The Kat House » books

My Favorite Author

Tish — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:15:32 +0000

I’ve always been an avid reader. Growing up, I’d often read two or three books per week. By the time I got to high school, I had discovered Stephen King, and until my mid-twenties, he was my favorite author. I read each of his books as it was released, and then for some reason that I can’t explain, I just lost interest and stopped reading them.

For the last decade or so, I’ve continued to read but with no particular interest in a specific author – until now. I am happy to say that I finally have a favorite author again. And as you may have guessed from some of my previous posts, his name is Andy Andrews.

Andy was a bestselling author long before I discovered him, but I’ll never forget the moment he came into my life. I was browsing the bestseller aisle in Books-A-Million and The Noticer caught my eye. After reading the cover, I decided to purchase it. The book was was an upcoming selection in one of Books-A-Million’s book clubs, and there was a 20% off coupon right there for the taking. But there was one problem. The coupon wasn’t effective until the following month! I could hear Dave Ramsey’s scolding voice in my head, so I decided to postpone my purchase.

Imagine my surprise when my friend John, another loyal Dave Ramsey fan and follower, stopped by my office a couple of days later. “Tish, Dave Ramsey recommended a book on his show the other day, and I want to read it!” I asked the name and was shocked to hear him say The Noticer. I went that night and bought the book – without the coupon. After all, I now knew that Dave would approve!

In his early twenties, Andy Andrews was homeless and living under a pier in Alabama. It was there that he met a mysterious old man named Jones. Jones taught Andy some valuable life lessons, the most notable being that sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective. And a little perspective is exactly what Andy got. His eyes were opened to opportunities that had been there all along, but that he had somehow failed to notice. Jones gave Andy that push he needed to become not only a bestselling author, but also one of the country’s leading corporate speakers.

The Noticer is a blend of autobiography, fiction, and inspiration. It tells the story of Jones and his positive influence on the lives of Andy and others living in Orange Beach, Alabama. It is entertaining, but more importantly, it is life changing. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

After reading The Noticer, I decided to pick up some of Andy’s other books. The Lost Choice is the story of a young boy who finds a piece of an ancient artifact in his back yard. His parents are intrigued and embark upon a journey to trace the relic’s history. As it turns out, the item has been in the possession of some extraordinary people, including Joan of Arc, George Washington Carver, and Oskar Schindler. This story motivates and inspires the reader to harness the power within himself to become extraordinary in his own way.

Just last month, Andy released a new book – Return to Sawyerton Springs. It is a collection of funny and heartwarming stories from the small town where Andy grew up. Like Andy’s other books, this one is an enjoyable read woven with inspiration and life lessons.

I am now reading The Traveler’s Gift. It’s the story of a man who has lost hope and is given a chance to find it again by traveling through time and meeting some of the greatest individuals the world has known. I’m only a few chapters in, but so far, David Ponder has met Harry Truman and King Solomon. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Once I finish The Traveler’s Gift, I’ll move on to Island of Saints, the story of Nazi artifacts that are unearthed in Andy’s yard and the subsequent search for their meaning. On a deeper level, it is a story of forgiveness. I’m sure it will be just as touching and just as meaningful as Andy’s other writings have been.

I can’t tell you how nice it is to finally have an answer to the question I am asked so frequently – who is my favorite author? And when I answer, it is with incredible enthusiasm. After all, I know that each person I convince to read one of Andy Andrew’s books will be touched by the positive messages in it, and will be inspired to greatness.

My Chat with Andy Andrews

Tish — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:25:46 +0000

When I heard that Andy Andrews would be participating in a “Tweet the Author” session today on Twitter, I immediately made plans to attend. After reading The Noticer, I was full of questions for the author. Not to mention, good reasons to leave work early are few and far between!

The chat was very insightful, and I learned lots of interesting facts about The Noticer and its author! Andy’s first book, The Traveler’s Gift, spent 17 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. I had no idea that it had been rejected by 51 publishers before it was finally accepted by Thomas Nelson after more than three years! What a testament to the power of persistence!

I am happy to say that Andy answered my own questions during the one hour chat. Behold – the conversation between ChattieKat and AndyAndrews!

ChattieKat @AndyAndrews I was inspired by Jones’ words about choosing a life mate and how to pick up on the “leaves” that others drop. #thenoticer

AndyAndrews @ChattieKat The leaves illustration came to me directly from Jones. It has served me incredibly well through the years. #thenoticer

ChattieKat @AndyAndrews I loved Jones’ definition of wisdom. What tips can you offer to help us become wise? #thenoticer

AndyAndrews @ChattieKat #thenoticer read purposefully, ask good questions, pray w/ passion & expectation

ChattieKat @AndyAndrews Do you think Jones is still around? How do you think he’d feel about inspiring such a life-changing book? #thenoticer

AndyAndrews @ChattieKat #thenoticer he would think it was cool. Jones is still a “presence” in my life the same way my parents are

ChattieKat @AndyAndrews Any upcoming TV appearances? #thenoticer

AndyAndrews @ChattieKat #thenoticer probly. I’m sry I dont know wht’s going on in my own life professionally, but we R having chicken on the grill 2nite

ChattieKat @AndyAndrews We’re all invited over for chicken, right? #thenoticer

AndyAndrews @ChattieKat #absolutely it’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Bird)!

The chat was so much fun! The only challenge was limiting your messages to 140 characters! As you can clearly see from this brief exchange, this bestselling author is extremely down to earth. He enjoys interacting with his fans on both Twitter and Facebook. If you’re interested in reading the chat in its entirety, you can do so by searching #thenoticer on Twitter.

And now, I bid you a fond farewell. Gotta drive to Alabama for dinner at Andy’s house!

Andy Andrews Gave Me a Little Perspective!

Tish — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:45:13 +0000

After hearing all the buzz about The Noticer by Andy Andrews, I couldn’t resist stopping by Books-A-Million last weekend to pick up a copy. I was blown away. I’ve read many books over the years, but this is one of the best – perhaps the best.

A blend of autobiography, fiction, and inspiration, The Noticer is the story of a mysterious old man named Jones with the extraordinary ability to “notice” things that others overlook. He enters the lives of numerous people in seemingly hopeless situations, and he gives them a new outlook. Their desperation gives way to opportunity, and their lives are forever changed.

I found this book to be particularly engaging, as it deals with a variety of life situations that we can all relate to. From choosing a life mate to struggling with divorce, from facing bankruptcy to contemplating suicide, there is no situation that is too big for Jones – or for us. All it takes is a little perspective.

After reading the book, I was curious as to just how much of it was based on actual events. I watched several interviews with the author and was surprised to discover that he had once been homeless, and his life had indeed been changed by a noticer named Jones. Have a listen for yourself.

Fans of The Noticer will be happy to know that the book has its own Facebook group. Andy Andrews also has a Facebook page where he regularly dispenses bits of wisdom and inspiration.

Andy, I’d like to thank you for using your God-given talents to give me and so many others a little perspective!

A Renewed Interest in Reading

Tish — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:41:45 +0000

After spending nearly two years engrossed in books dealing with human resources, it has been nice to get back to reading for the pure enjoyment of it. So far this year I’ve read three books, and I’m working on a fourth.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, “The Shack” by William P. Young was fantastic. It involves one man’s encounter with God after experiencing the loss of his young daughter. I would recommend it to anyone who has ever questioned just why God allows such horrible things to happen. Though a work of fiction, this book does an outstanding job of explaining the true nature of God.

You’ve probably heard of “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Randy was a Carnegie Mellon professor who was asked to deliver a “last lecture”, passing on the wisdom he had acquired in life as if it would be his last opportunity to do so. Shortly before giving his lecture, Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only months to live. He gave his lecture, and it became his legacy. You can watch the lecture in its entirety on YouTube. The book is an excellent companion to the video.

“The Christmas Sweater” by Glenn Beck is a wonderfully written story of a young boy who prays for a new bike for Christmas. Instead, his mother gives him a handmade sweater that resembles one she couldn’t afford to buy at Sears. Eddie tosses his “stupid, handmade, ugly sweater” on the floor and insults his mother. Shortly thereafter, she is killed in a tragic accident. Eddie is left with pain and regret, but eventually discovers faith, forgiveness, and the importance of family. This book is based on Beck’s own childhood experience that took him more than 30 years to feel comfortable sharing.

I am currently reading “Lost and Found” by Jacqueline Sheehan. I’ll give a full report when I’m finished, but for now I’ll just say that it’s everything I was hoping it would be – except for the one typo I found.

So what have you read recently that you’d recommend?

A Great Read

chattiekat — Sun, 30 Jan 2005 04:05:00 +0000

I love to read; however, most of my reading these days is from textbooks for school. When I do have time for pleasure reading, I tend to read religious and/or inspirational books, nonfiction, and Harry Potter. It is very rare that I find a novel that is so captivating that I cannot put it down. I have found one, folks! It is called Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler. We are reading it for my church book discussion group. I started the book a couple of nights ago, and I was instantly hooked. Here’s the description from the back cover:

“In 1965, the happy Bedloe family is living an ideal apple-pie existence in Baltimore. Then, in the blink of an eye, a single tragic event occurs that will transform their lives forever – particularly that of seventeen-year-old Ian Bedloe, the youngest son, who blames himself for the sudden ‘accidental’ death of his older brother.

Depressed and depleted, Ian is almost crushed under the weight of an unbearable, secret guilt. Then one crisp January evening, he catches sight of a window with glowing yellow neon, the CHURCH OF THE SECOND CHANCE. He enters and soon discovers that forgiveness must be earned, through a bit of sacrifice and a lot of love…”

I haven’t gotten very far into the book, but I am extremely impressed so far. I have never read anything by Tyler before, but if all her works are as good as this one has started off to be, I will definitely read more.