Years ago I wrote a post about why I read Christian fiction exclusively. I covered the usual things like the overuse of cuss words and explicit sexual scenes that are commonly found in general market literature, but my reasons still include the overall sense of hopelessness and temporary solutions for life's trials, disregard or contempt for Christianity with much more respect for New Age philosophies or the religion of secular humanism. This may not be popular reasoning to those in the world, but it makes perfect sense for Christian readers. We face these issues daily at school, at work, even at play, so saturating our reading time with the same kinds of twisted dramas just isn't that appealing.
And as long as Christian authors such as J. Mark Bertrand, Athol Dickson, Chris Fabry, Sibella Giorello, Gina Holmes, Steven James, and Robert Liparulo (to name a favored few) continue to publish novels within or without the Christian publishing industry, I will continue to read primarily Christian fiction. And now that the wonderful and esteemed espionage/political thriller writer Vince Flynn has passed away, my general market options are significantly diminished. You just can't replace Mitch Rapp.
The shift for me won't be noticed by anyone but myself. I've become far more selective in my fiction options in the last year. There's a specific reason for this shift. The CBA is not producing those "fresh" voices it keeps trumpeting at conferences and on internet posts in as great a number as it used to do. Truly good authors have been abandoned, and the menu for reading material lists Amish/Historicals/SweetLittleRomances ad nauseam. The safe and staid formulaic and predictable novels are their bread and butter, and apparently they're serving fewer and fewer filet mignon entrees.
What my shift entails is simply reducing the number of novels I choose to read from the bulk of Christian publishers. I'm not settling for the average novel because I no longer think my time is worth wading through the shallow waters of a story I'll forget the instant I read the final page. Again, I applaud the efforts of every author who has completed the chain of events which led them to a publishing contract. I begrudge no one his or her success nor do I condemn anyone for their failures.
Reading is personal. We all have our certain tastes - acquired or inherent - and we own our preferences in reading and writing. So many readers are forced to squeeze their books into limited time allotments. I have a great deal of luxury in that regard, but I now demand the experience be pleasurable in a multitude of ways instead of a series of disappointments. And that, my friends, is why my position is shifting . . .
Father, help me to do right by you with the time you've given me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.