Ladies and gentlemen, I want to support you as writers and readers. I want to do what I can, in my little ways, to help Lutheran audiences know what’s available from Lutheran brothers and sisters. So, um, I have a GoodReads question for you.
To be honest, I generally read outside “Christian” fiction genres. I read for words and stories and psychological development. Sure, I’d love to read for good theology, too, but happily-ever-afters because God cares about romance . . . I just don’t typically go there. (Not judging those who do.)
So, when I’ve reviewed on GoodReads and Amazon, I’m thankful I can play a little part helping books sell and authors get known. But, even though I’m reading more now, with my twinnies approaching two (whew!), I hardly rate anything unless it’s either super well known or it’s by a Lutheran.
My GoodReads question for you: Does that even make sense? I could help a few more authors if I wrote more reviews. I could do Amazon-only reviews, since I daresay no one’s presuming I only Amazon-shop from Lutherans. Maybe I’m over-thinking it, but wouldn’t it be great to have one more way for me to emphasize Lutherans mid the many authors out there?
You guys, of course, can review whomever. It’s just that I have this Lutheran audience building hope for this/these platform(s).
Surprise, surprise, Mary may be overthinking! 😉 Still, she’s also thankful for the fun freebie books she’s getting from Book Bub! And, they say that the effects on the brain of reading a good book last five days! Here’s hoping those positive effects sink in soon!
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Goodreads, for me, is both good and bad. Anyone can review, or rate, without leaving a reason for their rating and whether they’ve read the book (Amazon has the verified purchase option)…however, it can also be a great platform to connect with readers, and promote books. I personally appreciate reviews (ratings, too, but reviews are icing on the cake) on that site, since for me at least, the vast majority just rate. I also appreciate the feedback on my writing. 😉
As for “romances”….I do enjoy love stories, and I use them in my writing. But (and this is where I’m hoping I deviate from most “Christian Romantic Fiction”), I work on showing God’s working in people’s lives. Working to grow them, to strengthen faith, to teach or guide or whatever is called for in that particular story. I’m with you, Mary….God’s objective is salvation, and books that try to convince people that it’s something as trivial as temporal happiness are disturbing at times.
Sarah, I think you in particular understand my position. 🙂 Romance as a plot tool is one thing, and a fine thing allowing for tension, character development, etc., but romance idolized into God’s-primary-interaction-on-earth “for you” . . . just isn’t what I primarily read. Maybe that’s a good way to describe a LOT of the Christian romance in my local library.