As Christians, you and I are to be purposeful about the things we allow into our lives, right? We aren’t just supposed to accept things simply because “everybody else” accepts them. Your parents and Christian leaders have been teaching you this your whole life. So it’s helpful to have someone else come alongside you and give you advice, perspective, or their understanding of a matter. In my podcast Academy Days, Lacey talks about books. (Sometimes these books are real publications, other times they are made up.) In the story world, Miss Tomer is someone Lacey could go to for suggestions on what to read. Do you have anyone like that in your life? Well, whether you do or not, below are two resources you could check out for book recommendations and content info.
Books for Christian Girls: Blog and YouTube Channel
Lindsey @ BFCG runs a blog where she posts book reviews. Her reviews are special in that, even though she reviews Christian books, she takes the time to list content issues that may be trigger points for some readers. From noting the slang words used to the level of physical interaction in romance, Lindsey is an excellent resource if you want to guard your mind and heart while reading. Make sure to read her rating system explanation to understand the reasoning behind her star choices. Her ratings are more than just how much she liked the book. She’s thinking in terms of the young women who may read the book.
Also, make sure to check out her BookTube channel on YouTube. There is a whole community of Christian BookTubers who discuss books, but Lindsey is one of the best for Christian girls. In the videos, she reviews books, talks about the books she plans to read in the future, displays her colorful bookshelf in light-hearted book-tag videos, and lets you in on book hauls—the books she’s recently acquired. You’ll enjoy her tender spirit, and if you are an animal-lover, her dog Daisy makes occasional appearances!
Unknown Friends: Podcast by Rachelle Ferguson
Now, while Lindsey reviews a lot of books, they are generally specifically in the Christian market and star a female lead. So, perhaps you want to delve into something like a classic, literary fiction, or a book that isn’t specifically marketed as Christian. Rachelle gives author biography notes, story information, and sometimes will note if there is content not appropriate for younger readers. She’ll also clue you in on the author’s worldview. After listening to her podcast, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not you want to investigate the actual book. In addition, you can learn from Rachelle about how to be more mindful about what you read. As a bonus, Rachelle also has a YouTube channel where she’s posted a couple videos of stage productions she’s written.
So there you have it:
two places to look for book recommendations. Lindsey for books specifically in the Christian market and Rachelle for classics, literary fiction, and other not-specifically Christian books. Both young women operate from a Christian worldview and love books! With their help, you’ll be able to answer that question of “What should I read next?”