Category: Bookish Question

What's your view about swearing in fiction?

Bookish Question # 213 | What’s your view about swearing in fiction?

I don’t swear and nor do most of the people I know (including the non Christians I work with).

As such, I always find swearing a little jarring when I hear or read it.

However, I do know that some people swear (and some people swear a lot). Most movies I watch have some swearing—they have to, or else they end up with a G rating. TV shows often have swearing as well, although it tends to be fairly low-key and is always consistent with the type of TV show (e.g. I do expect more swearing in an adult crime drama series than in a family comedy show).

I suppose you could say my view depends on the genre.

Likewise, my view of swearing in fiction depends on the genre. If I’m reading a general market thriller or suspense novel, then I expect to see some swearing and I’m not surprised by it. Sure, I  might not like it and I often feel there is too much, but that’s my personal taste.

For example, The Martian by Andy Weir had a lot of swearing. But Mark Watney had just discovered he was alone on an inhospitable planet (Mars) with no way to get home. I can understand the sentiment, and his language did fit his predicament.

If, however, a character is in a less precarious situation, then they probably don’t have to swear. As such, I’m not a fan of swearing in romance (especially not in historical romance) or rom-com. Adding the f-word to a sentence doesn’t make the sentence funny, no matter what some “comedians” might think. There are always alternatives.

 On this basis, I don’t want to see any swearing in Christian fiction.

It’s not funny. It’s not clever. It’s not strong writing. There is always a way to get the sentiment across without using the words. So I prefer for authors to be original and not use the swear words.

I’m also not a fan of derivatives of swear words e.g bloody (a shortened for of By Our Lady, referring to Mary, Mother of Jesus), or Geez (a shortened and misspelled version of Jesus). The other word I don’t like (and which I have seen in a couple of Christian novels recently) is spitless. It’s a made-up substitute for another word (no, spitless isn’t in the dictionary). I actually don’t mind made-up words … in general market material (e.g. characters in Battlestar Galactica used “frack”).

What I don’t mind is silly words used in place of swear words.

For example, NZ Twitter has taken to calling people they don’t like (often politicians or media “personalities”) casseroles (with apologies to all those tasty casseroles out there). Those politicians or personalities who are especially dim are absolute casseroles. One politician was recently awarded the title of full casserole. British English has muppets and numpties.

So that’s my preferred approach: no overt swearing, but using nonsense words where necessary.

What’s your view on swearing in fiction?

What's your favourite book with a one-word title?

Bookish Question #212 | What’s your favourite book with a one-word title?

I tidied my physical bookshelf yesterday, which means I’m able to answer this question 🙂

Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann

It has an amnesia plot (a favourite), a suspense element (another favourite), and it’s set in Hawai’i (my favourite US state). What’s not to like?

Here’s the book description:

When a young woman stumbles out of the Hanalei Mountains on the island of Kauai with no memory of who she is or how she got there, Cameron Pierce reluctantly agrees to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her arrival. As pieces begin to fall into place, he suspects her injuries were no accident, but he’s far from convinced she’s an innocent victim. And there’s that nagging feeling he’s seen her somewhere before …

Now known as Jade, the woman begins to recall fragments of what led her to this place, and she realizes the danger isn’t over. Jade and the cynical Hawaiian investigator attempt to reconstruct the threads of her identity, but the stakes are far higher than either expected.

Kristen Heitzmann has a lot of novels with one-word titles, and they’re all good but Freefall is my favourite.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2022?

Bookish Question #211 | What books are you looking forward to reading in 2022?

My TBR list has a lot of books that I want to read, and which I am slowly (very slowly) making my way through.

The speed at which I crawl through the to-read pile may or may not have anything to do with the speed at which I also purchase new books. As I have recently heard, buying books and reading books are two separate hobbies.

If I tell you some of the books I especially want to read from my to-read pile, maybe I’ll actually read them! Here goes …

  • Desert Willow by Patricia Beal, because I enjoyed A time to Dance, so really should read this.
  • Why I Still Believe by Mary Jo Sharp, because so many people leave the faith as adult,s and I’d like to understand that better …. which includes understanding why people stay.
  • Over the Waters by Deborah Raney, because it was recommended to me.
  • The Holy Bible (English Standard Version), because I try and read a different version each year and the ESV is new to me.
  • The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble, a one-year chronological reading plan based on the ESV (and which has a Bible app plan and a daily podcast, so I can chose to read or listen each day).
  • Daring Greatly by Brenee Brown, because she’s an author who has been recommended to me by both Christians and nonChristians, so she seems to have bridged the Christian/general market divide.
  • Forgiven by Carol Ashby, another book/author that’s been recommended to me.
  • A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams, which I keep meaning to read yet somehow haven’t.
  • Canyon War by Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer, because it’s got a great opening line, and features a nineteenth-century female doctor.
  • Operation Romance Books 1-4 by Elizabeth Maddrey. I’ve actually just read the first two and discovered the box set while researching this post … so please excuse me while I read #3 and #4.

I will also be reading the next releases from some of my favourite contemporary and historical romance authors, including:

  • Carolyn Miller
  • Becky Wade
  • Tari Faris
  • Meredith Resce (her Luella Linley series is brilliant)
  • Elizabeth Camden
  • Elizabeth Musser
  • Christine Dillon
  • Carla Laureano
  • Lynn Austin
  • Janet W Ferguson
  • Susan Meissner
  • Courtney Walsh
  • Mila Holt

And, of course, all the books from debut and new-to-me authors I’ve yet to find out about.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2022?

What do you recommend I add to my to-read pile?

Have you set a reading goal for 2022?

Bookish Question #210 | Have you set a reading goal for 2022?

Have you set a reading goal for 2022? If so, what is it?

At the risk of being exceedingly boring and routine, I’m going to go for exactly the same target as last year, and the year before: 150 books.

However, I will be a little more creative and intentional about the kinds of books I want to read:

  • Books from authors I’ve read and enjoyed before, and debut or new-to-me authors.
  • A mix of new books and books I’ve had on my to-read pile for too long.
  • A mix of books from US authors (who comprise the majority of the Christian fiction market) and international authors.
  • More books from Black authors, indigenous authors, and authors of colour (aka BIPOC authors).
  • A healthy combination of fiction and nonfiction books.

So here’s my list:

  • Read at least 150 books
  • Read 48+ books from my to-read pile
  • Read 40 books from debut or new-to-me authors
  • Read 40 books from international authors
  • Read 12+ books from BIPOC authors
  • Read 24+ nonfiction books

I’ve reduced the number of debut or new-to-me authors because I’ve read so many debut and new-to-me authors over the last ten years (since I joined Goodreads and started participating in their annual challenges) that it’s getting harder to find new authors, even though the number of authors increases each year.

So those are my reading goals for 2022.

Have you set a reading goal? If so, what is it?

(Or do you also have more than one?)

How many books have you read this year?

Bookish Question #209 | How many books have you read this year?

Do you set reading goals? How many books have you read this year?

I’m writing this post in mid-December, just as I start my Christmas holiday. At the time of writing, I’ve read 151 books out of my 2021 target of 150. I’ve just had a week of holiday, which helps. Summer holidays are a great time for reading.

I had some other reading goals for 2021:

  • I wanted to read 48 books from my to-read mountain. I have achieved that (and with two weeks to spare). Unfortunately, I’ve bought another 42 books that I haven’t yet read (as well as a bunch I have read), so the net change is a (not) massive six books less. It looks like I’ll need to sign up for the Mt TBR challenge again in 2022.
  • I wanted to read 12 writing books. I completely forgot about this goal, so was surprised to find I’ve read 16 books about writing or related topics (e.g. book marketing, time management). That’s more than I thought.
  • I didn’t make a specific goal about reading books from debut or new-to-me authors, but I did track them. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I have read more books in this category than I’d expected. According to Goodreads, I’m up to 31.
  • I also didn’t make a specific goal about reading books by indie authors (i.e. books that have been independently published by the author, rather than being published by a traditional publisher). I probably haven’t tracked this as well as I should have either, but Goodreads tells me I’ve read 56 indie books this year. I’m happy with that, because I’d subconsciously targetted 50.

And that’s all 🙂

What about you?

How many books have you read this year? What do you recommend I check out?

Do you have a Top 10 List of Christian reads for 2021?

Bookish Question #208 | Do you have a Top Ten List of Christian reads for 2021?

Do you have a Top Five (or Top Ten) List of Christian reads for 2021?

I didn’t, but I’ve put one together 🙂

I track my reading on Goodreads. As I was scanning the books I read during 2021, I noticed a disturbing number where I couldn’t remember anything about them. Most of them were books I hadn’t reviewed, so maybe the act of writing a review helps me remember.

Given the number of books I can barely remember (or remember for the wrong reasons), this list was both difficult and easy to compile. Difficult, because I couldn’t remember so many books (too many).

But easy, because any book I can’t remember surely didn’t impact me enough to make a Top Ten list.

Here, in no particular order, are the best Christian novels I read in 2021:

(Click the titles to see my review.)

1. When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

A fascinating look at Germany in the period before World War II, when international opinion was still divided on whether Hitler’s regime was good or evil.

2. Is it Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh

A strong story of love and forgiveness.

3. Healing Skye by Janet L Ferguson

A fabulous novel of faith and healing.

4. Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy

Recommended both for the excellent Christian message, and for the fascinating setting—Victorian India.

5. Organized Backup by Meredith Resce

The only one on this list I haven’t reviewed, this is a strong rom-com with some serious elements from one of my favourite Australian authors.

6. Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

This contemporary romance had a unique premise, and the writing was brilliant. I often find rom-coms a bit cringe-inducing, but had no such problems with Meri and Kai.

7. Provenance by Carla Laureano

A one-word title that links the main character’s internal and external character journeys.

8. Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin never disappoints, and Chasing Shadows was a winner because of the unique setting and premise – the German invasion of the neutral Netherlands in World War II.

9. The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden

The antics of the Poison Squad, and the importance of proper research trials and food safety regulations.

10. Let it Be Me by Becky Wade

The ooops moment when you find out your parents aren’t actually your parents … and it’s not that they lied to you. It’s that they were given the wrong baby in hospital.

So those are my Top Ten Christian fiction reads for 2021.

What books do you recommend?

Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

Bookish Question #207 | Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

I usually try to read as many debut authors as I can each year, so I can recommend great new authors to my friends and blog readers, and so I can see and understand the market trends.

I don’t know if it’s me or if I haven’t been looking, but I haven’t seen as many debut authors coming from major Christian publishers this year. Where I have seen them publishing books from new authors, they are authors who have already published independently, such as Courtney Walks or the amazing Toni Shiloh. I”m looking forward to reading her Bethany House debut next year, as I love her independently published contemporary Christian romances.

But I have still managed to read some new-to-me authors, even if I’m not reading them as debut authors.

(In some cases, I’m reading them after they’ve been publishing for years).

Twins for the Cowboy by Linda Goodnight is a fun cowboy romance that’s probably more clean than Christian (while both main characters are Christians, neither make a big deal about it and thebooko isn’t at all preachy).

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee is a thought-provoking story of a white woman interviewing ex-slaves in the 1930s.

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong is an excellent contemporary Christian romance with a healthy dose of funny. Click here to read my review.

A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner is a powerful family drama. Click here to read my review.

The Billionaire’s Secret by Meghann Whistler was a debut novel in a genre I don’t usually read – billionaire romance. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman is an oustanding novel about a mother’s struggle with grief after the death of her son.

Other new-to-me authors I read this year include:

  • Kathleen Neely
  • Ashtyn Newbold
  • Valerie Howard
  • Wendy Rich Stetson
  • Melissa Crosby
  • Mimi Matthews
  • Tara K Ross
  • Heidi Kimball
  • Ava Mills
  • Rae Walsh
  • Shaenae Johnson
  • Jamie Dearen
  • Dora Hiers
  • Vivi Holt
  • Bree Livingston
  • Janine Rosche

That’s the fiction authors – I won’t list the nonfiction authors (which is probably another five … being the authors of the five nonfiction book I read this year).

It’s actually a longer list that I’d thought, but most of them are books I downloaded free or bought on a Kindle 99 cent deal. Most of them were perfectly good novels, but few were exceptional enough to kick an existing must-read author off my to-read list. (I have hundreds of unread books. I need to read some of them before adding more books to the list).

What about you? Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

Which will you add to your read and recommend list?

Which books to you plan to gift people this Christmas?

Bookish Question #206 | Which books to you plan to gift people this Christmas?

I’ve bought my husband a trilogy of graphic novels he’s wanted for years and which have recently been re-released. But I think that’s all the books I’ll be buying for Christmas this year.

Last year, I bought books for several family members. They all said the right thing at the time, but none of them came back to me to say they’d read and enjoyed the books. That confirmed what I’ve sometimes found as a recipient of books: it’s hard to buy books for other people, even people you know well. It’s even harder if they’re a reader, because they probably buy or borrow the books they want most as soon as they’re released.

That leaves me, as a gift-giver, searching for a literary unicorn: a book they’ll buy and read and enjoy, but not one they’d have bought themselves.

Buying books for non-readers is even harder, because there is an endless list of books there not interested in, and a too-short list of books they might potentially be interested in.

As such, I think I’ll stick with book vouchers for the readers … assuming I can’t come up with a more creative idea.

What about you? Do you give people books for Christmas? What books are you planning to buy and gift this year (or will that be telling)?

Do you like reading Christmas novels?

Bookish Question #205 | Do you like reading Christmas novels?

Do you like reading Christmas novels? Or Christmas novellas?

At Christmas, yes. But not otherwise.

This could be because most Christmas stories are written with a northern hemisphere setting, which means they are set in winter. Winter is not my favourite season, so I’m unlikely to read a winter story unless it’s a Christmas story.

If it’s a Christmas story, I want to read it somewhere close to Christmas i.e. December.

Apparently, some people read Christmas stories throughout the year. I recently listened to a presentation at a writer’s conference, and someone ask the speaker if she wrote special Christmas stories. She said no – all her stories were based around Christmas, because that’s what her readers like to read. Given how many books she releases, that means she’s writing, releasing, and selling Christmas stories all year round. Maybe that’s why her books don’t resonate with me: because I like Christmas in December. The rest of the year has enough rush rush rush without the added rush of Christmas.

But now we’re past most of the rush of the year and almost up to December, I’ll be happy to kick back with a Christmas novel or novella or three. But only until Christmas 🙂

After Christmas, I’ll want summer reads because it’s summer here in New Zealand. I’ll want light and fun, not a cold, dark Christmas.

How about you? Do you like reading Christmas novels or novellas?

Do you like weddings in Christian romance?

Bookish Question #204 | Do you like weddings in Christian romance?

The whole point of a romance novel is that the two main characters end up with their “Happy Ever After” ending.

As such, many readers want and even expect the novel to end on a proposal or wedding scene.

I am not that reader.

I’m perfectly happy to read a proposal scene or a wedding scene, but only if it fits the story. As a general rule, this means I want to see the couple are emotionally and spiritually mature enough to make that decision. I don’t like proposal or wedding scenes that feel rushed, as though the characters don’t know each other well enough yet to make that kind of decision.

This is especially important in shorter books—novellas and short novels—which tend to take place over a condensed period of time. Yes, I know some people meet and marry within months or even weeks and go on to have long and successful marriages. But divorce statistics suggest these people are the minority, not the norm.

The other reason I don’t like the novel that ends with a proposal or marriage is because it often feels contrived. It feels as though the author has decided the book must end with a marriage, rather than the marriage being the logical emotional conclusion for the couple. It can feel manipulative, and I don’t like that. It feels like the characters are being forced into marriage rather than making that decision themselves.

This is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading books in a series.

While I don’t want the couple who first met on page one to be married by page three hundred, I do enjoy a good wedding. the right place for that wedding might be in the second or third book in the series.

A wedding at the beginning of book two or three can be a great way to connect the two stories and introduce the new couple. A wedding in the middle of another book can be a great emotional turning point, where the hero and heroine realise they want to be together.

What about you? Do you like weddings in a Christian romance?

What’s the best proposal or wedding scene you’ve read?