What’s your favourite Christian fiction genre?
In the past, I would have said romance – specifically, contemporary romance. I may have backed that up with a fondness for historical romance (especially Regency romance), with a few romantic suspense novels thrown in for variety.
But my reading habits have changed somewhat.
I find myself veering towards women’s fiction, and towards historical romance where the romance isn’t the major plot point. (I don’t know if that means it’s still historical romance, or whether it’s then historical fiction with a romance subplot).
Perhaps it’s my reaction to this strange and politicised world we live in, but I’m becoming more interested in novels where characters explore deep and difficult issues. Don’t get me wrong: there is definitely a place for light and fluffy romances which are pure entertainment. But we (I) sometimes want to read something with a little more depth. And that can be harder to find.
So I’m reading historical fiction from authors like Elizabeth Camden, Fiona Veitch Smith, and Sarah Sundin. Novels that teach us something about history and how we got to where we are.
I’m also reading women’s fiction (and some contemporary romance) that shows a deeper kind of faith, one that focuses on love for the unbeliever and showing that love through acceptance and positive action – helping them, not berating them. Fiction that shows the church as it should be …
Every time I’m asked this question, I immediately say mystery/suspense, mostly for their entertainment value. But women’s fiction and historical fiction lead my 5-star reads. They make me think, and as you said, teach me something.