I’m just going to jump right into it: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center is one of the best books I’ve read all year.
My original interest in this book wasn’t huge. Although I’ve watched parts of Backdraft and all of Ladder 49, I shy away from anything involving firefighters because I just can’t handle the emotional devstation that follows most of their storylines. But, a Zumba buddy recommended Things You Save in a Fire to me, and she loaned me her copy of the book, so I figured I’d give it a whirl.
I am SO glad I did. I loved every single second of this book. The story follows main character Cassie to a new fire station when she moves to take care of her ailing, estranged mother. There’s a lot of firehouse banter, jokes, camaraderie, and training, which was all thoroughly entertaining, especially learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a firefighter. There’s a lot of hard work, but some of the events that unfold are hilariously funny.
Most importantly: Cassie is fantastic. I totally have a girl crush on her. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, forever trying (and spectacularly failing) to impress the boys with my (non-existent) athletic skills. It was pretty pathetic, and there’s no way I lived up to the rough-and-tough image I tried to project.
Enter my childhood champion, Cassie, who is a total bad ass at the game of “Anything boys can do, I can do better.” She pulls off the stunts I always dreamed of: one-armed pull ups, shooting perfect hoops in a row without even looking, and completing crazy-impossible obstacle courses in record time. You set Cassie a challenge and she demolishes it, without hesitation and always with chin-droppingly impressive success.
As if this weren’t enough, Cassie’s also incredibly smart and resourceful, calm in a crisis, quick to react, and naturally inclined to help others. She’s also a little rough and tumble, but I absolutely loved that about her. She can fire off wise cracks with the best of them, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone.
In short, she’s the coolest. And, quite possibly the closest you’ll get to a superhero without any magical superhero-y powers.
Although Cassie is fearless when it comes to fires, she’s haunted by an event in her past that left her emotionally scarred and vulnerable when it comes to relationships. The story of Cassie fighting through her own trauma to find healing and embrace forgiveness is incredibly moving and sweet, and I was rooting for my girl every freakin’ step of the way. Her internal battles made her even more of a hero in my eyes because, yes, taking a chance on love — any kind of love — is one of the bravest things you can do.
So, of course, by the time Things You Save in a Fire got to the titular “fire,” I was terrified that this poor girl would lose the life she’d worked so hard to build for herself. Although Cassie, of course, shines with her strength, determination, and smarts, the scene is intense and terrifying, for various reasons. I honestly was afraid to flip the page and read the next chapter to see what happened next. Just because I didn’t think I could bear where the story might turn.
I’m not sure how The Things You Save in a Fire flew under the radar for me, but I’m so grateful someone literally shoved a copy of the book into my hands. Please go read it. Then come tell me what you think in the comments below.
Anyone read Katherine Center’s other books? She’s written a few, and after reading this one, I’m inclined to read some more!
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Firehouse Chicken Wings!
This book sounds great! Love her badass personality. It sounds like it gets really intense too. I can totally feel your anxiety turning the pages. I’d be like that too. Love books that grip you like that. So good!
Added to my loooong list of books to read!
This story just sucks you in!! I think you would really love it. I just found her newest book, WHAT YOU WISH FOR, at the library and snatched it up! I have a thriller to read first, then I’m driving back into Center’s writing. I can’t wait!