February 1, 2009

Heart in the Right Place: A Memoir

Written by 5 Minutes for Books

We are adding another giveaway today to our typical Wednesday contest in honor of announcing the Big Bloggy Giveaway of Books winner. We had over 800 entries, and the winner was #401 Molly Capel. Congrats! And I hope that those of you who were interested in 201 Things to Do When Children Say "I'm Bored" will consider supporting the mom-preneur and buying the book. It really is awesome.

All I really want to say is, "This book is amazing. Go out and get a copy it. Read it immediately. Then come back and thank me." However, I suspect you would be curious to know a bit more about it. I'll try to oblige so long as you keep in mind what I really want to say about this book. Deal?

I tend to shy away from memoirs as a general rule. The idea of someone telling me about their personal life story when their life isn't quite over yet is strangely unappealing to me. I mean, I don't mind listening to people tell me about things they've done or adventures they've had. But reading about it almost makes me feel like I'm being trapped in a room with a self-absorbed human who won't let me leave until they've told me about everything they think and feel. In teensy tiny detail. Not so with Heart in the Right Place.

This is the story of Carolyn Jourdan, who gives up her job as an attorney on Capitol Hill, to return to her childhood home in sticksville Tennessee to help her parents out after her mom suffers a heart attack. Her father and mother have co-labored together for over forty years in this small mountain town to take care of the sick in their area. Carolyn's father is a country doctor in every way you could possibly imagine him to be. Her mother was his loyal receptionist until her heart attack. This is not just a story of how Carolyn left the big city to return to her backwoods Tennessee roots. This is the story of her father's love and labor in this community. This is the story about a woman who at first wanted to be anywhere but in her father's office, who came to realize the importance of human lives and the value of community and love. I really enjoyed her family's story.

This book made me want to learn about Tennessee. This book made me want to grow a garden, listen to someone's long story while rocking in a wooden rocking chair, made me want to see a fainting goat (a what, you ask?!) and assured me yet again that I will never be qualified to work in a medical establishment of any sort. (Thank you, Lord, for gifting other people with medical know-how and thank you for not making me one of them!)

This isn't just a "when times were simpler" type of story. It's a reflection on what it means to pursue the things that are the most important in life. Not all parts of this story are happy but even the sad moments are comforting somehow. Further, Jourdan's style of writing in a self-deprecating manner makes the entire book just a kick in the pants. I really just totally loved it and am having a hard time not reverting to my opening remarks! It's a clean read (a few language issues but nothing remotely overwhelming), fun, entertaining, informative and is a good motivator for feeling grateful about who you are, what your talents are, and what your own personal life situation is. It's a "grateful" read in that I'm grateful to have read it and am grateful that I am me.

I'm gonna stop talking now so that you can just go get your own copy of Heart in the Right Placeand start reading it for yourself. Trust me. You'll be grateful too!

If you'd like to win a copy (U.S. shipping addresses only), leave a comment here. We'll draw a winner on February 11.

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Filed under Carrie, Memoir by 5 Minutes for Books

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156 Comments

Comments on Heart in the Right Place: A Memoir

February 1, 2009

Amy @ My Friend Amy @ 1:16 am

This sounds like a fantastic book! Please enter me.

Melissa Kowalewski @ 6:37 am

This sounds like a very inspiring book. Please enter me as well.

edj @ 7:12 am

I actually rather like memoirs, as long as they're well written and avoid that "trapped in a room with a self-absorbed person" feeling which, of course, not all of them do. So please enter me for this drawing. Thanks!

Megret @ 8:32 am

I love memoirs! This one looks especially fun and interesting. Thanks for the chance!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

Megret @ 8:34 am

I subscribe to your feed…

Megret @ 8:34 am

…and also to your email newsletter. Thanks!

Erika Lynn @ 8:57 am

this book sounds fantastic. count me in!

Dawn @ 9:01 am

I would LOVE to read it, please enter me!!

Becky @ 10:58 am

Being in the medical profession, I love memoirs with a health care focus. This one sounds lovely. I would love to enter.

Alyce @ 11:56 am

I would love to read this book!
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Stacy @ 2:01 pm

This sounds like a great book- I'd love to win!

Stacy @ 2:05 pm

I subscribe through google reader

bekahcubed @ 2:20 pm

I enjoy memoirs and would love to read this one.

herblady @ 2:31 pm

I've just *got* to read this book! One of our children is a nurse married to a doctor and they gave up their lifestyle to go into the ministry. They are in TN now and I know they would love to read this book as well. Thank you for the chance to win!

herblady @ 2:32 pm

I'm also a subscriber.

Kristi @ 2:57 pm

I like "good" memoirs – which of course is subjective… but would like to try this one. Please enter me in your drawing!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Mariah @ 4:01 pm

Sounds like a good book!

Mariah
penguinqueen@hotmail.com

Jennifer @ 4:07 pm

I adore Memoirs and would very much like to win this book to add to my library.

Jennifer @ 4:07 pm

I am a subscriber.

Jennifer @ 4:08 pm

I am subscribed to the newsletter.

Jennifer @ 4:08 pm

The button is indeed on my blog.

Kipi @ 4:16 pm

Sounds like one I would really enjoy!

Corina Smith @ 4:55 pm

please enter me! I love love love reading and I do actually enjoy memoirs, most of the time.

jenna @ 5:55 pm

This sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the giveaway!

MH @ 7:10 pm

The book sounds like something I would enjoy.

Michele @ 8:48 pm

Thanks for sharing…this sounds like a book that I would enjoy.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word @ 10:11 pm

This sounds like a book I'd really like!

Francine Anchondo @ 10:44 pm

This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.

February 2, 2009

Targetmom @ 1:48 am

I'd love to read this book.

Mary Casper @ 8:12 am

sounds like a good book

Ashley @ 8:37 am

This sounds like a great read!

acgreene@ymail.com

Nicole C. @ 8:48 am

This sounds like a really good book!!

Gail @ 9:01 am

That sounds good! Thanks for the opportunity.
morethansongblogatyahoodotcom

randi oaklief @ 9:26 am

This book is going on my "to read" list immediately! I love your reviews, thanks!

Michael Capp @ 9:44 am

I'd love to win!

Charlotte Winters @ 9:49 am

Sounds like a good book. It would be nice to read something positive. Thanks.

Darcy @ 9:57 am

Sounds like a good read. Thank you for having the giveaway!

Linda White @ 10:00 am

sounds like a good book!

Vera @ 10:16 am

Would love to read this – please enter me!

Renee @ 10:43 am

I always enjoy books set in the South. Would love to win!

c. clemens @ 11:11 am

hi, im a book worm enter me

Turtle @ 11:19 am

sounds like a great read! please enter me

susan varney @ 11:42 am

love to win

Denise @ 12:00 pm

This sounds like a good book and I love to read!

Samantha R @ 12:00 pm

Sounds like another great book!

Marilyn Wons @ 12:25 pm

I really do not like memoirs either, though this one does sound very fine. I would love to read it!

Karen Gonyea @ 12:29 pm

Sounds great, thanks.

Renee C. @ 1:29 pm

So many of us who once were "career driven" and then for whatever reason had a reprioritize moment. For me I realized that if I wanted to get to know my kids I could not be on the FAST TRACK in regards to my career but had to take a few steps back, slow down and find a job that fit into my life and not try to fit life into my job.

Can't wait to read!

Marla T @ 1:50 pm

Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thank you for the entry.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Anita Yancey @ 1:53 pm

This book sounds good. Please enter me. I am a subscriber.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

amandasue @ 2:22 pm

Sounds like a good book, I'd like to be entered please. Thank you

adrienne Gordon @ 4:10 pm

i'd liek to win

Cathy W. @ 4:43 pm

This sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

nicole belletiere @ 5:19 pm

I would love to read this

Sharon Jones @ 5:28 pm

sounds wonderful…thanks for entry!!!!!!

Sarah @ 5:56 pm

Sounds like a good book to me.

Maureen Graham @ 6:09 pm

This book sounds wonderful I would love to win it. Thanks for sharing.
Rene

Christine @ 6:12 pm

The book sounds amazing. Please count me in the giveaway!

Karen B @ 7:26 pm

Love to win.

Linda @ 8:56 pm

I'd like to win, looks great!

michele anne @ 9:33 pm

another interesting book….would liek to win

Kari @ 9:48 pm

Yes, count me in!!! Any book you suggest is a winner! Thanks!!

shannon Baas @ 10:06 pm

fun giveaway.

Lucy K @ 10:23 pm

This sound like a great book to pass on after you finish reading. Thanks !

Cindi @ 11:19 pm

What a wonderful and warm sounding book! This is my kind of story and I like that it is a memoir.
I would appreciate being entered in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi

February 3, 2009

marleen davis @ 12:05 am

Wow, your review certainly made this sound like a must read! I hope I can win it because I've been told that if I buy another book………..

christopher h @ 12:44 am

sounds like a good read

Carol Lawrence @ 5:46 am

Good book,enter me.

Meredith Rogen @ 5:50 am

I love reading memoirs. I subscribe to you as well.

Susan C @ 10:30 am

I would love to read about Tennessee because my sister recently moved there!

Miss Heidi @ 11:22 am

Please enter me. Thanks.
Heidi
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com

stephaniesmommybrain @ 1:35 pm

I wouldn't mind living in TN or having a front porch with a rocking chair and friendly neighbors. My Granfather-in-law (is there such a word?) was a family dr. Unfortunately he died before I joined the family. I've heard stories though. I wonder if this book would be similar to the stories I've heard.

Evelyn @ 1:54 pm

looks fun

Angela J @ 4:29 pm

Sounds like a good book.

veronica sandberg @ 7:19 pm

want to win this

megan @ 7:27 pm

I'd love to read this.

cari king @ 7:28 pm

I'd like to read this book. sign me up.

Susan Smith @ 7:41 pm

please enter me

James Coyne @ 8:36 pm

Enter me please

Andria @ 9:15 pm

Sounds like a great book. I would love a chance to win.

cheryl kelley @ 11:20 pm

sounds like a great book count me in please

February 4, 2009

Terri D @ 12:38 am

Looks like a good read. Count me in!

david basile @ 7:32 am

looks like a good read

Deborah Wellenstein @ 9:58 am

I would like to read this-thank you!

sarah @ 10:58 am

enter me!

Gina Stratos @ 11:12 am

Please enter me.
gkstratos@yahoo.com

joyce mcdowell @ 2:21 pm

i,ll like read this book

Fresh Girl @ 4:50 pm

Well, I'm from Tennessee and I love memoirs, so this is right up my alley! I'd love to win it.

Terry Vanderpool @ 6:17 pm

Please enter me in this great contest thanks

Kim @ 6:23 pm

Looks like a great read and one that I'd like to add to my collection. Thanks!

Kim @ 6:24 pm

I'm a subscriber!

Gabriel J. @ 8:49 pm

Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.

Jackie B. @ 9:32 pm

I would love a chance to own this book. Thanks!

Jackie B. @ 9:32 pm

I'm a subscriber!

beth shepherd @ 9:54 pm

This book sounds like an excellent read. Thank you for the great description. I would love a chance to read this.
Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

February 5, 2009

Terra Heck @ 3:43 am

I'd like to read this book. Thanks.

bebemiqui @ 2:06 pm

Great giveaway, count me in.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary @ 4:08 pm

My reading group is doing non-fiction this year, and I was looking for a selection. (My turn is in April….I'm getting a little crazy to find one.) Sign me up for the drawing! It would be a great story, winning a book on a blog and using it in my reading group!

Michele Wesley @ 4:42 pm

Please enter me into the contest.

N Moyer @ 8:52 pm

I would like to read this

February 6, 2009

Becky @ 1:01 pm

Thank you for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com

Jason Nickolay @ 3:31 pm

Sounds like a awesome book. A very good read

jason@allworldautomotive.com

February 7, 2009

Delores @ 12:56 am

please enter me!

delorezb@yahoo.com

Andrea R @ 2:25 pm

It looks like this would be an uplifting eye opening read.

Vicki Wurgler @ 5:20 pm

I liked your comments-I'd love to win

Carla Pullum @ 7:05 pm

Would love to read this!!
Count me in!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jo @ 9:33 pm

this sounds like a book I would enjoy
jceko77@yahoo.com

Melissa P @ 11:13 pm

Thanks for the giveaway!
melissapainter[at]gmail[dot]com

February 8, 2009

Bettina @ 12:29 am

This sounds like a good read!

Molly Capel @ 4:35 am

This sounds like a really good read. Would love the chance to win it!

Sarah Stern @ 10:48 am

Sounds like a great read!

Kim H. @ 4:26 pm

I love to read these kinds of books. Thanks for the giveaway.

Jennifer Hedden @ 8:05 pm

enter me

February 9, 2009

Carrie Baird @ 12:31 am

This sounds like a very good read – thanks for the chance to win a copy! wgbc1446@yahoo.com

Chrysa @ 1:05 am

Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

Erma @ 8:30 am

I would love the chance to win, thanks.

Molly K @ 10:21 am

I would love to read this. Thanks.

Annette @ 11:39 am

I love books!

Marion B @ 1:37 pm

Sounds like a good book to read!

shawna @ 1:43 pm

Sounds like a great book.

Leslie D. @ 5:34 pm

Great description of the book. I love to read books that are both witty and memorable. Thank you for the nice giveaway.

John Deal @ 6:47 pm

I'de like to read this book.

Ed Nemmers @ 7:12 pm

Happy Monday!

Ellie W @ 7:24 pm

Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.

Mark W @ 7:29 pm

looks like a great read

Sherri B. @ 8:37 pm

I would really love to read this! I left home for a long time and thought I never wanted to return. Now years later, I am home again and never want to leave!!!!

sherri419 at gmail dot com