"Book of Days" by James L. Rubart

This is the second novel from author James Rubart. In my opinion, it is not quite as good as "Rooms", which is one of my all-time favorite novels. However, "Book of Days" has several great things going for it.
First, it is a very unique story. The book centers around Cameron Vaux, who seems to be losing his mind - literally. Memories come and go as they please. Two years after his wife dies, Cameron begins to remember conversations he had with both his father (who died with the same mind-loss sickness that Cameron has contracted) and his wife regarding a Book written by God that contains the past, present, and future of every person who ever lived. According to the novel, the idea is also found in Scripture: Psalm 139:16 (although in the King James Version, the verse is translated with the word "members" instead of "days"). So, Cameron sets out to find this Book, hoping to cure his mind and preserve the memories of his dad and wife that he cherishes.
Second, Rubart has a talent for conveying strong emotion - I empathized with both Cameron and the character Taylor Stone, even though I've never suffered a loss as great as theirs. This empathy is what made "Rooms" so powerful, and "Book of Days" makes great use of it as well. To create characters so real that we feel their pain - that is GREAT writing.
Third, there were just enough twists to keep things interesting. It is not so much a mystery book, although Cameron is trying to unravel the "mystery" of the Book. So instead of being filled with nail-biting suspense and thrills (although there are a few thrilling scenes) it is a very easy and well-paced read. It never got boring, even though it might have been a little slow in some places.
Fourth, I LOVE it when a character in a Christian novel gets saved! I know they aren't real people - that's not the point. Talented writers like Rubart have a way of expressing and describing the intangible and invisible in some incredible ways. At the very least, these scenes in Christian books remind me of how wonderful it is that I have a Savior and God named Jesus Who loved me enough to die for me and pursue me with His great love and mercy.
There weren't any negative issues worth mentioning, so I will give this book 5 out of 5 stars. But, if you only read one James Rubart book, I'd still pick "Rooms" over this one.

"Rooms" by James L. Rubart

This book was 100 times more than what I had hoped for. It is the exact kind of Christian Fiction novel I have been waiting for since Frank Peretti's "The Visitation." Rubart writes for more than just thrills; he writes to make a point and to help us grow as Christians.
There are too many lessons to be learned from this book than I could list here, but here's a short sample: the power of prayer, the lure of materialism, the deceit of our own heart, forgiveness, making the right choices, Godly friendship, true joy, and the amazing gift of salvation.
The story centers around a young software tycoon who inherits a house on the beach from his great uncle. But all is not what it seems....
This book impacted me so tremendously, I'm not even going to try to describe it or critique it. (Sure there were probably a few things I could pick out if I wanted to super-critical, but I refuse to focus on the minor negatives)
GO BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. You need it. I know I sure did. I made an earlier reference to "The Visitation" by Frank Peretti. That book influenced my life so profoundly I read it over a dozen times.
I have no doubt that I will be reading "Rooms" again.
10 out of 5 stars!