FAIRHOPE, Ala. — We all could use a little perspective. Whether facing a painful romantic breakup or the loss of a favorite pet, a life-changing fork in the road or an ethical challenge, perspective can help whenever life hands us a lemon and we’d like to somehow make lemonade.

That’s the idea behind Andy Andrews’ new novel, “The Noticer.” Based on a true story, the book illustrates how perspective can be used as a tool to better our own lives, as well as the lives of others.

“When we meet someone who is in a bad situation, we rarely sit down and tell them something that would make them mad,” Andrews said Thursday. But that is exactly what Jones (“Not Mr. Jones … just Jones”) did when he found Andrews living under the foot of the Gulf State Park Pier.

Andrews continued, saying, “The guy risked a lot. He didn’t know if I was crazy or not. This was the first time anyone had told me the truth in a very long time.”

What Jones did was tell Andrews exactly what he needed to hear in order to get his life back on track. The author and motivational speaker had at age 19 suddenly lost his mother to cancer and his dad in a traffic accident, and he was adrift in a sea of confusion, hurt and anger.

The mysterious Jones, who called himself a “noticer,” said he was able to see the little things in one’s life, the very things they couldn’t but needed to so they might gain perspective. He passed along that gift to Andrews and others living in South Baldwin, and now “The Noticer” is enabling Andrews to pay it forward.

He said he decided to base a novel on Jones many years ago, when the vagabond first left the area without notice. But Jones returned many more times, and brought with him perspective that had an impact on many throughout the years.

Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope has chosen the book for the fifth annual One Town, One Tale, and they are encouraging everyone to read the book and discuss its lessons with others.

Previous One Town, One Tale selections were “The Poet of Tolstoy Park” by Sonny Brewer (2005), “Alabama Moon” by Watt Key (2006), “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hossieni (2007) and “Peony in Love” by Lisa See (2008).

To kick off the latest community read, the public is invited to gather on the corner outside the downtown shop on Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., for a read-a-thon.

There are 31 shifts available for volunteers to read the book aloud in 15-minute intervals for the enjoyment and enlightenment of others. All participants will have an opportunity to sign the book, which Andrews will later sign.

The former comedian, who first drew widespread attention while appearing regularly on The Nashville Network, will be at the Fairhope United Methodist Church Christian Life Center on Thursday, from 6 until 8 p.m. He will discuss the book during the session, and talk about what Jones meant to him.

Admission for the author forum is one canned good, which will be donated to the food pantry of Ecumenical Ministries Inc., a United Way agency. The special copy of “The Noticer” will be auctioned that night, with proceeds also donated to EMI, the event sponsor.

Page & Palette will have copies of Andrews’ books available for purchase at the church, and there will be an opportunity following his remarks to meet the author and to have them signed.

“The Noticer” will settle in at No. 6 on the upcoming New York Times Bestseller List, having charted for several weeks so far. The newspaper has called Andrews a “modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America.”

Andrews said he sometimes gives a copy of the book to people he encounters, who are themselves needing perspective. He has also passed along books by other authors because of the message they contain.

“As adults, we have a hard time separating the search for wisdom and education,” Andrews said. “Wisdom is more ethereal. Often we find answers from what we read or who we hang out with.”

The answers Jones passed along to Andrews have lasted a lifetime. These days he prefers to keep his perspective on a positive keel, pointing out, “I don’t watch a lot of news because it makes me mad or scared. I’m a parent and writer, and I don’t do my best when I’m mad or scared.” Andrews lives in Orange Beach with his wife, Polly, and their two sons.

No one knows where Jones is these days. His full name and background have remained a mystery, and his long absences from the area were never explained. Andrews said residents wondered where he slept, where he ate and how he made money.

By writing the book, Andrews hopes to keep Jones’ message alive, and leave it for future generations.

“I want to leave a legacy for my boys. I’m chronicling the things I’ve learned. I want them to remember there’s proof of hope,” he said. “You’re still here. You’re still breathing. There’s so much more. You can go through some crazy times, but everything you do matters. I want everyone to know they have value.”

Andrews said it’s also very important to keep perspective in how one acts toward others, and how their actions could harm or benefit others. That’s another lesson illustrated in Andrews’ new book.

The author was recently approached by producers hoping to turn the tale into a motion picture. He said they plan to use a relative unknown to portray Jones.

Andrews speaks to thousands each year on the corporate circuit, and has produced motivational programs suited for various audiences. He has given freely of his time to speak to military audiences, and spent an afternoon with Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and his son, who was about to depart for college.

He also has been received at the White House and has spoken at the request of four different U.S. presidents. His two-hour PBS special entitled “Andy Andrews: The Seven Decisions” aired nationally to incredible reviews.

Andrews is also the author of “The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success.”

The book has been required reading for some of America’s high schools, as an aid to “principled rehabilitation” by the Supreme Court of Tennessee, and a “life skills” tool for the members of several franchises of Major League Baseball and the National Football League. It is also used extensively in corporate climates all over the world.

If you are interested in taking part in “The Noticer” read-a-thon, a signup sheet is located in the bookstore, or you may call Page & Palette at (251) 928-5295. The bookstore is located at 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope. Fairhope United Methodist Church is at 155 S. Section St.