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Naming The Bits Between
Somewhere between the unexpected changes in life, his legacy becomes a combination of all the others.
Suddenly, she's gone. Devastated, he's lost. The comfortable life that married couple Celeste and Eric Harper shared, is shattered by tragedy. For Eric, an unmotivated journalist who is grieving the accidental death of his wife, sorting through this broken existence without Celeste is nearly impossible. It is utterly excruciating.
Right when he needs it most, his neighbor and closest confidant, Mrs. Flynn, presents an eye-opening gift. Inspired, he attempts to move past his own debilitating grief by focusing on what was important to others. With each stranger's name chosen at random from the newspaper, he honors that person by doing what they loved most in their lives.
One profound adventure after another follows. By documenting the many facets of these lives in his journal, Eric carves a life changing path. With renewed purpose, Eric shares what he learns with Mr. and Mrs. Flynn, illuminating new possibilities for them all.
Look at the world differently after experiencing this uplifting adventure; fully aware, we can each laugh, learn, and ultimately be changed, by one another.
Suddenly, she's gone. Devastated, he's lost. The comfortable life that married couple Celeste and Eric Harper shared, is shattered by tragedy. For Eric, an unmotivated journalist who is grieving the accidental death of his wife, sorting through this broken existence without Celeste is nearly impossible. It is utterly excruciating.
Right when he needs it most, his neighbor and closest confidant, Mrs. Flynn, presents an eye-opening gift. Inspired, he attempts to move past his own debilitating grief by focusing on what was important to others. With each stranger's name chosen at random from the newspaper, he honors that person by doing what they loved most in their lives.
One profound adventure after another follows. By documenting the many facets of these lives in his journal, Eric carves a life changing path. With renewed purpose, Eric shares what he learns with Mr. and Mrs. Flynn, illuminating new possibilities for them all.
Look at the world differently after experiencing this uplifting adventure; fully aware, we can each laugh, learn, and ultimately be changed, by one another.
314 pages, Paperback
Published December 9, 2015
3 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Jessica M. Collette
4 books25 followersJessica’s inspiration to write her debut children’s book, Your Special Star, came to fruition after the passing of her only child, Joshua. “I’ve always loved to write, I just never had a reason to take the next step to make my work available to the public, until now.” Due to his complex medical needs from birth, Jessica chose to forgo her office job to become his full time caregiver. “The life lessons learned and the transformation you begin to have as a person, slowly appear over time and with experience. Although very difficult, the rewards you receive as a caregiver, far outweigh the challenges.”
A lifelong resident of New England, Jessica was born in southeastern Massachusetts, where she resided with her parents and older sister for the first two years of her life. Subsequent job transfers sent the family to southern Vermont, and then years later, to northern Rhode Island, where Jessica lived out her remaining years with her family before getting married. Jessica and her husband moved to Massachusetts and a few years later, settled once again in northern
Rhode Island. “You’ll find references to my northeastern roots in most of my writing. I am fortunate to live in idyllic New England, a perfect muse for any writer!”
Currently, Jessica resides in Rhode Island with her husband, Joe and their spunky Boston Terrier.
A lifelong resident of New England, Jessica was born in southeastern Massachusetts, where she resided with her parents and older sister for the first two years of her life. Subsequent job transfers sent the family to southern Vermont, and then years later, to northern Rhode Island, where Jessica lived out her remaining years with her family before getting married. Jessica and her husband moved to Massachusetts and a few years later, settled once again in northern
Rhode Island. “You’ll find references to my northeastern roots in most of my writing. I am fortunate to live in idyllic New England, a perfect muse for any writer!”
Currently, Jessica resides in Rhode Island with her husband, Joe and their spunky Boston Terrier.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2016
I stumbled across this book from visiting the author's blog, and having enjoyed Jessica's poetry, decided to check out her book. Now, I have to say I'm a bit of a crusty old punk, and books that deal with sensitive issues such as grief wouldn't normally attract me. But when I scanned through the positive, life-changing experiences undertaken by the main character, Eric, I noticed several that I could relate to - and would like to check out for myself, for that matter.
The more I read, I could see that this was a book more about life than death. It's a very positive story, and delivered in a manner that is neither 'preachy' nor over sentimental. Sure, it has plenty touching moments, but there are also some lovely light moments.
The book is very well written and Jessica's strengths are definitely in her descriptive writing. 'Show, don't tell' is the mantra of all authors - and Jessica does this very well indeed, leaving the reader with a very clear image of the characters and happenings.
And the title? Yeah - it bugged me too. It makes sense now ..... though you're going to have to read virtually all the way through until the penny drops and the phrase is actually used.
(Or maybe you're a lot more intelligent than a crusty old punk.) ;)
The more I read, I could see that this was a book more about life than death. It's a very positive story, and delivered in a manner that is neither 'preachy' nor over sentimental. Sure, it has plenty touching moments, but there are also some lovely light moments.
The book is very well written and Jessica's strengths are definitely in her descriptive writing. 'Show, don't tell' is the mantra of all authors - and Jessica does this very well indeed, leaving the reader with a very clear image of the characters and happenings.
And the title? Yeah - it bugged me too. It makes sense now ..... though you're going to have to read virtually all the way through until the penny drops and the phrase is actually used.
(Or maybe you're a lot more intelligent than a crusty old punk.) ;)
April 27, 2021
“Naming the Bits Between” sat in my “to read” pile for at least several years, until last night. I wasn’t sure I wanted to try to get into a story dealing with grieving, but am so glad I did. This book had it all for me. Well written, with an easy flow, relatable characters, and a story that inspires.
Instead of being sad, and finding the subject matter hard to deal with; I found myself looking forward to Eric’s next mini-adventure. In a world filled with such divisiveness, as ours is now, it was nice to escape into a good read with some harmony.
Thank you, Jessica Colette, for the inspiring read!
Instead of being sad, and finding the subject matter hard to deal with; I found myself looking forward to Eric’s next mini-adventure. In a world filled with such divisiveness, as ours is now, it was nice to escape into a good read with some harmony.
Thank you, Jessica Colette, for the inspiring read!
June 25, 2016
Such a wonderful novel. Beautiful descriptive charactors. Loved the format,and wisdom nuggets in each chapter! Hoping this author has a deep well of future writings! Read and enjoy!
August 18, 2016
Utterly fabulous! Collette spins a completely mesmerizing story of loss, love, and learning if you can live again after tragedy. It's an incredible ride to find out.
July 24, 2016
Loved this book!!!
Wow. What a great stiry . I absolutely loved the characters and even Clark made me laugh!!! It was hard when the book ended
Wow. What a great stiry . I absolutely loved the characters and even Clark made me laugh!!! It was hard when the book ended
September 16, 2016
Good book
It started a little slow for me. It wasn't until chapter 8 that I really got interested. After that it was great.
It started a little slow for me. It wasn't until chapter 8 that I really got interested. After that it was great.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews