With the economy struggling as it is, the Christian reading market is longing for stories they can get lost in, books that offer escape from the struggles of life. They want the happily-ever-after fairy tales where the handsome hero marries his princess. So, what's an author to do when their passion lies in writing the gritty tales of life? When they want to write books that teach about life's injustices, stories that compel the reader to think?
In today's Novel Journey blog, When the World Wants Happy Endings, Mary DeMuth eloquently ponders this question.
What do you think as a reader? A writer? Should authors write to the market or their passion?
Showing posts with label Mary DeMuth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary DeMuth. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
2010 Christy Award Finalists Announced
Each year, Christy Awards are given to writers whose novel has demonstrated excellence in Christian fiction. I look forward to reading this list every year, hoping to see my favorite books, and wondering which ones I've missed reading.
I'm pleased to see that the nominees include a number of books I reviewed over the past year, several of which are on my all-time favorite reads list. To revisit those reviews, just click on the title: Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth, The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson, The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry, Scared by Tom Davis. Two additional finalists, June Bug (a modern day retelling of Les Miserables) by Chris Fabry and Fireflies in December (poignantly portrays the horror of prejudice in the 1930's) by Jennifer Erin Valent are on my all-time favorite reads list. (see my Highly Recommend Reading list in the sidebar)
Of course, there are always a few additional titles I believe are worthy of a Christy: White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner is a story that peeks beyond the pristine fences of a normal family and finds that fences only mask the truth, and The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz.
So, if you love to read and are looking for the novel that goes deeper, that's willing to challenge you and provoke thinking, then check out the Christy Awards.
For a complete list of finalists, visit Inkspirational Messages.
I'm pleased to see that the nominees include a number of books I reviewed over the past year, several of which are on my all-time favorite reads list. To revisit those reviews, just click on the title: Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth, The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson, The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry, Scared by Tom Davis. Two additional finalists, June Bug (a modern day retelling of Les Miserables) by Chris Fabry and Fireflies in December (poignantly portrays the horror of prejudice in the 1930's) by Jennifer Erin Valent are on my all-time favorite reads list. (see my Highly Recommend Reading list in the sidebar)
Of course, there are always a few additional titles I believe are worthy of a Christy: White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner is a story that peeks beyond the pristine fences of a normal family and finds that fences only mask the truth, and The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz.
So, if you love to read and are looking for the novel that goes deeper, that's willing to challenge you and provoke thinking, then check out the Christy Awards.
For a complete list of finalists, visit Inkspirational Messages.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Daisy Chain
(Defiance Texas Trilogy)
Published by Zondervan (2009)
355 pages
A Hauntingly Honest Coming-of-Age Tale
When Jed Pepper’s best friend, Daisy Chance, ends up missing, Jed is convinced he’s to blame. An abusive father further beats in that message of guilt. In Jed’s search for Daisy, he finds much more than a lost friend.
Using poetic & visual prose, Mary DeMuth pens a heart-tugging novel of tragedy and redemption. The author proves once again that she has the courage to delve into taboo subjects, yet she embraces them with grace and wraps them in hope. Her characters are complex, some quirky, others evil. All are very authentic.
We truly feel Jed’s empathy and guilt as he searches for Daisy. We experience his fear and self-debasement when around his father. We root for him when he prays for courage to protect his mother and sister, Sissy. And we rejoice when he finds what he needs the most.
by Mary E. DeMuth
Published by Zondervan (2009)
355 pages
A Hauntingly Honest Coming-of-Age TaleWhen Jed Pepper’s best friend, Daisy Chance, ends up missing, Jed is convinced he’s to blame. An abusive father further beats in that message of guilt. In Jed’s search for Daisy, he finds much more than a lost friend.
Using poetic & visual prose, Mary DeMuth pens a heart-tugging novel of tragedy and redemption. The author proves once again that she has the courage to delve into taboo subjects, yet she embraces them with grace and wraps them in hope. Her characters are complex, some quirky, others evil. All are very authentic.
We truly feel Jed’s empathy and guilt as he searches for Daisy. We experience his fear and self-debasement when around his father. We root for him when he prays for courage to protect his mother and sister, Sissy. And we rejoice when he finds what he needs the most.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)