Peculiar Treasures: Katie Weldon Series #1

Christy Miller fans and new readers will delight in following the story of her friend Katie Weldon! In Peculiar Treasures, Katie catches more than the bouquet at Christy's wedding; she snags a job as a university resident assistant. But how can God use her when everything is falling apart---especially with her boyfriend, Rick? 352 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

The first book in the Katie Weldon Series, Peculiar Treasures follows Katie as she struggles to believe that God can love her, faults and all. Katie turns to the women in her life as she tries to figure out her relationship with her boyfriend, but even their advice can’t postpone the decision that will define the woman she’s becoming.

Katie Weldon is just finishing her junior year at Bible College. As she juggles finals, maid-of-honor duties at her best friend's wedding, work and an almost-romance with her boss, she finds herself contemplating other big questions, such as whether to take a resident advisor position her senior year, and what to do about her undeclared major. Gunn has been writing about Katie and her friends for years, most notably in the popular Christy Miller series, and this is first in Gunn's Katie Weldon series. f Katie's dilemmas may seem like the stuff of unabashedly light fiction, but they aren't without gravity and intrigue. Gunn is adept at denuding light fiction of its usual tics—mediocre prose, clichéd characters and predictable plots—and imbuing it with the hallmarks of literary fiction. The characters are multidimensional and ring true at nearly every turn. The dialogue that ensues is at once heartbreaking and utterly familiar to anyone who has ever been in Katie's shoes. Moreover, Katie's religious faith never feels sentimentalized or tacked on, but is integrated beautifully into the charming plot. (Apr.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

"Katie Weldon is just finishing her junior year at Bible College. As she juggles finals, maid-of-honor duties at her best friend’s wedding, work, and an almost-romance with her boss, she finds herself contemplating other big questions, such as whether to take a resident advisor position her senior year, and what to do about her undeclared major. Gunn has been writing about Katie and her friends for years, most notably in the popular Christy Miller series, and this is first in Gunn’s Katie Weldon series. Katie’s dilemmas may seem like the stuff of unabashedly light fiction, but they aren’t without gravity and intrigue. Gunn is adept at denuding light fiction of its usual tics -- mediocre prose, clichéd characters, and predictable plots -- and imbuing it with the hallmarks of literary fiction. The characters are multidimensional and ring true at nearly every turn. The dialogue that ensues is at once heartbreaking and utterly familiar to anyone who has ever been in Katie’s shoes. Moreover, Katie’s religious faith never feels sentimentalized or tacked on, but is integrated beautifully into the charming plot." — Publishers Weekly

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by J (USA), December 28, 2009

No, I'm serious about giving this book 5 stars and here's why: One word: KATIE. This series brings to life a flat charater from the Christy Miller series and transforms her into a dynamic, passionate girl that we all can relate to. Katie Weldon is deep--she has real problems, a busy life, and real questions. She's down to earth, and as her almost-boyfriend calls her, "an open book." Yet, that is one of the reason why I love this book so much! Katie isn't afraid to speak her thoughts--she's REAL. She's especially honest with Rick. I love how the two of them can argue one moment, and sincerly make up the next. Rick is also a dynamic character. Yes, he's the reformed flirt, but that's the past. Now, he's a successful buisness man and is crazy about Katie. He might take their relationship awefully slow at times, but I think that's sweet! :) He respects Katie by keeping their relationship on a friendship level. One serious topic in this book is TRUST: complete trust. Katie has a hard time trusting Rick and it allowed me to evaluate how I trust the people around me. If you were a big fan of the Christy Miller series, you will love the Katie Weldon series! In my humble opinion, they are WAY better than Christy's or Sierra's. And the book leaves you very happy! A nice, satisfying read!

Reviewed by Rachel Brodsky (Hernando, FL), April 15, 2009

I am a HUGE fan of the Christy Miller series, and I've also read the Sierra Jensen series, so I was excited when I found out that Robin Jones Gunn was starting this series. It's a great book, with a positive influence, making you question yourself as you learn from the characters. I would recommend it to other fans.

Reviewed by Chelsea Davis (Lincolnton, GA), March 10, 2009

I have read the Christy Miller Series, the Sierra Jensen series, and now the Katie Weldon series. I am in love with the books Robin Jones Gunn creates. I feel as if I'm a close friend of all the characters. My mother laughs at me when i talk about them, because i talk as if they are my own friend. The Katie books are one of favorites, because i love peculiar treasures. Me and my friends have begun calling ourselves that and crack up whenever someone hears and looks at us like we're nuts. Thank you Robin for all the amazing encouragements through your book. Your books are a true God-thing for me. Thank you again for all you do.

Reviewed by Joann (PA), March 04, 2009

Ahhhh this book was soooooo totally awesome! It was the kind of book that was soo great that you couldn't put it down! I finished it in one day! Its awesome to have authors out there to write such wonderful books!

Reviewed by Sherri Cornett (Pine Top, KY), September 24, 2008

I have been reading the Christy Miller series since middle school. Now as an adult I truly enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read more in the series.

Reviewed by Tiffany (CT), September 03, 2008

I like just couldn't wait 2 receive this book,I just got this yesterday,and oh my LUV it,it's just as good as Chirsty and Sierra! Luv how these books are topics of normal Teenage stuff, yet Robin mentions our creator you couldn't ask for anything better in a good book I'm 15 and luv em I would recommend this for like 13 and up! I can't wait 4 da second 1 to come out,and for da next and so 4th!

Reviewed by Claire (Toledo, OH), August 23, 2008

The wait is driving me CRAZY!!!!!!! I love Katie just as I love Christy and Seirra. I couldn't put it down when i read it a couple months ago.... i want the next one... and the next and the next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewed by Kirsty Pearce (Sydney, NSW, Australia), August 02, 2008

I LOVE this book!! I think that it is really cool that we get to read books from Katie's point of view. I love Rick, and how he is so different from what he was in high school, cause he was such a jerk back then, and he's really come a long way. I also love how they keep trying to come up with nicknames for each other, and how Rick moves over into the "boyfriend/grilfriend" lane. They are just so cute together! And i love how we get to see Todd and Christy in their married life, they are so in love, and i love Nicole, she is really cool. I love all the girls in Katie and Nicole's dorm, and i love Doug and Tracy's baby. My favourite scene is definitly the beach scene, i just love how Christy and Todd interact, it's so romantic! I think that the Katie Weldon Series is my favourite out of all of them.

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