I was first introduced to Billy Coffey by a tweet. I follow Kat and have found her to be both hilarious and inspiring. Not an easy combination to achieve!
I noticed that Kat links to this Billy Coffey guy quite often and being the curious sort, I eventually clicked over to check him out. I found that he also is funny and inspiring – and a good writer to boot!
When Kat asked if I’d like to read Billy’s first novel, I said, “Of course!”
I’m so glad I did. Here’s the summary:
Peter is a simple man who lives by a simple truth—a person gains strength by leaning on his constants. To him, those constants are the factory where he works, the family he loves, and the God who sustains him. But when news of job cuts comes against the backdrop of an unexpected snowstorm, his life becomes filled with far more doubts than certainties.
With humor and a gift for storytelling, Billy Coffey brings you along as he spends his snow day encountering family, friends, and strangers of his small Virginia town. All have had their own battles with life’s storms. Some have found redemption. Others are still seeking it. But each one offers a piece to the puzzle of why we must sometimes suffer loss, and each one will help Peter find a greater truth—our lives are made beautiful not by our big moments, but our little ones.
Reading Snow Day by Billy Coffey interrupted my recent book binge. Only about a decade late to the game, I’ve been devouring the Harry Potter series for the first time. That Snow Day could get – and keep – my attention after submerging myself in a world of magic and wonder is no small feat.
The book was actually a nice break. Just like a snow day is a nice break.
Actually, now that I think about it, how I read the book is a pretty good metaphor for the book itself, which is a metaphor for life.
See, snow – especially in the big drifts and piles that close schools and roads and calendars – makes the world soft and quiet and clear. Snow Day is the story of a man who needs time to be quiet and seek clarity. And I read Snow Day in the midst of several crazy, colorful books about wizards.
Although, it’s possible I’m getting my metaphors and similes and analogies and whatnot all mixed up. And it’s possible that makes no sense at all.
No matter what you call it, Snow Day was a soft yet stirring, calm yet convicting story of a man forced to take a day off from his chaotic life. Billy has a way with words that I appreciate and enjoy, and though the story is a serious one, he sprinkles a dry humor throughout each chapter.
I really liked this story – and what it taught both the main character and me. If you’re looking for a good, solid story with some gentle life lessons, I highly suggest Snow Day by Billy Coffey.
Have you read any good books lately? What would you do with a snow day, an unexpected day off? Could you use some quiet time to reflect?
A copy of Snow Day was provided to me for this review, but the opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks, Mary. I loved your review, and I loved the Harry Potter books as well. I’m going to read them again someday.
What do I do on a Snow Day? Well, since I live in SE Texas, it doesn’t happen very often. Last time it happened I spent most of the day outside with my kids, because I knew it would be a rare moment and I wanted to soak in the joy of it with them.
Even in the Midwest, I plan to take full {outdoor} advantage of the first snow day we get. Sometimes we get a lot of snow (see: last year’s awful winter), but other years we don’t get much at all!
I didn’t realize his book had come out already! I will definitely have to acquaint myself with a copy. Right now I’m reading Bird by By Bird (Anne Lamott) and one of the House of Night books (my new guilty pleasure). And if I had a snow day, I’d really get cracking on the Christmas presents I’m supposed to be making. How is it that I’ve known what I wanted to make since February but have accomplished so little now that the deadline is almost here?
I’ve never read Bird by Bird, but I definitely need to! (And puh-leeze, you’re talking to the Queen of Procrastination!)
Added to my to-read list! A few recent good reads: Honolulu by Alan Brennart, The House at Riverton by Kate Morton, Love Walked In and Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos, and Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese (really, one of the best books I’ve ever read). It’s funny, I always long for a “day off”, but then when I get one, I’m almost at a loss for what to do. I think I’ll get a manicure, but then decide it’s a waste of money. Sometimes I do things around the house, but that seems like such a waste of me time. I’m terrible at unplanned downtime–someone teach me! Ha!
I’m pretty sure my cousin recently read Cutting for Stone and said it’s great. Thank you for sharing some recommendations!
Still reading about the Baxters. You were right, these books are emotional… WOW… My Mom just finished the Harry Potter books and I get them next. I’m looking forward to a little magic after the emotional roller coaster these Baxter’s have put me through.. =) I also want to read ‘Same kind of different as me’
Yay! I’m so glad to know I’m not THE LAST person to read Harry Potter! :)
Ooh! How far are you in the HP series?? (Yes, I know that wasn’t your point.)
I’m in book four. Didn’t I just tell you this?
No, I don’t think so! Last I heard you had finished #2 and were wanting to start #3 right away. :D Book 4’s my favorite. :) Do you want me to lend you #5 when you visit?
Ooh, look at that! The replies work correctly! :) (Good job:)