The Noticer Returns

Usually I read anything new by Andy Andrews as soon as it comes out, but my work schedule has been brutal of late so I’m just now getting this new one. THE NOTICER RETURNS is a follow up of sorts to Andy’s extraordinary book, The Noticer where he first introduced the character none simply as Jones. Here Jones reappears into the lives of several south Alabama residents to help them find a different perspective. Where The Noticer was all about having a different perspective, The Noticer Returns is about perspective and a whole lot more. Here Andy delves into some sage wisdom on many other aspects of life, primarily parenting. I’ll come back to that in a moment. Not everything here however, has to do with parenting, but rather with life in general and working our way through the difficulties. As always with Andy’s work, the reader will come away with a handful of nuggets that will leave you thinking, “Why didn’t I think about that before?” For example, we’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”, when in reality, it is the small stuff that really has major impact on our lives. Those tiny, seemingly inconsequential, decisions that have a huge impact over time. Life is filled with these “small stuff” decisions like choosing to eat a piece of pie instead of an apple. Maybe you choose to watch some mindless TV show rather than read a book that might hold valuable information for you, or perhaps our most critical “small stuff” decision, doing something other than studying the Bible. There’s one line in the book I simply have to mention and it goes like this: If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re doing something wrong. Why? Because most people are not obtaining results that are considered extraordinary. How true is that! Think about that the next time you find yourself “doing what everyone else is doing”. Towards the end of the book Andy talks about how our reputation is determined by our thinking. It is excellent how Andy explains this; our reputation I determined by the kind of results we produce, our results are determined by the actions we take, our actions are determined by the decisions we make, our decisions are determined by what we think. The only thing I would add is that our thinking is determined by our vocabulary. We think in terms of words and if we have a limited vocabulary, we obviously have limited thinking, limited choices, limited actions, limited results and a limited reputation. If you want to change how you think, you need to expand your vocabulary. As I mentioned already, an underlying premise of the book is about how to be a better parent. I’m not going to go into the multitude of lessons contained on that subject. For that, you just need to read this wonderful new release by Andy Andrews. You can thank me later.

The author of America's beloved Forrest Gump says, "The Noticer Returns is a magical story that will change how you look at life." Far be it from me to quibble with a New York Times best-selling author, but I believe this a mystical story that will change how readers live." Via a well-written story, which readers have come to expect from Andrews, the author details a simple, but profound, concept of parenting. The Noticer Returns has just flown to the top of my gift-giving list - especially for expectant parents. One of the things I liked best was the profound nugget that perhaps America's "greatest generation" really wasn't. Is that blasphemy? Probably. However, Andrews illustrates that the real greatest generation was the one that raised the men and women who are accepted as our finest. Does that make sense? You bet it does. Had the men and women who fought and won World War II been raised by parents (and grandparents) who had different values and had made less time to raise their children, would their children have been willing to go through all they endured for years? I was stunned to see the book dedicated to someone from my hometown of Atmore, AL, Dr. Will Baker. My guess is this book began with a conversational question from Dr. Baker: "The question is, what is the question?" I think Andy Andrews solved the maddening riddle --as only he could have--and this book is the result. I had to smile when I encountered the character of Baker Larson. Nice additional tip of the hat to Dr. Baker. I have always believed Andy Andrews to be smart. The Noticer Returns shows new literary maturity--and downright brilliance. I have no doubt that his publisher knows this manuscript was worth the wait. Congratulations to author and publisher. This book is truly the best of Andrews' unique career that began decades ago with what seemed his chance encounter under a pier with a man named Jones, not Mr. Jones. Just Jones. Andy Andrews' only problem--and that of his publisher--now becomes . . . how do you top your own gold standard? [Bonnie Bartel Latino is a former columnist for Stars and Stripes/Europe. She is co-author of the award-winning, inspirational military love story, Your Gift to Me.] Fair disclosure: I received an advance paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a storyteller. So many opportunities for lessons and sage advice with application in daily life hidden in mystery and real life experience. Some parallels with another spiritual being "who is always there" but this only enriches the story whether you believe it or not. Not a bad read from any of this authors books.

I bought this book and the sequel. Very interesting books.

At first I was very sceptical as often seconds are not as good as first books on a particular theme or subject. But both, The Noticer and The Noticer Returns, are beyond doubt the best books I read in a long time. But Aldo I want to thank Andy Andrews for giving me with «The Noticer Returns» a new perspective about a problem I has. I recommend both books to everybody who wants the right perspective for his/her mide or is still looking for one.

Reminiscent of the style of Og Mandino's Rag Picker, Andy Andrews masterfully weaves timeless principles for living in a highly entertaining story. Easy to read, yet bringing timeless truths to the reader in a manner that imprints them into the reader's mind well enough to ensure that they will be followed. A book to be read through quickly - one sitting if possible - and then re-read again and again to let the concepts soak in deep and then be lived.

Andy Andrews never disappoints with his books! He manages to weave stories and principles together in such a nimble manner that the two become intertwined in the readers mind. I loved the prequel 'the noticer', whilst reading that book I felt like I was in a one on one conversation with Jones and I longed to hear his words of wisdom again. I dare say the sequel was even better than the first instalment. The timeless wisdom contained within its pages, resonated to the deepest part of my soul and spurred me on to make some changes in my life. A must read for anyone interested in the betterment of their life.

Another winner from Andy Andrews, I absolutely loved it. I have read all of Andy's books and can't wait for the next one.

I loved this sequel to his first book, 'The Noticer". The quote on this book is "Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective." This series of books will take you away into his story, you won't want to put this book down as it is just SO good. In the first book, I had a hunch who this 'Noticer' was and at the end, it confirmed my hunch. I would highly recommend them both, but read The Noticer first.