We’re talking general fiction today. There might be romance, their might be danger, there will be heartache, tears, and restoration! General fiction is not my preferred genre, but there are a number of authors I won’t miss. These three for sure, along with the lovely Cynthia Ruchti…but that’s cheating adding a third name, isn’t it?!
If you are anything like me, it’s super hard to keep recommendations short, but I am going to ask that you stick with three only. It’s a given that you will have way more than three recs you could make, that you love lots of books and lots of authors, and by recommending three, you aren’t disrespecting all the others you might have in your brain…okay?! And we’re doing this genre by genre, so we can really share more than three over time!
Here are my three general fiction reads of the moment…
- Into the Free by Julie Cantrell – Julie’s story is one of the best debut novels I have read. Powerful, poignant, intriguing only begin to describe it. And her prose is wonderful!
- When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin – I love all Charles’ books but this one remains my sentimental favourite. Beautiful prose and a story destined to rip out your heart and slowly piece it back together.
- Doesn’t She Look Natural by Angela Hunt – Only Angela Hunt could pen such a marvelous story about a funeral parlour! Eye-opening and moving, I recommend the entire series!
What are three of your must read general fiction novels that come to mind today?
March 14, 2017 at 10:09 pm
I enjoy General Fiction. It seems there isn’t a lot of it available though.
My top three:
The Promise of Jesse Wood by Chris Fabry
A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison
The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert
March 23, 2017 at 7:06 pm
Staci » Chris Fabry’s books are excellent – have enjoyed all of them and selected many for my book club.
March 14, 2017 at 10:27 pm
General fiction is MY favorite genre! Mainly because it’s the genre I can recommend most to ANYONE, even if they don’t read Christian fiction or even a Christian.
– The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner (TEARS Y’ALL)
– The Truth Teller by Angela Hunt – I still think about this one after all this years
-I am cheating but The Entire Mitford series by Jan Karon – comfort reading at its best
March 16, 2017 at 5:35 am
Deborah,
I miss you girl! The Shape of Mercy hit me hard! I know that had I been born during that time I would have been executed since I have epilepsy they would have thought I was a witch. Love that book!
March 23, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Deborah » Hey you! Love seeing your smiling face pop up 🙂 I’ve never read the Mitford series, but love Susan and Angela’s novels. Those two were special.
March 15, 2017 at 1:20 am
Off the top of my head, I love Charles Martin’s books. Hard to pick one. I also love two of Lisa Wingate’s Prayer Box and The Story Keeper.
March 23, 2017 at 7:04 pm
Janet Ferguson » Haha! You and Mary recommended the same books. Made me smile!
March 15, 2017 at 1:30 am
* Salt to the Sea – Ruta Sepetys
* Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto – Mitch Albom
* Island of Saints – Andy Andrews
March 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Amy » Nice!!!
March 15, 2017 at 3:14 am
Water from my Heart by Charles Martin, The Storykeeper by Lisa Wingate, and The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate
March 15, 2017 at 11:23 am
Mary, Me,too!! Loved those!
March 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Mary Koester » Great choices, Mary
March 15, 2017 at 4:58 am
The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton, Blackmoore -Julianne Donaldson, Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner
March 23, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Amy Marie » I’ve read Winter Birds, Amy, and have been meaning to read Kate and Julianne’s novels and just haven’t got to them yet!
March 15, 2017 at 5:45 am
Oh, I listened to that particular Angela Hunt series on audio and it was really good. I’ve always had this terror/phobia of funeral homes, dead bodies, etc. It’s gotten much better since I’m an adult now and I can go to viewings and funerals without losing sleep and having nightmares like I did up until about seventeen years of age. After listening to those books on audio the whole funeral business and procedures seem a little bit more tolerable and reasonable. Angela Hunt novels are even better on audio.
Three wonderful general fiction books I would recommend are the following: 1) Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock, 2)Cottage by the Sea by Robin Jones Gunn, and The Will of Wisteria by Denise Hildreth Jones
March 23, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Sylvia M. » Glad you loved that series. It really was interesting, wasn’t it? Gave a whole new perspective on that industry. Great recommendations, too!
March 15, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Like you Rel, I generally choose titles in my favorite genres when reading for pleasure as I go through a lot of general fiction for teaching college level English. However, I did thoroughly enjoy the following earlier CF titles:
1. “The Penny Whistle” by BJ Hoff – I know this is now the first part of the novel “A Distant Music,” but it was originally a novella released by Bethany. It is an unforgettable story!
2. “Seasons Under Heaven” by Terri Blackstock – This is the first novel in a wonderful series.
3. “A Vow to Cherish” by Deb Raney – This is Deb’s fantastic debut about what marriage vows truly mean. It was also made into a great movie, one of the first modern CF novels to be done so.
Thanks Rel.
March 23, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Aaron McCarver » I have that series of Terri’s Aaron but I read it so long ago, I can’t remember particulars! I must be getting old 😉
March 24, 2017 at 9:48 am
Not old, Rel. Not at all! There have just been many, many, many books since then, I am sure! 🙂
March 16, 2017 at 5:39 am
Rooms by James L Rubart. I read and reviewed this when it was a debut and I have loved every one he’s written. And The Journey to Jake Palmer is my absolute favorite one he’s written to date.
March 23, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Andi » Jim is the best, Andi, I agree. Jake’s story especially 🙂
March 16, 2017 at 9:53 am
I am so thankful for your blog and the interesting questions and topics you and readers discuss. As my regular reading genre is Historical CF Romance, I rarely venture into other territory as I know my genre and the “best of the best” to read. However, my resolution this year is to venture into reading new or different authors and this is best achieved if great recommendations are made. Reading the above recommendations from yourself and other readers has given me a wonderful TBR list to begin my journey “outside the box” of my usual reads. I am familiar with Charles Martin and totally agree with you about “When Crickets Cry” – absolutely fabulous read!!
And now I’ll be adding “Into the Free” and many more that have been recommended here – – Thank you Rel – and thank you to all responders who have given me a great Spring Break and Summer read list!!
March 23, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Pam – Florida » A pleasure, Pam! I’d love to hear your thoughts once you have read Into the Free – be warned as you might need to get the sequel, too. Julie has a true gift when it comes to storytelling, creating intriguing and challenging stories that will move you, for sure.
March 16, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Like you (as we’ve talked about) this isn’t my favored genre, but ANYTHING by Katie Ganshert and I’m in! 🙂
March 23, 2017 at 6:56 pm
Rissi » YES!!! Have you read Life After yet? Brilliant!