This morning, I read a post suggesting that one of the ways you can read is by theme. That is, choose not just a genre or category, but a theme you like, such as stories about Christianity in the 1800 America. (I just pulled that idea out of a hat.) Or adventures at sea. Pick two or three stories, read and compare them. What a great idea.

It was inspiring and the author invited a response. Here is what I wrote.

“By comparison, I see I’m far from a prolific reader. Neither have I kept a list of the books I’ve read. You’ve opened my world. With what God yet allows me, I shall carve out more time for reading. To date, I mostly read by author, or in my favorite Categories.

Well written books that reference God with candor and honor are distilling. This includes sharp non-cliché devotionals; currently reading My Lord and I, by Harry Tippett, 1948 out of print. Also, non fiction Biblical reference books, to help teach the Bible. More God genre: Bible character stories, even fictional that send me researching. Lynn Austin’s Wings of Refuge is an example of well written fiction, the story of archaeologists in Israel and culture of Palestine. The Girl Who Wrote in Silk, by promising first time author Kelli Estes was absent of reference of a caring, loving God in a NW town of the 18th century. Bible Topic books: as Philip Yancey’s Prayer, Does it Make a Difference? is compelling.

Other Categories: Historic Fiction, as The book Woman of Troublesome Creek-Kim M. Richardson, about pack librarians in Kentucky. Non Fiction, as Michael Morpurgo’s An Elephant in my Garden/WW II and The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck. Coming of Age stories: Jacob Have I loved by Katherine Paterson and The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman. Biographies: Eleanor by David Michaelis. Being a novice writer, I profit from reading How to Write books. Stephen King’s On Writing is wise, and I study King’s style of writing in his Misery-my one permitted read in his insatiable appetite for evil showing how God is NOT.

Authors I love, to name but four: C. S. Lewis, Madeline Le’Engle, Lynn Austin and Jane Kirkpatrick.

Is there such a thing a List of Most Enjoyed Books for Serious Readers?”

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I hope to begin a List of the books I’ve read, starting with those on my shelves saved from Book Club lists. Then walk back into time and remember others.

What’s on your Book List? What are some of your most favorite reads or favorite authors?

Finally, may I encourage you to be on the lookout for where God is in stories you read? If too often you do not see him, find stories that include Him. It is true that sometimes his inclusion is subtle such as in Les Misérables. Or the author may reference Him in how NOT to live, using Biblical pinions, or show life without him, with a clear path for changing that.

Other times, God is misrepresented or left out entirely. These are the books that may not have much worth. I screen stories and if the author is too secular with no thought of the Lord, I don’t give that author my time.

Happy Reading!

Deborah Thomas

A Western Rose, 2020

Anya of Majadon: The Battle in Shadow Forest, 2019

Anya of Majadon: Anya’s Remarkable Donkey, 2020

(My books are sold on Amazon, and Rose is also on Barnes and Noble.)