writing.
“Find Me” is the title of this book, and also the title of the novella the FMC writes in the story. She only prints 5 copies of the book, then sends them out into the world with the expectation they will pass from one person to another and someday return to her. Her hope is that the book will help its readers find their way, however lost they might be.
It’s written with three distinct type sets. The normal one is the storyline that follows the first Find Me book from person to person, and how it helps them overcome their troubles.
The italic typeset is the authors personal feelings and notes, and I found them to be brave, raw and insightful.
The bold typeset are also the author’s feelings and notes, but they are directed toward people who influenced her life.
Together, the three typesets create a larger picture of why the main character wrote the traveling book, as she calls it, and how she just hopes to inspire people to live an extraordinary life.
This is book one in a planned 5 book series. Books 2 & 3 are also published.
“Find Me” is the title of this book, and also the title of the novella the FMC writes in the story. She only prints 5 copies of the book, then sends them out into the world with the expectation they will pass from one person to another and someday return to her. Her hope is that the book will help its readers find their way, however lost they might be.
It’s written with three distinct type sets. The normal one is the storyline that follows the first Find Me book from person to person, and how it helps them overcome their troubles.
The italic typeset is the authors personal feelings and notes, and I found them to be brave, raw and insightful.
The bold typeset are also the author’s feelings and notes, but they are directed toward people who influenced her life.
Together, the three typesets create a larger picture of why the main character wrote the traveling book, as she calls it, and how she just hopes to inspire people to live an extraordinary life.
This is book one in a planned 5 book series. Books 2 & 3 are also published.
September 17, 2024
I loved this first book in an engaging series which defies categories. H.H. Rune has created a unique combination of memoire and fiction, with the added intrigue of involving the reader in the traveling books. The diverse fictional characters are presented in vignettes, which offer a clear view into their lives, and they seem to take on flesh and jump from the pages.
I think that this web that H.H. Rune weaves, between fact and fiction, is, in truth, how we all experience the best of storytelling which opens our minds and hearts to others we thought different and allows us see our similarities and to learn from one another in this thing called life.
I think that this web that H.H. Rune weaves, between fact and fiction, is, in truth, how we all experience the best of storytelling which opens our minds and hearts to others we thought different and allows us see our similarities and to learn from one another in this thing called life.
February 19, 2025
This was one of the most uniquely written books I’ve ever read. The way all these lives wove together to create this masterpiece was incredible. I’m so excited for the rest of this series just to see how it goes. The authors perspective was so refreshing and real. Highly recommend. 5/5.
February 11, 2025
This book was a genre I usually don't read but I'm glad I read it. It was a great concept. I love the idea of a traveling book. I can see parts of myself within this book.
February 18, 2025
I came across this book when I signed up to be an ARC reader. This book is so well written and thought provoking. I could relate to everyone in each story, which is the intent of the author. The "writer" of the book, I could also relate to, a mom trying to find her place in this world aside from being a mom and wife. I'm currently in the same boat and could easily identify. I love the way the book was written; it was easy to follow as well as it keeps you on your toes because the stories change. I am looking forward to sharing this read with family and friends.
This book could possibly encourage you to do something new, explore a new hobby, take a trip, or take on a new challenge.
This book could possibly encourage you to do something new, explore a new hobby, take a trip, or take on a new challenge.
June 13, 2023
This was actually sent to me by the author. I am so glad it was. This isn’t something I would have chosen on my own. That being said, I really enjoyed it. This is such a great concept. I love that she chose to do this for herself despite what her husband felt about it. I absolutely loved the reactions the readers had and the feelings that surfaced because of what they read. Such a cool little story.
Though sent to me by H.H Rune I was not asked to review or compensated in any way.
Though sent to me by H.H Rune I was not asked to review or compensated in any way.
December 1, 2024
Enthralling and inspiring
I can see myself and my peers inside this book. I am eager to get my hands on the next book! It keeps my mind busy and find myself perusing ways I can further connect with the ideas in this first book…
I can see myself and my peers inside this book. I am eager to get my hands on the next book! It keeps my mind busy and find myself perusing ways I can further connect with the ideas in this first book…
August 24, 2024
This isn't my typical book genre, but I really enjoyed it. The travel aspect got me interested. It was fun to read about so many people going through life. The idea of sending books out to strangers to pass along was really interesting.
July 14, 2025
A poignant and worthy tale, richly characterized
A poignant tale, and a unique premise, of a woman who feels deeply and thinks artistically about the world and her place in it, who believes that all people are connected and in the power of the ripples of one life to intersect with, and change the patterns and ripples of another, for better or for worse, and often, without either party ever being aware.
She follows the rules and does everything she thought she was supposed to do, to get the life that she, as a child of divorce and with an unempowering father, always longed for. Love. Stability. Family. But even so, a decade in, she finds herself living "on the outskirts of [her] own potential," and watching the dream of "an extraordinary life" slip through her fingers like sand.
She is burbling with creative vision and artistic yearnings, a sense of the sublime, and a reverence before the universe. But things come to a head for her as she struggles with a late diagnosis of ADHD. She struggles with perennial feelings of failure and self-excoriation for never completing anything, or finding her purpose or indeed, much of any outlet at all for her outsized feelings about so many things. Worst of all are the infantilization and casually cruel dismissals of her obtuse and very much UN-artistic or -visionary husband. Only motherhood brings her solace and joy.
In a last-ditch effort to reach and grasp onto an extraordinary life (which she thinks of as one that is "impactful) she writes a book of memories and binds them in a spiral-bound book, of which she makes five copies, and sends them out into the world, as randomly as possible (like, close your eyes and point to names on the white pages website for different states). She asks the readers to please put their name and locations in the back of the book when they are done and find someone else to hand it off to, thereby becoming part of the book's own growing story.
She hopes and believes her book of memories might spark ripples of change in the lives of those who come into contact with it, and in this way, while she herself is trapped like a bug in amber, her books might sail forth and expand her own small life's reach. She will have had impact on the world then, even if she never finds out about it. Of course, her hope is that at least one of the books might eventually make its way back to her.
This novel follows the path of ONE of the books. And the idea, it becomes clear by the end, is that this is the beginning of a series, and that later installments will follow books 2, 3, 4, and 5 as they make their way around the world. It's a lovely story, and the narrative follows not only the woman's own arc, but the book's travels and the diverse and varied individuals it encounters. These characters are complex and beautifully drawn and we as readers are plopped down in the middle of each of their lives, and within only a few pages, get a rich peek into their personalities and foibles, their pains and aspirations, and indeed, in most cases, the book's travels trigger something momentous for each of them. It was a delight to spend time with so many different kinds of people.
The suspense was great about whether and how much they were willing to answer the call of change. Meanwhile, the tension also builds around whether the release of the "book" into the wild will actually trigger something momentous in the author's own life. For her, answering the call is perhaps the hardest of all. I highly recommend this book.
It's a quiet book. And a sensitive study of human lives, complexities, and contradictions and all the many ways we influence each other, through the ripples we put out into the world. It's an invitation to listen for The Call that comes for us all, and to bravely meet it at the threshold, ready to step into a new territory of spirit. And it's one to think about when you're done. A lovely debut.
A poignant tale, and a unique premise, of a woman who feels deeply and thinks artistically about the world and her place in it, who believes that all people are connected and in the power of the ripples of one life to intersect with, and change the patterns and ripples of another, for better or for worse, and often, without either party ever being aware.
She follows the rules and does everything she thought she was supposed to do, to get the life that she, as a child of divorce and with an unempowering father, always longed for. Love. Stability. Family. But even so, a decade in, she finds herself living "on the outskirts of [her] own potential," and watching the dream of "an extraordinary life" slip through her fingers like sand.
She is burbling with creative vision and artistic yearnings, a sense of the sublime, and a reverence before the universe. But things come to a head for her as she struggles with a late diagnosis of ADHD. She struggles with perennial feelings of failure and self-excoriation for never completing anything, or finding her purpose or indeed, much of any outlet at all for her outsized feelings about so many things. Worst of all are the infantilization and casually cruel dismissals of her obtuse and very much UN-artistic or -visionary husband. Only motherhood brings her solace and joy.
In a last-ditch effort to reach and grasp onto an extraordinary life (which she thinks of as one that is "impactful) she writes a book of memories and binds them in a spiral-bound book, of which she makes five copies, and sends them out into the world, as randomly as possible (like, close your eyes and point to names on the white pages website for different states). She asks the readers to please put their name and locations in the back of the book when they are done and find someone else to hand it off to, thereby becoming part of the book's own growing story.
She hopes and believes her book of memories might spark ripples of change in the lives of those who come into contact with it, and in this way, while she herself is trapped like a bug in amber, her books might sail forth and expand her own small life's reach. She will have had impact on the world then, even if she never finds out about it. Of course, her hope is that at least one of the books might eventually make its way back to her.
This novel follows the path of ONE of the books. And the idea, it becomes clear by the end, is that this is the beginning of a series, and that later installments will follow books 2, 3, 4, and 5 as they make their way around the world. It's a lovely story, and the narrative follows not only the woman's own arc, but the book's travels and the diverse and varied individuals it encounters. These characters are complex and beautifully drawn and we as readers are plopped down in the middle of each of their lives, and within only a few pages, get a rich peek into their personalities and foibles, their pains and aspirations, and indeed, in most cases, the book's travels trigger something momentous for each of them. It was a delight to spend time with so many different kinds of people.
The suspense was great about whether and how much they were willing to answer the call of change. Meanwhile, the tension also builds around whether the release of the "book" into the wild will actually trigger something momentous in the author's own life. For her, answering the call is perhaps the hardest of all. I highly recommend this book.
It's a quiet book. And a sensitive study of human lives, complexities, and contradictions and all the many ways we influence each other, through the ripples we put out into the world. It's an invitation to listen for The Call that comes for us all, and to bravely meet it at the threshold, ready to step into a new territory of spirit. And it's one to think about when you're done. A lovely debut.
October 5, 2024
Find Me was outside of my typical genre, but I'm glad I read it. The whole premise is non-traditional, with 3 plot lines; it reminded me a little of S the Book. I think it's meant for an older audience but I found value in the story and the teachings.
We follow the story of a traveling book, which is born of the main character's frustration with her life. This is my favorite plot line, as we meet people from all walks of life. It's also interesting to see how the main character's problems are reflecting in the people who interact with the book. It really feels like we're seeing inside the minds of many people, and that makes the experience of reading it unique.
While the main character plot line isn't as relevant to me, it's still inspiring to see the woman follow her dreams and try to make something of herself no matter the odds against her.
Overall, it's an intriguing book unlike any other, and I would certainly recommend giving it a try!
We follow the story of a traveling book, which is born of the main character's frustration with her life. This is my favorite plot line, as we meet people from all walks of life. It's also interesting to see how the main character's problems are reflecting in the people who interact with the book. It really feels like we're seeing inside the minds of many people, and that makes the experience of reading it unique.
While the main character plot line isn't as relevant to me, it's still inspiring to see the woman follow her dreams and try to make something of herself no matter the odds against her.
Overall, it's an intriguing book unlike any other, and I would certainly recommend giving it a try!
December 24, 2025
I was so excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint! As a woman in her 40s, newly diagnosed with ADD, it was a captivating and easy read from start to finish. The author writes interesting and complex characters you can either relate to, or easily imagine. I was definitely invested! I loved the creative and uniqueness of it being part non-fiction (with the author’s journal entries and chapters on people who have touched her life), and part fiction (the characters who were touched by the traveling books). If you know the world is small, but with big adventures, this book is for you! I’m looking forward to reading books 2 and 3 as soon as they arrive!
June 6, 2024
This book was certainly more compelling than a few other books I have read recently! I enjoyed the window into the author's mind and appreciate that she lives from the heart.
July 27, 2024
This was a really great book. So inspiring and relatable. Cannot wait for book 2! Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews