Into the Fire

It's no secret I don't like history. Never have. I have a fair memory, but when I don't like something much I have a tendency to discard information. Historical knowledge is something I haven't retained. I know. I know. To my shame. Okay?

I loved playing cowboys and Indians when I was a kid – and pioneers. Over and over again on the city block where I lived we'd play like we lived a long time ago and ride our pretend horses and use my best friend's back porch for a trading post. For days on end. Fun times. Then we grew up.

And I realized how much I loved hot running water and toilets and electricity and furnaces. And cars. So. No, I don't like historical novels that put me back in the days where I pretended to live. It's a matter of taste. It's like being offered a Pepsi. The answer is always: No thanks.

Having said that, I'm well aware – as is every author who has their sites set on CBA – that historical novels are intensely popular. Do I begrudge those readers these stories? I do not. And furthermore I respect and admire those authors who go to extreme lengths to make the details in their novels authentic for the periods of time enclosed in the pages of their books.

And so it was interesting to find the enormous – well, large – amount of historical novels being released this year by the known-for-historicals Bethany House and not-as-much Revell publishers. And, forgive me those numerous fans of historical novels, so disappointing. One excellent place to get the heads-up on novel releases is the great blog for readers: Relz Reviewz. The majority of new releases are historicals. Gaahhh!

I don't know why I care. Maybe it's their sheer volume. It seems to point out to me the diminishing number of other more desirable stories that I might like to read. Aahh well. It's just a matter of taste . . .

Father, you put up with me. I'm thankful for that. Please keep workin' on me, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.