Fiction_L Archives Secular fiction for Christian readers Dates: 5/23/02,8:57 AM  through  5/28/02,12:22 AM  (31 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to May 2002 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: [removed]@juno.com
REC'D: 5/23/02, 8:57 AM

I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, and I will compile a list.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:07 AM

If they don't mind older writers, I would suggest Angela Thirkell's
Barsetshire books, Miss Read's Thrush Green and Fairacre series, and E.M.
Delafield's Provincial Lady books. They might also enjoy D.E. Stevenson.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 9:50 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers

I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, and I will compile a list.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

FROM: Viccy Kemp <[removed]@cityofcarrollton.com>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:07 AM

Okay, I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you're looking for.
Something with Christian themes? Something that is "clean" no swearing, no
sex, etc.? I think it's interesting that you consider "The Red Tent" as
secular fiction, I have it subject headed with Christian fiction.
If you're looking for cute books with no swearing and no sex, I would
include Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. They are delightful, frothy,
little meringues of books, lovely comedy of manners reading. Also "Passing
by Samaria" by Sandra Elwell Foster would be a Christian themed book to
include.
Please elucidate and maybe I could suggest some more.
HTH
Viccy Kemp
The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 8:50 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers

I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, and I will compile a list.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

FROM: Debbie Rosen <[removed]@lvdl.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:18 AM

You may want to add Queenmaker: A novel of King David's Queen by India
Edghill. It's a relatively new book but similar to the Red Tent.

Debbie Rosen
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, IL

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 8:50 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers

I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, and I will compile a list.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

FROM: Roger Carswell <[removed]@alltel.net>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:18 AM

Clyde Edgerton (Walking Across Egypt)
Philip Gulley (maybe you have this as Christian fiction)
Joan Medlicott
Miss Read
Effie Wilder
Sarah Woodhouse
Faith Baldwin
Eugenia Price
Catherine Marshall

At 06:50 AM 5/23/02 -0700, you wrote:
>
>I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
>readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
>Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
>Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
>Claudia Breland
>King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

**************************************************************
Roger Carswell
Southeast Kansas Library System/Iola Public Library
218 E. Madison
Iola, KS 66749
(620) 365-5136
[removed]@alltel.net

FROM: [removed]@juno.com
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:40 AM

I guess I'm looking for books to expand Christian readers'
horizons, which doesn't necessarily mean no sex, no swearing, etc. I'm
thinking of dividing this list by genre - Cozy would include Elizabeth
Goudge, D.E. Stevenson, Miss Read, etc.; The Testament would be
thriller/suspense; and I could have a controversial heading for The Last
Temptation of Christ and Live from Golgotha. Under science
fiction/fantasy would be Calculating God by Sawyer, and The sparrow,
among others.
It's interesting what people object to. In the church library that I
run, we have several copies of The Testament (at the pastor's request),
but I've had at least one person object to some of Francine Rivers'
novels. I don't think I'd have any problem adding The Red Tent. I've
also just ordered The Happy Room by Catherine Palmer, which presents a
not-so-happy view of growing up as missionary kids in Africa.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

On Thu, 23 May 2002 09:04:51 -0500 Viccy Kemp
<[removed]@cityofcarrollton.com> writes:
> Okay, I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you're looking for.
> Something with Christian themes? Something that is "clean" no
> swearing, no
> sex, etc.? I think it's interesting that you consider "The Red Tent"
> as
> secular fiction, I have it subject headed with Christian fiction.
> If you're looking for cute books with no swearing and no sex, I
> would
> include Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. They are delightful,
> frothy,
> little meringues of books, lovely comedy of manners reading. Also
> "Passing
> by Samaria" by Sandra Elwell Foster would be a Christian themed book
> to
> include.
> Please elucidate and maybe I could suggest some more.
> HTH
> Viccy Kemp
> The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 8:50 AM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>
>
>
> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to
> Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have
> The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will
get you
through times of no libraries."
- Anne Herbert, The Whole Earth Catalog

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:40 AM

>From: [removed]@juno.com
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 06:50:27 -0700
>
>
>I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
>readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
>Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
>Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>

Lew Wallace's "Ben-Hur" would surely qualify. And you might do a search in
your reference section (any historical-fiction biblio's you own) for tales
set in Biblical or early-Christian times.

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:40 AM

Most any "gentle reads" would probably suit, judging by the tone of
responses. I think we did a couple of threads on this subject a while back;
check the list archives, or do a dogpile search for "Gentle Reads."

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

FROM: "Marla" <[removed]@orion.mtgr.mtlib.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:51 AM

Hi. Since I'm "into" mysteries, the following are the titles I could
recommend to a Christian reader. All the main characters are of a
Christian following or Christians themselves. But the books are not
centered around that fact nor are they evangelical as most titles
with Christian Fiction as a subject/tracing. There might be some
violence, but very subdued.

Parry, Owen. American Civil War series beginning with FADED
COAT OF BLUE. (Alittle stronger on the violence than most just
because of the war setting, but the main character is very likable,
honorable and decent.)

Kaewert, Julie. "A booklover's mystery" series beginning with
UNSOLICITED.

Dams, Jeanne. Series beginning with A BODY IN THE
TRANSEPT. (In one of the books, the main character has a good
response -- not nasty or rude -- to a New Ager.)

Black, Veronica. Series beginning with A VOW OF SILENCE. A
youngish nun beginning her assignment in a convent in Cornwall.
She has temptations, trials, etc. Very realistic character (I think
anyway).

Good luck. BYE!

Marla/Great Falls Public Library/Acquisitions
301 2nd Ave N
Great Falls MT 59401-2593
[removed]@orion.mtgr.mtlib.org

*************
For reason will convince us that what is necessary to be
performed in the heat of action should constantly be
practised in the leisure of peace.
Vegetius, EPITOMA REI MILITARIS

FROM: Carrie Herrmann <[removed]@bcpl.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 10:02 AM

I would suggest Orson Scott Card's Women of Genesis Series: "Rebekah" and
"Sarah."
I would also suggest Francine Rivers Lineage of Grace Series: "Unahamed,"
"Unafraid," "Unshaken," "Unspoken," and "Unveiled."

Carrie A. Herrmann
Access Services Coordinator
Boone County Public Library
859-384-5550 (phone)
859-394-5557 (fax)
[removed]@bcpl.org

FROM: Andrew Smith <[removed]@mail.wrl.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 10:44 AM

A mix of literary and spiritual fiction that might not come up as
"Christian Fiction":

Quo Vadis - Henryk Sienkiewicz
Gospel According to Jesus Christ - Jose Saramago
The Magdelene Gospel - Mary Ellen Ashcroft
The Fourth Wise Man - Michel Tournier
The Gospel of Judas - Simon Mawer
Yeshua: The Gospel of Saint Thomas - Alan Decker McNarie
The Three Gospels - Reynolds Price
The Gospel of Joseph - Gabriel Meyer

Joseph Heller's God Knows is an earthy retelling of the David story; it
and Iain Pears' Instance of the Fingerpost have powerful and redemptive
endings, but are not gentle reads.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Andrew Smith [removed]@mail.wrl.org
Readers Services Librarian
Williamsburg Regional Library (757) 259-4050
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On Thu, 23 May 2002 [removed]@juno.com wrote:

>
> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: "Karen McGrath" <[removed]@lori.state.ri.us>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 10:55 AM

I would also highly recommend Elizabeth Goudge, especially the Eliots of
Damerosehay trilogy (Bird in the Tree, Herb of Grace/aka Pilgrim's Inn,
Heart of the Family). (I've always wanted to live in a house like
Damerosehay.)

Karen McGrath
Cranston Public Library (RI)
Auburn Branch

> Subject: RE: Secular fiction for Christian readers
> From: "Kathleen Stipek" <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
> Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 09:56:39 -0400
>
> If they don't mind older writers, I would suggest Angela Thirkell's
> Barsetshire books, Miss Read's Thrush Green and Fairacre series, and E.M.
> Delafield's Provincial Lady books. They might also enjoy D.E. Stevenson.
>
> ........................................................................
> .....................
> Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
> Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
> [removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
> 352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 9:50 AM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>
> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>

FROM: EMILY TENNERMANN WICHMAN <[removed]@students.wisc.edu>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 12:52 PM

Though it’s actually a memoir, readers of Christian fiction might enjoy
James McBride’s ÿThe Color of Water.ÿ I expect this book is typically
thought of as being about race, but it also speaks a good deal about
religion.

Emily Wichman
School of Library and Information Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison

FROM: "Phillipich, Luann" <[removed]@CO.DAKOTA.MN.US>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 1:03 PM

Orson Scott Card is doing a trilogy of novels, Women of Genesis. "Sarah"
and "Rebekah," the first two in the trilogy, have been released.

Other titles that may be of interest to Christian readers (that's a pretty
broad category!) are
"Pope Joan" by Donna Woolfolk Cross
"In the Company of Angels" by N.M. Kelby
"Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger.

Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
From: <[removed]@juno.com>
Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 06:50:27 -0700

I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
Thanks, and I will compile a list.

Claudia Breland
King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com

FROM: "Nora M. Armstrong" <[removed]@clsn1269.cumberland.lib.nc.us>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 1:14 PM

Anything by Naomi Ragen, if your readers haven't laready discovered her:
Sotah, The Ghost of Hannah Mendes, etc.

Nora Armstrong
Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center
Fayetteville, NC
(910)483-7878, FAX (910)486-6661
[removed]@cumberland.lib.nc.us

FROM: "Mary Clare VanDyke" <[removed]@sun.marmot.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 1:47 PM

Daughter of God by Lewis Perdue
Messiah Stones
pretty much any Irving Stone novel
Leon Uris' Trinity

----- Original Message -----
From: <[removed]@juno.com>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 7:50 AM
Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers

>
> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: Mona Stevenson <[removed]@wtcpl.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 2:19 PM

>Daughter of God by Lewis Perdue
>Messiah Stones
>pretty much any Irving Stone novel
>Leon Uris' Trinity

Having just finished Perdue's suspense novel, I'd recommend it with caution.
The action is precipitated by evidence of a female messiah, which is thought
provoking. The primary story, however is action/suspense with considerable
violence, including a graphic disembowelment torture scene. Readers
accustomed to general
Christian fiction would likely be disturbed and put off by this early scene
and would probably appreciate a warning.

Mona Stevenson
Assistant Director
Warren-Trumbull Co. Public Library
Warren, OH 44483

FROM: Cheryl Edwards <[removed]@mail.wrl.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 3:13 PM

What about "The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty, that book will expand
their horizons a bit. I think it would probably have to go into the
thriller," or "controversial" genres or maybe a catagory of it's own
called, "books that will scare the bejesus out of you." :)

-Cheryl (not into the "cozyies")-
Williamsburg regional library

On Thu, 23 May 2002 [removed]@juno.com wrote:

> I guess I'm looking for books to expand Christian readers'
> horizons, which doesn't necessarily mean no sex, no swearing, etc. I'm
> thinking of dividing this list by genre - Cozy would include Elizabeth
> Goudge, D.E. Stevenson, Miss Read, etc.; The Testament would be
> thriller/suspense; and I could have a controversial heading for The Last
> Temptation of Christ and Live from Golgotha. Under science
> fiction/fantasy would be Calculating God by Sawyer, and The sparrow,
> among others.
> It's interesting what people object to. In the church library that I
> run, we have several copies of The Testament (at the pastor's request),
> but I've had at least one person object to some of Francine Rivers'
> novels. I don't think I'd have any problem adding The Red Tent. I've
> also just ordered The Happy Room by Catherine Palmer, which presents a
> not-so-happy view of growing up as missionary kids in Africa.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
>
>
> On Thu, 23 May 2002 09:04:51 -0500 Viccy Kemp
> <[removed]@cityofcarrollton.com> writes:
> > Okay, I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you're looking for.
> > Something with Christian themes? Something that is "clean" no
> > swearing, no
> > sex, etc.? I think it's interesting that you consider "The Red Tent"
> > as
> > secular fiction, I have it subject headed with Christian fiction.
> > If you're looking for cute books with no swearing and no sex, I
> > would
> > include Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. They are delightful,
> > frothy,
> > little meringues of books, lovely comedy of manners reading. Also
> > "Passing
> > by Samaria" by Sandra Elwell Foster would be a Christian themed book
> > to
> > include.
> > Please elucidate and maybe I could suggest some more.
> > HTH
> > Viccy Kemp
> > The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 8:50 AM
> > To: Fiction_L
> > Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
> >
> >
> >
> > I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to
> > Christian
> > readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have
> > The
> > Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> > Thanks, and I will compile a list.
> >
> > Claudia Breland
> > King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> > [removed]@juno.com
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
>
>
>
> "Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will
> get you
> through times of no libraries."
> - Anne Herbert, The Whole Earth Catalog
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: "Amanda Barrera" <[removed]@ntrls.org>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 5:09 PM

One caveat about suggesting Lewis Perdue's Daughter of God to the Christian
fiction crowd who prefer the "cozy" or gentle read--this book is quite
violent and bloody in places. At least three characters that I recall come
to very gory ends, with one dispatched in a rather descriptive way by a
sadist operative. So recommend with caution!

Amanda Barrera
Library Consultant/Collection Development
North Texas Regional Library System
6320 Southwest Blvd., Suite 101
Fort Worth, TX 76109-3961
Phone: 817-377-4440 or 800-856-3050
Fax: 817-377-8020 or 800-856-8020

FROM: Lynn Daugherty <[removed]@netnitco.net>
REC'D: 5/23/02, 9:46 PM

Maybe this isn't secular enough, but I don't think anyone has mentioned
the following:

Gail Godwin. Father Melancholy's Daughter. Evensong
Jan Karon
Mary Doria Russell. The Sparrow. Children of God (maybe in that
controversial section of your list)

Susan Howatch.

Kate Charles. Appointed to die. (Book of Psalms mystery with some
spiritual depth.)
Jon Hassler
Jodi Picoult. Keeping Faith. Plain truth
Cynthia Thayer. A Certain Slant of Light

--
Lynn Daugherty
[removed]@netnitco.net
Jasper County Public Library, 208 W. Susan, Rensselaer, IN 47978
Library website: www.jasperco.lib.in.us

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 5/23/02, 10:27 PM

I know they're old-fashioned, but I remember Gladys Malvern's books with
great fondness. Examples: Foreigner (the story of Ruth) and Tamar.

BTW - did you only want books on religious subjects - or books that are good
secular fiction that might appeal to a Christian reader? In that case, I'd
recommend Ellswyth Thane (The Williamsburg Series), early Mary Stewart, early
Phyllis Whitney, etc. And fairly recent regencies by Rita Boucher.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
Romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/24/02, 9:15 AM

>From: [removed]@juno.com
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 07:25:32 -0700
>
>I'm
>thinking of dividing this list by genre - Cozy would include Elizabeth
>Goudge, D.E. Stevenson, Miss Read, etc.;

Don't forget Jan Karon!

>... and I could have a controversial heading for The Last
>Temptation of Christ and Live from Golgotha.

"Towing Jehovah" and "Only Begotten Daughter" by James Morrow (though
classified as sf) would fit here too.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/24/02, 9:26 AM

>From: Andrew Smith <[removed]@mail.wrl.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 11:31:57 -0400 (EDT)
>
>A mix of literary and spiritual fiction that might not come up as
>"Christian Fiction"...

Frank Yerby's "Judas, My Brother" might fit in this classification also. I
remember reading it in my 20's and thinking, "Oh, the traditional church
folks wouldn't like some of this!"

_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/24/02, 10:30 AM

>From: [removed]@aol.com
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 23:17:22 EDT
>
>I know they're old-fashioned, but I remember Gladys Malvern's books with
>great fondness. Examples: Foreigner (the story of Ruth) and Tamar.
>

Norah Lofts might work here too. Also Marjorie Holmes (author of "Two from
Galilee").

_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

FROM: "Linda Lundquist" <[removed]@prodigy.net>
REC'D: 5/24/02, 2:26 PM

I would like to strongly second the recommendation for
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. It includes
beautifully written, well-drawn characters whose faith
is the natural backdrop to their lives (as well as the
current from which miracles sometimes flow).

Also, if you can find it, I would suggest Silence, by
Shusaku Endo. This would fall in the controversial
category; it is one of the most thought-provoking
novels I have ever read. The setting is early 17th-
century Japan, at a time when Christianity has been
made illegal. A Portuguese Jesuit priest enters the
country with the intent to provide the sacraments for
those Catholics scattered through the country since
St. Xavier's missionary work there a generation
earlier, but he is soon faced with the price his flock
must pay for his faithfulness. Endo forces a
reevaluation of the Christian understanding of
betrayal and apostacy in this powerful novel.

Linda Lundquist
Bartlett Public Library
[removed]@prodigy.net

FROM: David Wright <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 5/25/02, 10:45 PM

There is a nice readers' guide - including lots
of 'secular' literature - that you might want to
include as well:
Take and Read: Spiritual Reading - An Annotated
List, by Eugene H. Peterson
135 pages; 1995 ISBN: 0-8028-4096-5
Publisher's blurb:

Spiritual reading has fallen on bad times. Today,
reading is largely a consumer activity, done for
information that may fuel ambitions or
careers—and the faster the better. Take and Read
represents Eugene H. Peterson’s attempt to
rekindle the activity of spiritual reading,
reading that considers any book that comes to
hand in a spiritual way, tuned to the Spirit,
alert to intimations of God.

Take and Read provides an annotated list of the
books that have stood the test of time and that,
for Peterson, are spiritually formative in the
Christian life. The books on this list range from
standard spiritual classics to novels, poems, and
mysteries, and include an equally broad spectrum
of authors—from Augustine and C. S. Lewis to
William Faulkner and Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Annotations following each entry offer Peterson’s
own significant insights into the power of each
work.

David Wright
Seattle Public Library
--- [removed]@juno.com wrote:
>
> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to
> recommend to Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian
> fiction to read. I have The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any
> other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the
> archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

=====
David Wright Seattle Public Library

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FROM: jejones4 <[removed]@students.uiuc.edu>
REC'D: 5/26/02, 6:00 PM

The Poisonwood Bible, an Oprah bookclub selection might also be an interesting
choice for your patrons, since it is about a missionary family in Africa,
although a very dark and at times depressing book. More info about it can be
found at the oprah website.

Jessica Moyer
Librarian
Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security
University of Illinois

>===== Original Message From [removed]@juno.com =====
> I guess I'm looking for books to expand Christian readers'
>horizons, which doesn't necessarily mean no sex, no swearing, etc. I'm
>thinking of dividing this list by genre - Cozy would include Elizabeth
>Goudge, D.E. Stevenson, Miss Read, etc.; The Testament would be
>thriller/suspense; and I could have a controversial heading for The Last
>Temptation of Christ and Live from Golgotha. Under science
>fiction/fantasy would be Calculating God by Sawyer, and The sparrow,
>among others.
> It's interesting what people object to. In the church library that I
>run, we have several copies of The Testament (at the pastor's request),
>but I've had at least one person object to some of Francine Rivers'
>novels. I don't think I'd have any problem adding The Red Tent. I've
>also just ordered The Happy Room by Catherine Palmer, which presents a
>not-so-happy view of growing up as missionary kids in Africa.
>
>Claudia Breland
>King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
[removed]@juno.com
>
>
>
>On Thu, 23 May 2002 09:04:51 -0500 Viccy Kemp
><[removed]@cityofcarrollton.com> writes:
>> Okay, I'd be interested in knowing exactly what you're looking for.
>> Something with Christian themes? Something that is "clean" no
>> swearing, no
>> sex, etc.? I think it's interesting that you consider "The Red Tent"
>> as
>> secular fiction, I have it subject headed with Christian fiction.
>> If you're looking for cute books with no swearing and no sex, I
>> would
>> include Georgette Heyer's Regency romances. They are delightful,
>> frothy,
>> little meringues of books, lovely comedy of manners reading. Also
>> "Passing
>> by Samaria" by Sandra Elwell Foster would be a Christian themed book
>> to
>> include.
>> Please elucidate and maybe I could suggest some more.
>> HTH
>> Viccy Kemp
>> The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [removed]@juno.com [[removed]@juno.com]
>> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 8:50 AM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Secular fiction for Christian readers
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to
>> Christian
>> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have
>> The
>> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
>> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>>
>> Claudia Breland
>> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
>> [removed]@juno.com
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>>
>
>
>
>"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will
>get you
>through times of no libraries."
> - Anne Herbert, The Whole Earth Catalog
>
>.....................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Lynda Whitton-Henley <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 5/26/02, 6:43 PM

The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall

Lynda Whitton-Henley
CC, TX

[removed]@juno.com wrote:

> I'm making up a booklist of secular fiction to recommend to Christian
> readers when they've run out of Christian fiction to read. I have The
> Testament, The Red Tent, and Lying Awake. Any other suggestions?
> Thanks, and I will compile a list.
>
> Claudia Breland
> King County Library System, Issaquah, WA
> [removed]@juno.com
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 5/27/02, 8:02 AM

Might C. S. Forester's "The African Queen" fit here? It *is* the story of a
missionary and a rough reprobate-type who endure hardships and fall in love.

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

FROM: Vicki Nesting <[removed]@bellsouth.net>
REC'D: 5/27/02, 10:04 PM

I don't believe anyone has suggested Our Lady of the Lost and Found by
Diane Schoemperlin (sp?).


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vicki Nesting, Regional Branch Librarian
St. Charles Parish
East Regional Library
Destrehan, Louisiana
[removed]@stcharles.lib.la.us
[removed]@bellsouth.net

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FROM: Bradley A Scott <[removed]@juno.com>
REC'D: 5/28/02, 12:22 AM

A couple of suggestions for this list, one that I've recommended before,
and one that I haven't. They're Christians, and it shows in their books,
but you're not likely to find them on evangelical bookstores' shelves:

Walker Percy. The religious underpinnings of his philosophy are more
apparent in his later novels "The Last Gentleman", "Lancelot", "The
Thanatos Syndrome", etc.) than in his first published novel, "The
Moviegoer".

Will D. Campbell. "Brother to a Dragonfly", his memoir of growing up
poor in Alabama, becoming a preacher, and becoming involved in the civil
rights movement, was nominated for a National Book Award. "The
Convention" is a sadly funny fictionalization of the politicking that
goes on in a certain large Baptist convention. His other novels are
worth looking at, too.

Percy and Campbell might actually be "Christian writers for secular
readers", rather than the other way round, but they might fit on your
list anyway.

* * * * *

I haven't read the following two, but I saw them reviewed recently in
trade journals, and they sounded interesting. Anybody who has read them
is welcome to comment further, and say whether they live up to the
reviews.

"Arena", by Karen Hancock, might be an interesting SF choice, unless you
consider it to be non-secular Christian Fiction on the basis of its
publisher, Bethany House. Excerpted from PW's review: "There are
disappointingly few good SF novels for the Christian market, and
Hancock's intense debut is an excellent though edgy contribution to the
genre. Callie Hayes is a frustrated artist with a colorless life; she
earns minimum wage raising rats for laboratory use. When she volunteers
for a seemingly harmless psychology experiment, she's unexpectedly thrown
into a frightening and alien world. The narrative is a loose allegory of
the Christian life...."

"The God File", by Frank Hollon, is about a prison convict who keeps a
file of articles and events in an effort to prove or disprove God's
existence. Excerpted from LJ's review: "Not for the faint of heart,
this is an outstanding example of the continuing exploration of gritty
reality in spiritual fiction. For progressive collections. "

* * * * *

And then of course there are the explicitly Christian writers like C.S.
Lewis who to some degree escaped what Ms. LeGuin might call the
Christian-Fiction Ghetto, and whose books, despite their overwhelmingly
Christian import, are frequently shelved with the "real books". Any
reader of Christian Fiction who has missed out on Lewis's "Screwtape
Letters" or "Till We Have Faces" doesn't know what he/she is missing.

Bradley A. Scott

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