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The Penny
This New York Times bestselling novel showcases Joyce Meyer in her first-ever fiction project withaward-winningauthor Deborah Bedford, telling a captivating story of restoration and true forgiveness.
Hardcover, Large Print, 388 pages
Published
June 12th 2007
by Faithwords
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I didn't realize when I picked this up that it was by a "Christian author." I have nothing against a nice wholesome story, or even a story to teach you a nice little lesson. But it seems this was written mostly with the lesson in mind, with less care being given to the story or the story telling. Rather than just telling the story and having faith that the reader would hear the underlying message, the underlying message was spelled out for you in big flashing letters (actually itali...more
To me the book was very slow paced until about half way through. I couldn't read fast enough to get to the good parts. It focused on not taking God's presence for granted. He puts peolple in our lives for a reason and we need to be ever so conscience of that fact.
The book took a penny to resemble even a small thing like that can have a big impact on our lives. Faith and forgiveness played a big part of this book. Life is to short and we need to focus on the little things God giv...more
The book took a penny to resemble even a small thing like that can have a big impact on our lives. Faith and forgiveness played a big part of this book. Life is to short and we need to focus on the little things God giv...more
Have you ever found a penny and picked it up for luck? Well, Jenny Blake finds a penny one hot day as she was on her way with her sister, Jean, to the movies to see a Grace Kelly movie. She retrieved the penny from the hot asphalt street. The penny laid wheat side up, so dirty it was almost invisible. Jenny walked past the penny at first; but thought that she should pick it up as "little things make a big difference." Picking up the penny, a chain of events began: the Presley Da...more
Book club pick for September.
This is the first book of fiction by Joyce Meyer that I have read. Several ladies in my book club that voted for this book did not know who she was. I am bummed to be in Hawaii and miss the conversation for this book. It is the first faith based book that our club has read. I loved the way she spoke of hands and what they represented in her life from pain to love. I loved that there was a definite story line of unconditional love. I love that...more
This is the first book of fiction by Joyce Meyer that I have read. Several ladies in my book club that voted for this book did not know who she was. I am bummed to be in Hawaii and miss the conversation for this book. It is the first faith based book that our club has read. I loved the way she spoke of hands and what they represented in her life from pain to love. I loved that there was a definite story line of unconditional love. I love that...more
I myself am not a religious person, but I came upon this book by chance a couple of weeks after I had my daughter 4 months ago. It's a cute story:
My boyfriend is good friends with this couple that I find completely repulsive. They represent just about everything I detest and I have never held back in letting them know it. The female half of this couple had told me plainly to my face before that she doesn't like me either and we probably will never be friends. I agreed and was happy...more
My boyfriend is good friends with this couple that I find completely repulsive. They represent just about everything I detest and I have never held back in letting them know it. The female half of this couple had told me plainly to my face before that she doesn't like me either and we probably will never be friends. I agreed and was happy...more
Ali
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Recommends it for:
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Recommended to Ali by:
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I enjoyed this book. It was a very deep book that made me cry. It definitely teaches you about inner strength, forgiveness and never giving up. Your future is not written by your past. This book is also about accepting those who are different and not judging others. I was glad that I read this one.
what an amazing story. this book definetly made me see things in a whole new perspective. this book goes a long way to proving that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. I cried for so many fo the characters. I actually feel like I understood their pain in some instances. I have always believed that even a small thing that you do can cause a chain reaction but the way it was written in this book, not just in one circumstance but on so many different pages just made this book a delight to rea...more
This was a book my husband bought for me for my birthday! Such a special gift, as I am a big Joyce Meyer fan! I enjoyed this novel, Joyce's first ~ it was a very neat story and gripped me until the end! I haven't looked at a penny the same since I read this book! In God We Trust!
This book is about finding faith in difficult times, and learning to look past societies standards. Set back when white and african schools were separate.. A friendship arose overcoming the difficulties from society and family on racism and atheism. "People will believe what they want to believe about you." A true statement - In the book people had gossiped about a lady who always wore white gloves and looked perfect- they didn't understand her/ or even try to get to know her. They ass...more
This book is hard to read. The beginning of it is almost as hard to read as The Lovely Bones. There is emotional, mental, physical, and sexual abuse of two sisters. Since it's Joyce Meyer (loosely based on her live story), I know it will get better, but it is hard to read about such things.
I have a new respect for Joyce Meyer. I always have sort of kinda liked her, but when I watch her on T.V., she rarely, if ever, alluded to her very bad beginnings. Now that I have read this bo...more
I have a new respect for Joyce Meyer. I always have sort of kinda liked her, but when I watch her on T.V., she rarely, if ever, alluded to her very bad beginnings. Now that I have read this bo...more
I am selective about Christian Lit. This book was well written and grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The story took me on a journey into God's love and grace. The author didn't hit me over the head with it, though. It is good to be reminded that even when we are struggling through difficult times, and may have no way out, He is still with us and loves us so very much. The fictional story of Jenny took place in the 1950s. Jenny's school has just made the move toward desegregation and ...more
If anyone has their doubts about God, this is the book to read. I couldn't put this book down and I actually cried reading it. I thought of my own disfunctional upbringing and I could clearly relate to the story. It demonstrated how "forgivness" is the way for emotional healing. It showed how God works through people to show us the way in life. Also, the little miracle's in life are right in front of us if we choose too see them. This book is not just for the disfunction in families...more
Set in 1950s St. Louis...a different time and place, but still with many of the same issues people face today. The authors told the story with such well written descriptions, I could see everything in my mind's eye. I was horrified when I realized there was childhood sexual abuse in the book, but it was handled delicately and I appreciated that.. otherwise no matter how compelling the story, it would've been impossible for me to read more.
Jenny was an amazing girl who perservered, f...more
Jenny was an amazing girl who perservered, f...more
Wow. I was surprised to find I did not like this story.
I found the descriptions distracting as if the authors worked too hard at them. I found myself repeatedly cocking my head to the side and wondering what the descritive prhase meant or how it looked. Odd.
I also felt like I basically had the jest of the story at the opening and so struggled through the story because I had a pretty good idea where it was going. I would have preferred to have seen more fore-shadowing th...more
I found the descriptions distracting as if the authors worked too hard at them. I found myself repeatedly cocking my head to the side and wondering what the descritive prhase meant or how it looked. Odd.
I also felt like I basically had the jest of the story at the opening and so struggled through the story because I had a pretty good idea where it was going. I would have preferred to have seen more fore-shadowing th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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THE PENNY
By Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford
Published by : Faith Words
247 pages
ISBN# 978-0-446-69593-0
Back Cover:
Jenny Blake has no idea how her life will change in the summer of 1955. But the day she stoops to pick up a penny imbedded in the hot asphalt, she starts a chain of events that will transform her life and the lives of those around her. Jenny is swept into a friendship with Miss Shaw, the woman whose past is the biggest mystery along Grand Av...more
By Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford
Published by : Faith Words
247 pages
ISBN# 978-0-446-69593-0
Back Cover:
Jenny Blake has no idea how her life will change in the summer of 1955. But the day she stoops to pick up a penny imbedded in the hot asphalt, she starts a chain of events that will transform her life and the lives of those around her. Jenny is swept into a friendship with Miss Shaw, the woman whose past is the biggest mystery along Grand Av...more
How many times have you walked past a penny on the ground without so much as a second thought? Jenny Blake did just that, and then for some unexplainable reason, turned, ran back and retrieved the penny from the hot asphalt. At the tender age of 14 Jenny had no way of knowing the significance of her actions on that blistering summer day in 1955. The Blake family lived in St. Louis, which during the 50’s and early 60’s was a hotbed of racial tension. So when Jenny, a white girl, befriends Aurelia...more
This book was urged on me by a nurse aide during a lengthy hospital stay. I probably would not have read it otherwise, but I was pleasantly surprised. I did expect an inspirational message but did not expect the wealth of nostalgic detail about St. Louis in the 50s. It reminded me a little, though it is a stretch, of A.E. Hotchner's King of the Hill. As other reviewers have said, the abusive childhood is hard to read about. The message about overcoming adversity clearly resonates with many peopl...more
I did not know this was Christian-Fiction when I picked it up and wasn't sure what to expect since I never read a book in this genre before.
This story is about abuse and forgiveness. It seemed the authors were too busy trying to share the message of God that they didn't put too much effort into the storyline itself. I was looking for a heartwarming story and this was not it. It was depressing and dry not to mention poorly written.
I liked the characters and think the ...more
This story is about abuse and forgiveness. It seemed the authors were too busy trying to share the message of God that they didn't put too much effort into the storyline itself. I was looking for a heartwarming story and this was not it. It was depressing and dry not to mention poorly written.
I liked the characters and think the ...more
I'm always a little more critical when I read books for book club, because I am reading in "analytical" mode and not necessarily in "entertaining" mode. That being said, I liked this book but wished that the symbolism was more subtle. It had a powerful story line and the blatant explanations of the internal symbolism seemed to detract from the message. I would prefer that authors make you ponder and think about the underlying message, rather than spelling it out for you.
An inspirational novel with a message. When Jenny, the main character picks up a penny she has found, a chain of events unfolds that teaches her the importance of unconditional love, grace, patience and forgiveness. Throughout the book you will see themes of overcoming difficulties, God's love and positive thinking.
Growing up, I was always told when you find a penny- it means someone from Heaven is thinking about you or with you. Pennies From Heaven.
Growing up, I was always told when you find a penny- it means someone from Heaven is thinking about you or with you. Pennies From Heaven.
One of the more powerful books I've read in awhile. Sure, it's slow-moving and its strength is not the writing...but the theme is perfectly laid out subtly throughout the story. Coming from someone who isn't very religious, I thought the undertone of Christianity was enough to get the point across without being too heavy. A precious story that can be applied across numerous settings still today. A great read for a book group or advanced students.
A 1.5 review. I didn't actually dislike it, but it certainly wasn't "Ok" either.
If this had been a memoir I think I would really have liked it, because the style and story would have fitted a memoir well. Being a fictional story, however, it utilized a number of my literary pet peeves - lots of foreshadowing, stereotypical characters and very, very heavy-handed preaching. The book suffered greatly from having the story told rather than shown, and the testimony would have be...more
If this had been a memoir I think I would really have liked it, because the style and story would have fitted a memoir well. Being a fictional story, however, it utilized a number of my literary pet peeves - lots of foreshadowing, stereotypical characters and very, very heavy-handed preaching. The book suffered greatly from having the story told rather than shown, and the testimony would have be...more
this was my Christian Book Club's first read together. I just finished it in time for our next meeting in a couple of weeks. Well I love Christian fiction as much as I love reading, however, I found this novel to be a bit boring. It was also a tad bit depressing and I couldn't find myself loving or even LIKING some of the characters..I hope the next group pick is a lot better then this one even though it is by the same author...
(book, novel based on fact)
a. This is by far the best book I’ve read in a long time. It had me crying or close to crying throughout most of it. The love that was shown to the deeply hurting main character by a woman is enough to bring even the hardest heart to tears. I think everyone that borrowed this book from me loved it. It’s a book to read in one sitting because you can’t put it down. 5 STARS
a. This is by far the best book I’ve read in a long time. It had me crying or close to crying throughout most of it. The love that was shown to the deeply hurting main character by a woman is enough to bring even the hardest heart to tears. I think everyone that borrowed this book from me loved it. It’s a book to read in one sitting because you can’t put it down. 5 STARS
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Favorite part(s): "Reaching out to hurting people even in small ways helps us to heal our own hurts..."; "Jesus had been a step ahead of me all along, putting pennies in my path, and I knew which direction he intended me to walk now." "God puts his love right in the middle of your path. He drops it right there to catch your eye, to show that HE can change your life if you'll just let him." I LOVE THIS BOOK.
This was a quick read by a well-known Christian author about a girl trying to find hope while living with a father who physically, emotionally and sexually abuses her. I loved the premise of her finding a penny and that providing her hope but the conflict seemed really clichéd and the writing was not that great. There was way too many similes and the similes were clichéd too!!
I read through the reviews prior to reading the book (maybe I shouldn't do that!) and they seemed polarized -- either people loved it or hated it. I thought the message was light and really not in-your-face as some reviews portrayed it to be. I really identified with the coming of age, abused protagonist and I thought her feelings of anger and her confused actions believable and sympathetic.
I enjoyed this story. It's hard not to feel empathy to the main character, a young teen girl, who suffers from her abusive father. But through a set of circumstances she finds others who care about her and who welcome her into their worlds where she struggles to believe she has self worth. Behind the scenes is faith in God and believing that he is with you through the good and bad.
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JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mind family of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio ...more
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