In Nashville tomorrow evening, November 8, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is hosting the 2017 Christy Awards at David Lipscomb University where the 2017 winners of The Christy Awards will be announced. And what makes the event extra special this year is that we’re also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the renown novel Christy by Catherine Marshall (pictured right).
Is there anyone among us who hasn’t read Christy? Or seen the TV series with Kellie Martin as Christy Huddleston?
Let’s see a raising of hands… Anyone? Anyone? I thought not. ; )
As you may already know, Catherine Marshall wrote Christy based on the experiences her mother had as a young schoolteacher in the Great Smoky Mountains. I recently listened to the audiobook of Christy—read by Kellie Martin—and loved it! It felt like I was visiting dear old friends again. What a treasure!
Catherine Marshall was ushered into Heaven on March 18, 1983 at the age of 68. I was still in college at the time but I remember reading about her passing. How wonderful that, all these years later, her beloved novel is now available in a special Christy (50th Anniversary Edition), and is also—for the first time ever!—available in ebook too!
50th Anniversary Edition of the New York Times Bestselling Novel
I’m also excited to attend because I’ll be announcing the winner of the General Fiction category this year! (Yep, they’ll apparently let just about anybody do it!) But that’ll be fun reading the first line of the winner’s book.
That’s how the winner is announced…
The presenter reads the title and author of each finalist in a specific category. Then he/she opens an envelope and reads the first sentence from the winning novel. Pretty fun!
What’s also fun is that A Note Yet Unsung is a finalist in the Historical Romance category this year. Which is especially meaningful to me because I wrote that novel with Catherine Marshall’s Christy in mind—never even thinking about or knowing that this was the 50th Anniversary of the novel. Because part of the story in A Note Yet Unsung takes places in the Appalachian Mountains. “Christy’s” mountains. A neat “coincidence.”
In closing, I thought I’d share the opening lines to the three novels in the Historical Romance category. One of these sentences will be read aloud on Wednesday night. But regardless of whether it’s mine or not, I’m simply thrilled to have finaled and will happily cheer for either Elizabeth Camden (Dorothy Mays) or Joanne Bischof!
A Note Yet Unsung
by Tamera Alexander
Rebekah Carrington stood shivering across the street from her childhood home, satchel heavy in hand, cloak dusted in snow.
From This Moment
by Elizabeth Camden
Romulus White stood motionless in the crowded ballroom, staring at a woman he’d once longed for more than his next breath of air. (VERY NICE!!)
The Lady and the LionHeart
By Joanne Bischof
With the hiss of smoothing irons and the starchy scent of soap trailing her, Ella toted a bundle of hospital linens up the steps. (ALSO VERY NICE!!)
Sheesh, now I wish I could rewrite mine! ; )
So tell me…
How many times have you read Catherine Marshall’s Christy? Does it have a special place in your heart too?
And a BONUS question: How many of the 2017 Christy finalists (listed here) have you read?
Much love, friends,
Tammy
The 2017 Christy winners will be announced via live-stream Wednesday evening, November 8. Simply follow Litfuse on Instagram, and log in to the app when the gala begins; find the live-stream at the top of the app! See you there!
I’ll be there and hope to see you there too!
And in case you shop at TARGET . . .
Check out Christmas at Carnton at Target Stores nationwide
If you’re game, snap a pic of yourself with the book while you’re there, then share it on my Facebook Page! Thanks!!
Tamera Alexander
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I am a big Christy fan! My husband bought me a first edition of Christy. I also have been to Christyfest in Townsend, TN two times and toured the tv series site and the true site of Christy!
What a thoughtful husband you have, Beth, and how marvelous about attending the Christyfest! I love that area of Tennessee. It’s so beautiful. God really outdid himself when he fashioned that part of creation! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve only read Christy once. I love it. I believe she also wrote a book Kathy too didn’t she?.
I don’t remember Kathy, but I do remember reading Julie years ago. And also Something More. I need to read that book (Something More) again. Catherine writes about her coming to deeper faith through the power of the Holy Spirit—following her illness, I believe. Hugs, Shirley, and thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on being a finalist! Loved the book.
Thanks, Granny Austin! ; )
I haven’t read Christy, but loved the TV series.
The only one of the nominees I’ve read is yours, and I LOVED it!
Good luck!
Thanks so much, Betty. And wish we could all have our own Christyfest and watch the series together. What fun! Blessings to you…
Umm. I’ve not read Christy (hangs head in shame). But that book will be on my to-read list.
I haven’t read any of the books that are up for Historical Romance category yet, though they’re on my to-read list as well. I am reading Christmas at Carnton right now and thoroughly enjoying it!
No shame here, MH! But glad you’ve got it on your TBR list now. You’ll love Christy! And thanks for reading CAC, friend! Glad you’re enjoying it!
So excited you are a finalist AND a presenter! I loved both of the books you finaled with, but I will be not-so-secretly cheering for you to win! I’m thrilled that it’s being live-streamed and I’m actually not working tomorrow night! 🙂
I’ve read at least one in each of the categories except YA. Some great books represented this year!
I read Christy many years ago (probably middle school) but just reread it for the upcoming blog tour and was blown away. So many treasures I know I missed the first time around in my youth.
YES to discovering new treasures (or treasures I’d forgotten about through the years) in Christy. Cool, too, that you’re involved in the upcoming blog tour! Thanks for the kind words, my friend, and happy streaming. : )
I’ve read Mark of the King and Terri Blackstock’s book. Loved them both. Quite a few are on my TBR list and a couple are already on my kindle. Now to find time to read them.
Christy was a book that my Aunt lent to me when I first got married . It started me on the reading journey of Christian Fiction! Saw some of the TV programs, too. Congratulations and I hope you win because I love your writing! You are in my top ten favorite authors.
Thanks so much, Paula, for those kind words. Made my day!And I hear you on that TBR list. It grows with each day, it seems. So many books, so little time. : ) Hugs!
I have read Christy twice in my life. Not a book that stood out to me. I think I like books with a bit more intrigue.
I have read the first two of the three finalists that you talked about in the post. Elizabeth Camden’s was a favorite of mine.
Elizabeth is a fabulous writer, Julie. And she’s equally fabulous in person too. Have you read A Dangerous Legacy, her newest? VERY good! Be sure and check it out when you can.
I just read Christy for the first time a little over a year ago, and finally know why everyone praises it so highly! It looks like I’ve read 8 of the award finalists (including all three historical romance). I love to see books I enjoyed on the list!
Ding! Ding! Ding! I think you get the prize for reading the most books on the list, Rachael. Glad you read Christy and loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the interesting post, Tamera. What a lot of amazing finalist books for the Christy Awards. It would be hard to be a judge. I’ve read a few of them, have some on my TBR list, and some more on my wish list. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the winners list. Have a great time there and good luck!
I’ve read Christy at least 2 or 3 times. I guess it’s about time for another re-read!
I’ve thought the same thing about being a judge, Winnie. About how difficult that would be. But fun!Thanks for visiting today!
Have read Christy 4 times and yours is the only book of finalist i have read
4 times!?? You get the Christy Prize, Shelia! Thanks for reading A Note Yet Unsung!
I love the book Christy and have read it at least twice. Probably three times. The TV series is wonderful also. My uncle and aunt live not too far from the original Christy Mission site. I was very privileged and excited to see it while visiting my relatives one time. It’s much smaller in real life than it appears in the TV series. Only one building (a cabin) remains and it wasn’t a mission building. My uncle had to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle to get back there. There are still no nicely paved roads, but it seems more authentic that way. I visit there and immediately think of a handsome preacher and doctor (who was actually fictional) ! Christy’s (Leonora’s) real life wouldn’t have been so glamorous. I have to remember the hard lives and sacrifices those missionaries actually lived.
Fun Fact. The photo on the cover of the anniversary edition is actually Leonora. A representative of Gilead Publishing told me it was when I inquired.
Alas, I have only read four of the nominated titles. Those four were very good though. Yours was one of those good books that I read!
THANKS for confirming that little known fact about Leonora being on the cover of the 50th Anniversary edition. I’d actually wondered that but hadn’t gone searching for confirmation. Wonderful! And thanks for the kind words about A Note Yet Unsung! Appreciate all you shared today, Sylvia.
I have only read five of the finalist books but I have read Christy several times! It is truly a classic.
Amen, Joan. That it is!
I am in the process of reading Christy for the first time. Of the three books mentioned, I have read THE LADY AND THE LION HEART. I absolutely loved it! I am currently reading TO WHISPER HER NAME which is fabulous. It is my first book of yours and it won’t be the last.
I read Christy in high school, then again about 4 or 5 times after that, and watched each episode on the tv series with much anticipation. No wonder I enjoy your books so much Tamara!! Hope you win this one, and have fun!!
I’ve ready Christy about 6 times. We also have Catherine Marshall’s non-fiction books in the church library as well as the books her husband Peter wrote.
As for the award winning authors, Congratulations. I’ve read 20 of them because we have their books in the church library.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.