Tough Stuff–Real Life Reading

I’ve heard it said before that novels written by Christians don’t relate to “Real Life.” Some like to think that we hide away in our little, safe world and ignore tough issues. (As if we aren’t in the midst of living through many of the same issues!)

I’ve written stories about children born out of wedlock, children abandoned by parents, wives abandoned by husbands, and true loves seperated by circumstances . . . and that is just in four novels. I explore these issues because, although I haven’t lived through the exact same things, personally I’ve dealt with issues of loss, abandonment, and unfulfilled longings.

But my novels aren’t the only ones out there that deal with tough stuff. This list was compiled by my writer-friend, Deb Raney. I think you’ll find some books worth reading!

Social Issues in Fiction written by Christians:

Abortion:
TEARS IN A BOTTLE, Sylvia Bambola (Multnomah)
THE ATONEMENT CHILD, Francine Rivers (Tyndale)

Alcoholism/Drug Abuse:
BEYOND THE SHADOWS, Robin Lee Hatcher (Tyndale)
LOOKING FOR CASSANDRA JANE, Melody Carlson (Tyndale)
SHADOW OF DREAMS, Eva Marie Everson & G.W. Francis Chadwick (PromisePress/Barbour)

Breast Cancer: AFTER ANNE, Roxanne Henke (Harvest House)

Domestic Violence:
SADIE’S SONG, Linda Hall (Multnomah)
SERENITY BAY, Bette Nordberg (Bethany House)
A NEST OF SPARROWS, Deborah Raney (WaterBrook Press)

Drunk Driving: THE LIVING STONE, Jane Orcutt (WaterBrook Press)
AFTER THE RAINS, Deborah Raney (WaterBrook Press)
WAITING FOR MORNING, Karen Kingsbury (Multnomah)

Homosexuality/AIDS:
TIGER LILLIE, Lisa Samson (WaterBrook Press)
SPRING RAIN, Gayle Roper (Multnomah)
A SEASON OF GRACE, Bette Nordberg (Harvest House)

Infertility:
THE LONG-AWAITED CHILD, Tracie Peterson (Bethany House)
LULLABY, Jane Orcutt (Tyndale)
IN A HEARTBEAT, Sally John (Harvest House)

Infidelity/Divorce:
THE FORGIVING HOUR, Robin Lee Hatcher (WaterBrook Press)
THE SCARLET THREAD, Francine Rivers (Tyndale)
THE BREAKING POINT, Karen Ball (Multnomah)
REDEEMING LOVE, Francine Rivers (Multnomah)

Mental Illness/Depression/Suicide:
FINDING ALICE, Melody Carlson (WaterBrook Press)
SONGBIRD, Lisa Samson (Warner Faith)
WHEN JOY CAME TO STAY, Karen Kingsbury (Multnomah)
THE LIVING END, Lisa Samson (WaterBrook Press)
THE NOVELIST, Angela Hunt (WestBow Press)

Pregnancy Out of Wedlock:
CHILD OF GRACE, Lori Copeland (Tyndale)
A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS, Karen Kingsbury (Multnomah)
ARMS OF DELIVERANCE, Tricia Goyer (Moody Publishing)

Rape/Incest/Sexual Abuse:
WHAT SHE LEFT FOR ME, Tracie Peterson (Bethany House)
WHEN YOU BELIEVE, Deborah Bedford (Warner Faith)
WHY THE SKY IS BLUE, Susan Meissner, (Harvest House)
MENDING FENCES, Denise Hunter (Howard)
THE ATONEMENT CHILD, Francine Rivers (Tyndale)
ANTONIA’S CHOICE, Nancy Rue (Multnomah)
IN THE STILL OF NIGHT, Deborah Raney (Bethany House)
A NEST OF SPARROWS, Deborah Raney (WaterBrook Press)

Do you have any you can add to the list? Please use the COMMENT field to do so.