Unconventional
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Unconventional

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4.1 of 5 stars 4.10  ·  rating details  ·  78 ratings  ·  31 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 William P. YoungThorn Daze, the Painful Truth about Prosperity Teaching by Paul G. Zimmer IIChasing Memories by Cindy Bauer
Best Christian & Inspirational Fiction
2nd out of 141 books — 224 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
101st out of 547 books — 2,810 voters


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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 528)
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J.J. Hebert
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?
April
April rated it 5 of 5 stars
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 yo...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Properly Feed and Care for the Writer in Your Life" and I would highly recommend it to anyone who knows a published or unpublished author.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...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 chara...more
Molly
Molly added it
Recommends it for: everyone
Recommended to Molly by: PUYB
Shelves: puyb
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 ...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 fat...more
Jolene
Jolene rated it 5 of 5 stars
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. Howev...more
Maria
Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: read-in-2011
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 ...more
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 t...more
Jan Marie
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
Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2011-favorites
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 h...more
C.E. 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 ...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 hi...more
Lindsay
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Jim
Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars
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 ne...more
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 beli...more
Melissa
Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: favorites
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 r...more
Brad
Brad rated it 4 of 5 stars
Pretty good, especially for his first book. About a kid who decides not to be conventional. He doesn't go to college, but works as a janitor while he finishes writing his first book and tries to get it published. Didn't want to put it down once I started reading.
Jo
Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars
Unconventional is a heartwarmining story of a young mans dream of becoming a published writer. Has love, humor, heatbreak and inspiration. Wondeful read for a first time author. Recommed highly for a great read.
Andy
Andy rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: 3-star
The overall story was entertaining and inspiring. However, some of the religious views were overemphasized. To the wrong reader it would be a definite turn off.
Kath
Kath rated it 3 of 5 stars
This book was ok, I got a bit worried that it was going to turn into a christian preach but it didn't really.
Beverly
Still waiting for the next chapter of this on Podiobooks.com. I've caught up with the author... but am enjoying this "clean" book on a man fulfilling his dreams.
Chris
Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars
Shelves: listened
11/24/2009 - I finished listening. All in all I was able to listen to the whole book. Not bad, but not great.

I am currently listening to the serialized audiobook from Podiobooks.com.
Jamie
Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: audiobooks
This is a decent read. It is corny is some places, especially in how quickly a cynic drops right into and is completely comfortable with religion. But overall, it is a good and touching story that is worth the time.
Melissa
"The greatest and most inspiring achievements are not produced by those who conform to society's idea of normal, but by those who courageously adopt the unconventional." (page 1/location 169)

"Children aren't born prejudiced. They don't hate. They don't degrade. They learn these things from society. This is one of the greatest tragedies in the world: the circle of prejudice." (page 58/location 1477)

Staci
I enjoyed Unconventional from the cover art to the final page. Sometimes a story or a character will compel the reader to examine life from a fresh perspective, and Unconventional does just that. The clever parallels drawn between Robert Frost and the main character, James Frost, convey a foundation of inspiration that lovers of the poet will really appreciate. An entertaining and very touching read, I recommend it to anyone who loves a great story.
Kelsey
Kelsey rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: first-reads
I really liked this book. There were so many parts that I identified with the "self-talk" that James experienced, but for the grace of God. Entertaining and not disappointed in the ending. :)
Carol
Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars
A well written book about a young man and his dream and challenges to write. The story line was excellent. My only problem with the book is when Mr. Frost accepts Christianity; it appears to be thrown in.
Cathy
Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book; it was an easy read. It was a little different than most Christian books. I enjoyed this debut novel; writing was quite a change from his previous vocation (janitor). Good job, JJ.
Kim
Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Each character is different and interesting, yet they all seem to come together in a very rewarding way. I would recommend this book to any reader!
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Unconventional (Kindle Edition)

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J.J. Hebert's debut novel, Unconventional (paperback), has spent time on several Amazon.com bestseller lists, including #3 in Christian Romance and #8 in Christian Fiction and peaking at #857 overall (out of millions of books at Amazon.com). The Kindle version has been the #1 Inspirational Book in the Kindle Store numerous times. Unconventional, in all formats combined, has sold thousands of units...more
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