Saturday, November 8, 2008

Faith 'n Fiction Saturday - First Book

My friend Amy is the host for Faith 'n Fiction Saturday. If you're interested, check it out here. Today's question is:

We all come to faith in Jesus at different times in our lives, and we all come to Christian fiction at different times, too! What's the first book in the Christian fiction genre you can remember reading? What was your impression of it? Did it make you want to read more or less?

My Answer:
I've always loved to read, but I thought that Christian fiction was rather bland and predictable, much like romance novels. The first Christian fiction book I remember reading and enjoying is Left Behind in the Left Behind series. I continued reading the entire series, even though they got pretty drawn out; I am a stubborn thing!

Next, I joined a book club at church and read Francine River's, A Voice in the Wind. It is the first in her triology. I went on to read #2, An Echo in the Darkness and #3, As Sure as the Dawn. It was such an exciting time for me.

After that, I read One Tuesday Morning, and I was HOOKED on Christian fiction. It's my favorite genre.

15 comments:

Nise' said...

Never read the Left Behind series. I have got to read the Mark of The Lion series. I don't know why I haven't as Francine is a favorite of mine.

kalea_kane said...

I started the Left Behind Series after I read Paul Meier's The Third Millenium: A Novel and The Fourth Millenium. The Third Millenium came out in 1993, and I think I grabbed it in about 1995, because I remember taking my son to the bookstore a lot, and the Christian section was right next to the kids section. I grabbed it and then took him to the kids section to play and browse. I loved them for everything that I didn't like Left Behind. It was two books not too many books. I would have been happy if there were even three. I really enjoyed them. You might want to keep your eyes open for them. I think you might enjoy them. Of course you have already been there and done that with Left Behind.

Christian fiction today has totally hooked me too. :)

kalea_kane said...

I started the Left Behind Series after I read Paul Meier's The Third Millenium: A Novel and The Fourth Millenium. The Third Millenium came out in 1993, and I think I grabbed it in about 1995, because I remember taking my son to the bookstore a lot, and the Christian section was right next to the kids section. I grabbed it and then took him to the kids section to play and browse. I loved them for everything that I didn't like Left Behind. It was two books not too many books. I would have been happy if there were even three. I really enjoyed them. You might want to keep your eyes open for them. I think you might enjoy them. Of course you have already been there and done that with Left Behind.

Christian fiction today has totally hooked me too. :)

kalea_kane said...

I'm sorry. I hit enter twice!

Anonymous said...

Yeah I used to be quite unimpressed with "Christian" literature years ago. Now it is a wonderful genre with lots of cross-over books. Great talented authors writing real-world stories with christian themes and messages.

Marvin blogs at Free Spirit: http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/
Eye Twitter 2 – http://twitter.com/Paize_Fiddler

Pam said...

I really enjoyed Francine River's books too. When I found those I was so impressed I wanted to read more.
I thought the Left Behind books were to drawn out also. The last one could have been condensed and added to the end of the 9th book.

Kara S. said...

Christian fiction has definitely blossomed over the past 10 years. Before that, even the popular authors were predictable. I started the Left Behind Series but stopped after #4 or 5 - it was taking too long for things to wrap up and for the next book to come out. :) I probably should finish the series although that would mean going back and rereading the first books.

RAnn said...

I love Francine Rivers; she was the first really good Christian author I read. Since being with FWC I've found a few more including Angela Hunt.

Andi said...

Hi Sal,

I've read the Left Behind series, although I ended up listening to them at work b/c I could. ;-)
I have Francine River's trilogy but haven't started it, and absolutely love Karen Kingsbury.

Great answer!
Andie

Wyn said...

I haven't read the Left Behind series must to the disgust of my minister's wife. LOL. I told her I don't like scary end-time themes. Love your site.

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! Even though I liked the Left Behind Series, I felt by the end they were drawing it out a little too much as well.

Someone mentioned (above) The Mark of the Lion series...I've heard of that but don't think I've read it. I've been told it's good, so I may have to pick them up sometime.

Sunny said...

I havent read the Left Behind series but I remember when it was all the rage. Francine Rivers is a great one to start with. (I just got Redeeming Love but havent had a chance to read it yet. It's been recommended more than once! Must be really good!!)

Donna said...

I haven't read all of the Left Behind series but I have read A Voice in the wind. It is a wonderful novel. Thanks for stopping by at Write by Faith.

Wendi said...

Oh - I've had so many people (even at work!) who recommended the Left Behind series! It is one I've wanted to check out and just haven't picked up!

:) Wendi

Anonymous said...

I read C.S. Lewis's fiction and some others, but when I read Francine Rivers's ATONEMENT CHILD and then REDEEMING LOVE, I was hooked.