Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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Let’s Talk Books!

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Let’s Talk Books!

 

The first Christian novel I ever read was Love Comes Softly by Jeanette Oke. My mother had borrowed the book from a friend, and I asked to read it when she was done. I was fifteen-years-old, and I fell in love with Marty, Clark and little Missy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of other Christian fiction. During that stage in my life, most of my reading included books like The Thornbirds or Stephen Kings Pet Cemetery. Yuck! I wasn’t following God at the time, and I wonder how my thinking would have changed if I’d read uplifting, wholesome novels instead.

Years later, after I became a Christian, I found myself in a Christian bookstore, and I had money for ONE book. My husband was in college and we were POOR. A can remember standing in front of the shelves of Christian fiction and thinking, I have no idea where to start. 

I picked up a copy of Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene and turned it over in my hands. I never heard of this author before, and I had never read a World War II novel before either. It looked promising but I was still unsure.

“That’s a really good novel,” a woman also standing in the aisle told me. I believed her, and I read it. It’s still one of my favorite books!

Looking back, it was other people sharing books and giving recommendations that changed everything for me. My reading habits changed. The type of books I read changed. I fell in love with Christian fiction, and I’m now a published author of 45 books. How amazing is that?!

People talking about Christian fiction made a HUGE difference in my life. And when you share about Christian fiction it can make a big difference in others’ lives, too.

People are more likely to read a book because a friend recommends it than for any other reason. So I have to ask … are you talking about Christian novels? Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Post a question on your Facebook page like: “What are you reading?” Then share what Christian novels you have recently enjoyed.

2. Next time you have coffee or lunch with a friend, share about some of the books you’ve enjoyed.

3. Join a Facebook group for readers. Last year I started a closed, private Facebook group called, “Avid Readers of Christian Fiction.” A closed, private group means you have to request to be added. (This helps to keep out spammers!)

We have the best discussions. Recently, we’ve talked about our favorite Biblical Fiction and our favorite mail-order bride stories. We also don’t allow “self-promotion” during the week, which means it’s all fun discussions about books. If you’d like to join go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvidChristFicReaders/

4. Consider starting a local book club with friends. Choose a book to read each month and get together to discuss your thoughts!

I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy being among people who are reading! I love hearing about new books, and I also love sharing ones that I enjoyed!

 

People who read are great to be around!

 

Now … how about you? Answer these questions:

1. What novel are you currently reading?

2. Name two other novels you greatly enjoyed this year.

3. What’s next on your to-be-read pile?

 

I’m currently reading An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers.

A few other novels I greatly enjoyed this year: A Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers, Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck, and A Light to My Path by Lynn Austin. (I’ve loved many more, too!)

Next on my to-be-read pile is A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

 

Your turn! I’d love to hear!

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Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of two, and wife to John. A bestselling author, Tricia has published 40+ books to date and has written more than 500 articles. Tricia currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

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Comments

  1. I am currently reading When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell. Other books I have enjoyed reading this year are A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander, The Colonel’s Lady by Laura Frantz , Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering and Shadowed by Grace by Cara Putman. I enjoyed your book The Memory Jar as well.

  2. Morning all! As a retired-by-disability pastor, I read all sorts of stuff. I also beta read for authors. Right now I’m reading “cosy mysteries”, but recently posted a review of Chautona Havig’s Moore’s Code. Really love her stuff. Lots of books waiting for me to read…seriously too many to list both on my Kindle app and my Nook Tablet

  3. I’m currently reading “The Daughter of Highland Hall” by Carrie Turansky.
    A couple of my recently enjoyed reads were “A Bride in Store” by Melissa Jagears and “A Constant Heart” by Siri Mitchell.
    Next to be read is probably going to be the Ballantyne series by Laura Frantz.

  5. Some ladies in our church are starting a mother/daughter book club for 4th/5th graders that meets for the first time this coming Sunday. I’m looking forward to joining with my daughter. I already try to fill her life with as much positive influence as possible in books and music but the added support of her peers will make a huge difference and be fun, too! 🙂
    1. I just finished reading Glass Girl by Laura Anderson Kurk – it was fantastic, great for teens and I can’t wait to share it with the troubled girls my husband works with.
    2. A few recent reads I enjoyed were Finding Angel and Seeking Unseen by Kat Heckenbach – excellent YA Christian fantasy.
    3. What’s next is ALWAYS the toughest question! haha I need a few days to let Glass Girl digest, that’s just how good it was. But then… probably A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes since I just won a copy.

  6. Thanks for your post about reading Christian fiction. I love it when people recommend books. I always ask my “reader” friends what good books they’ve read lately.

    I am currently reading Melanie Dobson’ s Chateau of Secrets. One of the best series I read this year was by Roseanna M.White. Her Culper Spy Ring books are amazing and are on my TBRA(gain) list!!!!

  7. I am currently reading The Way to a Man’s Heart, by Mary Ellis.

    I really enjoyed A Place in His Heart, by Rebecca DeMarino, Through the Deep Waters, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Full Steam Ahead, by Karen Whitemeyer. Like you there were many others that have deeply touched me this year.

    Next on my list is The River and Child of Mine, by Beverly Lewis (Child of Mine is co-authored by her husband).

  8. I’m presently reading and enjoying Between Us Girls by Sally John, one of the books given out at the ACFW conference. Also this year, I’ve read The Lost Loves of World War II Collection: Three Novels of Mysteries Unsolved Since World War II. I’m not a novella fan, but I make an exception for this book. It’s great.

  9. I love to talk about books. Actually before I read this post, I’d been telling a friend in an email about the types of books that I’ve been reading.
    How’s this for good timing, Tricia? I’m currently reading, ‘The Promise Box’, and of course I’ll be reading, ‘The Kissing Bridge’ straight after it.
    Two other books that I enjoyed this year? I loved Cindy Thomson’s, ‘Grace’s Pictures’ and ‘Annie’s Stories’.
    There’s another book too called, ‘Band Of Sisters. It’s fiction, but it covers a social justice subject – people trafficking – all at the hand of some rich men. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Social justice is something very close to my heart.
    I do share the books that I have. I have friends who borrow my books. I don’t have an e-reader, I’m still happy with paperbacks. I share a house with a woman who never read books. Now she raids all of my books, sometimes just as soon as they have come through the door. I had five bookcases full of books at our last house, but in our current house, there isn’t enough space for them all to be on display. Before moving house, we had to downsize, so I took box loads of books to our libraries to put into circulation. Our public libraries are sadly lacking in good Christian books! Looking at my books now, I can see that I’m going to have to downsize my library again. Any books that I accidentally get duplicates of, including sets, I give to the library. What they don’t put into circulation, they put aside for a fundraiser for the library. People can buy the books they like if they are not in circulation.
    Ever since I was little, I loved to read. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I was told that I needed a nightly routine where I did something soothing before sleep. For me, that was/is reading. Some books I will never part with. Janette Oke’s, ‘Love Comes Softly’ series is one, as is Leisha Kelly’s series that starts with, ‘Emma’s Gift’, and of course, Jan Karon’s ‘Mitford Series’.
    As you can see, I could sit here and talk about books all day! I think I’ve said enough for now though.

  10. I have enjoyed reading this blog for at least two years now, and I finally decided to post a comment… Thank you to all the amazing ladies who take the time to post every couple of weeks at Inspired By Life… and Fiction, I look forward to visiting almost every day. : )

    Two of the many amazing novels I have read this year are Tamera Alexander’s ‘A Beauty So Rare’, and ‘The Butterfly and the Violin’ by Kristy Cambron.

    I review books at my blog, Prairie Sky Book Reviews, and the next title I’m waiting to receive is ‘Playing By Heart’ by Anne Mateer. I also hope to read the ‘Royal Wedding’ series by Rachel Hauck, among many others! Oh yes, my sister and I are also very much looking forward to ‘Where Treetops Glisten’ – we hope to read it a little closer to Christmas. : )

    Has anyone read any books by Michael Phillips? He has written dozens of fiction books, most of them older by now, as well as quite a few incredible non-fiction titles. One of my favourite series of all time is ‘The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister’, and also ‘The Secret of the Rose’ series – both by Michael Phillips.

    Thanks for the great questions you brought up, Tricia, and thank you to the others who commented and gave me some ideas for future reading!

    Carly

    • Carly, Thank you for commenting and for being such a faithful reader. We LOVE connecting with readers like you!! Also, I loved Rachel Hauck’s wedding series. SO fun!

    • Hi Carly, I’ve read the Stonewycke Trilogy and I’m getting ready to ready the Stonewycke Legacy. Great stories!

  11. I love this post! I always enjoy hearing what books others are reading and recommending. There have been so many great Christian books this year – it’s hard to pick just a few favorites.

    What I’m reading right now: I’m getting ready to read Irene Hannon’s newest, Deceived. Can’t wait to finish the series.

    What two novels have I greatly enjoyed? I’m going to cheat a little and name three. I loved Katie Ganshert’s A Broken Kind of Beautiful. I read it when it first came out and months later there are still phrases from that book floating around in my head. The other two books really surprised me. I read them over a weekend and they both really made me think. One was Amy Matayo’s Sway and the other was Sally Bradley’s Kept. Both books challenged – and convicted – me. I love it when a book is not only well written, but leaves me thinking about the kind of person the Lord wants me to be.

    What’s next on my to be read pile? Oh, so many books! 🙂 Probably the next Logan’s Point book, A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley although I really can’t wait to get my hands on Julie Lessman’s Surprised by Love.

    • I agree with you. I love books that make me think and change me. Gina Holm’s Wings of Glass did that. A Robin Lee Hatcher’s A Promise Kept!

  12. I’m currently reading “Hit” by Laurie Ann Grover.

    Favorite two books this year have been “A Broken Kind of Beautiful” by Katie Ganshert and “The Butterfly and the Violin” by Kristy Cambron. Both of these books were beautifully written and thought provoking.

    My to be read pile is a large one too. I’ll probably pick up Lorraine Snelling’s new one or “Buttermilk Sky” next.

  13. Hi! Great post 🙂 I just started listening to Angels Walking audio version by Karen Kingsbury. Her Braxton Family series is on my to-read list along with Burning Sky by Lori Benton. This year, I have read a mixture of Christian Fiction and mainstream novels including the Hunger Games trilogy, A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable (good but racy at times with imagery and language–not a Christian book!) and Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett.

  14. Most of the items on my TBR list have come from friends’ recommendations. Reading blogs has increased the items on that list exponentially!

    Janette Oke ad Bodie Thoene were among the first Christian fiction authors I read, too. I think my very first was Not My Will by Francena Arnold.

    I’m currently reading Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good by Jan Karon. I don’t know if she is marketed as Christian fiction, but there is a definite faith element in her Mitford books.I also enjoyed reading Undetected by Dee Henderson (love all her stuff) and Dear Mr. Knightly by Katherine Reay (favorite new author of the year). On my TBR pile are a couple by Beverly Lewis and Davis Bunn.

  15. My first Christian fiction I read was Love comes Softly to! Except I was 11 not fifteen. :}

    I am currently reading Pride and Prejudce by Jane Austen. Its HUGE! On my “To Read Pile” I have some Lauraine Snelling books and Lori Wick books. Books that a Really enjoyed this year would be Child of Mine by Beverly Lewis!!!! I loved it!!!!!!! That would be an understatement! The sunroom was really good also by Beverly Lewis. I would like to imagine myself being the main character-being so I love playing the piano so much! Dana’s Valley by Janette Oke was heart-wrenching but definently on my favorites list! Last but not least I would have to say the Hattie Series by Kirby Larson. Hattie Big Sky and Hattie ever after were really good.

  16. I am a lover of books and have been since I was old enough to read my first words. I also read secular fiction. I really didn’t know about Christian fiction until I ordered a set of books by Jeanette Oak from Avon of all places. After that, I started looking for them. Now Christian fiction is almost all I read. I refuse to fill my spirit with filth. I am a member of your Avid Readers group, and I enjoy responding to the questions you post. I love talking about books, and I started a page called Velma’s Book Nook so that I can share my love of books.

    I am currently reading A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge and loving it. I am also reading the Year of Weddings novella series. On my Kindle I am reading Harriet Beemer Strikes Gold by Joyce Magnin. I tend to have a “real ” book going and an e-book.

    I am a teacher, so in the summer I try to catch up on my reading. I was able to read 17 books this summer, which is a record for me. My favorites were The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, The Bridge Tender by Marybeth Whalen, and Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones. I am still thinking about these books and highly recommend them.

    I have tons of books in my TBR pile, but next is The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron, and Walk on Water by Richard Paul Evans. He is technically not a Christian author, but he doesn’t include profanity or explicit sex, and he is a master story teller. He is one of the few secular authors that I will read.

    Thanks for this post. I love talking about books, and I enjoyed getting some ideas from the other posts.
    God bless!

  17. I am currently reading Tracy Higley’s “Awakening” and loving it! I’m the kind of person who has several books going at once, so I am also re-reading Ted Dekker’s “White” and reading “New Moon Rising” by Eugenia Price.

    It is sooo hard to choose just two good books I’ve read this year. One that really stands out to me is “Dear Mr. Knightley” by Katherine Reay. I also really enjoyed Andy Andrews’s “The Noticer;” very thought-provoking. I also read several books by Siri Mitchell, Jody Hedlund, and Julie Klassen and really enjoyed all of them!

    Two of my next books to read are Jody Hedlund’s “Rebellious Heart” and Sarah Ladd’s “The Heiress of Winterwood.” My kryptonite: Pretty much any historical Christian fiction book. 🙂

  18. I’m currently reading A Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall. Only 2 books I’ve loved? Oh, there are so many more! I’ll follow the “rules” though – Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig and Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg. 🙂
    I actually have no idea what’s next! I have this pile and a collection of ebooks, so it’s just whatever I happen to pick next. 🙂

  19. Just this morning I finished A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson, and started on A Captain for Laura Rose by the same author. Some of my other favorites from this year were the Postcards from Pullman series by Judith Miller and the Coming to America series by Robin Lee Hatcher. I also loved Colleen Coble’s Butterfly Palace…. so many good ones out there!

  20. I’ve always enjoyed reading. I read my first Christian book (that I recall), when I was 8. It is Whiter Than Snow and Little Dot (2 stories in one book) by Mrs. O. F. Walton. It was published by Moody. It’s probably the only book that I’ve read many times over. Somehow through the years, I lost my original copy. A very kind person on PaperBackSwap sent a copy to me. She said she was looking for someone who would appreciate it. I certainly do. Now, CBD has it available as an eBook, which I think is wonderful.

    Currently I am reading Awakening by Tracy Higley, which is fascinating and All in Good Time by Maureen Lang, which is interesting and I’m enjoying. Three of my favorite books in 2014 have been…very hard to choose…Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano, Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin and Katia by Bruce Judisch. Up next is Stranded by Dani Pettrey.

  21. Currently I’m reading FOREVER AMISH by Kate Lloyd and BRIDGE TO HAVEN by Francine Rivers & FINDING JEENA by Miralee Ferrell. I read THE FREEDOM OF THE SOUL & THE COLOR OF THE SOUL by Tracey Bateman that was wonderful books! My next books will probably be a series by Tamera Alexandra cause its been a while since I’ve read any of hers and I have them already! Love to read!

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