Don’t judge a book by its cover. We’ve all heard it, but we all do it. It’s what draws our attention when we’re looking for our next great read. The artwork and the font catch our eye, then we pick it up and read the jacket. Looks good! We check it out, take it home, and settle in for some relaxation!
Screech! We get a few pages in and suddenly the swear words begin. Ack! A few are okay sometimes, but they go on and on and are, more often than not, totally unnecessary to the plot of the story. And while some readers are comfortable reading content like this, not everyone is and that is perfectly okay. So what do you do in this situation? Maybe you heard really good things about the book you picked up via either word of mouth or social media. Some of you might decide to try and stick with it. You quickly skim over them when you can, but it is still jarring when those words are not part of your daily vocabulary. Some patrons have often remarked that there should be a rating system on books to let a reader know what they may be encountering within its pages. And while we can’t really put our own ratings on books, there is a way to find books with more modest content.
Here at CGPL, we have a section solely dedicated to Christian fiction where you can feel confident when checking out a book that you won’t have to dodge dodgy words. If you are ever unsure about a book you are checking out, never fear! Books in this section all have blue cross stickers on the spine. New books of this genre can be found in our River Collection, but you can also find them in the Large Print section and audiobooks. Obviously, there are multitudes of clean books throughout the library, but the cross sticker helps take out the guesswork. If your impression of Christian fiction is that it is cheesy and preachy, you will be pleasantly surprised. Sure, you will find some, but you’ll also find a host of well-written fiction ranging from westerns, Amish, thrillers, science fiction, romance, contemporary, historical, etc.
When patrons ask me what I have read and liked, I almost always recommend the Mitford series by Jan Karon. These novels are set in a fictional town in North Carolina and have a host of likable and very colorful characters. Start with the first one At Home in Mitford and read them in order to get the full experience. You won’t be disappointed.
There are also several authors whom I have read everything they’ve written and anxiously await their next offering: Karen Kingsbury and Charles Martin to name two. Both write contemporary Christian fiction, usually with hard hitting topics, but with a hopeful slant. We all go through very difficult times in our lives and hope is what gets us through. I find enough despair and distress in the daily news that I prefer to have my reading for enjoyment be uplifting.
Other authors I have read and enjoyed include, but are not limited to, Lynn Austin, Janette Oke, Tracie Peterson, Francine Rivers, Lauraine Snelling, Lori Wick (Sophie’s Heart is one of my favorites by her), Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, Gilbert Morris, Beverly Lewis, Tim LaHaye and Frank Peretti. Erynn Mangum has written two lighthearted series which are fun reads: Paige Alder novels and Maya Davis series. Her mother’s family is from Cape and several of her books are dedicated to her grandmother. So, if you are looking for a local author with a personal tie in, these books are a great option!
And because I wanted to be a princess when I grew up and still like anything related to royalty (don’t judge me, we have all been there at some point), In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh was a fun find that I would highly recommend. The cover was what caught my attention and it didn’t disappoint!
I have also found several series which I have added to my to-be-read list: American Royalty by Grace Hitchcock, Heirloom Secrets by Ashley Clark and Secrets of the South by Mary Ellis and am looking forward to discovering these new (to me) authors and seeing if they hold up to the hype.
If you like a particular author that perhaps we haven’t added yet, let us know! We are always looking for new authors and titles to add to our shelves, especially books that you want to read. Still, I hope you will try some of these suggestions and that you, too, will find hope and inspiration within the pages.
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
"It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives"--
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury
Ryan Kelly spends plenty of time at The Bridge--the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee--remembering the times he and Molly Allen--who moved to Portland--once spent there, and now, with the bookstore in deep financial trouble, it will take a miracle to keep tragedy from unfolding.
Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin
"Allie is still recovering from the loss of her family's beloved waterfront restaurant on Florida's Gulf Coast when she loses her second husband to a terrifying highway accident. Devastated and losing hope, she shudders to contemplate the future--until a cherished person from her past returns. Joseph has been adrift for many years, wounded in both body and spirit and unable to come to terms with the trauma of his Vietnam War experiences. Just as he resolves to abandon his search for peace and live alone at a remote cabin in the Carolina mountains, he discovers a mother and her two small children lost in the forest. A man of character and strength, he instinctively steps in to help them get back to their home in Florida. There he will return to his own hometown--and witness the accident that launches a bittersweet reunion with his childhood sweetheart, Allie. When Joseph offers to help Allie rebuild her restaurant, it seems the flame may reignite--until a 45-year-old secret from the past begins to emerge, threatening to destroy all hope for their second chance at love."--
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
FBI agent Dave Richman from Danger in the Shadows is back. He's about to meet Kate O'Malley, and his life will never be the same. She's a hostage negotiator. He protects people. He's about to find out that falling in love with a hostage negotiator is one thing, but keeping her safe is another!
Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.
My Dear Miss Dupré
"Upon her father's unexpected retirement, his shareholders refuse to allow Willow Dupre to take over the company without a man at her side. Presented with twenty-five potential suitors from New York society's elite, she has six months to choose which she will marry. But when one captures her heart, she must discover for herself if his motives are truly pure...."