Fiction Phobia
Most of you may have noticed that I don’t read much fiction. It’s not that I don’t have time, or would not invest in a good novel, but honestly I lack interest. (I can hear you gasp!) When I was younger, I only read fiction. By the time I reached high school, my fascination and motivation for reading novels gradually diminished. In the past couple years of reading through the numerous books I have finished, only one of those books was a novel. But I’m not sure if this is a good thing.
My non-fiction reasoning is as follows: if I am going to spend time and money reading a book, I want it to nurture my most important spiritual life. Naturally I assume that by reading a non-fiction book I will gain the insight and truth quicker than if I read a novel. Why read someone else’s imagination when I can get the truth?
I have been considering all of this for months now. Should I read more fiction? Or should I stay away from it? When in doubt, we go to the Word. God has granted us “everything we need pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.” (2 Peter 1:3) God’s truth extends to every branch of our lives, even to the somewhat insignificant questions I have.
As I look at Scripture as a whole, I observe many forms of writing: poetry, doctrine, letters, and stories. The entirety of the Bible is a story, which is what novels embody. If God thinks including the stories of people and Himself is good in His most holy, perfect Book, then maybe I should consider including more stories in my reading times.
And you never know, I might be surprised by the truth I learn…
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What about you? Is fiction hard or easy for you to read? If you enjoy fiction, what books would you recommend for this recovering fiction phobic?
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Filed under: Books, Reflections, Scripture on November 9th, 2008
I'm Kaysie, 22. Jesus follower. Lover of sunshine, trees, hot tea, books, music, family, the gospel, poetry and Barnes and Nobles. Has a weird obsession with paper. Over-analyzes almost everything. Adores simplicity. Lucky for you. 
I use to love fiction, I read everything I could get my hands on. But the last few years I’ve been really unstatisfied with most fiction books I read.
So when I want a bit of relaxing reading (when I don’t have to concentrate hard or think alot) I often pick up the old ‘children’s’ classics; like the Little House series, or the Anne books, or Ballet shoes, or the Narnia books.
As a kind of inbetween I really enjoy biographies. It’s still a story but it’s not as ‘warm and fuzzy’ (which tends to leave me feeling irksome) like most fiction, but it isn’t as intense as most non-fiction books. If that makes sense
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I especially love books about people moving to new cultures (most of them are missionaries, but there are just as many good non-christian books which cover similar topics). Something about seeing a new culture through a persons eyes and all the crazy, heartbreaking, funny, heartfull moments which go along with that.
Lately I’ve become pretty interested in reading biographies and autobiographies. But you want to know about fiction. I would definitely suggest reading To Kill a Mockingbird, it’s pretty light and tame. Books by Jane Austen would be pretty good. Older French literature (Dumas and Hugo) are good novels, but quite long. If you’re interested in romance, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is good. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also good. Great Expectations by Dickens is one that I’ve had so many teachers and professors suggest.
I would definitely steer you to a lot of the older classics because they weren’t necessarily written to shock audiences and if they were, it’s pretty tame compared to today’s standards. If you live near a Borders or Barnes and Noble, check out their classics lines. They print copies of old classics, in nice volumes, and they’re inexpensive (between $6 and $10). I wouldn’t jump right in with a Modernist writer, like Hemingway, because they tend to be irreligious, though their writing can be good.
One other note I want you to be aware of: be aware of the culture you’re reading about. Books centered on army life tend to have a lot of cursing in them. Books about nobility tend to have men with mistresses. Books about the South are going to include certain racial epithets. These things are perfectly acceptable in their culture, so to not include them would be historically inaccurate. Yes, it’s offensive, but the author is trying to be realistic.
I also agree with Erin. I’ve begun collecting books that on the outside seem like children’s books–Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Little Women, Tarzan of the Apes–because they’re interesting and reading them with a quasi-grown-up point of view could be interesting and insightful.
Good luck! There are so many choices and just because you start something doesn’t mean you have to finish it if you really don’t like it. And just because you don’t like one book by an author, doesn’t mean you won’t like any of their books. But don’t give up. You can learn a lot even in reading fiction.
Wow that was a long comment! I just have a lot to say about books. Makes sense since I’m an English major, huh?
“Naturally I assume that by reading a non-fiction book I will gain the insight and truth quicker than if I read a novel. Why read someone else’s imagination when I can get the truth?”
It’s quite the opposite for me. Non-fiction tends to bore me (though not as much as it used to).
I could read a brilliantly written exposition on the unity of the Old and New testament, the wonders of God and the awesomeness of His ways, and not appreciate it as much as when I read The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker (my favorite author).
I totally enjoy stories, and even after reading them once, I can go back and try to understand what I learned better, either by reading the book again or by just thinking about it. So all in all, I learn better from stories (fictional ones, that is).
I don’t know what books I’d recommend to you though. I guess it depends on what kind of genres most interest you
Wow. I think I have found some experts! Thank you for sharing; I’m taking notes!
Hi Kaysie!
Over at the Rebelution forums, I proposed the idea of making journals for young girls to go with classical fiction novels such as Anne of Green Gables. The point of these journals would be to give girls a chance to reflect upon and learn from what they read, eventually training them to become discerning readers. (If you’re interested to see this project-in-progress, I can give you a link to the site where I’m putting together the journal questions).
My philosophy is that if you take the time to “read into” the book, compare it to God’s word, and examine the issues it puts forth, it can be a very edifying experience.
Some of the best fiction I’ve read includes:
- Mansfield Park (Jane Austen) — This is an incredible book! Much better than Pride and Prejudice, in my opinion. It looks deeply into moral issues and tells the story of a girl who is faithful to her role as a woman, daughter, and servant of God. Unsurprisingly, it’s not the most popular of Austen’s works, but it was SO helpful for me to read!
- Les Miserables (Victor Hugo) — Some unfortunate moments in this book (using God’s name in vain, some more ‘mature’ subject matter, etc.), but I don’t think they should put you off reading the book. There’s so much about humility, honesty, serving others in this novel. Characters in this book are constantly faced with decisions that push their integrity to the limit. For instance, one has to make a choice that will save a man from false conviction, but may cause himself to end up in jail. Another character continually sacrifices his reputation in order to live in a Christlike manner. Great book — but long, so if you don’t want to read Hugo’s battle descriptions and political comments, get the abridged version.
- Heidi (Joanna Spyri) – It’s been a very long time since I read this one, but I remember really enjoying it.
Hopefully that helped a little!
Hi Kaysie! I see you already have a lot of suggestions. May I give you one more? I too read mostly nonfiction, but recently I read an excellent novel that gave me a new awe of Jesus….’The Bronze Bow’ by Elizabeth George Speare. It’s a compelling fictional narrative set in the time of Christ . It’s very well-written; I love to read well-crafted literature and I know you do too…your blog qualifies for delightful reading!
Hey Kaysie!
I agree that non-fiction is MOST OF THE TIME more beneficial…but I wouldn’t say always, for sure!
For me, fiction is easier and oftentimes more enjoyable to read — I love novels. But, being as I’m only almost 14 years old, I’m actually just becoming interested in anything BUT fiction!
Especially with the way the Father has been working on my heart lately, I have a huge pile of non-fiction works waiting to be read that are going to nourish my spirit and build my walk with the Lord. They are sometimes difficult for me to read, but as I said, I’m just beginning to take an interest! 
But, as far as recommended fiction…
I have really enjoyed a lot of fiction works, including:
*The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom & John and Elizabeth Sherrill (sp?)
LOL!
This book has really blessed me, and it’s very exciting and interesting! Corrie & Betsie are such an encouragement to me. It really makes you aware, too, of what may eventually come to the United States…God can use all kinds of things to prepare us.
*Alone, Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger
I’ve had some books where I’d read them when I was younger and then read them recently and was very surprised at what I had at one time considered “excellent, amazing writing”. 
But as far as I can remember, it was a VERY good book!
I gave this book to a friend of mine over a year ago and haven’t gotten another copy yet. I really enjoyed it and read it over several times, but I can’t guarantee how good it was — I don’t trust my judgement from when I was younger.
*Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
An excellent allegory concerning the Christian life!
*The Flower of the Family by Elizabeth Prentiss
A well-written piece of work from the 1800’s about a young lady dedicated to the Lord and His work.
*Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss
The life record in journal form of a young lady in the 1800’s – I can relate to her very much and this book has definitely helped me along in my walk with the Lord!
*Kitty, My Rib by E. Jane Mall
)
This is an absolutely excellent book — very well-written. It is the biography of Katharine Luther (Martin Luther’s wife) and I cry every time I read this book! I LOVE it! (But then again, I’m rather biased as I am a hands-down ultimate fan of Martin Luther.
*Dinner With A Perfect Stranger and its sequel, A Day With A Perfect Stranger
They are so excellent. You would love them.
You’ll have to read this to find out what it’s all about
*Second Daughter by Mildred Pitts Walter
I just finished reading this the other night (I read the whole 200-something page book in a few hours! I couldn’t put it down!) — it was VERY good. Although not written from a Christian perspective, and the main characters were not Believers, it was VERY well-written, and was about slavery in the 1700’s. It was portrayed very accurately and was very sad — but don’t worry, it had a happy ending.
*The Earth is Round
) and very well-written, I can’t bring myself to read very much of it anymore. If nothing else, I think it’s worth reading simply for the quality of the writing! But the story is very good — it’s set in the 1800’s, with the Russian Mennonites that immigrated to Canada. My Dad and I read it once or twice, too, and he really enjoyed it as well.
I’m not sure if this book is just more for younger audiences or if I just read it too many times — because although it was VERY, VERY good (I read it about 1,000 times in two years
Blessings on your fiction venture, Kaysie!
This is just awesome girls! I am really getting some good ideas.
Thank you so much for all this advice… I am getting excited!
Well, I have loved to read since I was young and reading fiction comes very easily to me. Actually, too easily. I’m concerned when I really start to think about all the good nonfiction books I haven’t read. I know of good ones- we have plenty on our bookshelves. John Piper, Jerry Bridges, CJ Mahaney. What I really want is to develop a taste and desire to read nonfiction. Any suggestions?
Kaysie, there is so much good to be found in fiction. I would encourage you to read more of it. Now, classics that had stood the test of time are better choices, but even Christian fiction can teach you something.
The Lord taught in stories….so if they weren’t woth some good, I don’t know why he would have.
I have loved: All of Jane Austen and all of Louisa May Alcott.
Chronicles of Narnia (the ones I have read–these are great when you discover the allegory)
Elsie Dinsmore Series, by Martha Finley (about a girl and her Christian life.)
Wives and Daughters, by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Zion Covenant Series, by Brock and Bodie Theone (great historical fiction series in WWII)
And I enjoy some works by Karen Kingsbury
Ali, I don’t know if I have any suggestions for reading non-fiction… it kinda comes natural to me. Just find a subject that God has been speaking to you about and read a book enveloping that topic. Sorry I am not more helpful….
Ella, those a great suggestions! I will definitely look into those. Thanks!
Hi!
I love to read! Like some of you, I used to read all of the fiction I could get my hands on. Some books I really enjoyed and I stil do, but others…not as much. I have read all of the Jane Austen novels, which are in some ways good, others bad. I would call these enjoyment books, but I really didn’t benefit from them too much. I would recommend Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, if you want to read Jane Austen.
Anyways, it is very refreshing, however, to read non-fiction. I do, find it sometimes hard, but mostly boring to read non-fiction, unless you have a wonderful book such as Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. That is a 10 star book! You really should read it if you haven’t already!
If I really want something that catches my interest, I go straight for the historical fiction.
Roseanne recommended the Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare–a must read. Other books I have read again and again are: The Golden Goblet by Esther Forbes, Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, my personal favorite, and on and on. For more of my favorite books, you can look on my blog.
I think it is best to balance your reading with both non-fiction and fiction. Hope you have fun reading! Looks like you have a nice selection to choose from!
To God be the Glory!
Nicole
Oh, and I almost forgot! Lamplighter Books! Those are wonderful. You should check them out.
You are so right about God’s word. I teach a writing class that uses the Bible as a textbook because it contains so many different types of writing.
When I was young I devoured fiction. Maybe I got burned out because it just doesn’t hold the same sway for me these days.
Actually, I think it’s that I don’t find much Christian fiction that I like or feel is really well written. So much of it seems predictable and boring. Maybe I just haven’t read the right authors or maybe I want everybody to write like Jane Austen.
Honestly, I don’t have time to read much anymore which is sad. Usually when I do read I want to read my Bible. Come to think of it, I don’t read that much non-fiction anymore either. My reading, other than the Bible, has seen serious decline as I’ve gotten older. Some of that may also be attribued to my eyesight. I never needed glasses before, but now I require reading glasses and my eyes get tired easier.
I’ve just stumbled onto this page – but I have had a waning interest in novels lately, too.
In the past, I read & read, to gain a larger vocabulary, to study how stories took shape & how characters were cultivated.
When I began living on my own, my time became truly my own. To fill the void of loneliness, I began having interests & hobbies that (naturally) I wanted to explore to the fullest degree.
Maybe this is your middle ground for fiction & nonfiction: Hobby books.
I sew & cook. I do not watch TV. I look up hints, projects, health tips, dietary info, sewing techniques, you name it. I have a few books, Have glanced through magazines for decorative projects and little gift ideas. I worked for a while at JoAnn’s Fabric & Crafts.
With my extra time now, I am making simple, sturdy bags to sell at a christian gift shop. You, by exploring a hobby, could open up a new way for God to bless the lives of others through you.
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner