In this episode of Novelbound, Celine and Anna talk about things they never thought would ever make it on air. Like why in the world they started this podcast, the feelings they felt before launch day, and how they got their motivation to keep this going. But the big topic for this episode is perspective changes and what made those perspectives change.
Anna kicks off the discussion with her first book, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, a nonfiction book that follows Cheryl Strayed, a young 22 year old. After a dramatic loss of her mother she makes a decision that changes her life. She decides to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. With no experience she goes on this incredibly intense hike on her own.
One reviewer, Amanda from Goodreads, says, “ A longtime lover of the PCT, I already know about the trail from end to end. I was more interested in how the author used a rather spontaneous journey along the trail to help herself face demons and come to grips with her mother’s death. There are moments where her emotions are so clearly spelled out on the page, and then there are times where you have to read between the lines. But every step of the way you’re alongside her, watching as she learns to accept, to embrace, to let go, and how the PCT weaves through that”
Anna’s next recommendation, A Man Called Ove. The story of the grumpy old man that lives next door. A young family moves in next door and everything changes. The book follows Ove and his past which lead to his calloused exterior. A great example of not judging a book by his cover or by their actions.
One reader said the following about this heartfelt read, ‘My heart floundered and scrambled for Ove. Ove is not a people person, and you’d have to uncoil his DNA to fix that. He has a forceful personality, and lives by the bullish assumption that any course of action he suggests would automatically be undertaken by those to whom he suggested it. And he is just as uncompromising, as unyielding in his integrity. “There’s a right way of doing things,” insists Ove, “and a wrong way.” But nothing in Ove’s life, it seemed, happened naturally—only as unavoidable blows, like those of a sledgehammer, and as memories of his past pile up like yarn under a wheel, as we witness how the capricious tides of misfortune, which pull people this way and that, take special notice of Ove—I felt a gloom so heavy that it was as if I carried a rock in my chest.
Celine’s up next with her first book recommendation that really impacted her life. The Hiding Place, Celine shares about her time in Germany, her spiritual beliefs and how to show compassion to those around you. The Hiding Place is real account of a woman and her family aiding Jewish people during Nazi times to protect them during one of the saddest times in the world. Corrie and her family tell their tale of trial and loss in The Hiding Place. Meg from Utah says, “Every human being should be required to read this book. I guarantee it will change forever the way you look at life.”
Not only does this book dive into the injustices during Nazi times but the depth of human kindness and truly being there for each other. Celine shares one of her favorite quotes, “ Corrie… do you know what hurts so very much? It’s love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain. There are two things we can do when this happens. We can kill the love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or, Corrie, we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel. God loves Karel–even more than you do–and if you ask Him, He will give you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way.”
Celine and Anna discuss the importance these books have had on them as people, teaching them things and allowing them the chance to learn and grow. Being willing to learn and grow are huge for change and progression throughout life.
Wanna listen in? Here’s the latest episode!
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