Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Lindsay Harrel presents a powerful story of healing, adventure, and learning how to live life to the fullest.

Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

I just started this book today. Who's going to be joining me?

I'm not sure if I'll have time to join the discussion, but I have already read the book, and I rather enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it too!

I’m in but won’t get to start it until next week
:)

I just started it today, and it sounds like it's going to be good. Hope you can join us Andrea, but know you are busy with writing this month.

Thanks, Loraine!

Charlene, I hope you enjoy this book when you get to it next week.

Since I have more time off around Thanksgiving this month, I might try to squeeze this in and swing by discussion toward the end of the month. :) We'll see how it goes.

Hope you can join us Beth! Know you have a very busy month ahead of you.

I'm in . . . starting this one tomorrow!

Welcome Kate. Glad you are joining us. I am about 1/3 of the way through and really enjoying it.

My copy is in transit so I plan to join the discussion. It sounds like a tear jerker yet beautiful story!

I just finished it this morning and I LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Definitely will make my 2018 favorites list (and I am not a great contemporary fan)!

This book was quite a delight! The ONLY thing I didn't like was the pointless (view spoiler)[skinny-dipping chapter. That doesn't "take back" possession of sexuality, or whatever was claimed (been a while since I read the book). Rather, it flaunts what you've got, further enticing the wrong types of people (hide spoiler)]. If it weren't for that, this would have been a definite I-can-recommend-this-to-anybody sort of book. Now I have to give a warning about that one thing that I cannot support, when I share about this book with people.

I agree Andrea that bothered me too, but it was still such a good book that I couldn't lower the score except to maybe a 4.8.

Yeah, I docked a star for it, but the rest of the story was amazing, so I was happy to give it a solid four stars. (I don't do partial stars, as it's sometimes tough enough for me to decide between the five available ones.)

I'll join in reading this one. Hopefully I'll get if finished by the end of the month.

Glad you are joining us Julie!

Loraine wrote: "I just started this book today. Who's going to be joining me?"

I read it in in October, and it was better than most romance novels for me so it got a very strong 3 stars, and 3 stars means I like a book--I've enjoyed entire series that are mostly 3 stars for me.

I started this last night and really like it so far!

I finished this one this afternoon and really enjoyed it!

Marion and Kate glad you both enjoyed it.

Got a small start on this one! Good so far.

Ooh super interesting book! I’d love to read this month! I don’t have it tho. Any tips on getting a copy for an inexpensive price or just ideas on where to find it? Would it be possible to check out at the library! Hope to hear from you guys soon. So excited! Been super spacey. I haven’t been checking in until today and saw November book of the month...Can’t wait to start! Sounds so good!

I know some libraries have copies, so if yours doesn't have it you could probably get it via inter library loan. :)

started this last night, already 31% finished

(view spoiler)[So far Megan comes across very naive, probaly because she was so protected by her mom during her illness. Her mom was quite irritating trying to keep Megan from going on this trip.


Oh! That scene with Frank - just shown how naive Megan is - and it totally made me feel more aware of how "open" my life is to strangers. At least she was smart enough to not go directly to her room. Will be thinking twice about what info is available when I fly again or any other public transport :-) (hide spoiler)]

Hannah wrote: "I know some libraries have copies, so if yours doesn't have it you could probably get it via inter library loan. :)"

Yes, I got the copy I read from interlibrary loan where I live.

Adding another plug for trying to get it at the library, Lorena! My own local library had a copy of this that I used, but as others have said, if your library doesn't, you can talk to a librarian (or go online if that's an option for your library system) and request it via interlibrary loan. :)

I read this in the middle of summer. Great read! Highly recommend to everyone.

Surprisingly I finished the book! I've been setting an alarm to read for an hour and on my Kindle I just seem to read so much faster.

It was good. Not a new favorite or anything, but entertaining and deep at the same time. Solid 4 stars for me. Will share more thoughts later on during discussion.

I do want to put in a plug for buying books and supporting authors, since most don't make that much money from them, but for those of us with limited book funds, libraries are great. Plus, it gets those Christian novels in circulation, which is also good.

Usually I buy novels I've already read to give as gifts to people that will like them, but sometimes do buy some.

Discussion is now open. Please feel free to answer any or all of the questions or post a question or comment.

1. Which of Megan and Crystal's destinations would be your top pick to visit some day?

2. What items are on your own personal bucket list and why?

3. Megan lets fear hold her back from pursuing her dreams. Have you ever experienced something similar?

4. How did growing up with an ill sister affect Crystal? What are some healthier ways she could have coped with it?

5. What role did Megan's parents--particularly her mother--play in her perception of herself and her illness?

6. Amanda writes a bucket list in order to overcome challenges from her past. Does this idea of replacing painful moments from her past with joy and hope for the future resonate with you? Why or why not?

7. Megan feels pulled between safety and adventure. When was a time you experienced a similar struggle?

8. When Crystal finds the music box, she is reminded of something Nana said to her once. "Life isn't perfect. It's messy. It doesn't follow a pattern or a plan. Thankfully, we know the Big Guy in charge. And he is the superglue of souls." In what ways had Crystal attempted to superglue her own life back together? In what ways have you seen others (or yourself) attempt to do so after a tragedy or hardship? What does it look like practically to trust God to superglue us back together?

9. Megan struggles with wondering why God allowed her to live when Amanda died. She also wonders why she had to wait twenty plus years to be healed. Have you ever wrestled with a similar question? What conclusion did you come to?

1. Which of Megan and Crystal's destinations would be your top pick to visit some day?
~I think London would be my pick.

2. What items are on your own personal bucket list and why?
~I'd love to visit all of Canada's provinces and territories . . . there's so much of this gorgeous nation that I've not yet seen, and I'd love to see it!

5. What role did Megan's parents--particularly her mother--play in her perception of herself and her illness?
~I think, without realising it, Megan's mom pigeonholed her into this 'poor, sick girl' persona, when, even though she was critically ill, there was so much more to Megan than just her illness. I think with Megan being so young when she first became ill, she didn't know enough about herself to not allow her illness to define her rather than just be one of the many facets of her life.

6. Amanda writes a bucket list in order to overcome challenges from her past. Does this idea of replacing painful moments from her past with joy and hope for the future resonate with you? Why or why not?
~I'd never thought of this concept before, but I like it, tbh. And, now that I think of it, I've actually done the same thing without realising it. The day our adoption placement fell through was a very, very difficult and dark day for me (obviously!), and for years afterwards, I dreaded the anniversary. Almost 2 years ago, I was given an opportunity to participate in someone else's successful adoption placement on that anniversary day, and that memory of joy is now forefront in my mind instead of the heartbreak.

9. Megan struggles with wondering why God allowed her to live when Amanda died. She also wonders why she had to wait twenty plus years to be healed. Have you ever wrestled with a similar question? What conclusion did you come to?
~I used to wrestle with whether or not I had enough faith, because I have not been healed of my own illness. However, as I study Scripture, I have learned that I am building a 'but if not' kind of faith. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego reminds us all that even if we are thrown in the firey furnaces of life, God is *able* to deliver us, 'but if not', He will bring us Home to Him in glory. On particularly difficult days, I just remind myself that to live is Christ, but to die is also Christ, so I win either way!

Wonderful answers Kate! Thanks for sharing.

I hadn't heard of this book until a patron checked it out at the library. I loved the cover and snatched it up when it was returned. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to several people.

Glad you enjoyed it Lisa. I did too.

1. Which of Megan and Crystal's destinations would be your top pick to visit some day?

London, Spain and South America

2. What items are on your own personal bucket list and why?
Two oceans marathon - 56km's, doing a triathlon and maybe a cycle race - pushing your body beyond what you think it can do :-) - my head is sometimes my worst enemy and when I push myself like this, it is quite an achievement.

3. Megan lets fear hold her back from pursuing her dreams. Have you ever experienced something similar?

Yes - considering starting my own thing and not really doing anything yet because afraid of failing. Also, something medical I have to do but kept on delaying because afraid of the answer.

4. How did growing up with an ill sister affect Crystal? What are some healthier ways she could have coped with it?

I think she felt forgotten. Megan's illness overpowered Crystal and think she started performing for attention. I don't think she should have done anything different, since she was only a child, I think their parents should have taken time to spend with Crystal as well and especially making time to discuss her concerns and fears.

5. What role did Megan's parents--particularly her mother--play in her perception of herself and her illness?

I think her mom protected her so much and focused more on the illness, that the illness was Megan's identity, instead of who she was and her dreams. I think her mom's fears also played a huge part in the sister's estranged relationship. I think her mom allowed her fears to rule they way she dealt with Megan's illness and due to that held Megan back from life.


7. Megan feels pulled between safety and adventure. When was a time you experienced a similar struggle?

When I had the opportunity to work in US on secondment for 5 months. A foreign country away from family and friends - best choice I made!

8. When Crystal finds the music box, she is reminded of something Nana said to her once. "Life isn't perfect. It's messy. It doesn't follow a pattern or a plan. Thankfully, we know the Big Guy in charge. And he is the superglue of souls." In what ways had Crystal attempted to superglue her own life back together? In what ways have you seen others (or yourself) attempt to do so after a tragedy or hardship? What does it look like practically to trust God to superglue us back together?

I think if we try and superglue ourselves, it does seems fixed but you can still see the cracks (things we haven't dealt with), however, when God super-glues, it looks like a whole new thing (smooth and no cracks, since he dealt with the issue not just the result).

9. Megan struggles with wondering why God allowed her to live when Amanda died. She also wonders why she had to wait twenty plus years to be healed. Have you ever wrestled with a similar question? What conclusion did you come to?

I have, but was reminded that God is in control and he sees the big picture, I'm only seeing a part and once when I can look back or see more of the picture, things make sense. So I learned that I may question God, but best to trust Him and follow his leading.

Wonderful answers Sarita.

I haven't had as much time to read this month so I haven't started this book as I'm already reading Anne of Green Gables. I'll read it when I get some time in the future though as it sounds good.

Sarita, I love your comment about how we can still see the cracks in our lives when we glue it, but when God does it, it's all smooth!

Marion wrote: "Sarita, I love your comment about how we can still see the cracks in our lives when we glue it, but when God does it, it's all smooth!"

Thanks Marion :-)