I’ve just finished another Christian historical fiction novel – my favourite genre. As soon as I put it down, I thought, “Right. I’m done with that for a while. I need something else.”
Do you ever find yourself doing the same thing – tiring yourself out on a particular genre, even your favourite kind? Or do you generally mix things up so you don’t come up against this problem?
So right now I’m deciding what to pick up next. The other genres I am known to read are YA, a little Christian contemporary (chick-lit or romance) and self-help books. Should I try something different? Aside from the Left Behind Series, I’ve never really been into speculative. Should I read some secular novels for a change? They used to be the only thing I read, but in the last year since I discovered Christian fiction, I’d be lucky to have read two. As for self-help … I always have one of those going along side whatever fiction I’m reading anyway. And it’s easy to get “information overload” when I read too many of those in a short space of time!
For sure, the next book I pick up is going to be contemporary. Looking at my to-read pile, that narrows it down to romance, romance and … oh look, there is a secular YA in the pile – romance, of course. Here’s the list I’m choosing from:
Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
After reading “There You’ll Find Me” – I decided I just have to read more from Jenny. This one is a 2012 Rita finalist in the Inspirational Romance category.
Flawless by Lara Chapman
This is my secular pick, which I selected from the list of 2012 RITA Young Adult Romance finalists.
Back to Resolution by Rose Dee
This one is by an Aussie Christian author, and I’ve heard lots of good things about it.
Hmmm … what to do? What do you guys think?
Plus I’m interested to know – how do you pick your next book to read?
Helen is a strange combination of fiction editor and web strategist. That’s because she loves fiction and the internet – and analytics! A former business analyst and IT support manager, Helen now spends her time parenting her three children as well as running her editing and web agency businesses. As a book reviewer and fiction editor, her one true love and specialty is Christian romance fiction.
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Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Helen I am like you. Last year I had a string of Contemporary books and just needed to read a historical. At the moment I am mixing it up, seems to be Historical, Contemporary then a LI Suspense or a cosy mystery. As I review it sometimes comes down to whats next but lately I have a huge TBR pile and often will just grab one. I have a few books I won that I want to read also so one of them will be next hopefully.
I don't really have a plan..although Ive started a list of the books I'm going to read in what order. I already have veered off the the list, so really it's whatever catches my fancy. It is time for me to jump back into contemporary fiction though!
Sometimes I need a change of pace, so pick up whatever suits my fancy. Other times, I have to read what's next on my reviewing schedule, and that can be good (if it's unexpectedly great) or bad.
Right now, I've just read a couple of serious secrets and forgiveness novels, so I've downloaded a couple of Barbour romantic novella collections to read before I tackle anything else with more difficult themes.
And what should you read next? Hmmm… I'd go with Save the Date, but that's only because I've already read Back to Resolution.
Sometimes Jenny I have some books that I need to read for reviewing. Other books I should be reading for research. But otherwise my TBR pile just keeps growing! lol
I have a list too, I just keep changing the order in which I'm supposed to read them!
SO excited to be joining the conversation today! I am a little bit of a stickler when it comes to my reading. I have four kiddos ages 7, 5, 2 & 2 and when I get a little time to read I want to read my favorite genre, which is Christian Historical Fiction – so I don't deviate much from that genre. Once in a while, I will have a friend highly recommend something other than Historical Fiction and I'll read it so that we have something to discuss (I love discussing books!) – but generally I stick with my favorite!