A new story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift.
Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But like all humans on the planet, the good folks of Orange Beach have their share of problems - marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, as well as the many other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.
Fortunately, when things look the darkest - a mysterious man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. An elderly man with white hair, of indiscriminate age and race, wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and leather flip flops carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul. Communicating what he calls "a little perspective," Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. "Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely," he says. "Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider even the simplest action you take, for your lives matter beyond measure…and they matter forever."
Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what we can do about it.
Like The Traveler’s Gift, The Noticer is a unique narrative is a blend of fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Gifted storyteller Andy Andrews helps us see how becoming a "noticer" just might change a person’s life forever.
It’s been said before that many of us move through life with eyes wide shut. Indeed, as we go from day to day, endless lists of to do’s to endless lists of not to do’s, it’s dizzying how the smallest details of life can pass us by, unnoticed, unmissed and uncelebrated. It is this very phenomenon that prompted Andy Andrews’ latest work. With characteristic insight and expected tact, he delivers a story inspired by truth, that offers at once perspective, wisdom and a healthy dose of hope for tomorrow and yesterdays not forgotten.
In this small, emotion-packed book, Andrews takes readers to small-town Alabama, where the simplicities of life’s complications all seem to converge in a tidal wave of ordinary hopelessness. Yet, despite the entourage of despair, an unassuming, unpresumptuous package of encouragement and a fresh take on things arrives in a man called Jones. Through home-spun honesty and the kind of perspective that makes the mustiest corner smell fresh and clean again, Jones offers our characters a new take on life and a brighter view for the days ahead. For readers everywhere, The Noticer is the kind of read that bottles up the expectation of New Years, the excitement of a birthday and delivers it all in a hearty dose of literary refreshment.
Bestselling inspirational writer and speaker Andrews (The Traveler's Gift) again blends fiction, allegory and inspiration and seasons it with a dash of autobiography. The result is a readable little tale of a mysterious old man named Jones—”just Jones, no mister”—who shows up in the lives of people in crisis. Jones brings the gift of perspective—he “notices” alternative ways to think about things. Some of what he says is common sense: “yes, sir” works better than “I guess.” Some of what he says counters received wisdom: do sweat the small stuff, because little things can make a big difference as surely as brushstrokes make up a masterpiece. The narrator “Andy” is personable and appealing, and Jones is mysterious and brusque enough not to be a cloying Pollyanna. The title is awkward and not everyone likes motivational books, but many readers do. Andrews brings a track record, wordsmith skills and, best of all, an imagination. (Apr. 28) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Melissa Bussey (Sedalia Missouri), January 29, 2010
The Noticer by Andy Andrews is a great reading experience. Jones has the gift of perspective. He notices the things that others don't. With this gift the old man enters the life of people in a small town, who have found themselves in desperate painful places, and shows them a new perspective.
I couldn't put this book down and read it all in one sitting. The lesson Mr. Andrews teaches on perspective is one we would all do well to learn. I definitely suggest this for your reading lists.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kim (Phoenix, AZ), January 14, 2010
I recently finished reading this really fun book. The author has an interesting style of challenging his readers to look at their lives from a different perspective. It sometimes felt like a cross between a fiction and non-fiction book as I tried to decide if the author was telling of his own experiences or just telling a story. It was encouraging to me to read how our lives can be transformed just by looking at events and circumstances from a better point of view. He gave many illustrations of this through glimpses of different people’s lives. Although the author obviously wanted to teach a concept, his approach was not a “how-to” manual, but instead was an easy to read collection of short stories. These stories were entertaining and actually quite realistic and meaningful. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an uplifting read. It held my interest throughout the entire book.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Katelyn Collison (Hohenwald TN), December 12, 2009
I just finished the book The Noticer by Andy Andrews.
This book is inspiring. The main character, Jones, is a classic grandfather character. The kind of character you are drawn to without much thought, because he reminds you so much of home and comfort. As you read this story, you follow Jones along on his journey with many different people. Each person is facing something completely different in their lives, but alike in the sense of its turmoil and heartache. Jones revives their hearts and minds with kind words and good perspective. After Jones finishes talking with each, he leaves. Even after Jones leaves, he is never forgotten. Jones in his kindness and goodness, has changed their lives forever. The Noticer is a book that shows what happens to people everyday. People forget things most important to them when a troublesome times hit them hard.
So, I really enjoyed this book. There were times when I had to make myself remember I was reading a book, and not an essay or something. Despite it's repetitiveness, I found myself wanting to read and see where it went. Though, it isn't one of my favorite books, it did manage to make me open my eyes just a little wider at the world around me. "Sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective."
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Elizabeth Duan (Sequim, WA), December 09, 2009
Note: This book review was done as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program.
I really enjoyed reading The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It is a story of a man whose life was changed by a man named Jones, who always seemed to show up at the right time in people’s lives to help them see a new perspective and allow them to make life-changing decisions.
This book was inspiring to me and helped me realize that sometimes it just takes a different perspective in life. There was a wide variety of situations portrayed in this book that will be influential to a wide range of readers. The book was easy to read and helped me examine my life in a new light. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that wants to be happy, content and successful in life. We have all been through tough situations and may even be going through one right now, as I am. This book would be helpful to everyone, saved and unsaved.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Timothy (Philppines), December 06, 2009
It all happen in an ordinary town filled with ordinary people with ordinary problems, which we all do encounter somewhere in our life. When something extraordinary struck this small town when an old man involuntarily touches everybody’s heart and getting himself involved in solving their unnoticed problems. After hearing their share of stories, he always says “you do lack in PERSPECTIVE” after a couple of explanations and realizations he will leave them enlightened and with their hearts at eased.
I’ll give five for five because the book is so inspiring. As the story progresses the definition of the word “PERSPECTIVE” gets clearer and clearer. I really like the sudden change of mood from being light to the beginning till you reach the last chapter where you get a bit puzzled and crave you to go on the story and end it with a seed of perspective in your heart. To wrap it up! The book is so good.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Timothy (Philippines), December 06, 2009
It all happen in an ordinary town filled with ordinary people with ordinary problems, which we all do encounter somewhere in our life. When something extraordinary struck this small town when an old man involuntarily touches everybody’s heart and getting himself involved in solving their unnoticed problems. After hearing their share of stories, he always says “you do lack in PERSPECTIVE” after a couple of explanations and realizations he will leave them enlightened and with their hearts at eased.
I’ll give five for five because the book is so inspiring. As the story progresses the definition of the word “PERSPECTIVE” gets clearer and clearer. I really like the sudden change of mood from being light to the beginning till you reach the last chapter where you get a bit puzzled and crave you to go on the story and end it with a seed of perspective in your heart. To wrap it up! The book is so good.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bill Cearbaugh (Fort Wayne, IN), November 25, 2009
Andrew's new book, The Noticer immediately draws you into the story by setting a scene on the ocean side about an old man and his new friend. The book is a short read, as books go, but make no mistake about it, even though short, it is a life changing theme. The old man, who goes by Jones, sovereignly “bumps” into people and wisely notices why their lives are difficult. In the process, he helps them step back for a moment to see what changes could transform their lives. Mr. Andrews “looses his ball in the weeds”, in my opinion, in one chapter, where he actually goes through the explanation of the love language steps. But in spite of this, Andrews has a way with always leaving wanting more, so you desire to read on. And before you know it, the small ocean-side town has been infected by the goodness of an old man. Plant your victory garden this year by reading The Noticer by Andy Andrews.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tammy (Grand Rapids MI), November 23, 2009
I am a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson. The Noticer is a story about perspective. Jones, an elderly gentleman, transforms the lives of those in Orange Beach by showing them a different perspective on their lives. The story opens with the transformation of Andy, a homeless young man who is living under a pier. Jones shows up, meets Andy where he is at and points out that things are not always how we perceive them.
I had a difficult time getting hooked on this book. I did not find it to be a page-turner or a thrilling adventure story. It is a simple story about having the choice to look at our circumstances under a different light. During this season of my life, I needed to hear this simple truth again. We do not have to live in defeat, despair, hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, grief etc. We have the ability to rise above those things and walk the road before us in the light of Christ.
Jones reminded me of Christ as he touched the lives of his “best friends”. He met people where they were at and gave them the ability to look at their own lives through a different lens. The story also caused me to ponder my role in the lives of others. Do I help people by giving them a different perspective? Most of all, am I pointing them to the Light? The story ends with seeds – you will have to read the book to find out what they are all about :-) - may each one of us spread seeds of love, hope, peace, faith, joy and comfort in the lives of those who cross our paths.
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