Category: Bookish Question

What's the best Christian nonfiction book you have ever read?

Bookish Question #321 | What is the best Christian nonfiction book you have ever read?

I don’t read a lot of nonfiction (Christian or otherwise). In theory, that should make this an easier question than my favourite novel because I don’t have as many books to choose from. In practice, it’s harder … because I don’t have as many books to choose from.

The obvious answer is the Bible, but I suspect that isn’t the meaning of the question.

If I try to recall the Christian nonfiction books I’ve read, the two that come to mind are both autobiographies. You’ve probably heard of (and perhaps read) them both.

The first is Joni by Joni Eareckson, which made a huge impression on me as a child and teenager, about how she was able to live and thrive despite her circumstances, and how she came back to God.

The second is the Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, sharing her story of living the Netherlands during World War II, helping and hiding Jews, and her time in a concentration camp, and how God used her then and afterwards.

Both are encouraging true stories of regular Christian women faced with huge challenges, and the way they were able to cling to God despite their troubles.

Neither were “superwomen” or super Christians.
And that’s the beauty of their stories.

What about you? What is the best Christian nonfiction book you have ever read?

What's the best Christian novel you have ever read?

Bookish Question #320 | What is the best Christian novel you have ever read?

I have read more Christian novels than I can count.

According to Goodreads, I’ve read over 1,500 in the last ten years (and that’s just a drop in the bucket of all the novels published in the last ten years).

Most of the novels I read are good. Many are excellent. Few last in my memory beyond me writing my book review. The ones I remember longer tend to be the ones that make it to my end-of-year “Best of …” list.

Despite the fact I write contemporary Christian romance, the novels I remember tend to be historical Christian fiction from authors like Elizabeth Camden, Gabrielle Meyer, Roseanna M White, and Francine Rivers.

On that basis, it’s perhaps no surprise for me to decide my favourite Christian novel is Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

Echo in the Darkness is the second book in her Mark of the Lion trilogy. In many trilogies, the middle book is the weakest (the “saggy middle” writers dread).

But it’s my favourite because it focusses on my two favourite characters in the series, Marcus and Hadassah, and their protracted romance. Marcus is a Roman and not a Christian, but journeys to Israel to discover more about Hadassah after he believes she has been killed in the arena. There he learns to forgive his sister (who he blames for Hadassah’s death) and find God’s forgiveness for himself. I love strong salvation stories, and Marcus’s journey to faith was compelling reading.

Equally compelling was Hadassah’s story back in Rome (and perhaps Ephesus. It’s been a while since I read it, so some of the details are hazy). She works with a healer and finds herself back in Marcus’s family home, caring for his mother.

Echo in the Darkness is, first and foremost, a Christian novel. It’s set in a fascinating period in history–the Roman empire shortly after the fall of Jerusalem–and it incorporates the history and customs of the day into a wonderful Christian romance with a good deal of light suspense.

The writing style might be a little dated, but there is a reason Echo in the Darkness (and many more of Francine Rivers’s books) have remained on bestseller lists for decades.

What about you? What is the best Christian novel you have ever read?

What's the most unusual or unique setting you've read in a novel?

Book Chat #319 | What’s the most unusual or unique setting you’ve read in a novel?

Most Christian fiction I’ve read is set in the USA.

The UK probably takes second place in terms of common settings, at least in the Christian fiction I’ve read.

I’ve also read Christian fiction set in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Egypt, South Africa, as well as several countries in Europe (particularly Finland, France and Germany), Colombia, Russia, India, China, Japan, and even Pakistan.

There are many more countries I’ve never come across in a novel, including most African and Asian countries. These would certainly be unusual settings.

But my prize to the most unique setting I’ve read in a novel goes to Going Back Cold by Kelley Rose Waller.

Going Back Cold is set in Antarctica.

This location is unique not just because it’s a frozen continent at the bottom of the planet, but because it’s no even a country. That makes it an unique setting in my mind.

What about you? What’s the most unusual or unique setting you’ve read in a novel?

What's the most unusual occupation you've read in a novel?

Bookish Question #317 | What’s the most unusual occupation you’ve read in a novel?

Christian fiction genres seem to focus on similar occupations depending on the genre. Just like in real life, lots of characters (especially heroines) work in diners or restaurants, or own their own small business selling ice cream or cup cakes or books (I’m sure there are more fictional bookshops than there are real-life counterparts). There are also plenty of teachers, B&B owners, farmers, and ranchers.

Romantic suspense novels inevitably feature characters employed in law enforcement, either local police or one of the USA’s many three-letter agencies (CIA, FBI, NSA etc.) The heroes will often be ex-military. Other characters are lawyers, a necessary part of the legal process.

Sub-genres will have their own familiar occupations. Rock star romances feature rock stars (or country music stars or similar). Billionaire romances usually feature IT geeks (or some other occupation where it feels reasonable that a young person—usually male—has achieved billionaire status before they reach marriageable age, and didn’t inherit that stack of cash). Sports romances feature pro sportspeople (again, there are more pro footballers and hockey players in fiction than in real life). Cowboy romances feature (wait for it!) cowboys, with the occasional cowgirl (although the heroines are more often the ranch cook or nanny).

What we don’t see as often are more mundane occupations such as accountant (and when I do read novels with accountants, they tend not to be the hero or heroine). But that’s not really an unusual occupation in real life. It’s just not one we see in fiction.

So what is unusual?

One that springs to mind is the Bug Man series of novels by Tim Downs.

These feature a forensic entomologist—someone who helps solve crimes by looking at the insect and bug life (for example, using the size of the maggots to determine how long since the victim was murdered). It’s fascinating, if somewhat creepy. The character makes The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper look like a well-rounded person, which makes for interesting reading and some embarrassing moments. In hindsight, he is probably neuro-divergent.

The other author I think of who often features less common occupations is Elizabeth Camden, who writes Christian historical romance.

The Gilded Lady featured Caroline Delacroix as the secretary to the First Lady. A Daring Venture features Dr Rosalind Werner as a biochemist (in 1908). Kate Livingston is a government statistician (In Every Breath). Natalia Blackstone is a financial analyst (Written on the Wind). Some of these occupations aren’t so unusual today, but they were very unusual occupations for women a century ago.

What about you? What’s the most unusual occupation you’ve read in a novel?

 

What's the most heartwarming book you've read recently?

Bookish Question #316 | What’s the most heartwarming book you’ve read recently?

Heartwarming? While I read a lot of romance, which is often considered a heartwarming genre, I don’t think all romances are actually heartwarming in that while I can cheer for the characters, they generally don’t incite my sympathy.

Heartwarming: inciting a sympathetic feeling, cheerful

However, I can think of a few.

Over the Rainbow (Trinity Lakes 8) by Meredith Resce

Over the Rainbow is the next release in the Trinity Lakes multi-author series I’m part of. In this story, Arianne Rayne has relocated to Trinity Lakes to rebuild her life after being paralysed in a car accident. It’s a heartwarming romance that deals with some tough questions around life, love, and God’s healing power in our lives.

Over the Rainbow releases on 21 February 2024.

The Roads We Follow (Fog Harbor 2) by Nicole Deese

I’ve just finished an advance copy of The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese, which should probably be classified as Christian women’s fiction with romantic elements.

It’s in first person from two points of view (Raegan and Micah), which give the impression it’s a romance. But it’s a story of search for identity: Micah is searching for the identity of his biological father, and Raegan is searching for her identity as an individual, not as the daughter of country music megastar Luella Farrow. It’s a heartwarming (ha!) romance that shares some deep truths about life.

The Roads We Follow releases on 30 April 2024.

Leaving Oxford (Southern Hearts #1) by Janet W Ferguson

I reread this series towards the end of 2023. While all four books qualify as heartwarming for different reasons, Leaving Oxford was the standout title for me. it’s the story of a woman facing panic attacks whenever she tries to leave her small hometown, and her growing relationship with the local football coach. They’re an unlikely couple, but Janet Ferguson makes it work.

Find Leaving Oxford (and the rest of the Southern Heart series) at Amazon.

What about you? What’s the most heartwarming book you’ve read recently?

What's teh last book you readd that made you cry? The first book I can remember reading that made me cry was Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, which I read in around 1981 (so only a few years after it was published). Anyone who has read the book (or seen one of the movie adaptations) will know why I cried. The last book that made me cry was Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek, where I cried for a similar reason ... but won'tsay any more because of #spoilers. But that's a few years ago now. I do have to admit that I don't consciously seek out books that will make me cry. I prefer books that make me laugh or feel good ... which is why I favour romance (with the occasional segue into romantic suspense, rom com, or women's fiction). What about you? What's the last book you read that made you cry?

Bookish Question #315 | What’s the last book you read that made you cry?

The first book I can remember reading that made me cry was Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, which I read in around 1981 (so only a few years after it was published). Anyone who has read the book (or seen one of the movie adaptations) will know why I cried.

The last book that made me cry was Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek, where I cried for a similar reason … but won’t say any more because of #spoilers.

But that’s a few years ago now.

I have to admit that I don’t consciously seek out books that will make me cry. If I wanted to cry, I can watch the news.

I read for entertainment, so prefer books that make me laugh or feel good … which is why I favour romance with the occasional segue into romantic suspense, rom com, or women’s fiction.

What about you? What’s the last book you read that made you cry?

Have you ever completed a "read the Bible in a year" challenge?

Bookish Question #313 | Have you ever completed a “read the Bible in a year” challenge?

Yes!

I have completed several challenges in different formats:

One year, I joined with a few friends online to read the Bible using A Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a year by Diane M Stortz. This has six weekly readings, a short reading explaining the events of the week’s readings, and three questions to answer. Our small group then had a virtual meeting using Facebook where we answered the questions. It was a great way to get to know people better, and I’m sure it would be even better in person.

Another year, I used The Bible plan from The Bible Project on the YouVersion app (which allows users to choose which version of the Bible they read). Each day had a devotional, a reading, and a space for users to add a personal note. There were also videos to introduce different books of the Bible. I did this challenge as part of a group as well, and found it encouraging to read the comments from the other participants.

Those plans both worked through the whole Bible from start to finish, with occasional “interruptions” to cover Psalms and Proverbs.

I’ve also used a chronological plan, which goes through the Biblical story in chronological order e.g. so Job comes in the middle of Genesis.

I’ve also completed The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Coble, which is available as both a daily podcast and as a book.

I’ve also tried plans that have an Old Testament and New Testament reading each day, as well as a chapter from Psalms or Proverbs, and I find those feel a little disjointed in comparison. I don’t mind a Psalm as part of the daily readings, but I prefer to read one book at a time, rather than jumping from Genesis to Matthew to Psalms and back again.

In 2023, I took a new approach.

I decided I wanted to listen to the Bible readings using a daily podcast. I sampled several different podcasts before settling on The Bible in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) from Ascension Ministries. This was a chronological plan based on the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. It used the Catholic Bible, which introduced me to some new books and stories. What I particularly liked about this plan was that it interrupted the chronological timeline three times to bring in one of the gospels, which had the added advantage of not then reading (or listening to) all four gospels back to back.

This year, I’m taking a new challenge: Mary De Muth’s 90-Day Bible Challenge.

I have to say that while there is a time commitment to reading Genesis in four days (instead of the more common two-plus weeks), it does give a different perspective, one that I’m enjoying. Reading longer portions enables me to keep the whole story in mind, to make connections and ask questions.

I have tried to use a different version of the Bible for each challenge.

Reading a new version can bring a new awareness to what might otherwise be a familiar verse or chapter.

I’ve read the new International Version and New King James Version in full, listened to the Revised Standard Version (Second Catholic Edition), and am currently reading the English Standard version.

What about you? Have you ever completed a “Bible in a year” challenge? What did you think?

Have you set yourself a reading challenge for this year?

Bookish Question #312 | Have you set yourself a reading challenge for this year?

I have, but I’ve simplified it compared to 2023.

In 2023, I set an overall reading goal of 150 books, which I met (just). I also set other goals, such as:

  • Reading nonfiction books
  • Reading books by BIPOC authors
  • Reading books by debut or new-to-me authors.

I didn’t meet most of those goals.

So this year, I have set just one goal for my 2024 reading challenge: to read 120 books.

No goals around genre or author or publisher. Just 120 books.

This is a reduction on previous years: I’ve managed 150 books for the last few years (since I’ve re-entered the paid workforce), and 200 books a year before that.

I now have my first full-time paid job in close to 15 years. I also have a novel to write, edit, and publish by May … while working full-time, buying a new property (because the new job is in a new city), and organising a writing contest.

On that basis, I think 120 books is quite enough for 2024.

What about you: have you set yourself a reading challenge for 2024?

Did you get (or give) any books for Christmas?

Bookish Question #311 | Did you get (or give) any books for Christmas?

Books are a matter of personal taste, and it can be hard to choose a book for someone you don’t know well … or someone you do know well who reads a lot, because you might buy something they’ve already read.

So no, I didn’t buy anyone books for Christmas this year.

I also didn’t receive any books for Christmas … although I think I’ll buy myself an Amazon gift voucher, because that helps me keep track of my book-buying budget.

What about you? Did you get (or give) any books for Christmas?

Have you achieved your 2023 reading goal?

Bookish Question #310 | Have you achieved your 2023 Reading Goal?

This post is a couple of days late because I’ve just spent a couple of hours going through my Kindle and updating “My Books” on Goodreads.

But I can now confirm that I have completed my main goal of reading 150 books in 2023.

I also had some sub-goals:

Read 48+ books from my to-read pile

Oops … I managed four. On the plus side, I have read almost every book I’ve bought this year.

Read 40+ books from debut or new-to-me authors

I’ve read 40+ books if you count books by authors I hadn’t read before 2023. However, I read multiple books from some authors, so I’ve only read books from 34 new authors.

Read 40+ books from non-US authors

I’ve only read 14 books by international authors (I must have misclassified some. Surely. Either that, or it really is difficult to find international authors). I have read and enjoyed a lot more self-published fiction than in previous years.

Read 12+ books from BIPOC authors

I’ve finished seven books from BIPOC authors, so I need to find some more!

Read 18+ nonfiction books

I’ve apparently only read 6 nonfiction titles 🙁

What about you? Did you set a 2023 reading goal? If so, have you met your goal?