Customer Reviews

Emma's Journal

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't let Publisher's Weekly fool you- this book is well-written and the characters are perfectly depicted for the purpose of the book. Emma's Journal is inspiring and touching.

I like to read, but a book has to really hold my interest or I won't finish it. Maybe one in ten books I start get read cover to cover. I started reading Emma's Journal on a prop plane ride back from Greensboro NC last night and I was late for work this morning because I had to finish it. The characters are well developed and I found myself reading one chapter after another to find the conclusion. The author has a way of drawing you right into the story. Anyone that reads this book will probably re-evaluate and maybe reorder their priorities in life. Rowell gives you some new ways to look at "living on purpose" and you may find you self wanting to make some of the life changes that Emma made. Please keep writing, Ed Rowell, it just may be your purpose!!

I don't know if I have ever been moved to write an author about a book before. This book - I did. I loved the story and how there is a whole lot more to the story than "just a read." If you are paying attention - it has the potential to change your life. I ordered 10 copies for our small group to read and do as a book study for the summer. Living with purpose - FINALLY someone has put what I have been attempting to live for a long time into a well written story that you can actually see yourself living out. It affirms the fact that every life has significance and that you CAN make a difference in the world around you.

Well done!

One rule of fiction is that the main character has to undergo a change by the end of the story. Well, Emma wasn't the same person her family knew. Oh yeah, she'd lost weight. There was also a greater interest in church. But they really didn't spend much time with her. The key was in her last words, which they missed too. Read the journal! Her friends knew about that journal. Many had started keeping one too. Entries are included, though not in chronological order. Besides changing her own life, Emma had impacted her entire community. When the journal is missing, her friends lead the charge to find it. They also reach out to her family. This story is quite intriguing. Her daughter-in-law is quite a trip. She's mean and controlling. Her husband and pastor usually give in to her wishes. She flaunts her faith, but doesn't really live it. Maybe you've known someone like this. Even worse is to be that person. Emma's daughter has her own problems. Her husband left her for a man. She had a daughter out of wedlock. This girl is inspired to start her own journal. Maybe you will be too. My only beef is that the ending could have been stronger. Still, this is a page turner. I highly recommend it. We could use more Emmas. She reached out to others, regardless of age, race, or background. You will be greatly blessed.

Love reading this book! It was so good that on vacation, I read it aloud to my husband while he drove. Had a hard time reading the last chapter without crying...which made my reading less understandable, of course. Would recommend this book to everyone. Enjoy!!!

I borrowed this book from a friend, and after reading it, literally searched the world for copies. Even though it is a novel, the life lessons learned from it are very special. Emma's wish to make a difference to those around her, and in doing so, finding fulfilment for her own life, is inspirational. Emma took her inspiration from Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. The inspiration for us is to grow in wisdom (intellectual growth), in stature (looking after our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit) and in favour with God (having a strong spiritual relationship with the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ) and with men (as a servant to those around us - helping others, instead of always being needy, selfish and requiring help). Seems so easy, and as Emma's journal reveals, she truly found fulfilment by following these principles. It has encouraged all the people I have given copies of this book to, to start journals of their own, but more importantly, grow in their relationship with God and the people around them by following the servanthood principle.