James Rubart

Dear Readers,

The 5 times I met Myself by James Rubart is a book that I was really interested in reading when it first hit the shelves here at Baker Book House.  I have read several of James’ books and they have always made me think about the message inside.  None of them are what would be considered “normal” fiction but they are just outside the norm.  He really does have a unique way of looking at things.

Brock Matthews has had a reoccurring dream.  It is so realistic that he is having a hard time letting it go.  He is talking to his father, dead for many years, and his father ends up yelling “Get Ready.” It leaves Brock confused and a bit concerned.  He eventually borrows a book on dreams and how to control them.  Suddenly Brock finds himself in control of more than his dream, he is now in control of his life choices from when he was younger.  He is ready to change his history, including winning against his brother. 

Okay so that was a very simple description of the book.  It is a bit more complicated than that, but it really got me thinking what I would tell my 23 year old self.  Who hasn’t said to themselves, “If I had only known this when I was younger.”  Well, James gives us that chance to see what might or might not happen if we were allowed to time travel and change the past. 

Of course we have all seen Back to the Future and how Marty changed things for good.  But this book makes you rethink that.  If you believe God is in control of the world then everything has happened for a reason and we should not change it, as it is what makes us who we are today.  Wow that is pretty profound from a fiction book. J 

I am looking forward to James’ next book and what adventure he takes us on next.

Happy Reading,

James Rubart

Dear Readers,

Most of you know that I was a judge for the Inspy awards for Speculative fiction.  One of the authors up for the award was James Rubart with his book Rooms.  You will also notice I didn't do a review for that book.  The concept of the book was good, I just felt like it needed a bit of work to make it a better book

Book of Days is James' second book and I think he is getting better at his craft. The idea behind the novel is that the Book of Days mentioned in the Bible is an actual book that exists on earth. You could use it to know the future, or to control things that are happening and will happen to you or your family, friends and/or enemies. 

When Cameron loses his wife to a tragic accident he is sure he will never forget her, but his memory isn't what it use to be and it seems to be getting worse and worse. He remembers a book that both his father and wife talked about just before they passed. They both said that the book held all his memories and then he would never forget. Cameron decides to go on a hunt for the book to see if it is real and if so he wants to use it to not forget the love of his life. 

Cameron is not the only one looking for this book. Others want to find it to use it for the wrong reasons. Others are wanting to protect the book. They know the problems that would arise if the book fell into the wrong hands. It is a race to see if Cameron can decipher the clues before he is stopped by the book's guardians and keep others from finding it before he does.

Like I said before, this book does need a bit of work, but over all it is an interesting read. It talks a lot about how God does know all of our days and how they are numbered by him, but also remembered and watched by him. We cannot escape from him, no matter how hard we try. 

This is also a book about grief and loss. About keeping the memories and love alive, but being able to move on. Sometimes we are so busy trying not to lose a loved one that has passed on that we forget to live our lives without them. 

Happy Reading

James Rubart

Dear Readers,
Rooms by James Rubart was advertised as My Heart Christ's Home meets Frank Peretti. Well Frank wrote that book with Ted Dekker a few years ago. House is freaky to say the least. This book isn't as creepy, but it doesn't make it any less of a good read.

Micah Tayler gets a letter informing him that his great Uncle had left him a house. A house that was built especially for him. It seems a bit strange to Micah and even a little creepy that a guy he had never met claims to know him well enough to build him a house that will be a perfect fit for him. Micah is intrigued enough to see what this is all about.

Micah returns to his favorite place on earth, a place he had vowed to never return to. At first visit it seems the house is a perfect fit, but yet something seems just bit off. He plans to see the house as quickly as possible and to continue his life as before, but something about that house keeps drawing him back. Is he willing to give up his life to live where his best and worst memories collide?
This is an interesting read. It made me wonder what the perfect house for me would look like. What kind of rooms would I have? I would have to guess that was the author's plan all along. I know I have said it before, this isn't as creepy as advertised (of course I like Ted Dekker and Steven James;-) I still found it interesting and it might be a good one for a book club to do together.
Happy Reading