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This Life I Live: One Man's Extraordinary, Ordinary Life and the Woman Who Changed It Forever Hardcover – February 14, 2017
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**NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
Her story. His story. The love story of Joey and Rory.
By inviting so many into the final months of Joey’s life as she battled cancer, Joey and Rory Feek captured hearts around the world with how they handled the diagnosis; the inspiring, simple way they chose to live; and how they loved each other every step of the way. But there is far more to the story.
“My life is very ordinary,” says Rory. “On the surface, it is not very special. If you looked at it, day to day, it wouldn’t seem like much. But when you look at it in a bigger context—as part of a larger story—you start to see the magic that is on the pages of the book that is my life. And the more you look, the more you see. Or, at least, I do.”
In this vulnerable book, he takes us for the first time into his own challenging life story and what it was like growing up in rural America with little money and even less family stability.
This is the story of a man searching for meaning and security in a world that offered neither. And it’s the story of a man who finally gives it all to a power higher than himself and soon meets a young woman who will change his heart forever.
In This Life I Live, Rory Feek helps us not only to connect more fully to his and Joey’s story but also to our own journeys. He shows what can happen when we are fully open in life’s key moments, whether when meeting our life companion or tackling an unexpected tragedy. He also gives never-before-revealed details on their life together and what he calls “the long goodbye,” the blessing of being able to know that life is going to end and taking advantage of it. Rory shows how we are all actually there already and how we can learn to live that way every day.
A gifted man from nowhere and everywhere in search of something to believe in. A young woman from the Midwest with an angelic voice and deep roots that just needed a place to be planted. This is their story. Two hearts that found each other and touched millions of other hearts along the way.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherThomas Nelson
- Publication dateFebruary 14, 2017
- Dimensions6.35 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
- ISBN-100718090195
- ISBN-13978-0718090197
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Rory Feek is a true renaissance man, known as one of Nashville’s premiere songwriters, entrepreneurs, and out-of-the-box thinkers. He is a world-class storyteller, crossing all creative mediums, from music and film to books and digital media, and is the New York Times bestselling author of This Life I Live and author of Once Upon a Farm and The Cow Said Neigh. As a blogger, Rory shares his heart and story with the world through roryfeek.com and has more than 2 million Facebook followers. As a songwriter, Rory has written multiple number-one songs. As an artist, he is half of the Grammy-winning country music duo Joey+Rory. As a filmmaker, Rory wrote and filmed the touching documentary To Joey, with Love and directed the feature-length love story Finding Josephine. Rory has appeared on The Rachael Ray Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and The Today Show. As a storyteller, Rory has a new role as Chief Creative Officer of the television network RFD-TV, where he will continue to share not only his own story with the world but also the incredible stories of many others. RFD-TV originally aired the television variety show The Joey+Rory Show and will also air Rory’s most recent television series, This Life I Live. Rory and his youngest daughter, Indiana, live an hour south of Nashville in an 1870s farmhouse, where she goes to school in a one-room schoolhouse built for their community.
Product details
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson; First Edition (February 14, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0718090195
- ISBN-13 : 978-0718090197
- Item Weight : 14.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.35 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #367,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #202 in Country & Folk Composer Biographies
- #1,019 in Grief & Bereavement
- #11,328 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

My name is Rory. I wear overalls most all of the time, but I’m not a farmer... yet. I love old cars, old farmhouses, old people, and pretty much anything nostalgic or that has character. I’m 51 years old on the outside and in my mid 20′s down deep. I am a believer who’s dreams have taken me places I’ve never imagined. I’m also a Believer, that has a long long way to go. I want to live a great story. I want to be a better man. I film. I write. I show up. God does the rest.
My wife: I am married to the greatest woman that I’ve ever known. Her name is Joey. She has the voice of an angel and the heart of a saint. She is why I’m me. We have been married almost 14 years and God has given us an incredible love story. Not just how we began.. but now, today... even without her here by my side. That love story is still unfolding as our hold our little one's had and turn the pages. I want to out-love and out-serve my wife, but it is impossible.
My children: I have two daughters, no wait… I have three daughters. Our two oldest, Heidi and Hopie are grown and making their way in this world. Our youngest, Indiana, is two years old and she helps me to make sense of this world. Indy has down syndrome. I think Hopie has up syndrome (she’s always happy). Heidi’s got film and music syndrome (she’s an aspiring filmmaker and singer/songwriter). All my children are good and perfect gifts from above.
My life: I live on a small farm about an hour south of Nashville Tennessee. We have two horses, some chickens, cats and a dog named Ranger. Joey and I spent the last eight years making music, traveling all over the world singing and performing for people, making a television show at home and working hard on our dreams. We took a year off in 2014 to search for something better. To simplify, and be with our family and friends, and to homestead. We don’t have a television and don’t want one. For a year, we traded our iPhones in for flip-phones and starting to talk to people again. We love our life.
My blog: I’m a songwriter who isn’t writing songs right now, so Joey encouraged me to write about our lives instead. So at the beginning of 2014, I started blogging about and filming the little and big moments in our life as they happened.. I didn’t know why at the time. I do now.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story touching and heartbreaking. They appreciate the inspirational content and faith in God. Readers praise the excellent writing quality, describing it as truly gifted with words. The book is described as honest, filled with truth, and allows readers to share in moments of honesty, sadness, love, and beauty.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging. They appreciate the author's honest revelations about life experiences and their impact on the story. The book is described as a compelling, fascinating journey through memories that leaves readers feeling like they had an intimate experience.
"...the pages of this book are a testament to their deep faith and deep love...." Read more
"...Even if you have not followed their beautiful story, this is a beautiful read that speaks to the beauty, the blessings and the pain of life...." Read more
"...What a sweetheart. So glad I read this book. I will pray for Rory and Indy as they work through the grieving process...." Read more
"...Rory's writing style is easy and pleasant, and it reads like he didn't fight the page or the words much in trying to tell his story clearly, which..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's inspirational content. They find the author's faith in God amazing and the lessons she teaches about love for life, family, and God heartwarming. Readers appreciate the author's growing faith and how she puts her trust in God's hands. The story is told in an honest and insightful manner, with ups and downs as well as blessings and pain.
"...Most of all, I enjoyed reading about Rory's growing faith...." Read more
"...❤❤❤ Thank you for providing new purpose, hope, and life-giving inspiration to my life today!!!" Read more
"...But he does so in a way that is so assuring and hopeful that there is always God's love, regardless of the situation we are in, and that we flawed..." Read more
"...Finished the book on my return flight. So inspiring and touching. Finished it through tear filled eyes...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find the author gifted with words and describe the story as easy to read. Readers appreciate the honest language and brutal honesty about struggles in the early life.
"...Rory has written his story with grace and skill...." Read more
"...Finished it through tear filled eyes. The excellent writing made you feel like you knew Joey after he described all the joys and heartache she..." Read more
"...Rory's writing style is easy and pleasant, and it reads like he didn't fight the page or the words much in trying to tell his story clearly, which..." Read more
"...Have the tissues handy and get ready. This book is beautifully written and poignant. I appreciate the humility and honesty Rory Feek put on the page...." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's honesty and sincerity in the book. They find the book honest, allowing readers to share in moments of honesty, sadness, love, and beauty. Readers feel humbled, inspired, and reminded of how much they need God.
"...Rory is brutally honest about his past, with all the ugly, shameful, hurtful parts...." Read more
"...I see that same dynamic interwoven into each real and honest word that makes up the story, the love, and the life that is Joey + Rory...." Read more
"...I appreciate the honesty on these pages...not everything is wonderful or lovely, and that makes this book all the more important...." Read more
"...Rory shares his story, warts and all, in an insightful and honest manner that really connected me to this book...." Read more
Customers find the story heartwarming and sad, bringing tears of joy and loss. They say it's worth reading and well worth the tears. Readers mention the book describes the life and death of a well-loved singer.
"...a beautiful read that speaks to the beauty, the blessings and the pain of life...." Read more
"...This book is beautiful, joyful, heartbreaking and faith. For those who don't know their story, read this book...." Read more
"...This book is open, honest, raw, and painful...." Read more
"...to her sigmoid colon. Well worth the money, and well worth the tears, even if you never followed them before her diagnosis, you will love this..." Read more
Customers find the story touching, poignant, and relatable. They say it's a true love story written from the heart. The writing is beautiful and deep.
"...I love the heart and humility behind the man and woman to be able to even have this story, and to have it change the world...." Read more
"...Finished the book on my return flight. So inspiring and touching. Finished it through tear filled eyes...." Read more
"...This book is beautifully written and poignant. I appreciate the humility and honesty Rory Feek put on the page...." Read more
"...He put his feelings into this book so much and you could really tell, it was coming from the heart...." Read more
Customers find the book's subject beautiful and amazing. They appreciate her faith in God and consider it a great opportunity for readers to understand Christianity.
"...This book is beautiful, joyful, heartbreaking and faith. For those who don't know their story, read this book...." Read more
"...I am changed after reading it and the references to a higher power in God and helping me be more able to appreciate that my love for my husband..." Read more
"...She was a beautiful lady inside and out...." Read more
"I am so glad I bought this book. I've read Rory's blog and it's beautiful...." Read more
Customers enjoy reading the book. They appreciate the way the author expresses his love for Joey and how he tells the story. The book provides a good insight into Rory's life and is a read for all.
"...I read this book quickly, and no doubt will read it again. Thank you, Rory...God bless you and your sweet girls." Read more
"...Indy was there too. She was quite a crowd pleaser. You should know that the audible version of this book was recorded by Rory...." Read more
"...Excellent book Rory, can't wait for the next one. Oh, the name of my group is Joey and Rory Music Fans...." Read more
"...It's an interesting new perspective on Rory Feek. The first half of the book deals primarily with Rory's life pre-Joey...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2017I became a fan of Joey & Rory some years ago, when Youtube pulled up a random suggestion for "Cheater, Cheater!". I was hooked right away by their old fashioned country sound, and purchased a CD. Then I discovered Rory's blog, which told the sad tale of Joey's cancer battle and eventual death. I've been listening to their "Hymns" album in the kitchen for months, and was thrilled to hear that it won a Grammy - well deserved! Then I watched the movie "To Joey With Love" and eagerly awaited this book's release on Valentine's Day.
I read the book in one day, and absolutely loved it. Rory is brutally honest about his past, with all the ugly, shameful, hurtful parts. Not one of us can say we haven't done things to be ashamed of, but few people are so honest about it.
Meeting Joey changed Rory's life, and the story between the pages of this book are a testament to their deep faith and deep love. Rory is honest about the times they struggled as a couple, and how past experiences and baggage cause problems between even the most loving couple. In the end, this is a love story for Rory's bride. Reading the desolation in his words made me cry, knowing that he and his girls will have to find a way to go on without her.
Most of all, I enjoyed reading about Rory's growing faith. I know in my own life, God has worked miracles that sometimes I can't see until years or decades later. Despite his loss of Joey, Rory believes that God has plans for all of us and that we have to trust.
I hope Rory will write another book some day, to update J&R fans on his and his daughters' lives.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2017I wish I could choose greater than "5 stars" for this phenomenonal book!! I would choose 10 stars! :) This epic God-Love-Life story could only be orchestrated by a very Sovereign, Loving, and Merciful God! There are SO many parallels in this story to God's redeeming love for mankind, as God Himself took the greatest risk of Love for us by sending His one & only, Beloved Son Jesus Christ to live, love, suffer, and ultimately die a brutal, criminal's death to SAVE US. I see that same dynamic interwoven into each real and honest word that makes up the story, the love, and the life that is Joey + Rory. God lives right between them, and death can never separate Him and them and us. What a privilege for us to witness God work in real-time, using the beautiful and willing "instruments" of His choosing, to further reveal to us His constant love and choice to save us! I am blown away by each word Rory
has written, words that make me laugh and cry and smile and sometimes all at the same time!! I love the heart and humility behind the man and woman to be able to even have this story, and to have it change the world. I am and always have been an avid reader, and in my 39 years I have never read a story, fiction or nonfiction, that reflects more deeply into the deepest and most vulnerable places in the heart and soul of humanity. In order to do that, one has to be growing deeply inside the beautiful and mysterious Heart of our Master Gardener- our Father. If God's heart were a vegetable garden, Joey + Rory's seeds were carefully chosen and planted long ago. I can only imagine God's delight when He sees that all the years of waiting, watering, weeding and pruning- all the work of His Hands, have managed to produce a 10-fold crop that gives life to all who partake of it! :) God bless this man Rory, his wife Joey, and Heidi, Hopie, and their "pretty little Indiana". ❤❤❤ Thank you for providing new purpose, hope, and life-giving inspiration to my life today!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2017I first saw Joey + Rory on "Can You Duet?" There was something very special about them. I read Rory's blog, listen to their music and watched the Dvd, "To Joey With Love" (I hope I have the title correct.) Rory has written his story with grace and skill. Even if you have not followed their beautiful story, this is a beautiful read that speaks to the beauty, the blessings and the pain of life. I appreciate the honesty on these pages...not everything is wonderful or lovely, and that makes this book all the more important. Rory speaks of his own failings and growth, lets us see that precious Joey was not perfect but she was perfect for Rory, and doesn't try to cover the imperfections in their lives. But he does so in a way that is so assuring and hopeful that there is always God's love, regardless of the situation we are in, and that we flawed humans can always regroup, grow and change. I read this book quickly, and no doubt will read it again. Thank you, Rory...God bless you and your sweet girls.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2017I did not know who Rory and Joey were since I do not really follow country music. I saw glimpses of their journey of life on face book and little bits kept popping up on my feed. I saw Rory on Fox News talking about his book, and I thought it would be a good read on a flight I took recently. I could not put this book down. The story of Rory's growing up years brought tears to my eyes. It made me think of how many little kids are living the same life now in this unstable world. Finished the book on my return flight. So inspiring and touching. Finished it through tear filled eyes.
The excellent writing made you feel like you knew Joey after he described all the joys and heartache she lived, and "simple life" outlook she had on life. What a sweetheart. So glad I read this book. I will pray for Rory and Indy as they work through the grieving process. BTW I am a cancer survivor ( we will always be cancer patients) Joey's courage has inspired me for a life time. Thank you for sharing Joey with the world.
Top reviews from other countries
- Monica YetmanReviewed in Canada on September 16, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars This life I live book
This book is amazing, so amazing I could re read it. I’ve followed his story from when he first started the blog of Joey when she got cancer. Such an amazing and courageous couple. Although I have never met them I consider them a big part of my life. They have been such a positive influence in my life by just continuing to following his blog, I look forward every morning getting up and having my coffee and typing in his name on FB to see if he has posted something new. Love all his blogs especially if little Indy as I came to call her is there, I love her to pieces and with all my heart. Such a sweet and smart little girl. Would love to meet them both some day, that is on my bucket list but not sure if it will happen. So yeah people if u want a great book to read I definitely recommend u read this one for sure.
- Douglas MooreReviewed in Germany on March 6, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Dilvery was fast
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Cliente AmazonReviewed in Spain on March 26, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars This life I live
Es la simple historia de un hombre en la que narra cómo va descubriendo las cosas que verdaderamente importan en la vida. Es extraordinario la evolución y la madurez que va adquiriendo en la medida que va viendo los acontecimientos de su vida en perspectiva y como descubre la sabiduría más grande a la que podemos llegar: fiarse y abandonarse en Dios.
- Kathleen GreenReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest,full of hope,inspirational and full of trust in God.
Having followed this incredible life story on his blog on Facebook I felt compelled to read not only Joey's story but Rory's too. Full of total honesty,heart rending accounts of a very personal journey ,it's been a real privilege to have been given a glimpse into their lives at such a painful yet beautiful time. The love for their God and saviour Jesus Christ and their love for each other plus the importance of family (including their love for their daughter Indy)was like a thread running through this journey ,it's a tearjerker in places but the overall climate is that of Hope,love and joy.
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マッチョReviewed in Japan on March 20, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars 運命の人との出会い
赤裸々に語った紆余曲折の人生、そしてその後に出遭った運命の人との愛情と信頼に包まれた美しい日々に感動しました。