We live in a grow or die world. No matter what age you are – you are either growing or dying. Every day I read 8 newspapers online, Grice Connect is of course my favorite. I also have a goal of reading at least one book per month.
This year I have read some great books by local authors all of which we have featured in stories on Grice Connect.
These include:
- Leadership Skills – Dr. Samose Mays
- Disrupting Burnout – Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson
- Kenny Goes to the Zoo – Brandon Hudson
- A Gingerbread House – Julie Lavendar
- Under the Canopy – Charles Cravey
- Winds through the Pines – John Edwards
I strongly recommend purchasing and reading all of these. But if you only read one next year, I would recommend Winds through the Pines by John B Edwards. John is a lifelong friend of mine and is the retired Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of Statesboro Regional GBI office. Winds is southern crime novel set in Ludowici, which is in Long County, GA.
The novel, like his other two novels, Sunlight Over the Marshes and Darkness Under the Oaks, intertwines Southern culture, crime, and the human condition. It is set during a period of corruption through the 301 corridors before I-95 was constructed. If you grew up in this area, you have heard the legendary stories of Ludowici crime families. John changes the names and switches details of real cases he worked to make them fictional.
Part of the mystic of reading his books is to try and figure out which outlandish crime investigation he is using for the novels. The same goes for the lead characters. Jean Anne Marsh, owner of the Dairy Queen and a former GBI agent and Charles Sikes, a retried GBI SAC are both friends mine and of John’s. I believe they are the basis of central characters in this book. He will, of course, not confirm or deny the facts or the characters. He also weaves Statesboro and Georgia Southern University into his novels, which adds even more intrigue.
John speaks often and hosts books signings in the area. I encourage you to attend one, even if you haven’t read his books. His storytelling skills are unmatched.
My wish for you is that 2025 is a great year of growth for you as you discover a great new book or twelve.
-DeWayne Grice
Read on for a roundup of more favorites from the Grice Connect team!
Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
This is actually a YA novel set in a middle school that I read alongside my daughter for summer reading one year. I did that not expecting to absolutely LOVE the book! It is a beautifully written (and delightfully quirky) story about vulnerability, resilience, and believing in the bits of "magic" in life that even adults will relate to.
The Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green
This book is for anyone who loves the mystery and intrigue that comes along with an old city like Savannah. It's fiction, but something tells me it's based on some "if you know, you know" fact! It's part crime novel, part historical fiction and addresses some serious themes that make the reader think a little deeper about the Hostess City. There's even a little shoutout to Statesboro, for better or for worse! (And it goes without saying that if you haven't read THE BOOK -- Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil by John Berednt -- put that on your list too!)
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
I found this book when it was listed as the Book of the Month at the Statesboro Library, and it, too, has a little reference to Statesboro! It's a winding tale about an unlikely friendship (young and adrift paired with old and full of secrets) and all the adventures and unexpected turns therein. It's a feel good book with little bits of humor, mystery, and love throughout. The writing style is super entertaining, and you'll fall in love with the characters as you join them on their journey.
A Pirate Looks at Fifty by Jimmy Buffet
Quote from the book: "Life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party."
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
"Choose connection over comparison." The German word "Freudenfreude" which means "shared joy." Good friends are not afraid of your flame. So don't spend time with "flame blower-outers".
Not a book but a philosophy: "I love to read review pages on movies, or anything for that matter. I am curious about what other people think of things. That could boil down to reading the Grice Connect comments section!"
Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
I love "Make Your Bed" for its inspiring life lessons, emphasis on small actions, and practical advice on resilience. It's relatable, motivating and applicable to everyday life!!
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
"It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment," Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude. This book is an escape into a time and place all its own. It is filled with the unexpected, beautiful, and brilliant. You can read it again and again and find something new each time - it's my favorite literary "getaway!" The complicated characters, symbolism, storytelling, and magical realism blend together to make this incredible work of literature unforgettable. Read it if you want to forget where you are and get completely lost in a good book.
The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl
This is a fantastic guide to building strong, connected communities! Vogl shares seven key principles: Clear boundaries, welcoming initiations, fun rituals, dedicated gathering spaces, shared stories, meaningful symbols, and close-knit inner circles. These elements create a vibrant, supportive community where everyone feels they belong.
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
This is a memoir and self-help book that chronicles a transformative year in the life of the acclaimed television producer and writer. Rhimes, the creative mind behind hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, realized she was frequently saying “no” to opportunities that scared her or pushed her out of her comfort zone. Through humorous, candid, and reflective storytelling, Rhimes shares insights about overcoming insecurities, finding joy, and living authentically. The book offers both an inspiring personal narrative and practical lessons about embracing change and personal growth.
Into the Seventeen Towers by Jareth Z. Navratil
Heroes stand! But Nathaniel is no hero… He is an all-around average, thirty-something, failed-to-launch, American do-nothing. However, one small fact rescues Nathaniel from wallowing in his mediocrity...He is a Page-Walker! Nathaniel can escape his humdrum existence by entering the pages of books, living vicariously through their characters’ adventures.
Nathaniel’s comfortable existence is challenged when he discovers his late grandfather’s unfinished manuscript, The Seventeen Towers, whose pages call him for help. But entering an unfinished story has no guarantee of safety, so Nathaniel must choose whether to rise to the occasion and answer the call or let cowardice govern his life.
In his debut novel, Jareth Navratil weaves a light-hearted and whimsical tale while not shying away from the heavy and emotional subject matter. Love and loss, substance abuse and addiction, exploitation and manipulation, and overcoming toxicity take center stage in this portal fantasy page-turner.
Side story for this book, I was given this book by the author while attending a conference in Pittsburgh. The author of the book was my waiter at a restaurant called Cucina Alfabeto and the bookstores name is City of Asylum. The restaurant also has a bookstore located inside, so the book lover that I am, towards the end of dinner, I headed over to the bookstore. Not knowing the bookstore was actually closed, but the waiter allowed me to browse. He even told me about the free books they keep downstairs. As I was getting ready to leave, he asked if I would read his book. He gave me a signed copy, and I must say the book was absolutely amazing. I will always remember this story, when I see or think of the book.
Totally unrelated, but I always have to share that story when I share this book. It was such a sweet experience.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Quote from the book: “……..was there any point in being alive without helping one another?”
Hum by Helen Phillips
Here's why Hum by Helen Phillips is the book to read this year: it's culturally relevant, delves deep into philosophies and morality, and discusses the way technology is changing us and our interactions. Her protagonist, May, goes through such a relatable arc- she's real, flawed, and faces issues we might all have to grapple with in the near future. Her growth feels so organic that you can't help but root for her, and in lots of ways, she really makes you reflect on your own choices and relationships.
It's heartwarming and hits close to home, reminding us how real, meaningful human connection is important. It asks big questions about what we're losing as technology takes over more of our lives, but it does so in a way that can feel deeply personal. It causes us to self relfect on the growing importance of maintaining balance and a healthy relationship with big tech and social media and ask the right questions about the direction in which the industry is going. How can we use it to further promote good, hope, justice, and true relationships in our lives? To take better care of our world, our neighbors? In many ways that power is quite literally in our very hands (I'm talking about that lil' mini computer you're holding and probably using to read this). It's a story that lingers, leaving you thinking long after you turn the last page.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
This is the best book I read this year, and makes my top three all-time faves list. Devastated after the demise of her marriage and the death of her beloved cat, Phoebe boards a flight to New Hampshire with only the green evening gown and gold heels she is wearing, and plans to commit suicide when she reaches her destination. Once she arrives at the magnificent Cornwall Inn, Phoebe, an adjunct professor, is mistaken for a guest at the wedding being held there. I was absolutely riveted by this book because it encapsulates the brokenness, resilience, and hope that connects us as humans and efficiently communicates the idea that it is okay to boldly be yourself and to start again.
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The story has a coming-of-age theme and follows teenager Charlie Kelmeckis as he enters his freshmen year of high school. He is awkward and quiet, but he befriends a group of seniors who help him learn to appreciate his differences and teach him to celebrate his wallflower behavior. Readers learn of Charlie’s backstory and how he acclimates to the highs and lows of high school with the help of his senior friends and his English teacher. Chbosky explores mental health issues and how finding certain friendships can help someone grow past those challenges. He created characters that audiences can relate to and I think Chbosky captured an accurate representation of cliques in high school. After reading Perks of Being a Wallflower, I was left with a different perspective on friendships and introspection.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This story is set during World War II and follows the story of two sisters living in France. At the time, France had been taken over by Germany. The older sister is married, has a daughter, and works as a nurse. However, the younger sister is a wild, free, and opinionated spirit, completely opposite of her sister. Individually, the sisters face hardships as they follow the path of their stories, and reconnect as changed people. Their love for each other despite their differences remains strong throughout the story, and as an older sister, that resonated with me. When I read this novel, I was in high school and it helped me find my love of reading again, and it still remains one of my favorites for that reason.
