Love Your Sister

A Searingly Honest and Inspiring Memoir of Family, Love and Unicycles

By: Connie Johnson, Samuel Johnson

Narrated by: Connie Johnson, Samuel Johnson

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

How far would you go for someone you love...on a unicycle?

Brothers and sisters often dare each other to do things – it's what siblings do. However, when Connie Johnson dared her brother, Samuel, to embark on a one-wheeled odyssey around Australia, she knew it was a big ask. But Connie knew exactly what she was doing and was sure he wouldn't say no. Not this time.

Born a year apart, Connie and Samuel Johnson have always been close. Sam was by Connie's side when she found out she had cancer at age 12 and again when she was diagnosed at age 22. Then, at 33, Connie was diagnosed with breast cancer, but this time she was told she would not recover. As a young mum faced with her own death, Connie wanted to find some meaning in the chaos. And so she dared Sam to help her.

Officially there were three aims: promote breast cancer awareness, raise more than $1 million for research - and break the world record for the longest distance travelled on a unicycle. However, Connie had a secret fourth aim: to fix Sam. She had no idea if any of it would work out. Neither did he.

Part memoir, part travel diary, part conversation, Love Your Sister is Connie and Sam's inspiring, moving and unforgettable journey, told in their own distinctive voices. It's a story of love, family, cancer - and the generosity of ordinary Australians.

About the authors: Samuel and Connie Johnson are the powerhouse brother-and-sister team who established the Love Your Sister charity. Samuel is an Australian actor with 20 years' experience, best known for his work on The Secret Life of Us, Crackerjack, Underbelly II and Rush. In recent times he is more proud of his work as a breast cancer advocate and determined unicyclist.

Connie Johnson is a wife and mother of two beautiful young boys. She has worked in the disability sector for ten years and since her most recent diagnosis spends her time with her family and advocating for breast cancer issues...when she's not busy seeing how much torture her brother will endure before he says no.

Warning: This audiobook contains some moderate coarse language.

©2014 Connie Johnson and Samuel Johnson (P)2015 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd

Inspiration Personified

Would you consider the audio edition of Love Your Sister to be better than the print version?

A million times better because the reading by brother and sister made the book alive and very real. Great idea!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is hard to pick one favorite. Connie is the star in many ways, but the support of her family and others, not even personally acquainted, was the real inspiration taken from this book. We have come to believe, in this age, that one person or small group of people can not make more than a little ripple in a very small pond. Em and Hilda are just as bright in the realm of stars although they had supporting roles.

Which character – as performed by Connie Johnson and Samuel Johnson – was your favorite?

I can not choose. They were both spectacular and honest. This book should be mandatory reading for everyone in the world.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can not even imagine Sam going along a path of gravel for miles on a unicycle. I hope he continues to do better even after his sister dies.

Any additional comments?

As a Christian, I obviously was dismayed at the lack of spiritual clarity of the people in this group coalesced by the threat of mortal death. It is rare to know you will certainly die, shortly, and I think that preparation for the eternal life that surely must come after the demise of our mortal tents would certainly be foremost in my mind, if faced with the same circumstances. I can not think of how it would be to live without reliance on the God, our maker and the ruler of the world. I hope maybe that they do have faith in God and His promises for the hereafter.

beautiful and heart wrenching

Incredibly written. Beautifully narrated. I cried a lot throughout
Such a beautiful and heartwarming story about families and love and pain and loss. But love perseveres and prevails

Love Love Love Your Sister

How more inspirational could two people be. I love both Connie and Sam and I hate cancer and I hate Henry. I cried I laughed. I felt like I was part of the story. Keeping fighting you guys xxx

Absolutely amazing

Listening to this book, you go through a roller coaster of emotions. Listening to Connie and Sam reading made it that much more special. I recommend this a million times over. Remember, be breast aware and don’t fall into the boobie trap.