BKMT READING GUIDES
Words
by Ginny L. Yttrup
Paperback : 339 pages
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2 members have read this book
"I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I'd like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I'd open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the ...
Introduction
"I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I'd like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I'd open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can't take them."
Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn't speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods-in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.
Sierra Dawn is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter's death, Sierra's control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.
Brought together by Divine design, Kaylee and Sierra will discover together the healing mercy of the Word-Jesus Christ.
Acclaim for Words:
"First-time novelist Yttrup writes a riveting, emotionally charged story . . . page by page, word by word, this talented author proves the adage 'Write what you know.'"
Publishers Weekly
"Ginny takes us on a path from pain and struggle to joy and wholeness as her characters discover that the author of Truth is the way to freedom and healing. Sexual abuse may not be your story, but most certainly you will have someone in your life for whom this is a reality. Read it for them. Read it for yourself. And read it for those around the world who’ve yet to be set free."
Barbara Wilson, author of The Invisible Bond
"It's hard to believe this is Ginny L. Yttrup's debut novel. She beautifully and effectively weaves a story of trust, sacrifice, truth, new beginnings, freedom and unconditional love. Here are 334 pages of words that may very well leave you speechless."
FaithfulReader.com
"An astounding, debut novel. I haven't read anything this profound, inspiring and life changing since (Francine Rivers') Redeeming Love."
Finding Hope through Fiction
"Yttrup's journey of healing, redemption and faith is gorgeous, uplifting, difficult at times, but oh so beautiful and stunning . . . I loved this book."
Fiction Addict
"From start to finish Words had my heart and mind. I found myself thinking about the book when I needed to be sleeping. Author Ginny L.Yttrup has truly allowed the truth and the Truth to set her free."
Live, Learn, Love
"A captivating story with the message of hope and restoration . . . touch(ing) on a topic that makes me sick and boiling mad. Yttrup writes from the depth of her own life experiences and her stories will resonate with many women and provide hope for their pain."
Five Star Books
"This is the type of story that resonates with you long after you've closed the book . . . A powerful, moving story that readers will quickly connect with."
Cafe Lily
Excerpt
I collect words.I keep them in a box in my mind. I’d like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. I’d write my words on scraps of paper and then put them in the box. Whenever I wanted, I’d open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. ...
view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1. As with Kaylee, victims of childhood sexual abuse often lose their “voice.” What types of circumstances silence you? How do you gain the courage to speak up when you’d rather remain quiet?2. Kaylee attempts to be invisible to her abuser by not speaking. Have circumstances in
your life ever made you wish you were invisible? How did you deal with that?
3. Kaylee finds comfort in the words she reads in the dictionary. Who or what do you
turn to for comfort?
4. Read the following verses. What do they say to us about the source of our comfort?
Psalm 119:50
5. Sierra expresses her emotions through art. How do you express difficult emotions?
6. Sierra struggles to accept God’s forgiveness. Many of us share that struggle. How can we, as Christ’s followers, truly embrace God’s grace in those difficult areas of our lives?
(Matthew11:28)
7. Which character impacted you most, Kaylee or Sierra? Why?
8. Kaylee is afraid to speak truth because it may wound her mother. Many of us have had times when we were afraid to reveal truth because it might hurt someone else. What guidelines can we find in Scripture for such situations?
9. John 8:32 says: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Several of the characters in this story lived with untruth in their lives--lies they believed about themselves, about others, or about God. Others kept secrets rather than speak truth. How did living this way affect them? How could we apply John 8:32 to these situations? How can you apply it in your own life?
10. What do you think the redwood trees in Words represent?
11. What displays God’s power to you?
12. Sierra’s dad encourages her to look beyond a person’s actions to see that person’s heart--to
look for what’s causing that person to act as he or she does. This was to help Sierra better understand people. How might this advice change the way you look at others?
13. It is easy to judge those who are different than we are. Did Kaylee’s, Sierra’s, and
Kathryn’s experiences give you new understanding of what others may suffer? What impact will that insight have on the way you see others?
14. Sierra changes her name in the story to signify a new season of her life. The Bible
references God giving each of us a new name (Isaiah 62:2, Revelation 2:17). What
would you like your new name to signify?
15. Pete expressed both anger with and compassion for Kaylee’s abuser. How did Pete’s
reaction impact you? (Matthew 18:5)
16. John 1:1 refers to Christ as the Word. This name for Christ becomes significant to
Kaylee because of her love for words. What names for God are significant to you and
why?
17. God promises to restore what’s been lost in our lives (Joel 2:25). What would you like God to restore in your life?
18. In the final scene of Words, Kaylee lists the ways she’s experienced love. In what ways are
you experiencing God’s love in your life?
Book Club Recommendations
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members.
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