Love Your Bookshop Day

shelves of Christian non-fiction books divided by white placards in Bowness Arts bookstore

I was so excited to find out that today was Love Your Bookshop Day (which I was remiss in mentioning on Book Lovers Day), only to discover that it's an Australian holiday. Oh well, there's no reason I can't celebrate Canadian bookstores today!

Side note: In my mind and my Instagram reel, I accidentally call this holiday Love Your Bookstore Day; however, as it's Australian, I imagine that the term "bookshop" may be more prevalent. Not all common English terms translate across the Commonwealth, I suppose!

Regarding bookstores, I'm grateful to the amazing Christian bookstores in western Canada that have helped fill my bookshelves, including Kennedy's Parable, Christian Book and Record, Better Books and Bibles, House of James Books and Coffee, and Christian Book and Music.

I might be missing others, so please let me know!

bookstand in foreground with award winning titles with Young Adult books and other books in background and puzzle table set up to the right with seating

These pictures depict a used bookstore that I recently discovered, with sections for Christian non-fiction and fiction. The most impressive thing is that this is the first used bookstore I've encountered that subdivides its Christian non-fiction up by its Dewey Decimal categories (for instance, Bibles, devotionals, prayer, evangelism, family, counselling, church history, etc.) 🥰 It's a lovely space with vinyl records, music, movies, and a puzzle table downstairs and a board game café and candy store upstairs. Check out Bowness Arts if you have the opportunity!

Comments

All the Cheese

I've been coming across content within the past several weeks that has stereotyped Christian books (and other mediums) as being cheesy on Christian accounts. While this isn't a new label or even a new topic, what has surprised me somewhat has been seeing more Christian authors jump into this conversation who wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. Although some authors will name others whom they believe are writing non-cheesy fiction, I feel as though the damage has been done by repeating this blanket statement. While readers have freely been engaging in this type of commentary for some time, it's been interesting to see authors chime in, where in some cases, there seems to be an emphasis on self-promotion over reflection. I'm not stereotyping and saying that all authors or even the authors I'm connected to respond with this tactic (because I really don't think they do!), but there are a few out there from my limited experience who seem to respond to this disc...

Diverse Stories

One of the things I've been challenging myself to do this year has been to read more Christian books written by authors from other countries. I love that the body of Christ spans the four corners of the world and that we get to benefit from hearing so many different perspectives. I've also appreciated getting to know some amazing authors and readers online from other nations and continents as it's enriched my understanding of how Christians experience life. It helps me realize that the views I take for granted may only be limited to where I am situated, geographically and culturally. I haven't read all of the authors below yet, but here are a few Christian fiction authors who write from outside of North America if you're interested in reading more: Africa Ivy Emerson Enewerome Anna Jensen Tope Omotosho Asia Joanna Alonzo Joy Crain Australasia Narelle Atkins Liz Chapman Iola Goulton Jessica Kate Bessie Le Couteur Carolyn Miller Jennifer Mistmorgan Honey Stone Jessica...

Review: The Maker of the Mountain

I'm always on the hunt for children's books that share concepts about God in an understandable manner, so I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to read this book set in the mountains. The Maker of the Mountain by Sandra McCracken and Tim Nicholson is a story that I would be happy to share with the children in my life as it combines Bible verses with a map and delightful scenes in nature. Many thanks to Merge Public Relations for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis What is God like? Little Brown Bear is on an adventure to find the maker of the mountain and discover what he is like. Along the way, the bear meets new friends who share that the maker is like a bridge and a gate, a rock and a boat. And he’s always there to light our way home. This charming story offers: Imagery from the Bible to help young readers better understand what God is like A map of the bear’s world with corresponding Scriptures...

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