Christian Fiction
 

Which authors do y'all like?

I'm waiting to borrow a copy of Karen Kingsbury's Someday. I also started reading the Grace Chapel Inn series.

What I don't like: books/series about small towns that go into detail about their weird, wacky, but strongly Christian citizens are. It's like they're saying, "hey, you can have strong faith and still be weird!" Of course you can but there are so so many books and series like that. Maybe it's a genre now?

Also, what's with the 'Christian suspense' books and series? What's so religious about finding bodies and solving the crime?

I'm not sure about all of the above, but I'm thinking about starting the "left behind" series of books....I've gotten out of the habit of reading any kind of fiction lately and I need a break from politics and science.

I have read "A Voice In the Wind" by Francine Rivers. It is very suspenseful and keeps you guessing. The sequel is not as good, but worth reading for the ending. I don't read a lot of Christian fiction but enjoyed these.

I just finished "What A Girl Wants" by Kristin Billerbeck. It was so good. I read it in less than two days. I want to read the next book in the series, "With This Ring, I Am Confused". :) The books are about this 30 yr old single Christian woman who is a successful lawyer and now she wants to be married to a good Christian guy. Just when she thought she couldn't find a man and needs to be happy being single, three different guys want to be with her. The book was just awesome.

A long time ago, I read a novel called "The Dove and the Rose" by Ethel Herr that I really liked.

Christian and inspirational fiction books check out a lot at my library system. But I do not know how inspirational would I call apocalyptic books like Left Behind.

I know people do find those books inspirational, because of the hope that lies in not being left behind.

The only thing i've ever read is the Left Behind series....and I really enjoyed them.

When I worked at the public library, a lot of Christian/Inspiration books got checked out too. Being in Bob Jones country didn't hurt either.

If you would have asked me about four months ago what books would be good, I could tell you because I had a coworker who always read those kind of books. Now I have to rely on Amazon. :p Besides Kingsbury, Terri Blackstock, Janette Oke and Francine Rivers are popular. I personally like Victoria Christopher Murrary (a soror).

Also, a lot of Christian chick lit books are out now.

I found a new series recently in the somewhat new genre of Christian Fantasy.
Donita K. Paul is the author and all the books are Dragon-(whatever). Dragonspell, Dragonquest, Dragonknight and Dragonfire. The 5th book is coming out this month, but you have the first 4 to read to catch up. While not blatantly obvious Christian, as in "And then today I went to church," there is definitely the themes. I would say it is similar to the Narnia chronicles. Very appropriate for both children and adults.

I've read the Left Behind series, and liked it. The Thoene (Brock & Bodie) books on WWII and the founding of Israel are also good.

Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis both write amazing books about the Amish/Mennonite cultures, and they intrigue me, too. Guess it's because I've seen so many around, and knew some Mennonites well.

I knew someone would get to this before me. ;) I've read all 12 books in the original series and finished each one within 2-3 days. I haven't read the 3-book series, but would like to. Plus, I know there's a Left Behind teen series that I've heard good things about.

Stephanie Perry Moore is an awesome Christian fic author. I read both the Payton Skky and Laurel Shadrach series and now there's a series for teen boys. She's also written a couple novels for adults--I just ordered "Flame" and I'll let you know if it's good.

I'm working my way through the "Yada Yada Prayer Group" series. It's good airport / metro reading.

I am so glad carnation started this thread!

I am an avid Christian fiction reader.

I absolutely love Bodie and Brock Thoene, Francine Rivers, Dee Henderson, and Angela Hunt ( Her husband is actually one of the pastors at my church. Her works are known throughout FL, but are becoming more popular outside the state).

I also like Beverly Lewis and Karen Kingsbury, but I find both of these authors repeat their plots a lot.

As for the Left Behind Books, I grew up reading them. I think I started when the third one came out! I then had to throw each one against a wall after the ending and then wait a year for another to come out (There are 12!)

Honestly, in my opinion, only the first 8 are any good. They get to full of scripture after that. I mean that has its time in place, but if I wanted to read the Bible, I would open the actual book and not a work of fiction.

So does it get preachy then after the 8th book? Are the authors trying to relate the plot and characters to scripture or are they disguising a sermon?

LOL! Knowing how I read, I waited until they all came out, then read them! I didn't find them preachy, I found it a very realistic account of what would happen in End Times, as according to Revelation.

My sil is suggesting Dee Henderson and Joel Rosenberg.