Onceuponatime Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Somehow I got myself chosen to lead the next book discussion in the "Christian book club" class that meets at our church on Wednesday nights. The first book, the one we are finishing now, is The Gospel of Ruth. It is not my kind of book, but at least the discussions are lively and the people are fun. Now, I've been asked to choose the next book and lead the discussion. The problem: I admit it, I am a book snob. I tend to stay away from Christian romance, Christian weepy (I can't think of what else to call it), Christian apocalyptic, or Christian revisionist historical fiction. This is a group of women of all ages, and I would describe them as relaxed fundamentalists. A lot of them read the above kinds of books and enjoy them. What am I doing in this class? Well, they are my friends and the alternative was a little boring. So, I need a book that we will enjoy discussing but that won't drive me batty from a surplus of inanity, fiction or non-fiction. It needs to have Biblical "application." Do you have any suggestions? Please do not say The Shack. ;) ETA: Thanks for all the suggestions! I've looked at each and every one. Some I had to nix right away. Others are very intriguing and I might read them for myself. Others I've already read and I agree they are wonderful. I got so excited about Crazy Love by Francis Chan, then I found out it's being done on Sunday morning. I'm still sifting through every thing. Hopefully I'll come to a conclusion soon. Edited May 22, 2012 by Onceuponatime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I know where you're coming from ;) and I highly recommend both of these oldies but goodies. http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Goats-Loquat-Trees/dp/0310213010/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2 http://www.amazon.com/First-Have-Coffee-Margaret-Jensen/dp/1565074246/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337597591&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Not sure if it'd be too out there, but Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott, could really spark some interesting discussion. It's about a woman who, after living a lifestyle that's pretty rough, finds herself pregnant and partner-less. She becomes a Christian (all this takes place before the book's time period) but still retains a personality ;). It's her struggles along the way--meanwhile, she has a dear friend who finds out she has cancer. Really funny and thought-provoking. Maybe it'd be a healthy read for the group, as it may (or may not) broaden their definitions of Christianity. (Said gently) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 The Harbinger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tristangrace Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Well, there's a lot of actual literature with Christian themes to discuss, you know: Flannery O'Connor, Fyodor Dostoevsky, JRR Tolkien, GK Chesterton, John Bunyan, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Charles Dickens are a few that come to mind. If those are too "heavy" for your group, I would highly recommend Michael Phillip's modern adaptions of George MacDonald's novels, especially The Baronet's Song or The Fisherman's Lady. They read like historical fiction (of course, they were contemporary fiction at the time they were written!) and they are excellent. (In fact, if you don't read them for your group, track them down for yourself. Unfortunately, they are out of print, but some you can find cheap secondhand on Amazon.com. I think you can get the original Sir Gibbie on Kindle for free, but the original Scotch dialect is really rough reading! Other than that . . . Lisa Samson is the about the only contemporary author publishing with a Christian publishing house that I can deal with. Try Songbird. Edited May 21, 2012 by tristangrace typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 How about something like this: http://www.christianbook.com/women-believe-truth-sets-them-free/nancy-demoss/9780802472960/pd/72966?item_code=WW&netp_id=271437&event=ESRCQ&view=details http://www.christianbook.com/the-owners-manual-for-christians/charles-swindoll/9780849901911/pd/901911?event=1010SBF|1250714|1010 http://www.christianbook.com/anxious-nothing-cares-john-macarthur-study/john-macarthur/9781434702975/pd/702975?item_code=WW&netp_id=938586&event=ESRCG&view=details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Anything by Francine Rivers is good. Some of them have some romance in them, but that's not the main emphasis in any of her books. Redeeming Love is my favorite (it's a retelling of the book of Hosea), but Her Mother's Hope might also be a good one. Really, any of them would be good. For non-fiction, Crazy Love by Francis Chan is pretty good. My Bible Study group is reading it right now. Edited May 21, 2012 by mandymom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 How about something by C S Lewis like Mere Christianity or the Screwtape Letters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) does it have to be fiction? i usually prefer non-fiction, but my mom reads tons of fiction. her latest love was a book called Eli. i've not read it, but i trust my mom, and i consider myself a relaxed fundamentalist like the ladies in your group. ETA - here's the right link:): http://www.amazon.com/Eli/dp/B0000547QG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1337603456&sr=8-4 Edited May 21, 2012 by mytwomonkeys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) I just thought of the perfect book. It's called Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee. She also has a book called Havah, but I thought Demon was much better. I know the title sounds a little iffy, but I fall into the "relaxed fundamental" group too most likely as do my friends. I loaned several the book, and they all loved it too. It's really a thought provoking book. We definitely spent time discussing it. Edited May 21, 2012 by mandymom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oasis Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) I tend to stay away from Christian romance, Christian weepy (I can't think of what else to call it), Christian apocalyptic, or Christian revisionist historical fiction. :iagree: I stay away (far away!) from all of the above. A Christian author I actually enjoy is Frank Peretti; I love all of his books! My favorites were This Present Darkness, and the sequel, Piercing the Darkness. Edited May 21, 2012 by oasis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniper Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 If those are too "heavy" for your group, I would highly recommend Michael Phillip's modern adaptions of George MacDonald's novels, especially The Baronet's Song or The Fisherman's Lady. They read like historical fiction (of course, they were contemporary fiction at the time they were written!) and they are excellent. (In fact, if you don't read them for your group, track them down for yourself. Unfortunately, they are out of print, but some you can find cheap secondhand on Amazon.com. I think you can get the original Sir Gibbie on Kindle for free, but the original Scotch dialect is really rough reading! These are some of my favorite books! I was very gratefully gifted all of them may years ago, and refuse to part with them. The Fisherman's Lady is my personal favorite. Highly recommend if you can find enough copies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I am so with you re Christian romance- blech. Lamott can write and tackles tough issues but, fwiw, she is a gutter mouth and so NOT fundy on any level. Seconding C.S. Lewis (just listened to FoF Radio theater of Screwtape- excellent) and Chesterton, Tolkien. Lawhead- ds 17 and I have really enjoyed several of his fictional series. I thought the Hood series was terrific (Robin Hood). I've recently fallen in LOVE with Dorothy Sayers. (my review on Gaudy Night) The woman is BRILLIANT and a terrific writer. She's written a ton of stuff, was the first woman to grad Oxford and was part of the Inklings. The Lord Peter mysteries each have a great theme- Gaudy Night was about women's issues, The 9 Tailors about justice and mercy, etc. Also Chiam Potok- I'd start with The Chosen- a terrific read about WWII and the Jewish nation- very applicable to a Christian book club. Potok is a brilliant writer. Francine Rivers- Ted Dekker- his earlier stuff- he's getting a bit weird- The Circle Trilogy (skip Green) is very good. Same Kind of Different As Me- good look at social class, wealth and living the Christian life despite circumstances. Anything by Corrie TenBoom. I'm reading The Harbinger right now- like it, very interesting look at 9/11, but the conclusions are a bit obvious. That being said, it's worth reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElaineJ Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I recently read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and really enjoyed it. The author is a Christian but it is quality literature. (Isn't it sad we have to use the conjuction "but" in that sentence?) I also liked A Song I Knew by Heart by Brett Lott, although you might want to preread that one and see if it fits your group. It is also a quality contemporary novel by a Christian author. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I am a Christian Romance author, so I'll try not to take any of the above personally ;) What genres do you prefer? Suspense, Women's Fiction, General? Try fictionfinder.com where you can plug in your preferred genre and it'll generate a list. I also agree with the PP that almost anything by Francine Rivers is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 How about Neta Jackson? The first book is The Yada Yada Prayer Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 The Hiding Place is a great book that I just finished. It would be a great book for all Christians to read and discuss. It is non fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I'd suggest something by Elizabeth Goudge. She was a British novelist of the first part of the 20th century. Her stories a somewhat romantic but also substantial and tend to be thematically Christian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Peace Like a River~miracles surround this father of 3 as the family pulls up roots to look for the oldest son So Brave, Young, and Handsome (both by Leif Enger)~traveling west, themes of forgiveness Gilead~old Midwestern pastor facing his coming death and writing letters to his young son Home (both by Marilynne Robinson) The River Why (David James Duncan)~how a fisherman might come to know God Things Fall Apart (Achebe)~I think this has an interesting view of missionaries from the ruling class when they first meet them. I enjoyed reading this with Bruchko (biography of a missionary to the Motilone Indians of Columbia) and Bruce Olson: Missionary or Colonizer? There are different views of missionaries. Some consider them cultural exterminators. Some consider them precursors to Western imperialism. Whatever the case things change, people change. Reading these 3 books gave me a full sense of what missionary work is (not just from a Christian view). Coop: a Family, a Farm, the Pursuit of One Good Egg (Perry)~very respectful memoir by an agnostic remembering his religious family, humorous, obviously searching. Makes more sense for Protestants. There's always memoirs and the church fathers. The Hiding Place/something by or about Bonhoeffer. I'm not sure what denomination you are but sometimes its interesting to read something about another denomination. The Cloister Walk (agnostic being drawn to Catholicism), A Long Retreat (memoir of starting a career as a Jesuit), Surprised by Christ (Judaism to Orthodox). I also find a lot of strength reading the Jewish novels of Chaim Potok--My Name is Asher Lev or The Chosen both have themes (faith vs. art, religious expectations and self) which will resonate with many Christians. There are more. I'll think a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Fiction options! My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (Mission focus) Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven (I really enjoyed this one! Great characters.) Fiddler's Gun by A.S. Peterson (Historical fiction with an adventurous heroine) Nation by Terry Pratchett These are fiction selections that don't slap you in the face with Christian themes, but definitely have them. (I don't like Christian romance at ALL.) However, because they are not Christian--or obviously Christian--they might not be right for your group. A good non-fiction one might be Same Kind of Different As Me or Life Without Limits. Both really great! Maybe one of C.S. Lewis' books like Screwtape Letters or Til We Have Faces Edited May 21, 2012 by 6packofun .., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandymom Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Same Kind of Different As Me- good look at social class, wealth and living the Christian life despite circumstances. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I can't tell if you need fiction or nonfiction so here is one of each: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Heart-Home-Hospitable-Welcome/dp/1578490367/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1337624667&sr=8-6 http://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Progress-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199538131/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337624755&sr=1-3 (this is an all time favorite of mine, it needs to be read and reread). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Ooo, just thought of one--Girl Meets God, by Laura Winner. She's a good friend of SWB, btw! It's a memoir of her move from being Jewish to being Christian, and there's a lot to think about in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oasis Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I just thought of a couple more books which were so interesting it was hard to put them down! (These two books were from wives of the same husband. It was fascinating to read from the two different perspectives.) Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife Favorite Wife: Escape from Polygamy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Some of Madeline's L'Engle's adult books are very worthwhile as well. THe book Two-Part Invention, which is a memoir of her marriage, is very worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Some of Madeline's L'Engle's adult books are very worthwhile as well. THe book Two-Part Invention, which is a memoir of her marriage, is very worthwhile. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 This probably wouldn't fly because of the conservative nature of your group but I found "The Unlikely Disciple--A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University" by Kevin Roose a fascinating and funny read. My oldest read it after I did and it generated a lot of discussion between us. Read the reviews for details. http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Disciple-Semester-Americas-University/dp/B003UYV1VA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337646596&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 The Hiding Place is a great book that I just finished. It would be a great book for all Christians to read and discuss. It is non fiction. :iagree:My group just read and discussed The Hiding Place. It was one of our favorite books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hope in God Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Anything by George MacDonald! In his fiction you feel like you are reading a story but suddenly you fall into these deep spritual epiphanies. I guess this is why C.S. Lewis is reported to have said "I have never written a book in which I did not quote George MacDonald." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Some of Madeline's L'Engle's adult books are very worthwhile as well. THe book Two-Part Invention, which is a memoir of her marriage, is very worthwhile. Love L'Engle- the Circle of Quiet - there are 4 are beautiful, and her one on art and faith is outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolkitty Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I suggest any of her books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I read The Red Tent several years ago and thought it would have made for good discussion if I'd had someone with whom I could discuss it open-mindedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolkitty Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 also good books, there is the latest one,,, something about the heart... that would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 How about something by C S Lewis like Mere Christianity or the Screwtape Letters? Our group really enjoyed his book on the Psalms too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Screwtape Letters ARE good. Lynn Austin's books are Christian Fiction, but they are also historical fiction & I've found them very good. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNC Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken Surprised by Oxford, Carolyn Weber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smstjohn Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Radical by David Platt Also, Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth George. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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