When you think of Christian fiction, you might conjure up feel-good stories like Jan Caron’s Midford series or the action-packed Apocalyptic best-selling Left Behind books. There is even a large subgenre of Amish mysteries. As a major religion of the world, Christianity is not just limited to genre pieces. Christians are present in many mainstreamContinue reading “Crosses To Bear”
Tag Archives: books
Meta Me
There are a plethora of books featuring bibliophile protagonists, with or without a charming bookshop. Since everything these days is about relatability, having a likeable reader propelling the plot is not a bad idea. It’s easier to root for someone you identify with, and who better to invest in this plot than a book person?Continue reading “Meta Me”
DNF
There are some readers who have no trouble abandoning a book. If the story isn’t dazzling them, they toss it aside, or drop it down a book chute, or hit permanent delete on their e-reader. Others struggle with the need to push on, to complete a task, to not give up. I am firmly inContinue reading “DNF”
Salt or Sweet?
Books are often divided into two categories: serious and fluff. And readers will often align with either camp, touting the virtues of either. It is essential to be well-informed and empathetic, says one side. And the other: I get enough reality just by getting out of bed every morning. The matter is complicated when theContinue reading “Salt or Sweet?”
No Slow Nellie Knockoffs
When it comes to rants and raves, the reviews are in. There is a necessary chemistry between book and reader and when it’s not there, readers can get feisty. Why exactly do books and readers not click? I’ve narrowed it down to five main reasons. No One To Root For Who knew that likeability wasContinue reading “No Slow Nellie Knockoffs”
Representation
There is a growing debate in the book world about representation. Strictly speaking, representation means that all voices are heard and that the portrayals are fair and accurate. Reading is often about character identification, and everyone — regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability status — should easily find voices they canContinue reading “Representation”
I Dissent
Sometimes books and I just don’t click. Like a dud first date, it usually isn’t personal. There are different wavelengths and sometimes I am not on the same one with others. It gets worse when you slog through a tedious book only to log on to your favorite review site to find enraptured praise fromContinue reading “I Dissent”
No Two People
No two people read the same book, or so they say. Our lenses, preferences, and schedules mean that books can be received very differently. What is fresh to one may seem trite to another. While some might enjoy the devilish antics of the protagonist, others may find nothing to root for. And, yet, there isContinue reading “No Two People”
Hook Me
A good opening to a novel should give you a visceral feel for everything that is to come. It is a first impression, and like the human counterpart of first impressions, it’s difficult to erase its impact. Hooking the reader immediately is a literary imperative. There are many ways to do it. You can startContinue reading “Hook Me”
Make It Stop
Every once in a while, I hate a book. Sometimes the bad reaction says more about me than the book. (I once rated Me Without You, a perfectly fine novel, one star because I was in a lousy mood.) Other times the story just isn’t for me. If I figure this out in the firstContinue reading “Make It Stop”
Books Smitten 