This week's weekly geeks is all about recommendations.
I'm looking for...good Christian fiction that isn't historical. I'll be the first to admit that I almost always prefer my Christian fiction to be historical fiction--whether it is a romance or not. I'm sure I'm missing a few good books by only reading historical fiction. (Just like I *think* people miss out on a lot of great books by avoiding historical fiction.) So what contemporary books would you recommend for me? I'm looking for good characters, strong characters. (By good, I'm not looking for morally good (aka goody-two-shoes). But rather I mean well-written, fleshed-out, human characters.) Plot is almost secondary to me. I'm not looking for christian books with explosions or anything :)
If you're looking for...great Christian fiction that goes above and beyond, I recommend...
(These are books I'd recommend to anyone and everyone. If you think you hate Christian fiction, if you think it offers nothing for you. If you think a book can't be great if it's published by a Christian publishing house...try one of these. Though if you hate historical fiction with a passion, maybe these won't prove anything to you.)
Lynn Austin. I can't really say that enough. Lynn Austin is my favorite and my best. What do I love most about Lynn Austin? Her characters. They're always so human, so fleshed-out, so imperfect, so real. Her stories matter because they're filled with life--not perfect life, not life as we imagine it or dream it, but real life with real problems. Her characters struggle because we as humans are always struggling.
Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent*
The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz**
Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen***
*This one reminded me of To Kill A Mockingbird. And I'm just not saying that. I mean, this book was a powerful read for me. It just wowed me.
**This one I just loved. It is historical fiction at its finest. I loved settling down into this one. And I loved the romance. An absolute must if you have a weakness for Scottish men. If you loved Christy, give this one a try.
***This one is set in the Regency period (in England). But it's anything but fluffy. It has substance. :) So if you're a fan of the Regency--Austen, Heyer, etc.--give this one a try.
10 comments:
I love Jan Karon Pastor Tim -books.
We recommend The Shack by Young.
I agree with you, I review erotic genre - but I read alot of chritian Fiction and I agree Lynn Austin is a must read..
Another author I would recommend is CHRISTINE LYNXWILER. I have read a few of her series and she has just opened a new series "McCord Sisters".. very good...
E.H>
Becky THE SHACK was a DNF for me, but it might just be your cup of tea.
How about some Jewish fiction instead... Try Keeping Hannah Waiting by Dave Clarke.
My post is here.
How about reading about Hinduism? Ramayana and Mahabharata are good starts.
Try the Bhagawad Gita. I agree, it isn't fiction, but I have a feeling you will like it.
And here is my Weekly Geeks: Recommendations post!
I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, and I don't know if suspense is your thing, but the Circle trilogy by Ted Dekker is amazing, and absorbing. :)
I really like Lynn Austin. My favourite of hers is Hidden Places and I also really enjoyed Eve's Daughters; both are excellent reads.
Another author I would recommend is Kristen Heitzmann. Her stuff is more contemporary, but less like the Karen Kingsbury stuff, which I find to be fluff at times.
I try to avoid Christian literature as much as possible, primarily because of the fact that it tends to be on the fluffy side.
Well, I don't think The Sparrow is something that would traditionally fall under the "Christian fiction" label, but it does revolve, in large part, around one man's perceptions of God, and if you like Lynn Austin's characters, I think you would like the characters in The Sparrow as well. If you're looking for a clean book, this probably isn't for you, but if you want something that has potential to open up a great discussion about Christianity (or any religion) and faith, I think this is a good candidate. Here's my review, if you're interested.
Hmm..i'm reading Christa Parrish's second book right now and while I enjoyed the first one, this one is fantastic. So you might try her.
But we do have slightly different taste, so I'm not sure I'd steer you right! :)
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