La maleta. A veces, todo lo que necesitamos es un poco de perspectiva. (The Noticer

Best-selling inspirational writer and speaker Andrews blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration and seasons it with a dash of autobiography. The result is a readable little tale of a mysterious old man named Jones who shows up in the lives of people in crisis. Jones brings the gift of perspective; he notices alternative ways to think about things. Some of what he says is common sense: "yes, sir" works better than "I guess." Some of what he says counters received wisdom: do sweat the small stuff, because little things can make a big difference as surely as brushstrokes make up a masterpiece. The narrator Andy is personable and appealing, and Jones is mysterious and brusque enough not to be a cloying Pollyanna. The title is awkward and not everyone likes motivational books, but many readers do. Andrews brings a track record, wordsmith skills and, best of all, an imagination. [PW 3/9/09]