The Wonder of Ordinary Magic


Fiction - General
252 Pages
Reviewed on 04/22/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

LILLI JOLGREN DAY is a photographer and newly minted author who was born and raised in Michigan. While she is thrilled to have recently won a silver medal in the 2012 Readers Favorite Award Contest her most precious tribute is still the whimsical portrait of a stick figure mom drawn inside a big pink heart many moons ago by one of her children proclaiming, "Mom I know is a good mom. I love you mom". She takes it out and reads it whenever she doubts herself and loses her way.

Lilli is the mother of two, partner to Doug, a battered but grateful Celiac/CFS warrior, and like most writers she loves to curl up with a good book and steal away on a magic carpet of words. THE WONDER OF ORDINARY MAGIC is her debut novel. A Reading Group Guide is available on her blog www.bookbabie.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

Bobby, an author by trade faces his greatest writing challenge to date as he struggles to pull his characters out of a dangerous and suspenseful situation. Nothing out of the ordinary for your every day author, except Bobby is anything but ordinary. Bobby is in a coma. As he writes the scintillating lines of his latest novel, the world revolves around him, unaware of what is happening in this seemingly vegetative individual. Where Bobby's medical condition has become a hopeless waiting game for his friends and family, he produces a fictional tale of intrigue that oddly mirrors his current life. The exception to the otherwise pessimistic perspective of his chances of survival is his four year old niece, Chloe, plans her days around Uncle Bobby's return to the living because of her invention of a magical magnet that will operate on his damaged brain. While the rest of the family fashion their daily schedules around hospital visits that can only lead to their last look at Bobby, they are unaware that he miraculously hears their words and sees their actions. He grows fond of his caregivers and silently offers advice and concern for all those around him.

I found myself praying for Bobby's survival, regardless of the grim reality of his diagnosis. Lost in this detailed story, I tended to forget about the perilous condition of the main character, until the surprising ending. I actually re-read the last pages to confirm that his story had in fact come to an end. The Wonder of Ordinary Magic left me haunted by its characters for days after I finished reading it.

Joy H.

As an author, have you ever wondered what would happen if you never got to finish the book you are writing? Well this happened to young write Bobby Weaver, though it is not your usually way of writing books. As Bobby was in a coma with his life wasting away, he was able to finish his novel for himself, even though no one else knew. As the story would take over his mind while laying there, he was not only able to finish his book, but he could relate his fictional story to his real life story.

In this very interesting book, we hear from Bobby, and five more of his family members as the story is told. Bobby is laying in his hospital bed as they all come to see him, he can hear it all, whatever they say, but can’t communicate with them. Each of the other characters have their own busy lives, and add to the story telling their point of view of their life, and how they feel about Bobby being in a coma.

Many times when an author switches back and forth from character to character, the reader tends to loose interest in the book, but not with Lilli Jolgren Day’s “The Wonder of Ordinary Magic.” This is a very well written book with intriguing characters that warm your heart, but sadden you at the same time because of the difficulty they are facing with their loved one Bobby. And it was amazing how Bobby was able to finish his book while in a coma.

I encourage you to grab a copy of "The Wonder of Ordinary Magic." You will not only read the story of Bobby and his family, but you will get to read Bobby’s book as well.

Anne B.

Lilli Jolgren Day offers readers a delightful and original plot. The author’s motivation behind The Wonder of Magic is as unique as the plot. She was almost involved in a head on accident it left her wondering the ifs, what if she died, what if she were left in a coma, what would happen to her book.

Bobby Weaver was lying in a hospital bed with various tubes coming out of his body. The successful author enjoyed the visits of his four year old niece Chloe, but he wished his brother would just shut up. His favorite nurse was Annie, he liked the way she talked to him and in his mind he answered her. Bobby had an unfinished novel on his mind, it was a mystery. He was determined to finish it even if only in his mind for himself.

Day successfully varies the narrator of the chapters. I preferred Bobby as narrator but the other characters have much to contribute too. Day cleverly validates how important an author’s book is to him. It’s not something that they can just lay aside; it is a work in progress, it is their child and it occupies their every waking moment and in this book even in their unconscious moments.

I love the humor in this book. Bobby’s idiot brother had the nerve to comment on how envious he was of Bobby’s coma. Bobby’s unheard answer was hilarious and a little snarky. Chloe’s visits had to be the highlight of Bobby’s day. She seemed to understand his needs more than the adults. She performed for him and allowed him to feel the pops of a pussy willow. I cried at the ending and yet felt it was well done. I don’t want to ruin this book for other readers; I’ll just say make sure you read the whole book. Well done MS Day.