Quick Reads

Why The 22nd Blog?

September 22nd is how it all started…img_5085


I was reading C.S. Lewis’s Surprised By Joy as “research” for my new book A Portrait of Emily Price… and stumbled across the event he attributes to this date.


I was driven to Whipsnade one sunny morning. When we set out I did not belive that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did. Yet I had not exactly spent the journey in thought.


There are so many things I love about this statement and Lewis’s journey. First of all, without this moment we wouldn’t have what I consider to some of the greatest stories ever: Narnia, Prelandria, The ScrewTape Letters, The Great Divorce…screen-shot-2016-05-10-at-9-43-12-am


I also like it because of his Yet I had not exactly spent the journey in thought. Sometimes I make life much too complex with thought. It’s simply good advice to let thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and faith the time and chance to blossom.


And one more reason for The 22nd Blog.


Lewis’s best friend and, another favorite of mine, JRR Tolkein — if you haven’t read his The Lord of the Rings, get to a library — marked this day in his honor with a couple birthdays.


Happy Birthday Frodo and Bilbo Baggins!


So I figured I’d honor it too… Please meet me here every 22nd and we’ll share something new.


Katherine-Reay-portrait-of-emily-price-lg-coverNow… Because I can’t help myself and I did mention that I read Surprised By Joy as research for A Portrait of Emily Price, let me give you a little more information. It’s a fun joy-filled tale, set in Italy, and it releases on 11/1/16.


Reviews are now coming in… Publishers Weekly gave it a Starred Review (okay, still getting a little giddy) and here is the link if you’d like to know more… Publishers Weekly Review for A Portrait of Emily Price


Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you again… on the 22nd!

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Published on September 22, 2016 05:12
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message 1: by Mahala (new)
Sep 24, 2016 07:52AM

Mahala Katherine, I enjoyed reading this. Love the insight and significance of blogging on the 22. Lately I have been reading through your books. I began with Dear Mr. Knightley, then Lizzy & Jane, and I am now in the middle of The Bronte Plot. I have sincerely appreciated each one. There is something special about your writing - layers of textured vividness reaching into the crevices of the soul, leading both characters and readers into a journey of grace and growth. Ever taken a Myers -Briggs personality test? I kind of wonder if you are an INFJ. Thanks for sharing this blog. I look forward to the next one, as well as the release of A Portrait of Emily Price.

Take care! Mahala


message 2: by Katherine (new)
Sep 24, 2016 10:55AM

Katherine Reay HI... Thanks so much for both reading the books and reaching out. I'm thrilled you are enjoying them. You are close... I have been labeled a INTJ -- which I gather is a little rare. Someone asked me to get out the chart and tag all my characters on the scale -- someday that'd be fun to do. Have a great day!


message 3: by Mahala (new)
Sep 25, 2016 03:36PM

Mahala That's awesome. I'm an INFJ - which is less than 2% of the world population and yet represents more than 50% of the world's counselors. I think you should take that person's suggestion about tagging your characters. In fact, I'm sure it would be an interesting way to create characters. Just a thought! Thanks so much for replying. Have a great day as well!


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