If it’s been a while, maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone a little. But wait… Let me (Angie) back up a little.
Just about a year ago, I joined a brand-new book club that meets at our local winery on the first Wednesday of each month. We were a little slow getting the word out, but over the past three or four months, our membership numbers have started to increase. Which, of course, means having to be open to suggestions for books that might not be in the genres I normally gravitate to. (I’m a big mystery/thriller/women’s fiction reader with a side order of post-apocalyptic/zombie delights thrown in once in a while.)
So last month, when the group decided on Ron Rindo’s Life, and Death, and Giants (“a moving story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles”) for our next read, my reaction was a little “Meh.” But since they’d already agreed to do one of my favorite thrillers next month, Jana DeLeon’s Malevolent, I figured the least I could do was give the Rindo novel a fair shot and burn an Audible credit to try out the audio version. And boy… Am I ever glad I did!
This book was SO much more than I expected it to be, and I wound up listening to the nearly twelve-hour audio production in two days! During a period when our world feels so divided, this book is a reminder that we don’t all have to believe, think, and feel the same things to be connected. It’s a story of how one extraordinary young man’s presence in the lives of many diverse people can bridge their differences in an unexpectedly positive way and a lesson on how we can meaningfully and profoundly coexist with those who don’t share our same backgrounds or life experiences. It was a beautifully written, perfectly narrated story that I would have never discovered on my own. And I’m so excited that the author, Ron Rindo, has agreed to join us via Zoom for our book club meeting next week! I’m so inspired to keep trying new things that I might even swap my normal glass of Sauvignon Blanc for a new wine during the meeting. 😉
Do you have a similar story to share? What’s a book that you ordinarily wouldn’t give a second glance that someone’s recommendation convinced you to try? And was your experience as wondrous as mine, or was it proof that you’re better off staying in your own lane? We’d love to hear from you and add some new titles to our TBR list!