Hard to believe February’s here already, but since it is, here’s the February 2015 edition of the Christian Fiction Book Club Connection. 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!
This month’s post includes a featured book that I think is well suited to discussion, as well as links to upcoming online discussions. Then I’ll wrap up the post with a discussion question I’d like YOU to chime in on.
Featured Read
Author: Katie Ganshert
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah
Published: April 2014
This sweet contemporary romance was among my favorite reads of 2014. I found it emotionally touching and thematically rich with an appealing literary quality to the text. I think it could make a great pick for book groups because it delves into discussible issues including body image, self-worth, redemption, forgiveness, and more. And the back of the book includes an 11 question readers guide to help get your group’s conversation going.
For the full story on what I loved about this book, here’s a link to my review. You can also learn more about the book over at the publisher’s Web site, or through the neat bonus features (inspiration, quotes, and more) over on the author’s Web page.
Online Discussions
Finalizing the ACFW Book Club‘s February and March selections remains in progress as I write this post. A recent vote identified three books as top contenders for upcoming discussions: The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky, No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, and Hawk by Ronie Kendig. Subscribe to the group’s e-mail list now, to be among the first to find out which books will be discussed when. Update: It looks like No One to Trust will be the February selection, with discussion tentatively scheduled to begin February 26. The other two titles are set to follow in March and April.
For February, the Christian Fiction Devourers group on Goodreads is discussing For Such a Time by Kate Breslin AND Dear Mr. Knightley (one of my favorites) by Katherine Reay. 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 Swept Away by Mary Connealy for its February discussion.
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 February is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Hop on over there on February 18th for what’s sure to be a great discussion. I’m currently in the midst of reading this one aloud to my son, a chapter a night at bedtime. I remember I wasn’t much older than he is now the first time I read it, and he seems to be enjoying it a great deal. 
New for 2015, is the #HedlundChallenge2015 (details here and here), for which discussion on a pre-selected novel by Jody Hedlund will be hosted in alternating months by Jamie of Books and Beverages and Cassie of Bookshelves and Windows. The title selected for February is Rebellious Heart. Look for the discussion post on Jamie’s blog on February 24th.
Let’s Chat!
I’ve been thinking a lot about which books to recommend for book groups, and about what factors make one book very discussable and another less so. I have a few of my own ideas on this front, but I want to know what you think.
If you’ve been in a book group for a while, have you noticed a certain type of book making for a particularly good discussion? Or if you’re not in a book group, is there a certain type of book that makes you really want to talk about it with others? Classics? Literary qualities? Issues or themes addressed? Controversy? Beloved or complex characters? Thought-provoking? Unexpected twists? Some other type of book or factor about the book?
Please share your thoughts in the comments. Examples too if any come to mind.
Great question, Karen. My book club loves suspense fiction, but most books in this genre do not generate much discussion. The same goes for boy-meets-girl romance. I have found that the books that have complex characterization and include a plot with difficult circumstances or difficult choices create the best discussion. Historical fiction is also a good choice for book clubs (though my book club resists this genre) because it puts the reader in an unfamiliar setting and makes them think about how they would respond/react. I have also found that books that not all of us liked created a lot of discussion. You don’t have to like a book to talk about it! 😉 A few books from our last year’s list that we talked a lot about include: Burning Sky by Lori Benton, Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers, Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson and Snapshot by Lis Wiehl.
You’ve made some great points, Beckie! Thanks for speaking up. I definitely agree that books involving difficult choices and complex characters can make for some of the best discussions. And I’m intrigued by your point that you don’t have to like a book to talk about it. It can get pretty interesting (hopefully in a good way) when some liked a book and others didn’t. You really start to see how much individual preferences and our own past experiences can play into how we respond to the books we read. Thanks for the suggestions too. The first two titles are already on my TBR list, and I’m glad to hear they made for good discussions. Thinking I need to go look those other two up also.
I love that you’re reading Narnia with your son!! How fun that must be
I can’t wait for my nieces to be old enough to dive into Narnia.
So many fun discussions!! Thanks for sharing them
Hi Jamie! Yes, we’re having fun exploring Narnia together. I’m sure you and your nieces will have a great time too, when the time comes.