Brian is reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. It's a fictional account of the persecuted church in China. I read it years ago and loved it. I suggested it to him and now I'm regretting that. He's so into it that he reads it every chance he gets. And that would be fine except I'm jealous because I don't have anything that gripping to read.
I'm reading Grace-Based Parenting and Counterfeit Gods, but that's a disciplined sort of reading. I want a story. It could be fiction or creative non-fiction. Just something that will keep me as entertained as Brian is with his book.
Please give me your suggestions!
I am sure you probably have, because is it always a recommended read. But Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers or Atonement Child by Francine Rivers are both great. I also heard her Mark Of The Lion series is awesome...
ReplyDeleteSorry if you've already read them, and this is no help. But if you haven't. You should, they are great
Yeah, I've read those Rivers books and they're great. What about Pilgrim's Progress?
ReplyDeleteAlso, another one that you may have read already: I'm finishing up the Chronicles of Narnia series and I really love the way CS Lewis portrays the Kingdom of God in a way a child can grasp and a way that brings me back to that childlike view of the majesty of God. Plus, they're fun stories!
ReplyDeleteOh, and Barbara Kingsolver's book The Bean Trees was very enjoyable.
Try reading a christian Biography. I am reading one about Adoniram Judson, who was one of the first missionaries to Burma. It is an amazing story.
ReplyDeleteA Lineage of Grace is Francine River's newest one that is really good. Also, Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury is one I just finished reading. Hope this helps! Laurie
ReplyDeleteI second the Barbara Kingsolver suggestion. I think The Poisonwood Bible is the best I've read by her ... def. not a Christian perspective, but an absorbing novel with lots to think about. The thing about Francine Rivers (and this is just my opinion, a lot of my friends really like her) is that there isn't really anything to think about after you finish the story. It'll be well written enough, and certainly nothing to object to in the book's "message" -- but at the same time her books don't really challenge you to think about anything. Or stay in your mind because of the haunting language or vivid characterisation. I am a re-reader, and I have NEVER been tempted to read a FR novel twice.
ReplyDeleteI just finished "These is my Words," by Nancy Turner. In the form of a diary written by a pioneer woman -- wonderful character development. I would have read the whole thing in one sitting if I could have!
"The Calligrapher's Daughter" by Eugenia Kim -- this is one I found on the New Books shelf at our little library -- story of a young woman growing up in Korea in the first part of the 20th century. Really beautifully written. Interesting because of the window into a very different culture, but also because of the honesty and intimacy of the story.
If I remember correctly you are not a huge sci-fi/fantasy reader, but Orson Scott Card (who is a great writer) has written two "historical fiction" books, "Sarah" and "Rebekah" about the women from Genesis. Usually I am leery of novels that re-tell Bible stories, but these would be worth a read. Very absorbing -- it's interesting to look at the stories from a new perspective. I don't agree with Card's depiction completely, but these books were both entertaining and not a waste of time.
I just started "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, it's supposed to be great. I loved "Belong to Me," which is a follow up to "Love Walked In," both by Marisa de los Santos.
ReplyDeletetwo more -- both really excellent collections of short stories (inspired me to go back and revise some baby stories I had floating around) --
ReplyDelete"Too Much Happiness" by Alice Munro
"First Paper Girl in Red Oak, Iowa" by Elizabeth Stuckey French
I just finished "Brave New World" and was pleasantly surprised. It's not too long either! I recommend it. I also can't go w/o recommending my favorite: Peter Pan. I know it's a children's book but that's part of the wonder of it! So easy to get lost in it. There's also now an authorized sequel called "Peter Pan in Scarlet" It was good too.
ReplyDelete