Reader's Corner: Religious Fiction
Looking for a good book to read but don't know where to start? This guide covers popular, award-winning, and just plain great nonfiction and fiction genres and books.
Staff Picks
The Orchard by
"She realized there was peace right here in the midst of this heavenly sort of place, despite the unpredictable storm churning around her family."For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?
Call Number: FICTION LEWIS BPublication Date: 2022-09-06
The Lady's Mine by
A delightful new western romance from the New York Timesbestselling author of Redeeming LoveNew York Timesbestselling author Francine Rivers returns to the California frontier in this sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.1875.When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never knew: a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle's newspaper--and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada's most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say--and publish--whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she's right.Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh's same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead--and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada's problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias's restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it's a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.
Call Number: FICTION RIVERS FRANCINEPublication Date: 2022-02-08
The Baxters: Prequel by
This warmhearted and moving prequel to the "heart-tugging and emotional" (RT Book Reviews) #1 New York Times bestselling Baxter Family Series follows the family members as they face rising tensions during a wedding and a colossal storm. A terrible storm builds in the early morning sky over Bloomington, Indiana, as Elizabeth Baxter prepares to celebrate her daughter Kari's wedding to Tim Jacobs. It's supposed to be the happiest of days, but Elizabeth can't shake a growing sense of dread. Is the storm a sign? Something bad is about to happen. Elizabeth knows it. Indeed, there are dark currents of conflict and doubt coursing through the Baxter family. In the midst of them, Kari Baxter is starting to panic. Is marrying Tim a mistake? And what about her family? Her brother Luke is angry and resentful of their sister Ashley, who has recently returned from Paris, a single mom with a son she too often leaves with their parents. At the same time, Ashley and their sister Brooke have lost the faith that is the family's glue. Against all this, Kari sees Ashley rejecting her longtime love, Landon Blake, who clearly cares for her, no matter what happened in Paris. When the storm reaches a terrifying crescendo, a shocking moment of danger brings important truths to light. At the end of the long day, can the Baxters remain a family, tested but stronger? From an author who "writes with seemingly effortless poetic elegance" (Booklist), The Baxters is an unforgettable testament to the power of love, family, and faith.
Call Number: FICTION KINGSBUR KPublication Date: 2022-04-26
Foundation of Love by
Get swept away in the first installment of Amy Clipston's Amish Legacy series. They were "only friends" . . . but they wanted so much more. Crystal Glick is grateful to live with her brother's family since her father died and her fiancé, Owen, broke their engagement. Crystal loves her bruderskinner and cheerfully helps her sister-in-law through a difficult pregnancy with babies number seven and eight, but she yearns for a husband and children of her own. Duane Bontrager is mourning the recent death of his wife, Connie, after twenty-four years of marriage. He and his grown sons have a thriving roofing business but can't get used to life without her. As the young men prepare to launch out on their own, Duane can't imagine life alone--nor with anyone but Connie. When a roofing job at the Glicks introduces Duane and Crystal, they're attracted in spite of their fourteen-year age difference. But their bishop thinks Duane is better suited for the sweet widow Tricia, and Duane's sons object to his interest in any woman. Crystal's family fears losing her indispensable help. If she must go, they'd rather she be reunited with Owen in spite of his betrayal. They're the only two who believe they're a match made in heaven, can Duane and Crystal overcome the obstacles to love "Amy Clipston has once again penned a sweet romance that will have her readers rooting for a heroine who deserves her own happily-ever-after." --Kelly Irvin, bestselling author Sweet, inspirational Amish romance Full-length novel (85,000 words) First book in Amy Clipston's Amish Legacy series Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Call Number: FICTION CLIPSTON APublication Date: 2022-02-01
Until Leaves Fall in Paris by
"With meticulous historical research and an eye for both mystery and romance, Sundin rises to the top of World War II fiction in this latest novel."--Library Journal starred review *** As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books. Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission. Master of WWII-era fiction Sarah Sundin invites you onto the streets of occupied Paris to discover whether love or duty will prevail. *** "This potent synthesis of history, love, and faith will delight romance readers."--Publishers Weekly "A compelling exploration of the seemingly simple good things that end up requiring great sacrifice and having far-reaching impacts."--Booklist starred review
Call Number: FICTION SUNDIN SPublication Date: 2022-02-01
The First Christmas by
"I love The First Christmas. What a charming way Stephen Mitchell has found to tell my favorite story of all, the Nativity, character by character (I love the donkey and the ox), with wise and thrilling interludes about God, reality, truth." -Anne Lamott In The First Christmas, Stephen Mitchell brings the Nativity story to vivid life as never before. A narrative that is only sketched out in two Gospels becomes fully realized here with nuanced characters and a setting that reflects the culture of the time. Mitchell has suffused the birth of Jesus with a sense of beauty that will delight and astonish readers. In this version, we see the world through the eyes of a Whitmanesque ox and a visionary donkey, starry-eyed shepherds and Zen-like wise men, each of them providing a unique perspective on a scene that is, in Western culture, the central symbol for good tidings of great joy. Rather than superimposing later Christian concepts onto the Annunciation and Nativity scenes, he imagines Mary and Joseph experiencing the angelic message as a young Jewish woman and man living in the year 4 bce might have experienced it, with terror, dismay, and ultimate acceptance. In this context, their yes becomes an act of great moral courage. Readers of every background will be enchanted by this startlingly beautiful reimagining of the Christmas tale.
Call Number: FICTION MITCHELL STEPHENPublication Date: 2021-11-09
Religious Fiction
Religious Fiction has many subgenres and similar genre titles. Overall, novels that range from having a strong religious element to those that have a slight religious overtone can be considered Religious Fiction, whatever that religion may be. Inspirational Fiction is another term that can be used for Religious Fiction. The biggest subgenre from Religious Fiction or Inspirational Fiction is "Christian Fiction." Christian fiction can include stories in the mystery, thriller, or romance genres, as well as general fiction. Inspirational Romance/Christian Romance is a fairly large subgenre on it's own and usually involves a romance between two characters who have strong faiths. From this romance subgenre, one can find Amish, or Historical Inspirational, and so on and so forth. Religious fiction is a much broader genre than one may initially think.
Religious Fiction Booklists in the BPL Online Catalog
- Popular Religious FictionReligious Fiction encompasses various sub-genres including "inspirational" and "Christian." If you are interested in books within this genre, take a look at this list.
- A Touch of Faith: Christian RomancesDo you like your romance novels to have characters with, or working towards having, strong faiths? The novels on this list are romances in the Christian/Inspirational Romance genre, and should fall into that category.
- Amish RomancesCheck out this list to read some novels from one of the biggest sub-genres of Christian Romance.
Book Review Blogs & Websites
- ACFW FIction FinderFrom the American Christian Fiction Writers, a searchable database of Christian Fiction books.
- Christian Fiction Review GuruUnlike the blog above, which focuses on the subgenre of romance, this blog covers a wider variety of Christian fiction books.
- PW ReligionFor reviews of fiction and nonfiction christian titles, author interviews, and industry news check out this Publishers Weekly site.