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Topic: Reading Slump

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endoux avatar
Subject: Reading Slump
Date Posted: 3/11/2008 6:56 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
Posts: 6,143
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I haven't been able to get into any books for awhile.  I need something that is just so good, there's no way it won't drag me in and keep me reading all night.  Things like Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series, or Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. 

Anyone have any great suggestions for me? 

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/11/2008 7:51 PM ET
Member Since: 7/26/2005
Posts: 137
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I hear you...I understand slumps!

I am going to look through my journal and see the books I gave an A rating to:

Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn

Confessions of a Good Christian Girl by Tammy Maltby (non-fiction)

Chasing Fireflies, When Crickets Cry--pretty much anything by Charles Martin

In Search of Eden by Linda NIchols

Straight Up by Lisa Samson

The Secret LIfe of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck

Body Piercing Saved My Life by Andrew Beaujon (non-fiction)

All of the Yada Yada Prayer group books...they just really touch me

Lots of books by Angela Hunt

 

Melissa

patmat avatar
Date Posted: 3/11/2008 7:59 PM ET
Member Since: 12/8/2007
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Summer of Light or Bad Ground  by W. Dale Cramer

Even Now and Ever After by Karen Kingsbury

 

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 3/11/2008 8:04 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
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Thanks, Melissa and Pat!  I'll look those up and see if my library has them.

ShaylaB avatar
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Date Posted: 3/11/2008 8:33 PM ET
Member Since: 6/28/2007
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Brenda,

I am glad you started this thread....I was just telling a friend of mine the other day it has been a while since I have read a book that MAKES me want to read it every night!   It seems to have been a while since I picked up something GREAT! 

 

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 8:19 AM ET
Member Since: 11/16/2006
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I second anything by Charles Martin! I just finished a book by Creston Mapes called "Nobody" that was good. 

Say, I've been hearing about a book called "The Shack" by William P. Young.... has anyone here read it, and if so, what did you think?  I haven't, but was interested to see a wide variety of reviews (both good and bad) on CBD.

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 3/12/2008 2:00 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
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Tara, I have read The Shack.  My pastor's wife raved about it for so long that I couldn't not read it.  She reads a lot and said it was easily in her top 10 of books that she's ever read.  I think she hyped it up so much that I was expecting more, and was a little disappointed, although I still thought it was very good.  My biggest problem was trying to read it at the DMV while I was waiting, which doesn't make for very good reading on any kind of book.

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 3:47 PM ET
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Brenda, since you know of Francine River's other books, I'm assuming you've read Redeeming Love?  If not that is one that is a keeper!  :)

I second some of the books mentioned above....

Let's see:  Anything by Kristin Heitzmann, anything by Lynn Austin, and Linda Nichols.  Fabulous writers, all of them.  :)

jessielynn avatar
Date Posted: 3/12/2008 3:59 PM ET
Member Since: 9/6/2006
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I was going to recommend The Shack, I just read that.

 

Honestly...I love Melody Carlson's teen series and something light and fun might get you out of the slump!

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 3/12/2008 4:26 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
Posts: 6,143
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Yep, I've read Redeeming Love.  I do have a few others by Francine Rivers on my TBR pile, so maybe I should get to those. 

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 6:58 PM ET
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Kathy Herman's Day of Reckoning, Book 2 in the Baxter Series is very touching and made a pretty good impression on me.  She has a little trouble beginning books, I think.  The first book in the series was poorly written at the beginning, but turned out to have a good story.  You wouldn't have to read them in order, if you are able to get Day of Reckoning first.  Another book I just finished reading that was far better than I was expecting is Never Again Good-bye by Terri Blackstock.  Although she is one of my favorite authors, this was an earlier book that she re-wrote for the Christian market, so I wasn't expecting much.  It was a really good Christian romance--very heart-warming.  A light-hearted book I recently read and enjoyed was What the Cat Dragged In by Gilbert Morris.  Have you read The Blue Bottle Club by Penelope Stokes?  That was a good book.

Others:  Israel, My Beloved by Kay Arthur

Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock

The Last Dance But Not the Last Song by Renee Bondi--true story of a Christian quadriplegic.

The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/12/2008 8:06 PM ET
Member Since: 7/26/2005
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I recently read The Shack too. I liked it a lot, but it's not an easy to read/digest book. I think it needs a person to have time to reflect.

It's causing a huge controversy at my church and I'm not exactly sure why. It's not the Bible, and it's not theology. I hope people don't take it as such. It's a fiction book!

Melissa

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 8:11 PM ET
Member Since: 1/9/2007
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I go through reading slumps too so I know how you feel.

The book that made the biggest impression on me last year was The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang.  I highly recommend this book to everyone.  Actually, every book by Maureen Lang that I've read so far has been very good.

Right now, I am reading The Chase by Susan Wales and Robin Shope.  I'm about half way through and it's pretty good so far.

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 8:15 PM ET
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The Shack looks interesting.  I just added it to my wish list.  :o)

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Date Posted: 3/12/2008 10:37 PM ET
Member Since: 8/26/2007
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Erica mentioned The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang and I just read the follow-up to that On Sparrow Hill and it was really good too.

 

I have to say a series that I could not put down was Sharon Hinck's The Restorer, The Restorer's Son and The Restorer's Journey.  They are fantastic and would be my first and highest recommendations!  I have some posts on my blog about them. 

 

One of my new favorites is Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck - fantastic book!  I have an interview and book giveaway going up on my blog tomorrow so check that out and maybe you can win that one for free :-)

 

Anything by Penelope Stokes is fantastic too - The Blue Bottle Club; The Amber Photograph; The Amethyst Heart; The Wishing Jar; The Memory Book - all of those are in my keep pile too!

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 3/18/2008 9:28 PM ET
Member Since: 7/11/2007
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I can't say that I've really ever been in a slump.  In nearly always have a book going.  Granted, some are easier to read than others, and sometimes reading seems less like a priority.  But, I am always reading.

As of today, I am starting my 11th book since Christmas.  Not bad for less than 3 months.

What have I been reading?  Some Charles Martin, James Scott Bell, the final book in the Harry Potter series, T.L. Hines, and a slewfull of others.

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Date Posted: 3/27/2008 10:10 AM ET
Member Since: 11/11/2007
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I would have to agree with some of the others about Terri Blackstock's books.  Covenant Child is my all-time favorite of hers.  I've also just finished a series by her that she co-wrote with Beverly LaHaye called Seasons (each book has Seasons in the title).  It's basically women's fiction, and it follows the lives of these four women that live in a cul-de-sac in East TN.  I flew through all four of these books!!!  They somewhat reminded me of the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley (which are also great).

bibliocrazed avatar
Date Posted: 4/9/2008 8:31 PM ET
Member Since: 4/9/2008
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I just read Amber Morn by Brandilyn Collins. Really anything from her is a good read. I'm reading Act II by Kimberly Stuart and I'm already halfway through it and I just cracked the spine.

Come visit my blog where I give away lots of books!

 



Last Edited on: 4/9/08 8:34 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
bluephrog avatar
Subject: I enjoyed Seasons series
Date Posted: 4/11/2008 7:03 PM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2008
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I have only read Seasons and the first 2 of Last Light series by Terri Blackstock but so far I really like her stuff!!!!

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 5/19/2008 1:19 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
Posts: 6,143
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Bumping this up for Angela.  Maybe you'll find some suggestions here.  :)