Christian Goodreaders discussion

In a few of the other Goodreads groups I belong to, one of the more active discussion threads is one that lets people report in on books they're currently reading (if they have some relevance to the group's focus), and a chance to discuss their own or other folks' current reading, if they want to. Maybe such a thread would be equally popular here, so I thought I'd start one. Like our group discussions in general, it doesn't have to be confined to books by Christian authors, or books about overtly "religious" topics. :-)

For starters, I've been (for several months) reading Mormon author Orson Card Card's six-volume alternate world series, Tales of Alvin Maker, to my wife --it goes slowly, since we don't often get much time to read. Right now, we're on the fourth book, Alvin Journeyman; the first one is Seventh Son. It's set in an alternate early 19th-century America where folk magic works, Cromwell's Commonwealth never fell, and American history was altered accordingly. (For instance, the Stuart dynasty's court-in-exile still rules the Southern colonies; and the U.S. --a fusion of English, Dutch, Swedish and Iroquois cultures-- won its independence peacefully, but Puritan New England is still ruled from London.) There are religious undercurrents in the storytelling, but not the sort of Mormon themes one might expect --Joseph Smith doesn't exist in this world; and the title character, while marked for a special role, isn't a Joseph Smith clone.

I for one thank you for this thread Werner. ;) And I'm sure you know why. No mystery here about what to post. Funny you should mention Seventh Son as this will come into play in a major way in my third installment of my Thirsting for Blood Series. The book I'm reading to help me with my research, "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies by Robert Kirk AKA the Fairy Minister with an introduction by Marina Warner. VERY interesting reading. :)

Sue, I checked out the Goodreads description for Kirk's book, and have tried to include the link below:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57... . (I don't know if this will come through as clickable or not; my Goodreads friend Joy, who moderates another group I'm in, has a real knack for links, but I don't.)

Anyway, this is what would today be called a field study (originally written in 1692) of the Scottish Highlands lore of beings whose nature is "between man and angel," written by an Anglican curate assigned to pastor in the area. For a reader (like me) who's interested in folklore, this sounds totally fascinating, and I've added it to my to-read shelf. (I know, I have to be crazy to add another title to that already bloated list --but when did I ever say I was sane? :-))

I just checked the link, and it does work --hooray!

It fascinated me the way I learned of Reverend Kirk. I was simply looking for the first Bible to be translated in to Gaelic. Robert Kirk was the one to do it! And in that day, there was a very strong belief in elves, fauns and fairies and they were biblically based. I found the following excerpt very interesting indeed. It is in the introduction:

Questions of the occult and supernatural were no less close to home, and no less contentious [for the Kirk's.:] King James the I, formerly King James VI of Scotland, who came to the throne in 1603 on the death of Elizabeth, and united the warring kingdoms, was a committed believer in magic powers. In his treatise, Daemonologie(1597), he had justified his hand in the terrible witch hunts of his time, and throughout Kirk's life, witches continued to be hunted and killed--indeed the last execution was to take place in Scotland as late as 1727, while witchcraft remained a capital offense for another eight years. King James also left his mark in another profound way long after Cromwell's Commonwealth had come to an end and the Restoration ushered in a new mood: it was his Authorized Version of the Bible, officially distributed throughout the parishes of the realm, that crystallized the newly united nations' consciousness, both with regard to the Protestant faith and the English language.

I think the "committed believer in magic powers" bit was the significant information for me though I think I'd heard this before.

Hello folks, just joined your group and am looking forward to the experience. Currently I'm reading "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Or rather re-reading it. I get to the end and start again. One of my favorite books of all times. I have also just started "The Battle for God" by Karen Armstrong.

I decided it was high time I got back to my daily devotionals so I drug out three of them on Friday.



I also subscribe to a couple of online daily devotionals - the Upper Room and Our Daily Bread.

My Thursday evening Bible study is in the middle of a seven week course on taming the tonge.

Well, in the Bible or just for fun?
Im reading Proverbs in the Bible.
Im reading Extras by Scott Westerfeld for fun. And I know it is not a Christian book.

Actually, Kelsey, I was thinking of the extra-Biblical reading we're doing, for fun or learning (or both). I sort of took it for granted that we all try to read something in the Bible daily, or at least regularly (though given the Biblical illiteracy of the modern Church, maybe we shouldn't make assumptions!). But I'm sure no one will mind if you (or others) mention what you're reading in the Bible as well. :-)

I finished The Lies of Locke Lamora (my review) yesterday; just wish it hadn't taken so long to finish.

Book club reads this month (and some leftover from last month) include:



I'll be finishing up these selections:



All of the above are decidedly non-Christian with the exception of re-reading the Hobbit. :)


I received a surprise in the mail today - my signed/numbered copy of The Gathering Storm. :)

What exactly is The Hobbit about?? I attempted to read it about a year or so ago but only finished a chapter before I got bored.

It's a children's book and a prequel written by JRR Tolkien to his Lord of the Rings epic fantasy.

The first part of the story can drag a bit, but it definitely picks up about a third of the way through.

A brief spoiler-free synopsis:

Bilbo's journey takes him from light-hearted, rural surroundings into darker, deeper territory. The story is told in the form of an episodic quest, and most chapters introduce a specific creature, or type of creature, of Tolkien's Wilderland. By accepting the disreputable, romantic, fey and adventurous side of his nature (the "Tookish" side) and applying his wits and common sense, Bilbo develops a new level of maturity, competence and wisdom.

For a four-paragraph paraphrase of the plot, visit Wikipedia's Hobbit page.

Thanks Jon!

Currently beginning Phantastes by George MacDonald. I have been reading several of his and they are excellent. I am glad my friend recommended them.

Right now, I'm reading All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt (Revell, 2007). I'd bought it for my wife, and after reading it, she highly recommended it to me. On the whole, I don't read much commercial "Christian fiction," or romance fiction; this could fit under both rubrics, but it's not what I would characterize as a "sappy" romance. Rather, it's something of a cross between Jane Austen and Horatio Hornblower, with a bit of Pearl S. Buck thrown in. :-) It opens in Oxford, England in 1814, and progresses to China by way of sailing ship. The heroine is an impulsive and naive, unfashionably outspoken and well-educated young British woman who decides she has a call to serve as a missionary to China. She also has well-developed fencing skills --and yes, those will come in handy (the Napoleonic Wars are going on).

sounds cool.

I enjoyed it a lot, and wound up giving it four stars! My review is posted at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... , if anyone's interested.

Hey Friends,

Haven't been around much but hope to change that in the near future. I am currently reading "Just Like Jesus" by Max Lucado.

Finished To Reign in Hell (my review) yesterday. I'm sure I missed a lot of the "in" jokes because I haven't read Paradise Lost or Milton's other works, but it was an interesting take on the fallen angels and Heaven before man was created.

Jon wrote: "Finished To Reign in Hell (my review) yesterday. I'm sure I missed a lot of the "in" jokes because I haven't read Paradise Lost or Milton's other works, but it was an interesting take on the falle..."

you should read Paradise Lost! it's good. I went to a Christian High School and it was one of the things they made us read.


I finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (she's kinda a cross between Jane Austen and the Brontes). Now, I'm reading Karen Kingsbury's Shades of Blue and Klassen's other book The Apothecary's Daughter. I always have two or three books going at the same time.

Earlier this week, I started reading British historical fiction writer Norah Lofts' novel about the Magi, How Far to Bethlehem? (published in 1965). So far, I'm favorably impressed --it's written from a perspective that clearly takes the Incarnation and the Annunciation as realities (that is to say, the perspective that a Christian writer would have). And of course it's written with Loft's characteristic skill.

Just finished reading "Walking on Broken Glass" by Christa Allan - interesting story of a woman's journey through alcoholism published by Abingdon Press.

Next on my list is A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman, Book 3 in the "Daughters of Boston" series published by Revell Books

Pamela S Thibodeaux wrote: "Just finished reading "Walking on Broken Glass" by Christa Allan - interesting story of a woman's journey through alcoholism published by Abingdon Press.

Next on my list is A Passion Denied by ..."

I'm reading her Passion Redeemed!! She's my new favorite author!

I just finished reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte. I love reading old novels, especially when a character has a strong devotion to God. The woman in this story lives her life by what is right (most of the time) and not what is easy. You see the repercussions of evil, the ability to obtain forgiveness from God, and the need to struggle to do what is right on Earth no matter what others think of you.

I know this may not be a typical book to discuss for a Christian read but I love Victorian literature and thought I should share. I also love Little Women!

Werner wrote: "Right now, I'm reading All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt (Revell, 2007). I'd bought it for my wife, and after reading it, she highly recommended it to me. On the whole, I don't read much commer..."

This sounds great! I will have to read it when I get the chance.

I am reading a book called 'The Oath'. Its a christian horror thriller and its by a man named Frank Peretti. It's directed to older teens and adult's.

Jaime, since I posted that comment, I've finished the book and reviewed it here on Goodreads; I gave it four stars, so as you can imagine, I'd recommend it. The link to my review (If anyone's interested) is: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... .

N.S.A., when I read your references to two other books by Peretti over on the Christian Supernatural Fiction thread, I was going to recommend The Oath to you, and now I see you've already found it! I loved it, and hope to read more of his work sometime.

I'm just starting Forgotten God by Francis Chan. If anyone hasn't read his Crazy Love, you should!

Werner wrote: "Jaime, since I posted that comment, I've finished the book and reviewed it here on Goodreads; I gave it four stars, so as you can imagine, I'd recommend it. The link to my review (If anyone's inte..."

Ya, I like his writing and how intense or well mysterious it can be. So far I really like the book.

The next book I want to read from him is 'Monster'

Right now, I'm reading Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton (see the Chesterton thread). Actually, I've been reading it since late last month, and should finish it in the next day or two; but I forgot to list it here until now. :-) It's my first experience with a nonfiction Chesterton book, and I'm enjoying it.

A few days ago, I (finally!) started reading Forever Richard, by our own group member Sue Dent. It's the sequel to her vampire/werewolf novel Never Ceese, which I read a few years ago and really like.

Thanks Werner for introducing this topic. I read almost everyday these 3 devos: Daily Light by Bagster/Lotz,Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and the Deeper Life by Oswald Chambers. For inspitation I am also reading Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg. It's a wonderful book about prayer and hearing God's voice.

I spend hours poring over books on how to make books, Dan Poynter, Peter Bowerman, etc. It's amazing: I'm so busy with my own book that I don't have time to read anymore. It's sad. I've spent many happy hours with "Tarzan" and "Girl of the Limberlost" in my life. Don't feel bad if you've never heard of them. They've been out of print for decades. I read some cozy mysteries occasionally--still like a good mystery minus the gore. BC (before Christ in my life)I read Ross MacDonald just because he has such a way with words. I don't even remember the stories--probably pretty repetitive. My last book clear through was probably the Purpose Driven Life because it was sponsored by the church I go to. He made some good points, though I also go along with the quote "If you want to make God laugh, make a five-year plan."

I'm currently reading Sherlock Holmes...

Aquanetta, which Sherlock Holmes book are you reading? (I'm a Holmes fan myself.)

Denise wrote: "Thanks Werner for introducing this topic. I read almost everyday these 3 devos: Daily Light by Bagster/Lotz,Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and the Deeper Life by Oswald Chambers. For inspitation I am..."

I love Jesus Calling Devo! I got it from my best friend last year. I end up buying it for other people when I need a good gift!

Having recently read G. K. Chesterton's nonfiction book Orthodoxy, I'm adding to my experience of his work with his mystery story collection, The Innocence of Father Brown. (This is actually the first of a number of his story collections that feature Father Brown, who was literature's first clerical sleuth.)

I'm currently reading The Desire of Ages, which chronicles the life of Jesus and so far is incredibly powerful. I'm also reading 1984, which is truly fascinating and slightly creepy, especially when you consider that if we let it, the world could actually turn into something like that. Thoughtful reading on both ends. I'm also reading Child Guidance since I'm about to become a mom and can use the insight of a biblically based child-rearing book.

Stephen Lawhead has been mentioned before, on our Christian fantasy thread. I've just started a "buddy read" of Hood, the first volume of his King Raven trilogy, with one of my Goodreads friends (not from this group). That trilogy is a re-telling of the Robin Hood legend, but with his characteristic Celtic coloring (his "Robin Hood" figure is Welsh, and the setting is the Welsh marches), and apparently with an interweaving of also characteristic fantasy elements.

I finished a wonderful book last week that I highly recommend: Same Kind of Different As Me (my review). A friend loaned it to me last November and I'm ashamed to say I let it sit on the shelf until last week. I couldn't put it down once I started it.

I just finished PAUL: A Novel. It tells the life of Paul from the stoning of Stephen to his imprisonment in Rome. It helped humanize Paul for me; I tend to see him as the perfect apostle. It also does an excellent job of capturing the tension between Jews and non-Jews in the early church.

I would like to read Theophilos next, but I think I will squeeze another book in between so I don't get the stories mixed up in my mind. Theophilos is a fictional story about the man to whom Luke wrote the his gospel and the book of Acts.

Over the weekend, I started Scarlet, the second installment of Lawhead's King Raven trilogy (mentioned in message #38 above). My Goodreads friend and I decided to do a buddy read of the whole trilogy --which is a clue as to the quality of the first book! :-) Contrary to my previous comment, the series so far doesn't have any overt fantasy elements; it belongs to the tradition of Christian historical fiction, rather than Christian fantasy. But it has many characteristic features of Lawhead's style nonetheless.

I'm currently reading Karen Kingsbury's Take One. This is the second book I'm reading written by her. I'm so glad to have found her books because I can relate to them and they are beneficial to my faith. Reading Christian books are sometimes better than reading books that are not Christian based. I've read plenty of non- Christian novels, but reading books that have some Christian characters is new to me so I'm enjoying it.

Jon wrote: "I finished a wonderful book last week that I highly recommend: Same Kind of Different As Me (my review). A friend loaned it to me last November and I'm ashamed to say I let it sit on the shelf ..."

I want to read that one! We sell it at Lifeway(I work there). I will have to buy it soon.

Tia wrote: "I'm currently reading Karen Kingsbury's Take One. This is the second book I'm reading written by her. I'm so glad to have found her books because I can relate to them and they are beneficial to my ..."

Gasp! You need to read her whole other three series before the above the line series since Cody and Bailey and Tim and the Baxters are in some of her other books. LOL, oh well! If you want more help with her books I can let you know what order to read them in. I also started a group on goodreads for her.

I am reading Night by Elie Wiesel and Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs. If you like stuff about concentration camps you may want to read Night...not that it's a happy book, but it's really good so far. Higgs' book is the book of Ruth told in fictional setting. I love it when authors do that!

Since finishing Scarlet, I've been on tenterhooks to begin reading Stephen Lawhead's Tuck, the concluding volume of the trilogy. It finally arrived via interlibrary loan, and I started it this morning. Right now, I'm a happy camper! :-)

I'm reading a unique devotional book called From Spice to Eternity. It takes different cooking ingredients and relates them to different Christian themes. I haven't got too far yet, but I love the originality and the thought that was put into it by the author.

Jennifer wrote: "Tia wrote: "I'm currently reading Karen Kingsbury's Take One. This is the second book I'm reading written by her. I'm so glad to have found her books because I can relate to them and they are benef..."

Lol, I just finished reading Take One and found out that there are other series before Above The Line. I think I want to finish Above the Line and then go back to read the other series. Since I'm reading Above The Line now what should I read after?

I'm currently reading a book by a friend of mine, Lewis P. Bryon, entitled Process of Praise. It's very stirring poetry but not a quick read for me--mainly because his writing forces me to stop and think (or even to pray) before I can continue reading on! I haven't been quite this reflective while reading a book since I read Afterward They Turned by J.E. Keels, and more recently A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis.


I'm reading The Joyful Christian as well, also by C.S. Lewis--and I hope to soon get back to The Bostonians by Henry James, as I am halfway through. Not including reading for school, this might be the most books I've ever read simultaneously, as I usually like to take them one at a time.

Tia wrote: "Lol, I just finished reading Take One and found out that there are other series before Above The Line. I think I want to finish Above the Line and then go back to read the other series. Since I'm reading Above The Line now what should I read after?"

You need to go all the way back to her Baxter Family Series and start withRedemption. Each book in this series focuses on one child in the baxter family, but you still get their continuing story as the series progresses. After that it leads into the Firstborn series and then Sunrise series and Then Above The Line...she is coming out with a series after Above the Line that will Follow Cody and Bailey. Ok, now that I have thoroughly confused you, have fun reading!