The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews' The Traveler's Gift was an excellent novel and I expected nothing less when I picked up The Noticer. Andrews puts the gist of the novel on the cover: Sometimes all you need is a little perspective.
The novellette describes a series of circumstances in which a man who goes by the moniker "Jones"--not Mr. Jones--just "Jones"--assists what seems like everyone in a small town (Orange Beach, Alabama) with problems ranging from bankruptcy to divorce to homelessness. Jones comes and goes in the town and no one can quite decide how old he is, however, many people have stories in which this already ancient person helped parents and grandparents before them. I imagine in some degree it lends to the mystery surrounding the man.
Jones carries a suitcase with him that is explained at the end of the novellette. I won't ruin the story for those who don't like to know the end of the story before they discover it on their own, but suffice it to say that Jones has a unique perspective on life.
Anyway, The Noticer, is meant to make one think about the opportunities that are essentially right in front of each of us. Jones entire belief is that he "notices" things that others don't. Often those things that if we each took a little more perspective we would each see. Jones reminds each of us that if we simply look at things in a different way--our choice--then we would see that life isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I hate to simply put the novel into a cliche of glass half full or half empty, but that is what it comes down to. Andrews reminds the reader that ultimately, our own happiness comes down to our own perspective. How we look at things determines how we look at things.
I will warn all readers of Andrews however, that this is a quick 176 page read and one that once started is difficult to put down. I also read the library's copy and wish now that I had the novellette to refer back to as it has many small quotes throughout that could/should be referred to:
"Remember, what you focus on increases.” (p. 13)
“It’s time to stop letting your history control your destiny.” (p. 13)
“People are either in a crisis, coming out of one, or headed for one.” (p. 31)
“Worry is just imagination used in an unproductive way.” (p. 51)
“Wisdom is the ability to see the future consequences of our choices.” (p. 65)
“It takes wisdom to discern that oh-so-thin line between good and best.” (p. 65)
“Many of life’s treasures remain hidden because we never search for them.” (p. 83)
“If you are still here, then you have not completed your life’s purpose.” (p. 83)
“Big stuff is made up of small stuff, so you better sweat the small stuff!” (p. 103)
“We often judge ourselves by our intentions but others by their actions.” (p. 111)
“If you want folks to believe in you, then it really helps if they like you.” (p. 136)
“Life is a little like dessert. Keep your fork; the best is yet to come!” (p. 149)
“In desperate times, much more than anything else, folks need perspective.” (p. 154)
OK, so I may have noted some as I was reading.