Unconventional

Unconventional

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3.64 of 5 stars 3.64  ·  rating details  ·  174 ratings  ·  54 reviews
YOUNG JAMES FROST just knows, deep in his bones, that he's a writer. He writes far into early mornings, after his wearying hours of scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. He loves writing that much. But it's not only the joy of words that keeps him grinding; it's his desire to retire the janitor's mop. He sees being published as the key to living an improved life. James ha...more
Paperback, 332 pages
Published July 1st 2009 by Mindstir Media
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Redeeming Love by Francine RiversUnconventional by J.J. HebertThe Shack by Wm. Paul YoungThe Barista by Elijah G. ClarkEven Now by Karen Kingsbury
Best Christian & Inspirational Fiction
2nd out of 269 books — 387 voters
Hush, Hush by Becca FitzpatrickFallen by Lauren KateShiver by Maggie StiefvaterPride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-SmithCity of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Best Book Cover 2009
99th out of 568 books — 2,969 voters


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Community Reviews

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J.J. Hebert
Jul 07, 2009 J.J. Hebert rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  (Review from the author)
Well, come on...of course this is a great book. I'm the author. How could I not give the tome five stars?
Valerie Waters
What a great book! I loved the main character James, he is an amazing person! Such a good book about hope and never giving up your dreams! And being kind to others no matter what. and not judging people by their occupation, and about accepting people for who they are. I really loved this book!
Carla Knowlton
Adored! But I may be a bit partial...for several reasons.

At times, I got frustrated with James. I wanted to scream at him to stop wallowing in doubt and fear. But as an author myself, I know how quickly I myself swing through fear and confidence, doubt and belief.

I am currently writing a novel in which the main character is named Leigh. In reading UNCONVENTIONAL, I found that Hebert's character of Leigh appears so similar in personality. I kept thinking, "This is MY character when she was a few...more
April
Everyone needs a bit of inspiration from time to time and Unconventional is the perfect story to fall into for not only great entertainments, but for a blessing and reminder to believe in oneself.

Honestly, I have been wanting to read Unconventional for some time. When I learned that J.J. Hebert would be touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotions, I instantly jumped at the opportunity to be part of the tour. I was thoroughly rewarded for my patience. Unconventional is a story of a young man, Jame...more
Carol
`Unconventional' by J.J. Herbert was a confusing read for me. Parts of the storylines were gripping and Kindle page turning but others were boring and there were too many story lines for me.

James Frost, the main character is a janitor for a school. He could have gone to college but he passed that up saying that he wanted to be "unconventional". He wanted to be a great writer. His parents divorced and his sister went with her mother to live. He chose to live with his father. But his father is ver...more
Holly
This book could be re-named "How to Properly Feed and Care for the Writer in Your Life" and I would highly recommend it to anyone who knows a published or unpublished author. As the wife of an author myself, I found myself nodding my head in agreement for at least the first half of the book. The frustrations, roadblocks, callous comments and side-tracks are completely on par for the life of a writer. Sometimes I wish I could just explain to folks how hard it is to be a writer, because in actuali...more
Judi Jxnfan
This was a free book from amazon, and I'm generally a fan of unconventionality, so I read it. The message was lovely - nothing to argue with there - but it would have made a better short story. It was repetitive. I understand the author's desire to make his point, but it was made to death. I also found a lot of the turns unlikely-to-unbelievable. I don't think James would have let all those days go by without checking on Meranda. James would have checked on her much sooner.

The poor communication...more
Karen Baney
This interesting story about a janitor who dreams of becoming an author is pretty good. I debated long over whether it was four-star worthy or not. The biggest reason I decided on three-stars was because about half way through the book, I started to get a bit bored. Part of this is because I prefer a romance and was disappointed that the romance took a distant back seat in the middle of the book. I also felt there was too much preaching at the reader during James' conversion.

The characters were...more
Molly
May 19, 2011 Molly added it Recommends it for: everyone
Recommended to Molly by: PUYB
Shelves: book-review
Let me take just a moment to say that this book was amazing. Not at all what I thought it would be. It was so much more than I was expecting. J.J. Hebert instantly captured my mind and my heart with this novel. His skills shine bright in this beautifully written debut novel.

Told in first person point of view, James Frost is a character that tugs at your heart. He dreams of becoming a writer, and J.J. Hebert fills this book with the emotionally turmoil one goes through with multiple rejections....more
Heavensent1
Unconventional is an inspirational fiction by debut author J.J. Hebert.

James Frost has a dream, he wants to write, ever since he was a young boy it has driven his soul to produce his muse. Upon finishing his book 'The Forsaken World', young James sends his queries out to the editors and publishers in hopes of becoming published. After each rejection, James' determination and stamina falters and weakens until he is questioning his own skills and desires. Everyone, including his father, snickers a...more
Alain Allemeersch
considered if to give this 1 or 2 stars. " because the writing was not bad for a debut novel. It read pretty smooth in parts, especially the first part.

However (spoilers coming), even though i am Christian i could not appreciate the Christian message here. Mainly because the main character was a bitter lonely loser throughout the whole novel, blaming everyone for his problems. And that did not change all that much in the end. From midway in the novel i found myself skimming pages from time to ti...more
Jolene
In spite of working in a soul-numbing job, James Frost clings to his dream of becoming a published novelist and stays determined to write a masterpiece. James' friend, Mitch, challenges him to be unconventional in his writing and his life. James' girlfriend, Leigh, challenges him to open his mind to God. And James' editor, Arthur, challenges him to write a better book. With all the challenges before him and the self-doubt inside of him, James sometimes fights just to get through the day. However...more
Maria
Unconventional by J.J. Hebert is about a young man with a big dream who is stuck in a dead end job. James Frost wants to be a writer, it's all he wants to do, but his manuscript is rejected by publisher after publisher. To make ends meet, he works as a janitor in his father's cleaning business.

James doesn't have many friends, and most of them have gone off to college. He's not very close to his father who is too busy looking for a girlfriend. James has very low self-esteem and is ready to give...more
Danielle Benji
I really enjoy it. I like the way that the novel is written makes me feel like am there. I can really relate to this story line because I chose a different route then the norm as far going to college. Good Job so far J.J. Herbert!
Paula Wiseman
Everyone loves an underdog and aspiring author James Frost is one in every aspect. However, he has a good heart, a gift and a dream. I loved the parallel drawn as James begins to understand God's sovereignty over us much like he works with the characters in his novel. In an imaginary dialogue with his characters, James says,"I was there with you from the beginning, loving you. I saw the end before you were born."

Deeper than the idea of triumph over adversity, though, is the theme of the essentia...more
Jan Marie Newby
Unconventional, a debut novel by J.J. Hebert, is the story of a young man with a calling, a calling that cannot be ignored or denied. It tells the story of James Frost and his journey to achieve his dream while overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is the saga of a young man's growth in faith, both in himself and in God; of persistance in striving for something that remains tantalizingly out of reach; of faith when it seems there is no reason to continue. I read this book in one sitt...more
Carly
I can’t remember the last time I found myself at a loss for words like this after reading a book. I finished Unconventional a couple days ago and I am still thinking about it and wishing it wasn’t over. If you read my reviews a lot, I am sure you are tired of hearing me say that I prefer debut novels over anything else. I have always felt that debut novels are truly the author’s baby and that so much of his or her soul has gone into the book. I could definitely tell that J.J. Hebert poured his h...more
Jennifer Nelson
I quit this book because I am so sick and tired of Christian novels that feature a godly Christian girl getting into a romantic relationship with a non-Christian guy. If you want to put that type of storyline in, Christian authors, could you please show it in its true light? In my opinion, missionary dating is extremely problematic and dangerous, and especially so when you introduce physical affection into the equation.

I also was starting to feel that the writing in this book was not greatest in...more
Donna
Some books are life changers, some are life affirmers, some are life encouragers. I'd put this one in the last category. Although it didn't change my life, it encouraged me through the realness of the story. J.J. doesn't paint the path to getting published (or to conversion for that matter) in all lively hues. There are dark times for him, and darkness in his soul and in others. He is careful to show the reader that although changing one's life is possible, it doesn't always occur in the way or...more
Adri
I liked the story idea and the main character. I have a lot of empathy with him, and his self-doubts. It is very difficult to silence the background chatter in order to hear the small, still voice of reason.

In my opinion the book would benefit from a lot of the advice given to the aspiring writer, James. A lot of the writing is flowery and comes across as verbose. Sometimes less is better. One must beware over-writing.

There is a lot to like about this book and I wish JJ everything of the best wi...more
Cheryl Hart
Unconventional, by J.J. Hebert

This is … well … an unconventional story.

James Frost, a writer with low self-esteem and self-worth, struggles to live out his dream of becoming a successful novelist. He writes (and rewrites) whenever he finds time between eating, sleeping, and working as a janitor in his father's cleaning business. He hates his job and how people judge him for being 'only a janitor'--it makes him feel invisible. Although his writing fills his heart, his head is full of self loathin...more
Kitty Bullard
"UNCONVENTIONAL" BY J.J. HEBERT

This novel spoke to me, being an aspiring author myself there is so much to learn contained in this one book. It says a lot about positive thinking and that you have to believe in yourself before anyone else will believe in you. It also speaks about the power of faith and how it can change your life for the better. James Frost is a struggling artist, a wonderful writer that is repeatedly rejected by publishing companies and editors that think his story is just not...more
Elaine
With Sam's parents driving, he and James head out from their home state of New Hampshire to Pennsylvania where Sam will be attending college. James doesn't go to college so meeting new people can be tough when having to explain what he does for work. He works for his father in his janitorial business and is in the process of writing a book which he's trying to get published. He doesn't believe he should have to fit into the conventional mold of doing what everyone else is doing just because ever...more
Sophie
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Jim
A Wonderful, inspiring, uplifting story of James and Leigh as they try to reach for the "Unconventional" amid family dysfunction,and those who would have them be just ordinary. This was a departure from my usual choice of old historical novels. I was very much surprised by its impact even on my own life. Every one should read the novel and especially those younger folks attempting to make decisions about what they wish to do with their lives. Great Justin, I look forward to your next novel.
Sherry
I got this a free book from amazon and I really Loved this Book, James Frost is a strugglin author trying to get his Book published. He has to work as a janitor to make a living and he hated his job. With no formal education its hard and people look at him like hes dirt. He Meets a Lovely girl who believes in him and with her Love and understanding his dreams do come true!! Its heartwarming, and full of Christian Value!! With Gods Love all things are Possible for those who Believe!!
Rosanne
I have just finished reading Unconventional and was greatly impressed by the author and his writing style. The characters were real and believable while the story was somewhat predictable it was enjoyable.

The idea of being and practicing unconventionality is a great one and I expected James to be consistent in his pursuit of it. He, throughout, the entire book only sought to be conventional. The voice inside of his head always thought so little of him and I felt that he truly believed that he wo...more
Melissa
It's rare to find a book in which the characters can relate so much to every day life. It's even more rare to find those characters in which you can think of them like friends while you read. The characters suffer with every day, real problems, which makes them very tangible.

As the character James Frost often says in the book, being a janitor is a job, it is not who he is. How often we forget how we are defined (and in turn, how we define people) in our lives. Author JJ Hebert did a remarkable...more
Crystal Adkins
A very inspirational, motivation book! I enjoyed the real life characters and the real life struggles, emotions, and out comes. The only comment about the 'writing' of the book, was the way it 'explained' modern day things, it was sort of weird. And the flow sort of read like a biography, but it was fictional. All in all, I did like the book and would recommend it.
Carolyn
This book has a good plot and builds the character's personalities really well. It just seemed to be sort of dragged out to me. In my my the interesting parts didn't really start until I was halfway through reading it and the spaces between those parts were a little to long for me. I liked the overall message and it also had a good ending ther's were just some parts that were a little dull to read.
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Unconventional (Kindle Edition)
Unconventional (Kindle Edition)
Unconventional (ebook)
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J.J. Hebert's debut novel, Unconventional, frequently appears on the Amazon.com Best Sellers lists. The Kindle version has been the #1 Inspirational Book in the Kindle Store numerous times. Unconventional has sold tens of thousands of units worldwide. J.J.'s highly anticipated children's book, Weepy the Dragon, is now available at Amazon.com as well.

J.J. is also the founder of MindStir Media (www....more
More about J.J. Hebert...
Weepy the Dragon

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