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Becoming Mrs. Lewis (Special)
Becoming Mrs. Lewis (Special) | Patti Callahan
79 posts | 61 read | 73 to read
In a most improbable friendship, she found love. In a world where women were silenced, she found her voice. From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called "my whole world." When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis--known as Jack--she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn't holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn't destroy. In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren't meant to have a voice--and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn't know they had. At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer's life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story--a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.
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Kimzey
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Eggs Beautiful 🤎👒🩶 4mo
Kimzey @Eggs Thank you! 😊 4mo
40 likes2 comments
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kspenmoll
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#hyggehourreadathon #naturalitsy #litsolace
#springhassprung

I put many of my pots out to welcome spring & celebrate Easter, empty of plants, alluding to bountiful blossoms to come. My across the street neighbors garden is blooming with spring, spreading hyacinth‘s aroma when I walk by.Then there is Easter Dinner of leg of lamb, parsley carrots, mixed mushrooms & mashed potatoes. It was yum!
Winding down in bed…Blessings to all!

TheBookHippie Yummmmmm! I cannot wait to have plants bloom outside! 8mo
TheBookHippie Book looks interesting! 8mo
Chrissyreadit 💛💛💛💛 8mo
Chrissyreadit Your pots look inviting- I am excited to see what you plant in them. 8mo
45 likes1 stack add4 comments
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behudd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors, so I found this fictionalized account of his relationship & eventual marriage to Joy Davidman to be very interesting and insightful. There also was a lot to say about the difficulties of women balancing everything. There are some things writing-style-wise that I didn‘t love, and the audiobook wasn‘t my favorite, but overall I enjoyed & would recommend this one, especially for Lewis fans.

Read4life I just picked this one up. 12mo
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LibraryCin
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Panpan

Audio. I lost focus sometimes in the first half, I was mostly paying attention in the second half, but it didn‘t help the story. With regard to the relationship between Joy and Jack, apparently this was based on real life, but in the story itself, I didn‘t see it. She was head over heels for him, but I didn‘t see that he loved her. All the gushing at the end was eye-rolling and gag-inducing to me. I didn‘t believe it. The religious stuff bored me

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CafeBookstelo
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Pickpick

This book….I think my favorite part of this entire book is when she has Her come to Jesus moment. It‘s not a fairytale status time in her life and she doesn‘t assume it will now all be easy and amazing from this point on; just amen and amen. this book forever changed my life..

BookBabe Well my gorgeous amazing friend gave me a copy…so yes I will be reading this one! 🥰 #stacked 3y
CafeBookstelo Hehe she sounds amazing ^_^ must get it from her sister 😂🧸🥰 3y
BookBabe @CafeBookstelo hehe maaaaybeeee ☺️ love you sis 🥰 3y
7 likes3 comments
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kplovesbooks
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Thanks to @Andrew65 for this great idea! #12BooksOf2021 #1stbookof2021
For #January my favorite is also my favorite for the whole year. A fictionalized account of the woman who married C.S. Lewis. I loved how Patti describes the emotions in this book...I could actually feel Joy's loneliness and heartbreak. An amazing book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Andrew65 This looks great. Stacked. 3y
kplovesbooks @Andrew65 It really is. Hope you enjoy it! ♥️ 3y
melissajayne I read the book last December and it was excellent. 3y
24 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BookBabe
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My amazing friend sent me this surprise gift! I‘m so excited to read and enjoy each one! 😃

quirkyreader All of these look super exciting. And as we know the Bible can be read in less that a year. 3y
melissajayne I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis last December and quite liked it. 3y
42 likes2 comments
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megnews
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Pickpick

Knowing nothing about Joy Davidman Lewis or her marriage to CS Lewis, this book was intriguing and I wasn‘t disappointed.

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tpixie
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Getting ready to read my next IRL Bookclub pick.
I then plan on doing a little CS Lewis emersion by watching Shadowland, reading The Chronicles of Narnia, and ending by reading the soon to be released Once Upon A Wardrobe
#FriendsWithBooks

megnews I‘m reading this right now. It‘s been on my TBR for awhile. I just finishing the Narnia Readalong and wanted to read this before I read Once Upon a Wardrobe. It‘s definitely making me want to read more of his works. The only other thing I‘ve read by Lewis is The Screwtape Letters. 3y
tpixie @megnews great Munds think alike! I‘m just a little behind you… I‘ve only read Narnia, but do want to read 3y
tpixie @megnews too bad I missed the read along! 3y
See All 9 Comments
Sills Yep I'm going to start the Chronicles👍 @tpixie 3y
tpixie @Sills I will in about one week! At least I suspect that will be how long it will take me to read this book 😃 3y
megnews Finished this on audio today. I had no idea about her life and their marriage. Very good. Looking forward to 3y
megnews This made me want to read some of her poetry too. 3y
tpixie @megnews oh good! I‘m about halfway through and I‘m alternating between reading or audio and depending on what I‘m doing. 3y
tpixie @megnews I can‘t wait to read Once Upon a Wardrobe also. I‘m also interested in her poetry. I like the little poems before each chapter 3y
64 likes9 comments
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AshRaye
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed getting to know Joy, I actually didn't know much about her going into this story. Her story is powerful and I admire her perseverance in all of her hardships. Parts of her story were hard to read through, but then you would get small moments when you couldn't help but smile. This book gave a vibrant life to her. It was filled with a ton of description that intrigued me. I feel like I have been looking at the world without seeing it.

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AshRaye

"Do you ever feel that there is more, that life holds so much more, and somehow we're missing it? I want to be part of the bigger world, make a difference, see it and feel it, engage in it. Don't you feel that longing inside you?"

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Sills
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Pickpick

I am enamored of this woman Joy Davidman whose craft and intelligence won awards for her poetry, sonnets and novels that moved and inspired many including CS Lewis. Her perseverance of life struggles and facing discrimination in a man's literary world are admirable. Her abundant love for her boys and abounding love for"Jack"(Lewis) can't be measured. This novel had a special perk intertwining The Chronicles of Narnia which I must read now!

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monalyisha
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Pickpick

I liked this fictionalized account of Joy Davidman & C.S. Lewis‘s relationship...but I didn‘t love it. It was a bit slow & repetitive. It definitely lends itself well to a book club discussion, however, & to further (fascinating) research. I didn‘t find Joy to be pushy or unlikeable (a common criticism) — but fierce & admirable. The best written sections for me were about her religious experiences, & the way that she was *always* questioning.

monalyisha A conservative “pick.” 4y
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deliasson
Bailedbailed

I bailed on this book because it‘s not a book for me. I‘m not saying it‘s not a good book, but for me, reading about someones conversion due to another‘s drinking problems is the exact opposite of my own life. So to me, this is a no.

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RenePenn
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Pickpick

Great audiobook. It was a little slow in a couple spots but it was well researched and the author‘s depiction of the characters and the way she pieced it all together really brought Joy and “Jack” to life. I was intrigued. Don‘t skip the authors notes at the end. A must read for fans of C.S. Lewis.

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melissajayne
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I had heard about the book when my mom bought a copy in summer 2019 and when I read it in December, I could see why my mom really liked it. #12booksof2020 Day 11

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melissajayne
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Pickpick

4.5⭐️ Truly a beautiful book. This was my #bookspin book for July and somehow I read other books. I really enjoyed the book and realized it was a fictional adaptation going in. The story was beautifully told and found the book went by very quickly, as I got easily engrossed in the book. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still a big pile of mush at the end.

Points: 15 +1 = 16

22 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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melissajayne
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A little snack as I read my book.

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melissajayne
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Can I delete the pages of 2020 and light them on fire?

TheSpineView Please, yes! 4y
melissajayne @TheSpineView I agree; other than turning 40 in late January, the year has been one big mess of anxiety for me. 4y
monalyisha 😂 4y
26 likes3 comments
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melissajayne
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I quite enjoyed this chapter; probably one of my favourites so far. Remember the book is based on a true story. Am really enjoying it & honestly when I‘m enjoying a book 25% of the way through, there‘s a really good chance I‘m going to really like it.

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melissajayne
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C. S. Lewis was genius with his words.

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KathyWheeler
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I am starting The Perfect Love Song, but I was reading some of the reviews inside, some of which are for Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and ran across this from Booklist, “ ... All fans of women‘s fiction... will appreciate this vibrant and intelligent woman.” Why do we marginalize books about women this way? If this book had been the exact same book but mainly about C.S. Lewis instead of Joy Davidman the review would have read, “All fans of fiction.” 😡

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CassieT
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book will be on my mind for a long time. The writing is probing and emotional, while not overdramatic or sappy. The author does a wonderful job of showing how this love story points unquestionably to the grace and mercy of a loving and personal God. This book is painstakingly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully edited. I don‘t normally enjoy love stories, but I loved this one. I recommend this book.

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deblwalker

Although hard to choose my favorite Patti Callahan novel, this could be one of the tops! I thoroughly enjoyed the way she approached the long-distance friendship and the popularity of Mr. Lewis. I have long admired C.S. Lewis's writings, and now I feel a closer connection to him.

4 likes1 stack add
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Purpleness
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Loving the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter taken from Joy‘s poetry!

CaffeineAndCandy ❤❤❤ 4y
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Purpleness
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Purpleness
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Nute I like to think that I have been somewhat shaped by my reading experiences. 4y
43 likes1 comment
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Princess-Kingofkings
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Another time of waiting while the youngest joins youth group with games, rootbeer floats, & later fireworks. I'm relaxing...out of the way... & already enjoying this story. 🎇🎆

smilingshelves Loved that book! 4y
Desha Oooh I can‘t wait to read this book! ✝️ 4y
19 likes2 comments
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Reecaspieces
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I am hosting a giveaway on Instagram @ reecaspiecesbooks. Stop by and see if you can snatch this up! It is a good one! #giveaway

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Ang203l
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I think I missed the memo that this book is historical fiction. 😂 Nevertheless, I am four chapters in and loving it!

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tpixie
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Enjoying this rainy day by stitching and watching videos of Author events! #AudioStitching #VideoStitching #Stitching

Chrissyreadit Nice!!! 5y
tpixie @Chrissyreadit thanks! It‘s slow going, but I‘m plugging along!! and the book sounds great (edited) 5y
Kimzey I saw Patti Callahan Henry speak in March in Monroeville, AL right before everything shut down. Her presentation was so interesting, I had to buy the book! Haven‘t read it yet though. 4y
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tpixie @Kimzey I haven‘t either, but I agree the premise sounds great and she did a great job with this virtual of that! 4y
Kimzey @tpixie Where are you finding the author talks? 4y
tpixie @Kimzey some through Facebook. there was a Gaithersburg virtual book festival that went over several weeks through June and they were a few good ones. Look for Gaithersburg truck festival on YouTube and subscribe to that and you‘ll be able to find a bunch of different ones. this one was great. I‘m reading the The last train to London now and I want to read the Paris hours also. https://youtu.be/PBANHXPtnsE 4y
tpixie @Kimzey Also if you have favorite authors go to YouTube and just search for them and you can find a lot of their speeches have been recorded (edited) 4y
Kimzey @tpixie Thanks for the Gaithersburg Book Festival link. I can spend hours on YouTube, if I‘m not careful. 😊 4y
tpixie @Kimzey I listen to this author a couple different times & her book sounds awesome https://youtu.be/5MMIwvwgEZs (edited) 4y
tpixie @Kimzey check out Tattered Cover and Politics& Prose on Twitter - they have had a lot of virtual author events. Oh! And the app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eventbrite/id487922291 then search for author events and for location, use online 4y
tpixie @Kimzey lol I‘ve also listened to Casey Cep a couple of times. She was intriguing. Her book is 4y
Kimzey I‘ve met her too! We read Furious Hours for my book club. It was a great choice. Are you in Alabama, by any chance? 4y
tpixie @Kimzey that‘s awesome! No, Kansas. I have spent maybe too much time listening about new books, instead of reading the books! Lol 😂 Chris Bohjalian is also always interesting to listen to talk. (edited) 4y
64 likes13 comments
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SilversReviews
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Tomorrow is the last day to enter.

ENTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/y8p7yjcl

megnews Ooh. I‘ve been wanting to read this. Entered! 5y
SilversReviews @megnews Good luck...thanks for commenting. 5y
robinb Thanks for the heads up...entered! 😊 5y
See All 6 Comments
SilversReviews @robinb Good luck...thanks for the comment. 5y
SilversReviews @Princess-Kingofkings Good luck...thanks for your comment. 5y
37 likes6 comments
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AmandaWilkins
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Pickpick

Heartbreakingly beautiful. I fell in love with the writing - the descriptions and Joy‘s inner monologue. It was such a beautiful book, and I felt all of Joys emotions as if they were my own.

This was a wonderful book and it‘s really going to stick with me for a while. Now I need to read more of both of their works!

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SilversReviews
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A celebration of the paperback release.

Best of luck if you enter.

ENTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/y8p7yjcl

@pattichenry
@wunderbookspr
@harpercollins

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cirrusrider
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cirrusrider
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Pickpick

Just in time for International Women‘s Day I finished this book. A fictional exploration of the life of poet and novelist Joy Davidman, and her relationship with CS Lewis. A passionate, fiercely intelligent woman living in a time that often punished those attributes in women. The fictional voices didn‘t always ring true but I plan on reading more of her work and it has inspired me to attempt the sonnet form when I have a little breathing room.

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Aims42
Pickpick

I thought this was a great book 👍🏻 I haven‘t read any of C.S. Lewis‘ work yet, but I‘m intrigued now. This one is definitely worth reading!!

Crazeedi I really enjoyed this book. Did you know shes doing a podcast about this book? 5y
Aims42 @Crazeedi I had no idea about the podcast 😱 I‘d love to hear more 5y
22 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Aims42
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Thanks for this fun giveaway @BookNAround #lastfirst ❤️

Last read of 2019: “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”
First read of 2020: “Becoming Mrs. Lewis”

Crazeedi I enjoyed becoming mrs lewis!! 5y
Aims42 @Crazeedi I‘m not quite 50 pages into it yet, but I‘m really liking it so far 👍🏻 I‘m glad to hear you liked it!! 5y
21 likes2 comments
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Aims42
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I started my first read of 2020 today (‘Becoming Mrs. Lewis‘) 🎉🎉🎉 Hubby is watching his new favorite show ‘The Witcher‘. Not a shabby New Year‘s Day 😃

jillrhudy I watched all 8 episodes with my son who‘s home from college. I didn‘t get it. 5y
Aims42 @jillrhudy It wouldn‘t be my first pick on Netflix to watch, but it‘s better than football Lol 5y
Mccall0113 That red chair in the background is sweet! 5y
Aims42 @Mccall0113 Awww that‘s nice, thank you!! It‘s a good reading chair ☺️ 5y
41 likes4 comments
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wlpark7856
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Mehso-so

This book was an intellectual feast for the soul. Spoiler alert: What knocked this book down a star for me was the final chapter before the epilogue. The book wrestled with the character's idols about love and men. She comes across as a sex-crazed woman. She finally puts her dependence on God, but the book takes it back in the end by focusing on sex as the culmination of her relationship with Lewis. This damaged the underlying thesis of the book.

Princess-Kingofkings Oh dear.... 5y
2 likes1 comment
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Crazeedi
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Pickpick

4⭐
And excellent story about how Joy Davidman and CS Lewis meet and marry. The author did a lot of research, so even though this is fiction, there is a lot of fact in the tale.

megnews I‘ve had this on my tbr for awhile and it‘s been calling to me lately. Glad to hear it‘s so good. 5y
Addison_Reads Oh, this sounds interesting. Great review! 💚 5y
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oddandbookish
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Pickpick

I was interested in reading this book because I am a fan of C.S. Lewis. I hadn‘t heard of Joy Davidman before, so I was curious to learn more about her.

This book was incredible. It beautifully depicted the relationship between Lewis and Davidman. Their romance was unconventional but epic. The love they had for one another is truly remarkable.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2019/09/18/review-becoming-mrs-lewis/

38 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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crystalizedbooks
Pickpick

This book was written so well. Callahan allowed you to feel the pain and love that Joy had felt throughout her life. The only thing I wish, was I wish I had knee more about Joy Lewis. The love that her and C.S. Lewis had was so great. They loved each other through all and more so.

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Princess-Kingofkings
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Before I joined Litsy, I didn't have a proper bookshelf. I sure appreciate the community here. The books on the top shelf are the ones that I want to read and of course order don't include this on my Kindle app. I'm never bored!

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Princess-Kingofkings
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Turned in my summer reading program sheet for a mug & 2 coupons @ Baker Book House. Picked up this book with $10 in gift certificates that I earned last weekend with the help of a friend. #BookmarkSwap mail courtesy of @jessinikkip & @EH2018 #BecomingMrsLewis #PattiCallahan #ThomasNelson

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Lizzybennetgirl
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Snuggling up with this read today 👠🧣💃❤️ I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of C.S Lewis (and maybe secretly wanted to be his pen pal in the 50‘s).
#penpals 🖊

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Tamijebo
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Pickpick

What an enchanting read! Such great story telling, all based on research. It‘s a peak into the life of C.S. LEWIS and his inspiration for his books.

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BitchinBooks
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Mehso-so

“And isn‘t it odd... how he states that misery feels much the same as joy at first feels?”

Great writing. Loved all the quotes to set the tone at the beginning of each chapter. Loved getting to learn about Joy and in turn learn more about CS Lewis from it. However, first half was painfully slow 😬

glitterkitty459 😍❤️🐕 6y
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hes7
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Pickpick

This book explores the life of a courageous woman, Joy Davidman, who perseveres through her struggles, lets faith change her life, and finds a friendship and love she never expected. It's a beautifully told story, and I loved it and highly recommend it to fans of C.S. Lewis, historical fiction, and ultimately, romance.

#Excerpt and & #giveaway on the blog today. http://bit.ly/2UB9e6N

swishandflick Love your picture! 6y
DocBrown Have you seen Shadowlands? 6y
Susanita I love the color combination! 6y
100 likes2 stack adds3 comments