Step into My Hummingbird, JJ Carlson's powerful and heartfelt memoir that intimately captures the emotional journey of witnessing her mother’s battle with cancer. Known as "Jem" in the book, JJ shares a candid and deeply personal account of her struggles and triumphs, offering readers a glimpse into her unwavering faith during moments of despair and hope. With raw honesty, she details the pain of loss, the comfort found in new love, and her determination to rise as a top track athlete. More than just a story, My Hummingbird is a profound testament to resilience, hope, and the strength of faith, even in the darkest times. It serves as a reminder that, through adversity, joy and purpose can still emerge, inspiring readers to embrace their own spiritual journeys and connections with those around them.
Published by Lucid Books
Buy NowJJ Carlson is an emerging author based in Portola Valley, California, where she lives with her husband. A former track and field and cross-country athlete at Oregon State University, JJ earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in communication and sociology. When she's not writing, she enjoys trail runs and actively participates in her local parish. JJ's writing is influenced by her strong connection to her faith.
JJ is such a genuine and heartfelt writer, which isn’t surprising in the slightest considering how genuine and heartfelt a person she is. Her unwavering faith and optimism in the midst of whatever life throws her way have continually inspired me throughout the time I’ve been lucky enough to know her. “My Hummingbird” beautifully captures JJ’s own experience with loss, and how she was able to grow deeper in her faith and brighten the world around her along the way. I think her story is an incredibly meaningful one for anyone who has lost someone dear to them, aspired to grow closer to God, fallen in love for the first time, and/or is simply looking for an honest and enjoyable story to read. I’m grateful to have read JJ’s first book, and even more grateful to have her in my life. I’m eagerly waiting for what she writes next.
- Doug
Thank you JJ for sharing your deeply personal and honest experiences of letting go of your mother and being divinely guided and supported through this process. You show how your growing faith was tested and kept you afloat through rough waters. Your trust is an inspiration to others. Write on!
- Wendy von Oech
JJ has written a beautiful testimony of faith intertwined with a journey of grief. My Hummingbird is a beautiful, emotional read that truly brought tears to my eyes. The writing feels very compassionate, with many heartfelt moments that I had to stop and sit with them. If you're looking for a book that stays with you long after you close the last page, this is it.
- Jacqueline
This book was an amazing read! I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it to anyone even if they haven’t experienced loss before. It inspires you to trust in God in every instance.
- Tyler S
This book was heartfelt, emotional and inspiring. I loved every single page! The author is very honest about the hardships she experienced and I think that is what makes it so special and unlike any book I’ve ever read. Highly recommend!
- Jamilah Walker
This beautiful testimony of Faith amidst the suffering and loss of a loved one allows the reader to enter into the personal life of the author. Through the happy moments and evident trials the author expresses her constant recourse to Jesus Christ's love which leads to hope for her and her family. As the Romans 5:5 verse is frequently quoted in the her book, "Hope does not disappoint […]" Most readers should come to recognize that this book, though with great tragedy, does express and show the reality of that verse’s truthfulness, hope does not disappoint, neither will this book disappoint to those who choose to read it with an open heart.
- James C. Wood III
You know how from time to time you begin a book and suddenly anything else that life requires or demands becomes categorized as annoying because all you want to do is to keep reading...that was my experience with this beautifully written memoir. The only thing missing was the tissue box warning: keep one close. This author demonstrates beautifully how to walk in faith, which often means suspending knowledge until after the miracle of hope is fulfilled.
- Terry G Davis
As a mother of three daughters, this was very insightful and heart-warming to read: a daughter fully devoted to loving her mother and also the pain of navigating her own grief and heart. This writing is real and honest. You hope and cry along with the author and ultimately are encouraged to surrender to the sovereignty of God. Order this today!
- Jodi Dauses
JJ’s memoir recounts a harrowing season of her life that's also threaded with humor and hope. An engaging, heartfelt read from an author whose exuberance and allegiance to Jesus bursts through the page.
- Heather Surls