Gone to Green: Gone to Green Series - Book 1

Having both worked on my school paper and being a high school correspondent for my local paper, I always enjoy reading books about newspapers. There's something about having to meet deadlines, getting all the facts and discovering stories that could have major impact that always make for a good read for me. Therefore reading this book had great appeal for me, as I read about the adventures Lois had to face with going from big city newspaper to twice weekly small town Green. I was really glad that even though there are prejudices and Lois having to deal with the "good ol' boys club", the book did not go into the way of stereotypes of both the south or small towns. There was nothing horribly cliched in the book which I was very grateful for. The town had a bunch of quirky and genuine characters that helped Lois get settled into a new life in Green. Even though some of the people took a while for both Lois and them to get warmed up to each other, after a while they began to accept her in their town and she began to feel like one of them. The main attraction of the story for me was seeing how the newspaper was run. I was glad to see that even though it was a small paper, the people took pride in running in. There were staff members who took their job seriously and had potential to move away to bigger things in the future. If there was any qualms I had about the book, I would say that the resolution of the book happened really fast and I felt like I had missed it somehow. I found myself flipping back to make sure I had read what happened to everyone. Other than this, I thought this was a great read. It's not preachy at all, faith is mentioned but it is not a main focus point. The story introduced me to how a small newspaper has to survive and also to the local flavor of the town of Green. I know that I am going to be excited to read the next book in the series and more adventures from the townsfolk!

gone to green is a great little novel. Easy to read. Easy to care about the characters, especially Lois Barker, the main character. Discovering peace as a guidepost Miss Lois, which she's called in the south, takes steps, literally and spiritually, which lead her into unexpected discoveries about herself and the people in her small community. Can't wait for "Goodness Gracious Green", the sequel.

Great book! bought it for a womens study group, read it in 3 days, looking forward to the next one

Gone to Green is anything but a story about saving trees, although it is about saving paper. A newspaper. And saving the main character's sanity through a series of insane adventures. It's a fun, clever story with something a little unexpected on almost every page. When I started reading Judy Christie's Gone to Green, I found myself setting aside other projects I really should have attended to so I could keep reading! The author made me love her main character with all her flaws and foibles, so I felt the rough surface of every wall she bumped up against. My own heart stirred when she claimed a small victory. I knew Lois Barker well enough to presume she would make the right decisions in the end, but the author included some delightful twists and such rich characters that every chapter was enjoyable. Even though the setting was Louisiana, it could've been my backyard. It takes high writing skill to develop such a clear locale but make it seem as if the characters and their "issues" could be your own neighborhood.

I enjoyed this book very much and am ready for the next one. Having worked for a small daily paper, I had no trouble becoming a part of the story.