Welcome to the August 2015 edition of the Christian Fiction Book Club Connection. Thanks for stopping by! Whether you’re a pastor or ministry leader thinking of forming a book discussion group at your church, a current member of a book club, or simply a fan of Christian fiction hoping to connect with other readers, you’re in the right place. Please consider subscribing to my blog so you won’t miss future posts.
Today I’m providing information on Christian fiction discussions scheduled to take place around the web this month. I’m also featuring a handful of recently released Christian fiction titles for which a discussion guide is available, either included in the book itself or on the author’s or publisher’s web site. Then I’ll wrap up the post with a discussion question I’d like you to chime in on.
Online Discussions Coming Up This Month
The ACFW Book Club‘s August selection is A Promise to Protect by Patricia Bradley, with discussion scheduled for August 24-29, 2015. You can subscribe to the group’s e-mail list now, by following the instructions on their Web site, to be sure not to miss any announcements or discussion questions.
The Cherished Book Club hosts discussion on their Facebook group, with weekly questions about a monthly Christian fiction or non-fiction read. This group is on break for the month of August.
For August, the Christian Fiction Devourers group on Goodreads is discussing Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer AND Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter. Grab your copies and head on over to the discussion forum to check in with others who are in the midst of reading these books.
The Fans of Christian Romance Goodreads group is reading A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer for its August discussion.
The #HedlundChallenge2015 features discussion of one of author Jody Hedlund’s historical fiction novels each month. The discussion is hosted in alternating months by Jamie of Books and Beverages and Cassie of Bookshelves and Windows. For August, participants will be discussing The Preacher’s Bride at Jamie’s blog beginning August 25th (discussion details here and here).
For fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Jamie of the Books and Beverages blog hosts a monthly Inklings discussion series. Sometimes fiction, sometimes non-fiction, the title for the month of August is The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis. Discussion is scheduled to begin on August 19th.
Recent Christian Fiction Releases Featuring Discussion Guides
Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis (August, Harvest House, Mystery)
Not By Sight by Kate Breslin (August, Bethany House, Historical Romance)
Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (August, Revell, Historical Romantic Suspense)
Let’s Chat!
What have you been reading lately? Any particular favorites that you’d recommend? Any that you’re really looking forward to reading this summer or fall? Please share!
Although my reading experiences this summer have been varied — some books excellent, others so-so — my 2 book clubs had winners in July. I read Susan Meissner’s Secrets of A Charmed Life and Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer. Loved them! I was hoping to have a great discussion with Brouwer’s book, but so many of our group either did not read it or weren’t finished at meeting time. Too many spoilers to discuss it thoroughly. Summer is busy, so I can’t fault (too much
) our members. In August our picks are Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and Pearl in The Sand by Tessa Afshar. Pearl is a departure for my group. We’ve read only a handful of Biblical fiction in the almost 13 years we’ve been meeting. Hope it is a success.
That’s too bad people weren’t able to finish Thief of Glory in time for a thorough discussion. When I read it, I thought the same thing, that it could make for a great discussion! But yes, summer is certainly a busy time! I haven’t read Pearl in the Sand, but I really enjoyed another book by Tessa Afshar. Will be curious to hear how you guys like it. I appreciate your stopping by!