What I look for in books.
If you've read any of my reviews or seen my bookstagram you already know basically all I read is Christian fiction. Whether it be historical or contemporary. As long as it has Christian themes, I'm happy.
Now that's not to say that I wouldn't read secular fiction. I've read some and enjoyed it but there's just something about Christian fiction I like better.
The experiences the characters go through and the way they're centered around God always brings me back to His truth. Somehow I always find myself in the same situation and the same feelings as the characters I'm reading. If you've read Robin Jones Gunn's “Christy Miller” series as well as her “Katie Weldon” series you know what I'm talking about when I say that's a total God thing.
But that's one of my favorite things about CF. It's insane how much you can learn about your own life experiences through fictional characters.
But here's a more formal list of the things I look for in books.
Clean content. I don't want to read sex scenes in the stories I'm sharing with my friends and family. A steamy kiss scene, I'll enjoy. But nothing more.
Christian themes. Because I enjoy being reminded of Christ's love. And I learn so much!
A lot of times I stick to authors I know. Comfort writers, if you will. Because I already know I can trust the content I'm consuming plus, I genuinely enjoy their stories.
More story wise, I don't like when there is a huge cast of characters to keep up with. It's way to hard to keep up with everyone.
A well rounded story. I don't know if that makes any sense. But I like a little bit of sadness and trials thrown in there. But I also enjoy humor and wit. And I really enjoy a good Come to Jesus story.
It's important to have authors you love and trust their stories. Here's a list of authors I auto read.
Robin Jones Gunn.
Tracie Peterson.
Kimberley Woodhouse.
V. Joy Palmer. (A fellow bookstgrammer and Authorgrammer.)
Beverly Lewis.
Roseanna M. White.
Liz Johnson.
Kim Vogel Sawyer.
Lindsay Harrel.
Denise Hunter.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy branching out and reading new to me authors. But if I'm looking for a book I KNOW I'll enjoy I usually pick a story from a writer on that list.
Who are your go to authors? And what do you look for in books?
- Rebekah.
