If you’re looking for the most original idea ever expressed on a Christian Publishing blog, this isn’t it. But this thought is worth repeating at this time of year, and that is, consider giving the gift of Christian fiction as you shop for your Christmas gifts.
Why?
- The stories are written and edited well.
- They are entertaining and uplifting.
- You can find a book for almost any interest. Romance, romantic suspense, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, women’s fiction, general fiction – it’s there. (A great search engine for the various genres can be found at fictionfinder.com)
- I love giving Christian fiction because it’s appropriate for anyone. I can give any CBA book to any person with confidence knowing the reader won’t encounter a raunchy, distasteful, or blasphemous scene. If evil happens, God’s goodness prevails. I appreciate knowing any friend or relative won’t come back to me after reading a Christian novel I gave as a gift and ask why I thought he or she would enjoy reading something questionable.
- The message in a CBA novel is one of love. If you’re close enough to someone to exchange a gift, that person will know you’re a Christian. As long as you’re giving the book with an attitude of love, and you don’t sound like a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1), the recipient can choose to read the story or give the novel to someone who’ll appreciate the book. Either way, the Kingdom wins.
Merry Christmas!
Your turn:
Are you planning to give any Christian books as presents this year?
What novels would you recommend as gifts?
What nonfiction books would you recommend?
Other than your Bible, what is your favorite Christian book you have received as a gift?
A Writers’ Advent: Week Two
I always give books at Christmas time. Most are Christian fiction, but not all are. My family is intimidated to give me books because they say I’ve got so many they don’t want to give me one I already have.
One of my favorite novels this year is Kristen Heitzmann’s Told You So. I’ve read so many good books though, it’ll be fun deciding which ones to buy again for gifts. (In case you’re wondering, I’ve still got a lot of shopping to do before Christmas.)
Merry Christmas!
Glad you can find some good ideas here, Jackie!
I give books and encourage others to do the same. I made some suggestions in a post on my blog: http://emilyakin.com/give-books-for-christmas-2015-2/. One of my favorite Christian fiction authors is Lynn Austin. Her Biblical fiction is excellent.
Emily, it’s great that you direct readers to bestseller lists as well. Thanks for posting.
Merry Christmas Tamela! You are so right…it is such an opportunity to witness and it does not have to be expensive these days with so much Christian fiction available on Kindle. I have really enjoyed Wendy Alec’s Chronicle of brothers series and Finding Hope by Brenda Coulter is a must for romance lovers. My favourite gift still has to be C S Lewis though – the narnia books never fade!!
A gift certificate isn’t a bad idea!
Thank you! As one with about 18 linear feet of Christmas-book-lined book shelves, I appreciate your thoughts. And of course, I would be ever so grateful if gift-givers would take a look at my new Christmas novel THE CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT.
I’m sure you’ll have lots of takers — and givers!
I am always giving away books! I collect them from other writer friends and use them as door prizes when I hold an event. We need to make the public more aware of the diversity of Christian fiction – so many don’t even know there is such a thing! There is a broad enough genre list to accommodate any taste. But I love Susan May Warren, James L. Rubart, Brandilyn Collins, Lynn Austin…it goes on and on!
Jan, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I love giving books or bookstore gift cards at Christmas. I agree with those who mentioned Lynn Austin’s Biblical fiction. I’d add Tracey Higley’s pre-AD 100 novels that don’t directly retell Biblical stories.
I’ve given “Dinner with a Perfect Stranger” by David Gregory. It reads like a novel where a tech-field businessman with troubles at home and ethical issues at work goes to a free dinner with “Jesus,” thinking it’s a prank being played by his two best friends. As they talk, he discovers answers he never expected. Gregory combined a riveting fictional style with profound theology that answers questions real people have asked me.
It’s not fiction, but if you’ve never read anything by Andrew Murray, I’d recommend putting one of his in your own stocking. He was a pastor who wrote in the late 1800s-early 1900s in South Africa. His writings are often quoted because of his gift for putting great depth into a few sentences. His books are easy to understand, but the thoughts are much deeper and more personally focused than C.S. Lewis. I reread him on a regular basis to refocus and deepen my faith.
The suggestions I’ve seen here are quite good. The gifts of Christian books are great.