Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

One of November's Books of the Month is The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert.

Goodreads Summary:

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed.

Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together. But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?

I have had my copy of this for far too long, so I am really excited to read and discuss this month! Chime in if you plan on joining in the discussion.

I asked my library to order a copy of this book and I got notice a couple of weeks ago that it was in the works, but not sure I'll be able to join in. The book may not arrive in November. :-(

Aw, bummer, Staci! Hopefully they get a move on!

I put in for a library transfer for this book last month. Hopefully it comes by the second week of this month or I just might buy it.

I've been wanting to read this book forever. I love Katie Ganshert's books.

Im going to join in this month also!

Yes, I plan to join this! Looks like a great book.

I actually bought this book on a sale this weekend so might be able to join :-)

Joining!!!

Ok, since we're still early on, I'll ask an easy question:

Have you read any of Katie's books prior to this, and if so, do you have a favorite so far?

Of her contemporaries, I've read . I loved this book!

I've read Wildflowers from Winter and A Broken Kind of Beautiful. Wildflowers from Winter has been my favorite thus far.



Good news! My library has now ordered The Art of Losing Yourself so maybe it will come in before month end. :-)

I have not ,but I've had another of her books to read too, but this on is first lol

No, this will be my first book by her.

I have been a Katie fan since her debut and am even reading her YA fiction under her other penn name (is that the right terminology ?), K E Ganshert. Needless to say I am a total Fan. Love her writing! The only thing I haven't read of hers is her novellas ... I can't pick a favorite and highly recommend them all! *gushing* here

I've only read 2 books by Katie Ganshert; and and I love them! The only side affect to reading her books is that I'm always crying during some part of the story. :-)

This is my first encounter with this author. I'm only on page 30 and already I am highly amused with her wit and way with words. For those with my pace or beyond it, I'm laughing at the oyster misunderstanding. ..."our world would contain the equivalent of gross food or inescapable irritants."

LeeAnn wrote: "This is my first encounter with this author. I'm only on page 30 and already I am highly amused with her wit and way with words. For those with my pace or beyond it, I'm laughing at the oyster misu..."

Oh, my goodness, that totally had me laughing!!! :)

I'm a little past halfway through, and I'm really impressed with how well Katie can transition between Carmen and Gracie. Sometimes two characters blend together, but in this case, their voices are very distinct and clear.

Dana wrote: "I have been a Katie fan since her debut and am even reading her YA fiction under her other penn name (is that the right terminology ?), K E Ganshert. Needless to say I am a total Fan. Love her writ..."

I've read The Gifting, and I just adored that story. I've got to read books 2 and 3 as soon as I can.

Chantel wrote: "I've only read 2 books by Katie Ganshert; and and I love them! The only side affect to reading her books is tha..."

Oh, yeah, I totally forgot about An October Bride! That's probably one of the best novellas that I've ever read. It was such a complete story, whereas in a lot of novellas I feel like they are rushed and incomplete.

I can't wait to join in the discussion, I'm new here and just started reading Katie's newest book. She is really a gifted story-teller with rich characters.

Beth wrote: "Chantel wrote: "I've only read 2 books by Katie Ganshert; and and I love them! The only side affect to reading ..."

So true. That's what I like about her novellas as well.

Beth wrote: "LeeAnn wrote: "This is my first encounter with this author. I'm only on page 30 and already I am highly amused with her wit and way with words. For those with my pace or beyond it, I'm laughing at ..."

I don't usually like first person, but this book is well written and I agree, great job of creating two strong main characters without confusing the reader. I also think she did a great job of taking me as reader back with Carmen to the time she met Ben, there story is so cute and for adds to the sadness of the state of their marriage now.

Not sure who has read that far yet, but the scene with Carmen and Gracie in the rain were so full of emotion!

Loved loved this book! Looking forward to the discussion :)

Susan wrote: "I can't wait to join in the discussion, I'm new here and just started reading Katie's newest book. She is really a gifted story-teller with rich characters."

So glad you're joining, Susan! :)

Anyone finished? I just read the last page and want to share how I feel about it.

I haven't yet I'm so behind everyone read it already : (

Yes I'm finished - Maybe hide your thoughts in a spoiler LeeAnn, then those who are done can open it but it won't ruin the book for those who are still busy?

LeeAnn, I'm going to post some discussion questions later today - at this point, just say spoilers ahead or something like that. For those of you that still need some time, just make sure you proceed with caution ;)

I've finished too, such a great read!

Happy Sunday afternoon, everyone! I am pulling these questions from the discussion in the back of the book! They can also be found at the following link: http://katieganshert.com/the-art-of-l.... I'm not posting them all. Please feel free to answer any of these, post your own questions or post some of the other questions listed at the link.

1. Whose story did you enjoy more, Carmen's or Gracie's? Why?

2. This novel was inspired by the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel. A couple times throughout the story, Carmen feels like she’s nothing more than dry bones. Have you ever felt this way? Has God ever resuscitated an area of your life you thought was past the point of resuscitation?

3. At the end of the novel, Carmen wonders at what point coincidence stops being coincidence. Do you believe in coincidence? Why or why not?

4. Ben describes a process called wedging, wherein clay must be broken apart and kneaded back together in order to survive the kiln. How might this analogy relate to Carmen and Gracie’s life?

5. Carmen believed that a baby would solve her problems. Do you think this is realistic? Why or why not? Have you ever fallen into this same way of thinking? Please share with the group.

6. Gracie and Carmen cope very differently with their mother’s alcoholism. How did Carmen cope? How did Gracie cope? How did their experience shape who they are as the story opens?

7. Who is your favorite secondary character? Why?

8. The title of this novel is The Art of Losing Yourself. What do you think it means? How do various characters lose themselves throughout this story?

I'm curious what those who have finished the book feel about how it ended. Indicate spoilers should you include any for those who haven't finished.

LeeAnn wrote: "I'm curious what those who have finished the book feel about how it ended. Indicate spoilers should you include any for those who haven't finished."

I felt it ended to abruptly - see spoiler for more

(view spoiler)[I would have liked to see reconciliation in Ben and Carmen's marriage. It was suggested, but I would have liked to see it (read about it) as well as a miracle pregnancy after Carmen gave that back to God.

The ending between Carmen and Gracie was sweet. It was clear that forgiveness and reconciliation took place between the two sisters. (hide spoiler)]

1. Whose story did you enjoy more, Carmen's or Gracie's? Why? This one is tough, I enjoyed both but if I have to choose I will say Gracie. I think she overcame more, she had to find herself, she had no friends and didn't believe anyone loved her and most of all she had to find Christ. Her story was so sad and some of her scenes really was strong and heartbreaking.


3. At the end of the novel, Carmen wonders at what point coincidence stops being coincidence. Do you believe in coincidence? Why or why not? No, I believe God is in control of my life and like Prov 3:16 says, we can plan make our plans but God directs our path. I know God has a plan with everything, even if I don't see it or understand it now.

4. Ben describes a process called wedging, wherein clay must be broken apart and kneaded back together in order to survive the kiln. How might this analogy relate to Carmen and Gracie’s life? I think it relates to them in 2 ways. 1 - they had to break apart the broken/hurt/pain by dealing with it, acknowledging it and work through it to receive healing. 2 - They needed to give their lives over to God, give him control in order for God to heal the hurt and bring reconciliation and restoration.

5. Carmen believed that a baby would solve her problems. Do you think this is realistic? Why or why not? Have you ever fallen into this same way of thinking? Please share with the group. No it would not have solved the problems, it would only have been a distraction from your problems. I though this way before I was married. I though meeting my husband will make me happy, but God showed me that He should be my happiness, and it was only after this revelation that I met my husband. Like that popular saying - 2 unhappy people will not make a happy marriage. Carmen and Ben ignored their issues and a baby would only have increased the distance and conflict between them.

6. Gracie and Carmen cope very differently with their mother’s alcoholism. How did Carmen cope? How did Gracie cope? How did their experience shape who they are as the story opens? Carmen had her father to protect her from it and when she had to deal with it, she ignored her mother and the problem, was in denial. Because of Carmen's father she still learned to trust and open up to people, but I think because she ignored the issue it added to her ignoring her marriage problems.

Gracie had to deal with it on her own. She was consistently faced with false hope when her mother went for rehab and baptised herself, but then turned to the bottle again. This resulted in her pulling away from people, not trusting them and not opening up.

7. Who is your favorite secondary character? Why? This is a close one between Eli and Ben, but Ben won because of his and Carmen's love story and the scene with the suitcases. He never gave up.

8. The title of this novel is The Art of Losing Yourself. What do you think it means? How do various characters lose themselves throughout this story? For me this means that you give who you are/or who you think you are - your hopes and dreams, hurt and pain - over to God and give him control to change you and help you discover who you are in Him. Carmen had to lose her dream of being a mother and lose the control of your own dreams. Gracie had to lose her idea that she is nothing and realised she is everything to God.

What were your feelings about Ben. Did you think he did enough? Too little?

Sarita wrote: "LeeAnn wrote: "I'm curious what those who have finished the book feel about how it ended. Indicate spoilers should you include any for those who haven't finished."

I felt it ended to abruptly - se..."

My feelings exactly. I desired more finality between the unresolved issues. The author was true to real life, however, in that not all conflict is resolved in that manner.

Sarita wrote: "What were your feelings about Ben. Did you think he did enough? Too little?"

I think he felt helpless. Most men want to fix any given situation and his inability to do so and the accompanied behavior was so genuine. Thankfully, he carried Christ in his heart, otherwise, he might have been tempted to fulfill his needs with the teacher who was making herself available.

Hi reader friends! Beth invited me to hop on by and say hello! Thanks so much for choosing to read The Art of Losing Yourself for your book club book this month! And thank you so much for the kind words about my other stories!

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have! Not sure how to hide spoilers, but if you're wondering why I chose to end it the way I ended it, I'd be happy to answer. :-)

So glad to hear some of you are enjoying my young adult trilogy! OH! And the novellas! Those are incredibly fun to write.

Thanks for reading!

Hi! Thanks for taking your time with us. I'd love to hear why you chose the ending! I'd love to hear anything you'd want to share about your story. Isn't this every reader's dream?! Text the author and have a chat!!! It's mine. lol

LeeAnn wrote: "Hi! Thanks for taking your time with us. I'd love to hear why you chose the ending! I'd love to hear anything you'd want to share about your story. Isn't this every reader's dream?! Text the author..."

LOL! Love your enthusiasm, LeeAnn! The ending for me was a very personal one. At the time I wrote that story, my husband and I were in the wait of our lives, fighting for over two years to bring our adopted daughter home. We had no idea if she would ever come home, and honestly, it wasn't looking at all good. Well-meaning people would say, "Don't lose hope! God is good! She will come home!" And you know? I know those people were SO well-intentioned. But God really started digging deep into my heart, asking me, "What is hope, Katie? Where do I tell you to place your hope?" I started looking for the word in the Bible, and as far as I could tell, the only hope Jesus promises us is hope in salvation, hope in His goodness, hope in eternity with Him. It's never in a circumstance or an outcome. He never promised to bring my daughter home, and I had to get to a place where I realized, "God is GOOD, no matter what. He's good because that is who He is." It was during all of this that I wrote The Art of Losing Yourself. I didn't want to give Carmen and Ben a baby at the end because that wasn't what The Art of Losing Yourself was about. It wasn't about a circumstance being fulfilled. A baby wouldn't have been Carmen's hope fulfilled. Just like having our daughter home (praise the LORD, as blessed and thankful as we are to have her here in our home), isn't my hope fulfilled. Jesus is my hope fulfilled, and Jesus never disappoints.

Anyway! That got wordy! I find it super intriguing, as the author, to hear how differently people react to the ending. Some readers LOVE it. Others aren't so thrilled. But alas. That is the ending I felt God putting on my heart to write. It's an ending that is really just the beginning. God was breathing Carmen's marriage and faith back to life.

Thanks for sharing Katie.

I think sometimes we are so used to happy endings so that when we read a story which doesn't finish as expected we get thrown.

I finished this book a few weeks ago and thought the ending to be abrupt. But after I let the book sink it, even though I would have enjoyed an epilogue, real life is not always an easy fix.

Thanks again for sharing and so happy with you that your daughter is home!

Be blessed.

How insightful, Katie! Of course it had to end that way to portray that message. See, these little chats are so good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am late in the game in commenting on the book, but feel as though the questions were answered well, I just wanted to say, I just love the emotion throughout, I felt as though I felt what the characters were feeling, I heard it in the tone they were speaking, thought what they thought, I was amazed by this, how Katie could put us right there, like with the teenage attitude for instance, could so see it! I really enjoyed the book and like that it didn't have that typical ending, I was glad that they realized they needed to work on their marriage and go to counciling and no! a baby would not of been the answer! The ending was surprising only because it didn't follow the happily ever after format. that's what makes it interesting. Though I agree that maybe an epilogue would of been fun ;-) Thank you Katie for being real and writing awesome books!

This has been such an awesome discussion!

I, too, had my reservations about the ending. But for me, it was realistic and not all tied up nice and neatly, and therefore, true to life. I applaud you Katie for choosing to end the book the way your felt God had imparted on your heart.

Hey ladies! I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving! Thanks again for reading my book, and for letting me be a fly on the all during the conversation! It was super fun! I LOVE readers! Y'all are the BEST! :-)

And perhaps I could write an epilogue and put it on my website as a fun extra! I'll have to let that idea percolate! I'm still not sure whether or not I'll write a new novel continuing these stories. If I do, then I wouldn't do an epilogue, since I wouldn't want to give anything away. I'll have to see where the Lord leads!

Katie wrote: "And perhaps I could write an epilogue and put it on my website as a fun extra! I'll have to let that idea percolate! I'm still not sure whether or not I'll write a new novel continuing these storie..."

Who knows, maybe Gracie has more story left! ;)

Whatever you decide Katie, we will love it no doubt!!!! Thank you for chiming in, it makes it so exciting to hear from the authors! Thank you!