This Quiet Sky: A Novella

By: Joanne Bischof

Narrated by: Gail Shalan

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams.

Go to college. Become president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay - the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra - she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.

©2014 Joanne Bischof (P)2014 Joanne Bischof

Absolutely Amazing!! A Must Read!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not only would I recommend this to a friend, I already have! Gail's voice was more perfect than I'd expected. I found my self swept away in the story, something I wasn't sure would happen with an audiobook. It is full of heartwarming charm and sweet, gentle love. I've read it twice--three times counting this audiobook. And each time I sob my way through it. It's absolutely amazing! Definitely a must read!

What was one of the most memorable moments of This Quiet Sky: A Novella?

Whenever Sarah and Tucker had a moment-- they shared a look, he complemented her singing voice, she was blushing under his gaze-- that's the sort of thing that makes you heart melt.

Which scene was your favorite?

I won't be corny and say 'all of them' (though it's tempting!) But I'd say Tucker's birthday party. I love the love that is shown 'round the table, the family homey-ness that makes you want to curl up in a cozy chair and laugh along with everyone else.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I really don't know. Maybe something along the lines of "If you knew your days were numbered, would you be willing to love with all your heart?" I'm not all that great at taglines, sorry :P

Any additional comments?

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for writing an honest review (thanks again, Joanne!). This review contains my personal, honest opinions.

Deeply Moved!

Where does This Quiet Sky: A Novella rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was one of the best narrations I have listened to. It ranks at the top with Sissy Spacek reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Gail Shalen's narration embodied Sarah to a "T".

What did you like best about this story?

Identifying with the characters. Feeling present in the story. The ability of the author to tackle a tough subject with such grace and hope.

What does Gail Shalan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She caught the essence of Sarah. She paced it so beautifully. It made me hungry to pick up the novella and let her read it aloud to me as I followed along.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

I have listened to this and will re-listen to this again and again. I was very impressed with the narrator chosen as it is important to me that the voice fleshes out the character. This narration achieved this perfectly!

Amazing read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was an amazing book. The author captured the emotions of this type of situation perfectly. I loved the story and learned from it. I, like Sarah, tend to look at what's right in front of me instead of looking at life from different angles. I recently experienced loss, and despite my best efforts tend to look at what could have been instead of being grateful for the time I had with my relative. This book encouraged me to be brave, to look at what I had, like the kiss that made Sarah think her feet had still not touched the ground 18 years later. And now I am listening for the cavalry, the joys in life.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the way emotions were used.

What does Gail Shalan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She helped me to enter the story, and I believe I will remember it better since I listened to it instead of read it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were too many to mention. :)

A beautiful story that wraps you in its heart.

If you could sum up This Quiet Sky: A Novella in three words, what would they be?

Poignant. Heart-deep. Beautiful.

What did you like best about this story?

It's more than a story... it's an experience.

This Quiet Sky has all the markings of a truly great tale. And yet even deeper than that, hearts beat in the very words of its pages. Prepare to fall in love: with Sarah, with Tucker, with the two of them together and with their blossoming courage.

Joanne Bischof has constructed an experience that is the perfect balance of bravery, heart, tenderness and spark. In her trademark way she takes gentle, strong hold of a difficult set of circumstances and explores it in a way that is gilded with sincerity and rooted in love for her reader and her God.

Love is not formulaic in life, and neither is it in This Quiet Sky. It is organic and true, taking us by the hand as Sarah and Tucker’s hearts are woven together to pull the strings of hope tight and far, even in the face of very serious illness.

I walked away much richer for reading it. In fact, I didn't walk away at all. Tucker and Sarah have stayed with me, and always will.

What about Gail Shalan’s performance did you like?

As a new-to-me narrator, Gail impressed me so much with her careful handling of the story. From subtle accents, to the prosody and cadence of her voice, right down to the carefully-placed pauses and tempos, her performance was wonderful. It was evident that she'd spent much time creating the perfect audible personas for each character. Well done, Gail!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The birthday party scene, and all that's at play beneath the surface there... just so bittersweet. It brought tears to my eyes.

Any additional comments?

If you're thinking of giving this a listen, I highly recommend it!

The quiet sky

If you could sum up This Quiet Sky: A Novella in three words, what would they be?

A very short audio book with a big heart -- unforgettable! I listened to it - in one cold afternoon, could not pause.. There are values within thats unforgettable

Touching Romantic Journey

I am still crying! This was a very touching story with some great life lessons. It tells the story of Sarah and her great love for a boy that was sick. They made every moment count. He has a profound impact on her life. It made me retrospect on my life and how much time I waste on trivial things. I love this story . The narration was flawless. I recommend this novella.

Beautiful 💕

This story, that should be so sad, is instead so beautiful.

Do you hear the cavalry?

Beyond Incredible - Joyous & Heartbreaking

Oh my word! I don't know where to begin I finished this book in one day. I read it and I listened to it on Audible. It is beyond incredible....I really don't have words. I am right now listening to it a second time...the narration is incredible but the story -- I honestly don't have words to describe it.

I make a point of not reading books too often that I fear will have a "less than happy" ending . . . as life definitely has had its share of sadness. So I began this one with much trepidation (after reading a few reviews). But this beauty of this story was a reminder to me of all the joy that is mixed in even with the terribly sad times. On a personal level, I was reminded that although one of my daughters died before her 10th birthday, the Lord gave us 9 more years with her than we were expected to have. I was carried back to those years of laughter and the closeness of our family in the midst of our battle against time. And how God Himself gave us MORE than we could have ever known to ask through these years.

I desperately love Sarah and Tucker . . . and their story. And I am so thankful to Joanne Bischof for sharing it with me. I now have the privilege to share it with my own daughters, granddaughters and friends.

one of the most beautiful stories. EVER.

I normally don’t cry in movies or books. I honestly don’t think I’ve *ever* cried in a book before.

Until now.

Now.. I’ve sobbed.

The incredible depth of this novella really surprised me; I typically think of novellas and short fiction as not having time to develop the characters enough to truly know and relate to them. This book has so much depth. I felt instantly that I had bonded with young Sarah Miller. And with Tucker O’Shay.

Joanne Bischof showed her talent with This Quiet Sky. Descriptions that encompassed my senses. Characters who leapt from the pages (or rather, from my ipod, since I listened via Audible). Scenery that transported me in a very realistic sense to the hills of Appalachia in the late 1800s, not all that far from where my own family has roots. All of these were present in this story.

This book captured me at a level I’m not sure I knew was possible. Down into the very depths of my soul.

My heart ached for Sarah, for Tucker. I connected with them, with Tucker’s need of a good friend, with Sarah’s compassion and desire to reach out to him. Although very different circumstances, I can relate to the fear that I know Tucker felt, because I’m a survivor of the disease that he had. I’m sure he had friends prior to this diagnosis, and I hurt for what he lost. Tucker’s thoughts and the way he pondered life, the way he set out to enjoy the moments that he had, dreaming as if he had all the time in the world, living with a grateful-to-God heart for his every breath.. these traits wove such a real character. I can relate to Sarah, as her heart breaks for Tucker, for his family, for herself… because I have been on this side too.

If you have the opportunity, I highly encourage you to listen to Gail Shalan read this book. She added a uniquely beautiful dimension to an already heartwarming, soul-gripping, tear-provoking book. I will be adding the paperback to my permanent book collection, but I will absolutely be listening to this audio book again and again as well. Very rarely do I feel like I could finish a book, turn back to page one, and begin again immediately. This book compels me to do so.

I would liken this story to dark chocolate. Very dark chocolate. Something like Ghirardelli’s Intense Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Soiree. The blend of flavors is delicate and perfect. But so very intense, daring you to take the next bite. Go ahead. Do it. Listen. Read. I can’t promise you won’t cry — in fact, I’d encourage you to be free to let this story affect you deeply and permanently. Let God use it in your heart. You will not regret it. And as you let God speak to you through this little book, be reminded of the truth that His eye is on the sparrow… and we can know that He’s watching us too.

Beautiful and Deeply Moving

The Quiet Sky is a powerful story. A sweet, poignant reminder that life is precious. In Rocky Knob, Virginia 1885, Sarah begins her first day at school and is seated next to Tucker. She's having trouble with math and Tucker begins tutoring her. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship that words can't describe. This is one of the best novellas I've ever listened to or read. The love that these two young adults had for each other in a short time was more than what some adults ever experience in a lifetime.

I was so moved when Tucker told Sarah that "God didn't make a mistake with me. He's given me today. It's about living for what you can live for. What God gives you the time to do. He gave me the time to know you. To love you. " Sometimes all we have is a moment. It doesn't make it less. It just makes it more.

About the author: Joanne Bischof is an amazingly talented writer. I can't wait to listen to more of her work through audio. I highly recommend this audiobook. This is a must listen to.

About the narrator: Gail Shalan has the most beautiful, sincere voice I've ever listened to. She took this story over the top. All I can say is WOW! This is one of the best narrations I've listened to. She's a wonderfully skilled voice actor and I look forward to listening to more of her work as well.

I received this audiobook foc inx for an inbiased review.