If you haven't read ANY of Jan Karon's Mitford books, well, first you need to repent of your ways. Then, you need to get thee to nearest library or bookstore and pick up At Home in Mitford. You will fall in love with the whacky, irritating, and loveable folks in town -- just like your own! Just wonderful writing -- so accurately depicting human nature.
I tore threw all of those books a few summers ago -- and love them so much. So, this summer, when a new book came out, I had to read it! 
"Home to Holly Springs" goes a little different direction than the Mitford series: it's about Father Tim, now retired, returning to his hometown of Holly Springs. As he does, we see flashbacks of memories that shaped him and forever impressed him. There is also a fairly big bombshell in the book. As always, excellent writing, characters like people you know: maddening and tender and all in between. Big thumbs up.
One of my favorite parts of the book is toward the end. It goes along with a discussion I have had with my Coffee Group gals (maybe I've even written about it here). You know, people talk about "forgiving and forgetting" as if that is a holy order. Here's the deal: Jesus tells us again and again to FORGIVE, but never once mentions forgetting the sin/ hurt. Because he knows it isn't possible. Pain leaves a scar. I believe that the "70 times 7" that Jesus refers to can mean the 490 times you will have to forgive the SAME sin -- because it may hurt at least that many times.
There's a beautiful dialog in the book that refers to just that concept:
"I'd like you to know," he told Henry, "that I've forgiven him. Again and
again. Once done, of course, back comes the Enemy to persecute and prosecute,
and I must ante up to God and forgive yet again."
"There may be circumstances in this life," said Henry, "that God uses
to keep bringing us back to Him, looking for His grace."
You will not regret reading this book. It is a wonderful vacation for the soul.
