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Thumper6488
Newbie Poster
Username: Thumper6488
Post Number: 4
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 - 07:58 pm: | 
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Hello All,
At the risk of being called a heathen again (I still got my baptism certificate...Thank you very much), I notice the genre that has escape our discussion on book buying/ publishing trends is the inspirational/religious books. For those whose been here a minute, you know I don't read them. But evidently a lot of folks is. The number of imprints and publishing companies that exlusively published these novels have grown tremendously in the last few years. Strangely enough, I haven't see one recommendation or praise for any on the board. I also haven't read one that I truly enjoyed or so well written that it convinced me to change my mind on the subject. Since I'm already biased, my opinion ain't got no weight. Well are these books any good or are folks using them as dust collectors to impress the church women when they visit, while their latest Carl Weber novel is sitting on their nightstand by the bed? |
Soul_sister
First Time Poster
Username: Soul_sister
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 09:42 am: |
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Happy New Year - Thumper and otherz
Good to see progress and provocative thoughts on the board. You know my faith belief and believe me I have tried to read this Christian/Inspirational works and they are a total bore to me.
I suppose since I love history, murder and at times erotica - there needs to be an author that can capture those elements with a Christian message with slammin' proses - aint found it yet.
Now, I have read Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray -- and it was pretty good - but I have not been able to wrap my mind around other such authors.
So, Thumper on this one point - at this space in time -- we are in total agreement -
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Bhoney
First Time Poster
Username: Bhoney
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 11:04 am: |
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I guess because it gets categorized on the shelves as spiritual, the exspectation of these Christian/Spiritual works is that the reader will be filled with a revelation or at the very least something that knocks your socks off. In my opinion, most of these books only help to place a clearer perspective on a subject that may be tugging at the readers heart. More likey the soul. And timing is inded everything. It has to be able to meet your need at that very moment of need.
I've found some of the most spiritual messages, defining that as being aligned with the "word" I have read in the Bible itself or related to a message delivered during a Sunday service, in many non-fictional books. As illustrated in Bruised Hibiscus by Elizabeth Nunez. It had the sex, the sin, and the salvation. |
Cynique
Newbie Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 01:18 pm: |
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The very charismatic Bishop T.D. Jakes has had considerable commercial success with his inspirational books. He is the head of a large ministry and lives like a king and is a testimoney to how money can make the homeliest man look handsome. "Woman Thou Art Loosed," is one of his best-known "sermons"; he has a huge female following probably because he offers ways for women to be "fulfilled" within the confines of biblical teachings. Needless to say, he has capitalized off the dilemma of black women trying to cope with the role society has cast them in. Same ol, same ol. |
Augustuzziah
First Time Poster
Username: Augustuzziah
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 01:49 pm: |
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I think that there are books on or about spirituality and then there are books about religion and then there is probably christian fiction, so it would depends on what genre you are talking about.
There is the 'purpose driven church' & the 'purpose driven life'. Prior to that 'the prayer of jabez'. And of course the Jakes even Vanzants. These obviously appeal to a certain population and i doubt to the exclusion of any other books discussed on this site.
Personally they don't appeal to me, I think they tend to be a simplistic and usually rely upon the reader not thinking for themselves and relying upon someone else to tell them how to do and think. I think that they are written to fill a certain niche. The trend being in most churches today towards messages of prosperity and increasing levels of expertise in whatever endeavour. These authors suggest that within thier pages the keys to life and success await.
Then there are books on african american religion, james h. cone, jill watts- 'the father devine story', robert e hood- 'must god remain greek'peter j gomes (AA) preacher to harvard univ. - 'the good book' and on and on, certainly these are worthy of dicussion, though would this be the right place for that.
Then there is Christian fiction which is probably what we are talking about here - of that i have not seen much that i would consider to be good or serious. Especially when you consider the history of the african american church and the our folks who make up the church.
Has anyone read 'the moaner's bench' by mars hill.
Finally my personal - Howard Thurman. |
Yukio
Newbie Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 5
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 01:50 pm: |
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cynique...thats so funny and so cynical...lmao! |
Akaivyleaf
Newbie Poster
Username: Akaivyleaf
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 05:59 pm: |
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I'm into Christian Fiction which means to me, books in which the characters have recognized and acknowledge the presence of God in their lives even though its fiction. I think that Michele Andrea Bowen with her books Church Folk and Second Sunday exemplifies my definition of Christian Fiction. That may be also because I'm a "church girl" and can relate to the characters. Church folk had me laughing out loud, thinking that Ms. Bowen had to be attending my church incognito.
The other side of the Christian coin would be what I term as inspirational. I would put TD Jakes (and Cynique you have a way with words, homely is right...), Jacqueline Jakes, Bruce Wilkinson, Iyanla and the like in this category. These books appeal to people who have an unfulfilled need but I can't get into them. I haven't read one yet that just turned on the light for me and made me change direction. I would much rather hear a sermon than read a compilation. |
Thumper
Newbie Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 11:18 am: |
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Hello All,
Akaivyleaf: I actually read and enjoyed Church Folk. My main problem with it, is the same problem I have with most Christian Fiction, right after somebody has gotten their boots knocked at the end of one chapter, the very next chapter, the preacher character launches into a sermon. I'm sorry, but, I'm not the type of person that can get heated up and have the fire extinguished that fast.
I can see where the church, especially like the one I grew up in, and its members would be simply 9 months PREGNANT with dramatic possibilities. But, strangely enough, I'm not seeing it in any of these books. |
Thumper
Newbie Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 11:20 am: |
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Hello All,
Cynique: What does T.D. Jakes say about black men? What's that saying by Mae West, "when a good woman goes bad, men go right after 'em". |
Cynique
Newbie Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 05:36 pm: |
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I've only read excerpts from books by T.D. Jakes and learned other things about him from articles written on him. I would imagine that the good reverend tells men to yield not to temptation. And pray alot. |
Troy
Newbie Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 14
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:41 am: |
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When AALBC.com first started AALBC.com Iyanla Vanzant (http://aalbc.com/authors/iyanla.htm) was far and away the best selling author. Fast forward 6 years, Zane and Carl Weber are top selling authors leaving Ms. Vanzant in the dust.
I've not seen a demographc shift in the AALBC.com demographic, so I assume there has been a shirt in interest. That shift of interest is also reflected in the books discussed on the board and the books that are being purchased.
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Cynique
Newbie Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 12:35 pm: |
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Self-help books usually run their course. There are just so many ways you can recycle the "power of positive thinking" principle. So, Gurus of this genre usually just take the money and run. On the other hand, diet books are perennial best sellers. Hope springs eternal in the heart of a fat person. |
Bookgirl
Newbie Poster
Username: Bookgirl
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2004 - 01:58 am: |
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Cynique; I have to laugh at your observations though I also have to admit you are telling the truth. Jakes used to come to my church (at Revival time) some 12 years ago; before he blew up and he was most unattractive....run-over shoes, needing a hair cut. The man I see on television now is a real "extreme makeover". LOL Needless to say that he hasn't been to our church in many, many years.
I've read a few of his books and I must admit that he has a powerful ministry to hurting people and his preaching books have value to those who gleam inspiration and personal deliverance from then. He recently put out his first attempt at fiction which I haven't read.
I read Church Folk and laughed all the way through it because I recognized some of the personalities at my church. Like AkaIvyLeaf; I find the characters real. I also read Testimony, about a music ministry and sure enough; I recognized the personalities of some of our choir members.
So to answer Thumper's question; I find some Christian fiction entertaining but not something that I can really sink my teeth in. But others are reading Christian fiction, just like the Arabesque novels, because the sales are climbing in this genre. |
Shevi
First Time Poster
Username: Shevi
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 06, 2004 - 09:43 pm: |
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I read a few novels of this genre and was pleasantly surprised, not at all what I thought. I will purchase more. I thought Church Folk was funny! |
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