This is my very first post that is an actual article! I’m very excited to present it to you. š
What should we read?
This is a question that has been laid upon my heart recently. What should we read? Or really, how can we honor God with our reading?
Philippians 4:8 says,
Ā Ā Ā Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I think that those are some pretty good guidelines for reading. After all, they are from God’s Holy Word! But how do we put them into practice?
Here is a list of what I personally do not read:
**Note: I can’t say that have Biblical reasons for all of these, but I will explain them as best I can. š
- I don’t read romance.
One of the reasons why I don’t read romance books, or even books with just a little romance in them, is because my mom doesn’t want me to. She doesn’t think that I need to be thinking about romance yet (I’m only a young teen). And I totally agree! Also, most romance books don’t have the best content. Is there virtue or truth in many romance novels? Not in my experience.
- I don’t read horror.
Let’s go back to Philippians 4:8 again. Is horror true, pure or lovely? I don’t think so. I haven’t read much (if any) horror, so I can’t tell you from personal experience, but I believe that many readers could confirm that most horror books are not true, pure or lovely.
- I don’t read (much) fantasy.
This is more of a personal preference than a conviction for me. I have read some good fantasy (such as The Twin Arrows and The Secret Slipper), and both of the books I mentioned had good Biblical messages, but a lot of fantasy doesn’t. Some have themes of darkness and evil, and I don’t believe it’s necessary to read about that.
So, what do I read?
One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction. Of course, I do come across negative elements in this genre occasionally (really, you can in any- even Christian fiction!), but I simply stop reading if I find bad things. I enjoy learning about history… even if parts of the story are fiction. š
I also enjoy Christian fiction, mysteries, and biographies/autobiographies. These genres are interesting to me, and are the main things that I read. There may be other wonderful genres that I have not discovered, but these are the ones that I have.
I’m not saying that I’m a perfect example.
Only Jesus Christ is. But IĀ am saying that these are my convictions, and I try to follow them with whatever I read. I have trouble sometimes when I find bad things- I know I should put the book down, but the plot is so interesting! That is when it is hardest for me to follow my convictions.
What should you read?
This is a question that I cannot answer. You have your own preferences and convictions, based on many things: your age, interests, things your parents/pastor have taught you… I pray that you will study your Bible to learn what God wants you to read. I have given you my fallible position on the subject, and you may do whatever you like with it. Just please, don’t follow my stand because of me; follow it (if you do) because of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because He is the only One that matters.
Great Books for God's Girls 
I love this post, Leona! (I know this post is super old.) I don’t read romance either, although occasionally some between husband-wife when romance is not the main focus (Like this…..if you took the romance out, you’d still have a great book.) I’d like to see some more inspirational type posts! š
Thanks! Yes, between husband and wife is sometimes okay. š Thanks for the encouragement! I don’t have any ideas for an inspirational book-related post at the moment, though.
Maybe someday! š
Oh, Leona… this was your first post of this type and I read it so late! (Actually, I almost completely missed it. I follow your blog on WordPress, but I don’t usually notice the notifications of new posts and only see your articles when I remember to come to your blog myself and check them out. Usually, that happens when I see your name and photo in the comments on my blog… you’ve been a faithful commenter!)
In any case, I was very excited to read it! To skip to your last question, yes! I would love for you to continue to write inspirational posts as well as book reviews – if you feel so lead. Have you felt any direction regarding that since having written this one?
My convictions: I don’t read romance (as in the genre of romance). Sometimes romance creeps into other genres, but I don’t go seeking out romance to read. Do you consider Frank Peretti’s books to be horror? I’ve read some of his books (both for children and for adults) and they do tend to be scary… but he consistently writes about biblical themes. I read his books. I like to read non-fiction books like ‘Crazy Love’ and ‘Do Hard Things’ and ‘Hard to Believe.’ The closest genre name I can think of is “inspirational,” but I’m not sure if that’s what they officially are.
Those are my convictions in a nutshell, and without diving into them deeply at all. I’m sure you know how much there is that could be said. Did you find it hard to limit this post to as many words as you did? I hold to my convictions for the sake of my conscience, not wanting to sear it. It helps me to make choices that drive me in my love and pursuit of God… though it is really He Who loves and pursues me.
Thanks so much for writing this!!
Actually, I haven’t. Several times I’ve tried to think of a subject to write about, but I haven’t come up with one. Currently, I’m working on my project for Nanowrimo, and I haven’t thought of writing a post on here recently- at least not this kind. š
To answer your question about Mr. Peretti’s books… actually, I didn’t think about his books when I was writing this post. š I suppose they *could* be considered horror, but I really haven’t thought of them in that way. I like the fact that they always have biblical things in them, and I do read them. Does that kinda answer your question? I definitely wouldn’t read horror that isn’t Christian… and I wouldn’t necessarily consider Mr. Peretti’s books horror, to sum it all up. š
I can’t say that it was hard to limit this post… in fact, for parts of it, it was hard for me to find something to say, to tell you the truth. š
Thank you so much for your comment, Jordy! I enjoyed reading it. š
I get excited about posts of this kind… but it’s true that original ideas for new ones don’t come all the time. Fair enough! š
Well, Mr. Peretti’s books are probably the closest thing to horror that I’ve read, and by that I mean they’re the scariest. That’s kind of how I had defined horror as a genre… but maybe that’s just a really shallow definition. How would you define it?
Oh… haha, well, maybe it’s just a subject I tend to ramble on.
Well, as I said, I didn’t think of his books as I was writing this post… I guess I would define horror as a genre as simply books that are scary and have no point to them… Mr. Peretti’s books have Christian messages in them, which I appreciate.
Okay, I googled “definition of the horror genre” and this is the first thing that popped up: “Horror is a genre of fiction which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, disgust, or startle its readers or viewers by inducing feelings of horror and terror.” I agree with that. I guess Mr. Peretti’s books fit that in some ways, but I wouldn’t say completely… š
So… yeah. That’s basically my thoughts on this… I most certainly would not want to read horror books that have no point to them. š
I like what your point about horror books with no point (haha, pun not intended). I think that’s a huge factor to consider – in horror or any genre. Is it horror for the sake of horror as an end in itself? Is there something worthwhile in the midst of it, or is it empty?
This was great to read, Leona!
Convictions? I pretty much have the same as you. I don’t read books specifically for romance (although I can sometimes be aware of certain books that have it and read it anyway after finding reviews for it), but some that randomly pops up here or there doesn’t bother me unless it’s dirty or just way too much. I do enjoy fantasy (and sci-fi) as long as it is not too dark and the good side prevails. Recently, I realized why sci-fi, fantasy, etc are so appealing to me (I suppose this goes for video-games as well), and I kind of just let myself read some because I guess I need it in my own bizarre way that I don’t really want to explain (it’s not weird, inappropriate or anything, just personal).
I wish I could read biographies, but they just really bore me to death. There are some exceptions, but I just have a hard time reading them.
I hold to my convictions because of one reason. Why fill my mind with something that isn’t godly? Take horror, for an example. Not that I’ve ever read or watched any specific movie purposely on it, but I think it’s supposed to terrify you, but in an ungodly way. Like too descriptive and dishonoring to God. I have some random memories of scary movies, like about spiders eating people? (where on earth did I see that?!) I’m not sure when I would’ve seen a movie like that, but I’m certain I was super little and that it might be horror.
Anyways, yeah… stay away from bad genres. š
Yes I’d love to see more posts like this! š
Thank you for your long comment, Crystal! Long comments make my day. (Ya know? It really means something when someone takes the time to reply to your post) š
Yeah, horror…. yuck. I’m pretty sure I’ve never read anything/watched anything horror, thanks to my parents… and I’m very grateful for that. ā¤
I love what you said about romance books, including Christians books with romance. Great post! š
Thank you! š
This was a joy to read Leona — thank you! I was happy to see the reasons that you don’t read romance — even as an older young lady (21) I still prefer to not read much romance….it isn’t really good at any age to fill your thoughts with daydreams of boys, relationships, and everything in between. I’ve found in my life that I tend to stay more content when my thoughts are focused on the Lord, and not on guys — even fake relationships in books. I’ve also found that much that I have read in books between guys and girls is often so unrealistic that it can make you discontent with real life and real people =)
Yes, please write more articles like this! I am looking forward to reading them!
I agree with just about everything you said. š
I’ll try to write some more articles like this… first I have to think up what to write about, though. š
Thank you for your comment, Kaitlyn!