Skip to main content

Preferences and Style

rose placed on book with book pages curled in to form a heart

Since we all have things we tend to gravitate toward, I thought I would compile some of my observations about my library and tastes from over the years.

For Christian fiction, I have noticed that:

  • I have a penchant toward getting series, especially for historical fiction. And due to being a completionist, I try to get as many backlist titles as I can.
  • I am growing a small collection of suspense books to offset the amount of romance that I read, but at the end of the day, I still like the warm and fuzzies (although some romances are definitely set against grittier themes).
  • I have some auto-buy authors, but I am realizing that I am quickly running out of space on my bookshelves. I appreciate the new releases; however, I am likely still trying to catch up!
  • I am starting to read more from independent authors, especially due to Kindle Unlimited. It has definitely been a way to find more Christian authors, and I appreciate that I don't have to worry about availability through the library.
  • I am finding that more and more contemporary titles seem to incorporate things that I would not necessarily have envisioned within Christian books. I understand that some authors are becoming cross-over authors for broader appeal, but there are still some things that are surprising to see from time-to-time, given the Christian worldview. As a result, I am more often second-guessing my contemporary fiction purchases whereas for historical fiction, I don't have to scrutinize my decisions as much.

For Christian non-fiction, I have noticed that:

  • I deeply enjoy reading books on apologetics. This stems from being introduced to The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel at a young age, and appreciating books more centered on logic and facts than on emotions.
  • I have a lot of books on cross-cultural relations due to my passion for this topic. There has definitely been more books on racial relations now than existed a few decades ago when I was writing my theses about the subject.
  • I am starting to add more books about contemporary issues, like the aforementioned. Since a lot of the Christian non-fiction books I have are from my time in Bible college and seminary, finding updated books has kept me a little more current with the social issues we're facing.
  • I have a sizeable amount of Christian books related to work, leadership, productivity, organization, and so forth due to professional development funds and gifts from over the years. I have not read all of them, but I am grateful that I get to have a Christian perspective on these topics.
  • I also have more biographies than I realized! I used to think this was a small section based on a few gifted books from authors, but it has been steadily growing. I think this may be attributed to the inspiration behind the book, 50 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren Wiersbe.

There you have it; a brief glimpse of my evolving library. My tastes will likely continue to change, but it's nice to be able to see my preferences as a snapshot in time.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The Final Word - Bite of Betrayal #2

This is a book where the name Miles Morgan will have you wishing he was a real person after getting to meet his character.  The Final Word  is the next book in the Bite of Betrayal series by Laura Thomas , set in the English village of Bramble Downs. Combining the opera, a bakery, a book based on a Cinderella retelling, and sisters who have each others' backs through thick and thin, there is much to explore in Miles and Sophie's story! Many thanks to  Mountain Brook Ink  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of violence and death, domestic abuse, stalking Book Synopsis When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last nig...

Review: Reckless Love - Hatcher Hollow #1

No matter your thoughts on the worship song of the same name,  Reckless Love by Kate Goodwin is a powerful retelling of a story that we don't often think of, demonstrating the heart of God in pursuing us. What a beautiful snapshot of the Father's unrelenting love for us! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis A pregnant girl A desperate woman The God who sees them both Amina Abdel’s sheltered world is turned upside down when she finds herself alone and with child. The daughter of immigrants flees her mother’s judgment and father’s shame, unexpectedly finding shelter with the small town’s pastor and his wife. Their kindness feels foreign to Amina, until she realizes they too want something from her—the baby. All Melissa Abrams has ever wanted was a son to carry on her husband’s family legacy of keeping an Abrams man behind the pulpit. As barrenness pushes her to a breaking point,...

Review: Muskoka Blue - Original Six Hockey Romance #6

I normally read books in their series order, but I was excited to have an excuse to jump to this book as its sequel is releasing this week! Muskoka Blue is the last book in the Original Six Hockey Romance series by  Carolyn Miller , but it takes us to the Muskoka Shores series , meaning it's not the last time I get to pay a visit to this scenic part of Canada 😊 Book Synopsis An ice princess with a broken heart. A pro hockey player with a secret. For Sarah Maguire, spending the summer at Lake Muskoka was supposed to be about finding the courage to put back the pieces of her shattered life—not falling in love with the charming yet unsophisticated hockey player from next door. Daniel Walton may have been praying for Miss Right to appear, but Sarah’s ice princess act just cries Miss Wrong. Dan’s summer plans hadn’t included befriending a redhead with a sassy tongue and cute accent, but as Muskoka works its magic he soon discovers that underneath the frost and prickles is the funny, ...