the noticer by andy andrews

What would you do if a man you'd never met seemed to know everything about you? And not only that, but he knew what you'd need to do to fix the biggest problem in your life? This happens to the people of Orange Beach, Alabama, when they meet Jones, an old drifter. He has amazing insight into the problems in their lives, and everyone who meets him leaves changed.

Let me start off by saying that this book is a very quick and enjoyable read. However, it wouldn't even make my top 20 list, let alone be "the best book I have ever read in my life," as one of the book's endorsers calls it.

Chapter two focuses on a couple on the verge of divorce; Jones' description of love "dialects" sounds suspiciously like the love languages popularized by Gary Chapman. Advice in other chapters, while good, also isn't anything new--at least to me. Perhaps someone who didn't come from a Christian background would find this information more original. That said, I did appreciate the reminders that intentions don't mean anything if we don't follow through on them (Chapter 7) and that we have to deal with the consequences of our actions (Chapter 8).

Thomas Nelson has billed this book as "self-help," and it obviously is, though it's based around a fictional narrative. While there are Christian principles throughout, it's not overtly Christian, which will make it more palatable for a mass audience. Sin, which is at the heart of most of the problems, and a relationship with Christ are not mentioned. I know that the goal is to sell books, but I would have appreciated more of a biblical perspective, since it's put out by a Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson). However, most people will probably enjoy it just the way it is, and I expect it will make the bestsellers list.

(I received an advance copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through its Book Review Blogger program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com)