--- title: "No Such Thing as Ordinary Book Club: Week 1" description: Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras preview the introduction and chapter 1 of Rachel Balducci's new book, 'No Such Thing as Ordinary.' image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/CMcom-Summer-Book-Club-_BLOG_Balducci.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/no-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # No Such Thing as Ordinary Book Club: Week 1 Jun 25, 2022 11:30:00 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/CMcom-Summer-Book-Club-_BLOG_Balducci.jpg) *Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras preview the introduction and chapter 1 of Rachel Balducci's new book,* No Such Thing as Ordinary. --- Rachel Balducci's new book, [No Such Thing as ](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/no-such-thing-as-ordinary)[Ordinary: Unlocking your extraordinary life through everyday encounters with Jesus, ](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/no-such-thing-as-ordinary)is an excellent book to start a summer book club. Rachel views her own desire to live her life and her faith in an extraordinary way through a refreshing perspective on the story of the woman at the well. While this book is nonfiction, we want to emphasize that Rachel's writing is so engaging that this is a perfect summer read; it's really a memoir with a teaching purpose to it. We recommend that you [follow Rachel on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/rachelbalducci/) too. > This is a book about going after your dreams—but also admitting that true happiness will only come when you seek it in the right place. (ix)   Allison commented, "All the moments I was seeking for extraordinary were actually happening in my ordinary, and I love how Rachel helps us see that, to shift our focus and discover that we are living in our everyday moments." Even in the early phases of this book, I am reminded that God has these amazing plans for us and they're unique to us. We can't look to other people's lives; we can be inspired by them, but we can't wish we were them. It doesn't really matter where you are in your journey; this book will resonate with you. I'd love to hear your answer to the question on the back of the book: ##### Are you looking for freedom and fulfillment in the life you're already living, or do you feel trapped because your everyday reality doesn't match your dreams?   While Rachel couldn't join us for today's discussion because of a family commitment, we hope you'll enjoy my discussion with Allison Gingras about the introduction and chapter 1 of this book.   > [  > >   > >   > > > > > >   > >   > > View this post on Instagram > > > >   > >   > >   > >   > > > >   > >   > > > >   > >   > >   > > > > > >   > >   > > > > ](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfHNMYvA6dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by CatholicMom.com (@catholicmomcommunity)](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfHNMYvA6dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)     > [Click to tweet: > All the moments I was seeking for extraordinary were actually happening in my ordinary. #catholicmom #bookclub](https://ctt.ac/3h46m) Use coupon code ORDINARY25 to save 25% off the cover price of [No Such Thing as Ordinary](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/no-such-thing-as-ordinary) when you buy it through Ave Maria Press. This offer ends July 8, 2022. [![Order your copy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/8aaff8b1-e719-4546-b63e-c5e919c15fce.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/8aaff8b1-e719-4546-b63e-c5e919c15fce)   #### Stay connected! [![Catch up on our Book Club articles](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/a53cba5c-903d-44bd-b370-0b6a1802b16e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/a53cba5c-903d-44bd-b370-0b6a1802b16e) [![Sign up for our Book Club newsletters](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/78171057-58eb-45ac-b5d0-9c2729ae9f68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/78171057-58eb-45ac-b5d0-9c2729ae9f68)   ![RB Book Club week 1 promo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RB%20Book%20Club%20week%201%20promo.png?width=1080&name=RB%20Book%20Club%20week%201%20promo.png)   --- Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey Images: Ave Maria Press ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fno-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fno-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fno-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=No%20Such%20Thing%20as%20Ordinary%20Book%20Club%3A%20Week%201) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fno-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fno-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ No Such Thing as Ordinary Book Club: Week 3 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/no-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-3) [ No Such Thing as Ordinary Book Club: Week 2 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/no-such-thing-as-ordinary-book-club-week-2) [ Catholic Moments #153 - Rachel Balducci Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/07/25/catholic-moments-153-rachel-balducci) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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