Patti Callahan Henry
Dec 30, 20198 min
Updated: Jan 4, 2020
This is a line I recently found in my Kindergarten report card. I wrote The End on my next historical fiction manuscript (more about that later this year, I promise) and went on a cleaning flurry. There it was – proof (as if I needed it) that in many ways, we are who we are. Hopefully, we grow and change, and yet this little line in a report card, which is fifty years old, begs the question: Are our compasses set in some ways? Are the things that are most important to us set into our hearts long before we know?
Of course, many other things have become important to me since 1969, and the New Year is always a great time to look closely at those very things.
One of my favorite things to do at the end of the year to make a list that starts with “This year I….” and then just keep going until I run out. I add to it whenever I think of something. Included in this list is all the good, all the bad and all the everyday mediocre that makes up our lives.
I’d love to hear from you on what you put on your list…
Meanwhile, here is a list of some of the things I have coming up! And then the things I found this month that have impacted me!
Exciting Book News
Podcast Audiobook (12.07.20)
The Paperback with EXPANDED content (03.24.20)
Paperback 2020 Tour Events
—“What I've found that I want to share.”
To say goodbye for now, and to bid 2019 Slán, I want to say that of all the things that are important to me – you, my readers and friends – are among the many I am grateful to have. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Happy New Year!
With 💕 Love
"The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written."
—Melody Beattie
Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
The Podcast Audiobook launches!
Listen to a Thank You (above) and Upcoming Podcast Audiobook Intro
—From Patti
Coming Jan 7, 2020!
This edition collects all the interviews from Patti Callahan's Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis podcast, as well as extensive bonus material not previously released, including an additional episode not released on the original podcast.
A bonus episode—including an interview with the founder and artistic director of Fellowship for Performing Arts, Max McLean.
Bonus chapters from Becoming Mrs. Lewis
A special letter, from author Patti Callahan to Joy Davidman
Another bonus episode coming up with ETC — more information soon!
Perfect for fans of the best-selling Becoming Mrs. Lewis as well as anyone interested in the story behind the story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis.
Patti Callahan (Author, Narrator), Lauren Woodward (Narrator), Full Cast (Narrator), Thomas Nelson (Publisher)
Audible Google Play Kobo Libro.fm
Also available on Apple and everywhere audiobooks are sold on January 7th.
Wall Street Journal
10 Leaders in Business, Politics, and Arts Share
Their Favorite Books of 2019
Each year we ask more than 50 leaders and luminaries from literature, business, politics and the arts to name the best books they’ve read during the year. You could spend all day reading the full list—and all year reading the books. As seen in The Wall Street Journal (Sat,12/14/19) BECOMING MRS. LEWIS
"As I turned the final pages of Patti Callahan’s novel “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” I couldn’t believe the two main characters had only known each other for a decade.
The victim of an abusive husband, Joy Davidman flees America with her two small sons and sets up life in England. She becomes a writer and takes the chance to correspond with C.S. Lewis, author of the “Chronicles of Narnia” novels. Davidman wants to know more about Lewis’s conversion to Christianity from atheism.
She, too, is a convert, from Judaism. Lewis writes her back, and the two become friends.
Over the decade of their fierce and growing love, Davidman’s spirit and self-worth grow: “It wasn’t until England I saw who I could be: a brilliant light, cherished for who I was.” Her love in turn transforms Lewis from a man living only in his intellect. “Logic takes no account for the heart,” she tells Lewis. “How can you tell a heart what to do?” She opens him up to the grace of living fully and vulnerably, and changes this brilliant writer forever."
— Susan Packard co-founder of HGTV and the author of “Fully Human.”
Susan Packard is an American business executive. She is a co-founder of HGTV, and several other Scripps Networks Interactive network channels. Packard additionally worked on the startup teams of HBO and CNBC. She is the author of "Fully Human" and "New Rules of the Game" 10 Strategies for Women in the Workplace.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb.
A true story of a therapist, her therapist and our lives revealed – that is the subtitle and tells you everything you need to know in this fascinating book about our inner lives. I bet you won’t feel so alone as you read it!
Anne Rivers Siddons: Peachtree Road.
This last year we lost an icon in southern fiction — Anne Rivers Siddons. She impacted me as a writer in lasting ways. So this month, for my fiction read I suggest going old school to her landmark novel PEACHTREE ROAD
Instead of telling you about a specific podcast episode, let me tell you about the podcast Pints with Jack.
It is all about C. S. Lewis, so if you haven’t had enough…. 🤩
Who isn’t?
I am so fascinated that after every episode I research what is and isn’t real. I wonder why I’m writing historical fiction….hmmmm…. 😉
I just finished (for now —until my editor gets her hands on it) the next historical fiction novel coming out March of 2021. I know that sounds forever away, but it will fly by. I’ll be talking so much about it as we head into the New Year. For now, let me tell you it is set in Savannah, Georgia in modern time and also in June of 1838. You curious? Good 😍
A USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and The Globe and Mail Bestseller.
A Christy Award 2019 Winner: Book of the Year
Amazon #1 Bestseller (Biographical historical fiction)
and ECPA Bestseller
New expanded edition includes:
A map of OxfordAn expanded discussion guide with 20+ questions for book clubs
A timeline of Jack and Joy's Lives
Joy's (imagined) letter to Jack
10 Things You May Not Know About Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis's Love Story
A Behind the Scenes Essay: Oxford—The City
In a most improbable friendship, she found love. In a world where women were silenced, she found her voice.
Want to join me out there on the road?
Here are some of the places I’ll be. Would love to see you!
NOTE: Some event websites are not live as of yet with specific times and locations to register. More details to follow. Please refer back periodically, to the Appearances website page for more up-to-date details closer to the event date.
In the meantime, be sure and SAVE the DATE. We have some exciting events planned!
USCB Center for the Arts
BEAUFORT, SC | Feb 10, 2020 Monday 11:30 am-1:00 pm
State of the Heart. Sandwiched In Series
BIRMINGHAM, AL | Feb 21, 2020
More coming soon
University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
MOBILE, AL | Feb 27, 2020
More coming soon
Coastal Alabama Community College
MONROEVILLE, AL | Mar 5th-7th, 2020 Monroeville Literary Festival
Join Patti at The Monroeville Literary Festival, two days of fun, food, and literary arts in the Literary Capital of Alabama! @ The Coastal Alabama Community College. Save the date. Schedule of events coming soon!
The University of Arizona
TUCSON, AZ | March 14-15, 2020
12:30- 8:30 pm
Sanibel Public Library
SANIBEL, FL | Mar 16, 2020 Lunch with the Authors
A Conversation with Authors Mary Kay Andrews & Patti Callahan Henry
More coming soon
Belfair Country Club Bluffton, SC
BLUFFTON, SC | March 19, 2020 - Luncheon 12:00 pm Belfair Country Club
USCB Lunch with Authors Series with speaker Author Patti Callahan Henry | Becoming Mrs. Lewis
BEAUFORT, SC | Mar 19, 2020
More coming soon
BOWLING GREEN, KY | Mar 21, 2020
More coming soon
***Tuesday, Mar 24th—BML PUB DATE***
COLUMBUS, OH | Mar 24, 2020
More coming soon
Cobb Galleria Convention Center
ATLANTA, GA | Thurs, Mar 26, 2020
Atlanta Annual Real Estate Prayer Breakfast 2020 Cobb Galleria, Atlanta, GA Featuring Keynote Speaker NYT bestselling Author, Patti Callahan Henry. Networking: 6:30-7:00am. Breakfast and Program: 7:00-9:00am.
Atlanta Athletic Club Book Club
ATLANTA, GA | Mar 26, 2020
More coming soon
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | Mar 27, 2020
More coming soon
The Westgate Hotel San Diego, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA | Spring 2020 Literary Tea Adventure
Mar 28, 2020 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm PDT
Please join us for a decadent afternoon tea at the historic Westgate Hotel. Spring 2020 Literary Tea Adventure featuring Patti Callahan Henry. $16.00 books, bubbly, and delectable tea treats.
Dove Library Carlsbad, CA
CARLSBAD | CA Mar 29, 2020 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
Adventures by the Book™ and NovelNetwork™ are excited to bring back our popular Bingo Adventure to the Carlsbad Public Library. Featured will be at least a dozen favorite book club authors, including keynote speaker, New York Times bestselling author, Patti Callahan.
Samford University Corts’ Speaker’s Series
BIRMINGHAM, AL | Mar 31, 2020
More coming soon
DALLAS, TX | April 1, 2020
More coming soon
Offsite event w/ Logos Bookstore
DALLAS, TX | April 2, 2020
More coming soon
Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation
NEWMAN, GA | April 4, 2020
More coming soon
Junior League of Louisville Book Club
LOUISVILLE, KY | April 15, 2020
More coming soon
University of Louisville, McConnell Center
LOUISVILLE, KY | April 26, 2020
More coming soon
Parnassus Books Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN | Thurs. April 30, 2020 6:30-8:30pm
“We Are The Luckiest” at Parnassus Books in Nashville. Join Laura McKowen for an author reading and signing at Parnassus Books in conversation with NY Times bestselling author, Patti Callahan Henry. Free Event. Pre-order book.
Something I have experienced I want to share.
A few recent highlights
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Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series
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Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times best-selling author of fifteen novels, including the historical fiction, BECOMING MRS. LEWIS—The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. Now a USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and The Globe and Mail bestseller. A most recent recipient of The Christy Award 2019 Winner —"Book of the Year."
The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series" launched October 2019. The podcast audiobook will be released Jan 7, 2020 and available for pre-order now.
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, (Southern Contemporary Fiction) was released June 4, 2019. Patti's holiday Christmas Novella THE PERFECT LOVE SONG was released October 8, 2019, and available now.
A full time author and mother of three children, she now resides in both Mountain Brook, Alabama and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband.
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"New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it.
The choice is ours." —Alex Morritt