Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Monday, January 11, 2010

I read a really good fiction book this weekend

Sometimes I like to just relax and read a good fiction book.

Recently an acquaintance of mine mentioned an author with whom I was not familiar and a specific series. So I was able to get the first book in the series through our local library and read it this weekend. The author is Francine Rivers and the book is Unveiled. It's the first in the Lineage of Grace series. This series provides books about Tamar, Rehab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary - women in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

I don't know about you, but a lot of times when I read genealogies in the Bible, they don't mean a lot for me. Sometimes I'll have thoughts like how I'm so blessed that God made sure that the Bible, written in a male dominated culture, included women's names in the lineage. I'll even take some satisfaction in noting that the women in the line of Jesus weren't all upstanding citizens (this pleases me because I relate to sinners a lot better than saints). But, aside from a few passing thoughts, I don't think a whole lot about genealogies.

It's not just genealogies that I don't always have expanded thoughts concerning. Sometimes there will be a Bible account where a person is mentioned, a few things are said concerning that person, and then the account goes on. What Francine Rivers has done is taken those few things we do know about the person from the Bible, and then she's researched the culture of the time and come out with historical fiction novels that fill in the account with details that very well could have happened. These are of course not scripture and are fiction; but the one novel I've read so far, Unveiled, has helped increase my insight into lots of ramifications of the story of Tamar as well as Ruben.

The story itself is captivating. From the first page I read, I couldn't stop reading until I finished the book. I laughed and cried when reading the book. I both identified with Tamar as well as found her an inspiration that I want to emulate in some regards.

What about you, have you read any good books lately?

6 comments:

RCUBEs said...

And I hope that you were able to relax as you were reading this book? Take care sister. Blessings to you.

Jenny said...

I've been looking for books to read as well.. Maybe i'll drop by and search for that book :D

Denise said...

Sounds like an awesome book.

Michelle said...

I need to read and can't get motivated!

I read Redeeming Love several years ago. Very good book. (It's the one about Ruth I think?)

JPaulaReed said...

Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors. She wrote one of my favorite book series: The Mark of the Lion Series. Tracy, I'm sure I've told you about these books. It's 3 books: A Voice in the Wind, And Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn. The main character is a young Christian girl, Hadassah and her life as she goes through her family being killed by Romans, becoming a slave in a Roman household and keeping her Christian faith. The time setting is about 30 years after Christ's ascension.

Tracy said...

I don't remember you mentioning Francine Rivers name Paula; but as soon as I read your description of the trilogy I could see you and I walking around 9PM by that fountain with the fish in it in from of that small hospital in Paramount. I can remember you telling me about the story line as we walked.

I adore getting to hike out back of our house here but I still miss our walks and talks at night. Your next break, you're gonna have to come visit or have me visit you there.

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