"I get knocked down, but I get up again"

Ooft. It’s like asking a parent to choose their favourite child!

I love reading and definitely have my faves when it comes to Authors.

Christian writers I love:

Francine Rivers – she writes romances that are so moving. They’re incredible and are thick books that I feel are treasures, they’re so well written. My favourite book of ALL TIME (besides the Bible of course) is “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. To take the TRUE STORY of Hosea who married a prostitute; a broken woman who kept leaving him to go back to the brothel…sooo many times…yet every time, Michael Hosea continues to love her. That to me is the kind of love that changes the world.

Adrian Plass – he writes in diary-style from the point of view of a Fictional character and his family. I’ve fallen in love with them all as if they’re real people. It’s nice to see a Christian struggle at times with his fate, be naughty, have fun, laugh at things we probably shouldn’t and one who measures the length of a sermon by how many lollies he ate in that time. RESPECT!!!

Max Lucado – he writes as if he’s talking to you as a friend…as if you’re meeting for lunch at a nice cafe – and I love that. I love that he can draw you into his thoughts and ideas but make you feel comfortable and understood at the same time. As a Christian, I don’t like having to read about theology and the historical nature of Jesus…I want to know how tall He was. What made Him laugh. Anything that made Jesus roll his eyes, wink or chuckle. That’s where Max meets me and I really love that.

Non-Christian Writers I totes “dig”:

I love Mike Gayle – he writes from his heart. His books are so raw and vulnerable but are always hopeful and I dig that. I love me some hopefulness.

Andy Weir’s “The Martian” made me fist-pump with happiness whenever the fictional character had a win, made me cover my mouth with awe or worry or made me cry copious tears when he finally gets rescued because I was SO INVESTED in the character’s plight on Mars all by himself.

Trent Dalton wrote “Boy swallows Universe” was groundbreaking. It was so different, so Australian (woo) and so fantastical – yet “real” – it was both intriguing, thrilling and touching to read. It was a heady combination and an excellent book.

A book that changed my life was “All our wrong today’s” by Elan Mastai. He writes about the 2 genres I don’t actually like – Science Fiction and Fantasy. Ugh. But I gave it a go, and couldn’t put it down. The book is about a man who figures out how to travel through time. He goes back to get a girl’s attention (boys!) and each time he goes back in time and does something – it completely changes the future. In one chapter, one seemingly small decision erases over 2 BILLION people from ever existing. In the chapter following where the main character finds out he essentially “killed” BILLIONS of people, the Author writes a chapter that just has the word “F*CK!!!” about 98 times on the page. BRILLIANT. I highly recommend reading this.

Running out of time now but here are other worthy mentions:

I loved reading:

“Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine”

“Where the Crawdads sing”

“A fault in the stars” (the fault in our stars?)

“Me before you” and subsequently (but not as much) “Me after You”

“ROOM” blew my mind and made me grateful for so many of the every-day blessings I take for granted. I love that such an adult concept (Being kidnapped and imprisoned for years on end) was written from a child’s point of view. So clever and so touching.

Lastly, you guys might not consider yourself Authors, but I love reading your blogs:

Shanti – so inspiring because you see beauty all around you. You’re an incredible writer and you draw me in with your first words. I love your blogs. Keep writing!!!

Tommy – hilarious, witty, clever and then suddenly charming. I read yours until the very end always wanting a little more. Like cake. Mmmmmm.

Ellie – you have come from so much pain, and you write with so much gratefulness. It floors me. I’m so proud of you.

Sara – you are so eloquent and intelligent. I love reading what you’ve written and feel so blessed you let us into your world. Especially on the days where it hurts. It’s an honour.