• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Discerning Readers Need a Great Read Like This One

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Amy Lynn Green has written a phenomenal, gripping, insightful novel that every lover of good fiction should read. Not bad for a debut author, is it? via @chautonahavig

When you see a cover that won’t leave your mind, sometimes you just have to go find out what it’s all about. Well, that’s exactly what I did last fall, and what I found… Whoooeee! Yeah.

Debut authors are a penny a dozen these days. Phenomenal debut authors with novels you can’t put down and can’t stop thinking about, on the other hand… oy.

I actually quit editing one episode slated for today and went to record this one. Why? Because I just couldn’t wait one more minute to gush–erm, talk about Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green.

Amy Lynn Green

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Discerning Readers Need a Great Read Like This One

There’s nothing more wonderful than a new release that keeps you riveted to the page–or the audiobook app–from the first word to the last.

Unless it happens to be by a debut author.

That’s right, Amy Lynn Green has written a phenomenal, gripping, insightful novel that every lover of good fiction should read.

The story behind this book goes way back to when a friend recommended the novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society a few years ago. I spend about 5 minutes talking about #thatguernseybook as a way to set up how I found this book and why I consider those books comparable. So, if you want to skip that, start around the 5-minute mark.

In fact, I’m calling this book “The American Guernsey Book” because it’s got a similar feel.

So what is so great about Amy Lynn Green’s, Things We Didn’t Say?

So many things.

A linguist, Johanna Berglund is called home to translate for German prisoners of war, censor their letters, all the stuffness.

This epistolary novel opens with a treason trial and someone has collated all of Johanna’s correspondence. Letters to the editor, notes at work, writing to friends–everything.  So, between learning to see the Germans as people and trying to treat them as such, and having a Japanese-American friend, she’s looking guilty when things go south.

There are so many perspectives shown through all of these notes and letters.

Furthermore, the way the character arc transforms Johanna’s character is brilliant. You see Amy Lynn Green pulling Johanna out of her shell and into her own person throughout the story.

As I say in the episode, Johanna’s growth reminds me of an old Jimmy Stewart movie, No Highway in the Sky.  This is the aftermath of the scene I mentioned where Stewart realizes he’s become personally involved… or vice versa.

The book is well written and full of great characters whose personalities shine on the page. Additionally, there are strong spiritual elements that show faith in action, faith growing. If that werern’t enough, Amy Lynn Green addresses and explores difficult political and ideological issues of the day–both from objective and subjective viewpoints. This adds depth and richness to her story.

Did I love it?  Oh, yeah. Am I disappointed that I don’t see more available by her? Definitely. Do I stalk Amy Lyn Green’s Amazon page for preorder links to another book?  Yep. Sure do.

A five-star read all the way. Things We Didn’t Say better win awards. I’m just sayin’

Also… I shared news about the podcast!

In addition to this gush about Amy Lyn Green’s book, I announced that we’re going to expand the episodes to two types.

Tuesdays: These episodes will be just like the ones we’ve been having all along.

Saturdays: These will be genre-specific (Historical, Contemporary Romance, Spec Fic, etc) episodes featuring short interviews (8-10 minutes) with approximately 3 authors. We’ll discuss upcoming or newly released books. And with these, we’ll keep the chit-chat to a minimum.  Still, I plan to read most of if not all of the books so I know what questions to ask, etc.

Oh, and watch for the winner of the giveaway from Episode 44.

Things we Didn't Say Amy Lynn GreenPublisher’s Synopsis:

Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they’re not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light.

But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred–and it’s no longer clear whom she can trust.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
Share132
Pin
Tweet
Email
135Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
135Shares

Related

Filed Under: Because Fiction Podcast

Previous Post: « The Best Book I’ve Ever Kind of Liked
Next Post: Happy Days Are Literarily Here Again–Thank Goodness! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Bethany says

    February 3, 2021 at 4:42 am

    Hold placed at my library! I’m always excited when the library is actually carrying a book I like that isn’t on KU. : )

    Reply
  2. Emma says

    February 2, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    I got that book from NetGalley, but haven’t read it yet. Now I really want to!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl Arcemont says

    February 2, 2021 at 7:11 am

    Wow, this definitely sounds like a book to add to my TBR mountain! Thank you for sharing, I tend to get it when you say this is a winner or when you have issues with a book. Sounds like we have very similar likes and dislikes! Have a terrific Tuesday!

    Reply
  4. Andrea Stoeckel says

    February 2, 2021 at 6:57 am

    “Guernsey” was a sensation…this one will go into my library queue

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
byChautona Havig

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
Episode 216: A Chat with Jaime Jo Wright
March 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Is More Terrifying than an Author with a Sharp Tent Peg?
  • Why I Can’t Wait to Read the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series!
  • What Kinds of Lessons Can We Learn from the First People?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reposted from @tabithabouldin PREORDER NOW: https: Reposted from @tabithabouldin PREORDER NOW: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/512143
A curse.
A killer.
A chill in the air.
Temps are dropping and time is running…
These beauties just arrived. Eeep! #AmReading #c These beauties just arrived.  Eeep!
#AmReading 
#christiansuspense 
#ChristFic 
@lisaphillipsbks
This is what book sorting and cataloging and culli This is what book sorting and cataloging and culling looks like. The molding is still not finished,  a huge shelf sits empty, the above windows shelves are untouched (and therefore,  dusty)... but it's getting there...
#libraryprogress
#gottadoitbeforethekidcomeshome
#notquitebookstageam
Reading this right now. Just started last night, Reading this right now.  Just started last night, and I am already engrossed. 

Reposted from @lianaygeorge Get to know Perfectly Placed! Book 2 in the Hopeful Heart Series, it continues Nicki’s adventures in China and has her falling in love in ways she never imagined!

•
•
•

books book tropes convincing you to read perfectly placed hopeful hearts series contemporary christian fiction women's fiction ebook paperback
Stickers by Lorna will eventually be part of the n Stickers by Lorna will eventually be part of the next Bookstrings giveaway (this fall).

Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Link to these designs are in my bio!!!
#resbubbleartist 
#ilovestickers 
#artwork
How often does Biblical fiction go back in time... How often does Biblical fiction go back in time... before time? Not often in my experience, but Jill Eileen Smith's Daughter of Eden takes a bold step to imagine the creation of the angels... of even Michael the Archangel!  Listen in while we chat about Eden, Eve, her children, and the war between those banished from heaven and those who remained to protect those made in God's image.
@revellfiction
@Jilleileensmith
#BecauseFiction
#ChristFic
#BiblicalFiction
#DaughterofEden
#BookishPodcasts
Neville LongBarkem got a trim the other day, and h Neville LongBarkem got a trim the other day, and he's still worn out. Plus, he misses @lornarose9 si we thought we'd say hi.
#NevilleLongBarkem 
#TheShediffice
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!