The Book in Room 316

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

#1 nationally bestselling and award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley delivers another moving, evocative, and timely novel about how a small seed of hope can change the course of one’s life.

Savannah Graham thought she had the perfect marriage…until grief drove her husband into the arms of his best friend’s wife. Now, she believes revenge is the only way her heart can heal from the betrayal.

For fifty-two years, Ollie Moss lived side by side with the love of his life, his wife Elizabeth. But now that she’s gone, so is his desire to live, despite the love from his children, and his beloved grandson Samuel. Can anything save Ollie’s life?

Anna Rodriguez just wants to work and provide for her three children by any means necessary. But her decision to break the law in order to get a job is threatening life as she knows it.

Trey Brown is known in his neighborhood as a hustler, so much so that the gangs want him to join their ranks...but there’s a reason the nineteen-year-old does what he does—he’s the only one left who can save his little brother.

Different circumstances lead each of them to The Markham Hotel, where they hope to find solace, comfort, and answers. Told from multiple perspectives, The Book in Room 316 will renew your strength and faith that there is always a way forward.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, African American, Family, Womens Fiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2018

About the author

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.

Reviews

[Cortney - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the book I was expecting to read... I didn't realize Reshonda Billingsley wrote Christian books when I picked it up. While it's not my normal type of book, I still enjoyed it. I liked how each of the 4 main characters had their own part... I just wish we had more of a wrap-up at the end. I'm involved with their stories now, I want to know how they all turn out!

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read! I enjoyed each intertwined storyline. Some parts I reread to ensure I understood what had happened. I don't often do that, but if the details matter and I'm so engrossed, I will. You really can't say much with this book. I'm afraid to give anything away. It's about real life situations and how helping others and having faith during those times can lead to change for the better. Do we help others or turn away? Does everything really happen for a reason? The Book in Room 316 will answer those questions. I absolutely recommend.

Book provided by Netgalley and the publisher.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Room 316 reminded me that no matter the struggle, God’s love and redemption are always within reach.

[ShayBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book in Room 316 gives you four different scenarios of four completely diffrent people lives. This book was like being a fly on the wall and seeing all different sort of things. Every book gives a diffrent reaction to each person that reads it. I love that about this book and The Book in Room 316. You will get what you need every time you read it.

Savannah’s experience with the Book in 316 help her deal with betrayal, grief and forgiveness.
Ollie’s experience was grief, memories and revelation.
Anna’s experience deals with keeping the faith and believing everything happens for a reason
Trey’s was just letting go and let God use others to help him and being in the right place at the right time.

I loved how this book was written, it dealt with so many different situations that all lead back to one thing. The Book in Room 316. I was very emotional reading this book. I recommend it to all.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not really a novel but is a set of interconnected short stories. I had mixed feelings about the stories and how much I liked the protagonist of each one, but I am giving it 3 stars since most were about 3. Also, I'm not big on short stories as a rule.

This is Christian fiction that deals with real problems and real people, which I do like. The title tells you that this book comes up in every story, but it didn't play as large of a role as you might think, but that's okay since there is Someone who plays a larger one. There is/are also one or more characters that come up in these stories more than once and there are links between the different protagonists which I liked. This is the second book I've read by Billingsley and both were 3 stars--I like her writing (3 is a like) but I have one more I've marked to read since I do want to read more by her.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. This was an awesome book that brought up society issues that are happening today, and showed how with the grace of God things can change for the best! Great book a must read!

[chsmiley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book consists of 4 stories of characters from Houston whose lives are intertwined. They each face major crises and are touched by the book in hotel room 316. I found the premise of the book interesting and I was wondering throughout how each character would make his or her way to the room. The main reason I didn't care for the book is that the characters seemed really flat and the plot lines were pretty simple. I really didn't care for the first story about Savannah where everyone around kept pushing her to do the "right" thing and she was basically forced to swallow her feelings in the end. Every story was resolved in a happy-ending Disney sort of way. I wouldn't recommend unless you're looking for a feel-good easy read.

[Debbie Waltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book chronicles the lives of four separate people whose llives are changed by the Bible found in Room 316 of the Markham Hotel. It just shows how we are truly interconnected as a society. Although, I did like the story as a whole, I can't help but feel there is some kind of political agenda throughout this book. Maybe it's just me

[Octavia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a choice since previously enjoying other publications from Reshonda Tate Billingsley. Although it was very different from what I expected at first. I will certainly agree this would be an Excellent choice for a Book Club Conclave. This one contains a series of stories and the first Story would be Perfect.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story to start off the new year!

[Michelle Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Had a different twist to it.

[Carmen Blalock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel ~ a spiritual being superior to humans in power and intelligence.  Do you believe in angels on earth?  We have all said that when a loved one passes away that they are watching over us but is it possible to have a guardian angel?  We all have met someone where their actions just made us think, "Wow where did he/she come from?  They were right on time!"  Is it just good luck or do we have a higher power looking out for our well-being?

Savannah Graham is a happily married woman, or so she thought.  She has had some recent tragedies in her life that she thought she would never bounce back from, but she did.  Then the ultimate betrayal happened and she just knew life as she knew it was over.  How can she bounce back from this latest tragedy or will this be her downfall?

Ollie Moss was happily married for over 50 years to his beloved Elizabeth.  When illness took Elizabeth from Ollie he didn't think he would survive without her.  He has his children and grandchildren but there is nothing like your wife to have by your side.  Will Ollie get through this or will he succumb to the sadness?

Anna Rodriguez is a housekeeper at the famous Markham Hotel.  She is a hard-working  single mother of three and she does everything for them within her power.  Anna has been such a help to so many others but who is around when she needs help?  

The Book in Room 316 is a book about faith.  It is about having your faith tested, losing faith and trying to get it back.  The story is told from the views of the different characters trying to see if there is any way that they can be helped and help themselves.  There is a six degree of separation feel going on because they will all cross paths at some point in this book.  Reading this books makes you question the characters and yourself.  You are thinking "Could something like that happen to me?"  I love books that make you talk to the characters or ask questions of yourself.  I love Billingsley work and she doesn't disappoint with this one.  This is a book for everyone, great job!

[Taj-Mah Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. It's not my usual genre, but I like to read something different so I don't get bored of an author. This was a quick read which is good but very predictable. The topics that the author wrote about were somewhat relatable, but the writing seemed disconnected-like the author decided to write about these things, but just skimmed the surface of the issues.
The book also felt rushed to me where the endings weren't realistic-especially the situation between Savannah and her husband. It just rushed into the adoption and the fairy tale ending. It wasn't an awful book, but I probably wouldn't read anymore by this author.

[Karee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. She wrote about 4 tough family situations that we may all encounter. An aging parent with children ready to take his independence by way of an assistant living home. An illegal immigrant trying to live right and raise her family alone after being widowed. A married couple trying to reconnect after the wife caught her husband cheating with his best friend's wife. I love the way the stories became intertwined.

The Book in room 316, may just save everyone, well almost everyone.

This is my favorite Billingsley book and I definitely recommend it!

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book and enjoyed the blurb. However, I wish I'd known ahead of time that the "book" was the Bible. It had a good message of having faith in God, but I wish I'd known ahead of time. It should be classified as Christian. Overall, it was okay.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

[Deloneva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting this to be religious, to be so choppy, and to leave the character’s lives and futures hanging precariously. And the ending was just sad. I almost stopped reading during the first chapter and I should have followed my instincts.

[JOI E BOYD · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is always right on time!

This book was different book very good. I saw how God can connect us with angels . I would reccomend this book to read.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book in Room 316 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
306-page Paperback

Genre: African-American Fiction, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Christian Fiction

Featuring: Houston, Texas; Marital Problems, Hotel, Multiple POVs, Grief, Infidelity, Gang Violence

Rating as a movie: PG-13

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts: Page 67 of 306 Ch. 9 - This is pretty good so far. Savannah is a good mix of calm and petty.
📖231 Ch. 35 - This is really good. If I had known what it was about I probably would have skipped it. I'm glad I was unaware, it's not as bad as it sounds.

There were some things I wasn't happy about but overall it was a good story, very realistic with closure and events. It was an emotional story but didn't go over the line.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This story is a good mix of joy and pain.

[Deena Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read anything by this author before, and I checked out the audio version on Libby because I couldn't find anything else available I wanted to listen to. It was just okay for me. Although I appreciated the spiritual aspect and how God and the Bible were brought into the characters' lives, there were enough cuss words to irritate me. Nothing too heavy, but as an avid reader of Christian Fiction, no foul language is one of the main reasons I love CF.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing first read for the New Year! There were four short stories and I loved how ReShonda connected the characters together. This book emphasized the power of faith in God and exemplifies that everything happens for a reason! I recommend this one.

[Angela Lackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

This book was a different read for me but I loved it. I loved how Reshonda kept everything focused on faith. I was able to relate to the storyline. I recommend to others to read this amazing book, you won't be disappointed.

[Terri Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This book was a great read. Although there were four short stories I loved how she weaved the characters together.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A “feel good” book-Separate stories intertwined with a book in room 316. Real life dramas. I real enjoyed it.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian fiction showing how God uses even bad situations to work to the good.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal! I loved every minute of it! I definitely recommend this book! :)

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the book…but everything about Savannah’s story rubbed me the wrong way. It felt more like the reason Dawn and Clark cheated was because of their grief, therefore it should be excused. Didn’t sit well with me. And then there was everyone guilt tripping into taking him back. By then I’d lost interest and didn’t end up liking any of the characters.

Disappointed.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the fence. I did enjoy the way the author wove each story together and showed the connection between the four beyond the book in room 316. I liked the way the author managed to add in some very important topics i.e. adultery, suicide, immigration and street life. My impatience had me thinking the author was going to leave me with several unanswered questions. However, she managed to pull the ending for all four stories together in a way that was believable and completely satisfying for the listener. The production quality on the audio was well done. The narrator did a great job as usual. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy listen.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written! Much pain and sadness but so much more hope! No matter how hard life gets, we are never alone. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me Psalm 138:8. Lovely relatable story.

[BMR, LCSW · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

This book should have had in the description that it is in the Christian fiction genre.

Recommended only for fans of heavy-handed Christian fiction. Otherwise, don't waste your time.