Wisdom Builds Her House is the true story of a woman who comes face-to-face with her past when she reads the journal of her husband’s deceased daughter, a girl she never met. Curiosity leads to self-inquiry and haunting parallels between Carole and Gretchen: inexplicable disruptions from when they were five; mental illness episodes starting at sixteen; troubles in college; rejection in love—secrets hiding in their closets. While building a new house in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, Carole reads the journals, which lead her to uncover the never-spoken truth about the violent crime from her childhood, all resulting in a crisis of faith.
Wisdom Builds Her House, released by Brandylane Publishers on August 20, 2024.
Wisdom Builds Her House is available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook.
The Wisdom Journal is a guided, chapter-by-chapter companion for the author’s faith memoir, Wisdom Builds Her House.
“We gain wisdom by bringing the hard things we’ve experienced into the light: loss, rejection, inexplicable disruptions. Life doesn’t spare any of us. But there are blessings to be found in our trials and failures, if we tell ourselves the truth and draw closer to God.”
Wisdom Builds Her House and The Wisdom Journal can be used for individual study, book clubs or Bible study groups.
The Wisdom Journal is available in paperback.
See what people are saying about Wisdom Builds Her House:
“A deeply insightful memoir courageously navigating the layers of a life lived.” -Independent Book Review
“The second half of life often finds us dismantling parts of what we worked so hard to build in the first half, discarding some of those old building materials and repurposing others. Carole Duff’s deeply personal writing invites readers into that uncomfortable, disorienting process as she excavates her family history, explores the searing journals of her husband’s late daughter, and builds a house and new life after a busy, fulfilling career. Carole’s newfound faith guided her as she reflected deeply on her past’s prologue in order to move into a place of healing: a house that has now become in every sense of the word a home.”
– Michelle Van Loon, author of 7 books including Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife.
“In this beautifully crafted memoir full of rich, sensory imagery, Carole Duff takes readers with her on her dangerous yet healing journey of growth and faith in her maturing season. This book will speak tenderly to those building a second marriage, those seeking purpose after closing the book of a long career, and those wrestling with shame and God’s gentle whisper to ‘leave it.'”
– Afton Rorvik, author of Living Connected: an Introvert’s Guide to Friendship and Storm Sisters: Friends through All Seasons
“Wisdom Builds Her House is a captivating memoir that delves into the profound themes of searching, and finding, grace, mercy, and wisdom. Written with heartfelt sincerity, Carole Duff takes us on an inspiring and deeply personal odyssey through her life’s most profound moments, revealing a narrative filled with spiritual awakening and transformative experiences. This entrancing narrative is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that ‘Some truths can only be seen in darkness.'”
– Lisa St. John, author of Swallowing Stones
What people are saying about The Wisdom Journal:
“Wisdom Builds Her House constructs an engaging faith story around the experience of planning and building a new home with a new husband in a new phase of life. Carole Duff’s journey through doubt and guilt to ultimately rediscovering God’s grace helps readers in their own stories of loss and heartache. Now, in this companion guide, she gives space to record wisdom learned the hard way. The thoughtful questions will inspire reflection and discussion to help readers mine their own lives for lessons learned.”
— Sharla Fritz, author of Divine Directions