Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

They have one summer to find what was lost long ago.

"Never settle for less than the truth," she told him.

But when you don't even know your real name, the truth gets a little complicated. It can nestle so close to home it's hard to see. It can even flourish inside a lie. And as Chase Walker discovered, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night.

Who's joining me for this read?

I’m hoping to join. Not sure if it will work out, but hope so.

I'm halfway through it and really enjoying.

Going to download this weekend from the library to join in.

Great Missy!

I'm going to be starting this one today, and it will be my first read by this author. Looking forward to the discussion later on. 🙂

Have a tissue handy as I finished it last night and cried through a couple of scenes.

Thanks for the tissue warning!

First book I have read in a long time that really got me!

I have this here but haven't started it yet. I'm looking forward to it!

Hoping to be able to join

This is the first book I’ve read of his. I just finished it enjoyed it so much!

I flew through this and am looking forward to the discussion!😊

I read 100 pages last night. As usual, I am loving this book. I haven’t read one yet I don’t like.

Just finished! It was good! Look forward to the discussion.

As usual the waterworks are flowing… 😭

For those participating in the year long award challenge, Chasing Fireflies won an award:

Christy Award for Contemporary Standalone (2008)

Staci wrote: "For those participating in the year long award challenge, Chasing Fireflies won an award:

Christy Award for Contemporary Standalone (2008)"
Thanks Stacy. Didn't find any awards when I looked!

It’s listed under “book details” on Goodreads.

Boy did I miss that! I usually look to see if there are any awards. Must have been in a rush to get it posted for this month or had "Oldtimers!"

LOL Loraine! It’s definitely something you have to be looking for to find. Not highly noticeable.

Staci wrote: "LOL Loraine! It’s definitely something you have to be looking for to find. Not highly noticeable."

I'll blame it on my glasses LOL:)

Here are the discussion questions for our BOTM. Please feel free to answer any or all. Also bring up your own comments or questions.

1. What is your favorite Uncle Willee "ism?"

2. What do you think is the significance of the title, "Chasing Fireflies?"

3. How would you describe Chase's relationship with Unc? With Tommye?

4. Each character in this story is, in some way, profoundly touched by abandonment. Choose one and tell how it affected them: Unc, Tommye, Chase, and Sketch.

5. Which character in the book do you most identify with? Why?

6. Why do you think that Willee continues to use his " prison name" after he gets out?

7. How does Unc's story of the firefly in Chapter 23 speak to you?

8. What do you think is the significance of names and who gives (or doesn't give) them to you?

9. Everyone in this book has a defense mechanism. Is that true in real life?

10. Chase often refers to the "hole in his chest." What happens to that hole once he finally discovers his true identity?

Here's my thoughts...

1. What is your favorite Uncle Willee "ism?"

I'm bad about remembering lines and I don't recall a specific one, but they definitely cracked me up. It wasn't a Willee ism but a favorite part of the book was Willee telling Chase he needed to get him front and center at church just before the baseball game when Sketch insisted on giving the homeless man money.

2. What do you think is the significance of the title, "Chasing Fireflies?"

I thought it was about sometimes we chase things that seem elusive or impossible to obtain. Chase didn't think he'd ever find his dad.

6. Why do you think that Willee continues to use his " prison name" after he gets out?

I think he feels he doesn't deserve to be Liam any longer. I disagree, but I think that's what Willee thought.

8. What do you think is the significance of names and who gives (or doesn't give) them to you?

My own name has an interesting back story. My parents couldn't agree on a name for me (should have been a sign right? They divorced when I was 18 months old). They agreed to let my mom name me if my hair was dark (she has dark hair) and my dad name me if light (my dad's hair is lighter). I was born with dark hair. My mom went to put my name on the birth certificate and the nurse shared that my dad already had!

Another name comment...with a name like Staci, there were a TON of others with this same name while I was in K-12. For our own children, my husband and I wanted unique but not weird names and preferred ones that couldn't be easily shortened.

Definitely enjoyed this novel. It's not my favorite Charles Martin, but it was a good one.

8. What do you think is the significance of names and who gives (or doesn't give) them to you?
~I loved the 'naming ceremonies' that Willee did for both Chase and Buddy/Sketch. I think for both of them, coming from situations of being in the foster care system for a time, and having so much uncertainty surrounding them, it was a gift to them to be able to choose what to be called . . . to have some 'say' in how their life would go.
And, I think that's how it is for us. My given name is Catherine, but my parents called me Katie almost from the first day. When I became an adult, there came a point when I didn't 'feel' like a 'Katie' anymore . . . and it was as simple for me as removing the 'i', and I've been Kate ever since! There's a certain freedom that comes with being able to define yourself . . . to name yourself in a particular way. Of course, that freedom is multiplied exponentially when we remember that WHOSE we are holds more important than who we are.

Finished this one last night, and while not my favorite, it was good and one that I would definitely recommend to others. I had a feeling of Unc and Chase's relationship, and was happy for them. I was also happy that Unc and Lorna were able to adopt Buddy/Sketch, and was touched on the name he chose.

Uncle Willee had a bunch of good lines - lots made you really think.

I think Chase looked at Unc as a true father figure, the only one he really knew, so why not. He also respected him. I would say Chase and Tommye had a brother/sister relationship, they were there for each other when they were needed, learned from each other, and were each other's best friend in the end.

I think he took his prison name because he wanted to leave the past behind him, because he thought he was no longer deserved of that name, since he was deserved of his prison time that is what he chose was suitable for him. But did love that Lorna called him Liam - I think to show him he was still special and not the person he thought he was. It is funny with names - you think you love something for so long and in the end it just doesn't fit. My real name is Melissa (because the doctor told my mom Heather Halverson was too much of a mouthful), but everyone calls me Missy. Even today I am Missy at 40+, someone can call Melissa and I don't recognize it.

Love all the answers I am reading.

My parents were sure I was going to be a boy, so they had no girl names picked out. My mother's maiden surname was Lowery, so she thought Loraine came close to that and my dad agreed. I have always gone by my full name, but in college I got dubbed "Lori." I met my husband my second year of college, so his family all call me Lori and my family all call me Loraine. I happily answer to both LOL:)

So, this is the best new-to-me book I have read all year--5 full stars. I love it so much I can't abide the thought of answering questions about it. This is not unsual for me so soon after reading a book I like this much.

FYI two of my brothers were adopted, and one came as a foster child first--his DNA family (HIS term now that he has met most of them, not mine!) was very messed up, but parental rights weren't terminated. I am the eldest so remember when all but my birth sister came (my youngest brother was also born to our parents).

The eldest of my 3 brother's birth siblings all had less than stellar experiences with foster or adoption, but adoption was far less popular then than it is now.

Glad you enjoyed it Karin!