Christian Shelves

I usually write a musing about reading or faith at the beginning of the week, but I wanted to open it up and ask if anyone has noticed trends in Christian books (fiction or non-fiction) in recent times. This can be about anything and is more to learn from your observations. What have you seen, and what might I be missing? 😀 I can start with a few: 📚 Over the past 25 years that I've been reading Christian fiction, I have seen so many genres come out that I wouldn't have known what to call them back in the day. I'm sure the concepts of speculative, dystopian, time-slip, or romantasy fiction existed, but there seem to be a lot more specific types now. What are the emerging genres you've seen? 📚 I'm noticing a rise in more politically themed Christian non-fiction books. I'm not sure if I never paid attention before or if there are just more books on the topic now. Is this a trend due to the current state of affairs in certain geopolitical areas? 📚 Books seem to ...

If you've read  The End Begins , the first book in the  The Day Draws Near series (previously The Seven Trilogy) by Sara Davison, The Darkness Deepens takes you further as this sequel further delves into Jesse and Meryn's story. I wouldn't say that this book is a standalone book as it builds upon the previous one, but I would say that reading the first book will certainly whet your appetite for this one as you find out what's next. I am grateful to the publisher,  Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Their secrets protect them... but secrets are hard to keep. No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O'Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment-or worse-if they are found together. As their relationship deepens, so does Lieutenant Gallagher's hatred for the Christians in their city, putting all be...

Since I'm slowing down on reviewing audiobooks, I will share that I have a print copy of Unoffendable  by Brant Hansen; however, due to his vocal talent (being a radio personality will do that to you 😄), I will definitely recommend the audiobook version as he truly brings the text to life with his characteristic humour and comedic timing in sharing stories. Book Synopsis Unoffendable, now revised and updated with two new chapters, gives you a concrete, practical way to live life with less stress. In our easily offended, cancel-culture society, learn how to replace perpetual frustration and anger with refreshing humility and gratitude. It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the numbe...

Now, this is a book that I wish I had gotten to a lot sooner so that I could have ordered the paperback version!  The 80s Rom-Com Club by Mikal Dawn, Bell Renshaw, Jennifer Rodewald, Betsy St. Amant, Teresa Tysinger, and Jaycee Weaver is a gem, and one that I hope will come back. I'm still in search of a physical copy because I loved it so much. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be ever so grateful 😊 Unfortunately, I don't think the ebook is available either, so I feel bad in sharing this review as this book is quite elusive right now. Book Synopsis Is there, like, anything more totally awesome than the fun, feel-good blockbusters of the 1980s? The women who make up the online Just Another 80s Rom Com Lovers Club don't think so. Join these digital friends as they each live out their own swoon-worthy love stories, minus teased bangs and mini skirts, reminiscent of some your favorite romantic comedies from the most righteous decade. The Fix Up by Mikal...

I was thinking about my journey back into blogging and realized I've gone through a lot of changes in my life in everything from family to employment to church during this time. Thus, in a strange way, blogging and being on Instagram have been some of the few constants this past year alone. Through all the ups and downs, it's been a fun journey and also an educational one. I thought I'd share a few of the things that have changed for me in case anyone else who enjoys reading and reviewing books may be interested, especially if capacity becomes an increasing factor. I've joined one official launch team, but think it'll be the only one I join. Honestly, launch teams or hype teams are both new to me. Being in Canada has limited me from joining these in the past, and now that I've had a glimpse, I think I'm fine with just requesting ARCs in the future. As exciting as being part of a team can be, I'm realizing that I have a hard enough time keeping up with m...

I know I have a divergent opinion from the vast majority of readers, so I'm only sharing these thoughts on my blog and nowhere else. I'm pretty bummed that this clean fiction book did not land for me, and was probably the most surprised that The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh was such an opposite experience from what I expected. Book Synopsis She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness. Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will. As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and h...

That feeling when one of your favourite book series gets more books added to it—what a lovely surprise to hear the announcement about the Home to Heritage series after completing the Restoring Heritage series a while back! An even lovelier surprise has been seeing additional authors join this series, such as with You're the Reason by Susan May Warren with Tari Faris. Book Synopsis She never intended to return to Heritage. When an injury sidelines her, Grace Howell leaves her life as a ballerina and returns to Heritage, Michigan, to heal. Teaching dance is just a temporary gig, until she finds herself unexpectedly charmed by small-town life and her growing attachment to Seth Warner, a man from her past with a troubled history of his own. He’s back in Heritage as a changed man. The last place Seth thought he’d return is Heritage, but a felony record has narrowed his options, compelling him back to a community that hasn’t forgotten his transgressions. Dreams of starting a Ninja Gym...

I'm grateful that I was able to listen to Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop, while also following along with the ebook. It provided an enriching experience as I could read through and listen to the Psalms in a way that brought them to life even more. Book Synopsis Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God’s goodness. Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God―but it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. Lament avoids trite answers and quick solutions, progressively moving us toward deeper worship and trust. Exploring how the Bible―through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations―gives voice to our pain, this book invites us to grieve, struggle, and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of our l...

What a fun title to say! The Lost Daughter's Irishman by Carolyn Miller releases on October 11, 2024 and has been a great introduction to this series for me. I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis She wants to find a way to live again; he wants to close a deal and move on. Until sparks fly and these opposites attract in this contemporary romance filled with heart and humour. For Kara Browne, hiding out in Eden Cove provides a chance to heal after her life fell apart. Now, without a family or career, she juggles jobs while trying to find her feet again, thankful for this tiny community that has taken her to their heart. When a handsome Irishman appears in Eden Cove with his plans to take over the local luxury hotel where she works, his obvious wealth combined with a series of unfortunate events convince her that they’re worlds apart. Which they soon will be, seeing she’s already booked her ticket t...