A reading guide from GoodNovels.org
Looking for Christian fiction about everyday life, a family story or a thoughtful book club read? Begin with the questions that matter to you, then choose a setting, mood and length.
Our 16 complete free short novels draw on biblical themes in contemporary settings. Read online or download PDF and EPUB without an account.
A place to begin
Choose a question, a mood, or a familiar name to discover a story.
This week’s reading invitations.
Short novel
LaShon Watson · Columbia, Kentucky
A respected retired band director in Columbia, Kentucky, returns to a world of music and traditions he helped shape. Finding his place now means allowing another person to lead without treating change as an erasure.
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Short novel
Gayle C. James · Savannah, Georgia
Nearly twenty years after her sister took family money and disappeared, Vivian sees her return to the Savannah restaurant she built without her. Making room for a second chance will mean deciding what trust can ask.
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Short novel
Sheila Paulette · Fairhope, Alabama
A newspaper editor in Fairhope discovers that her late father’s public record needs correcting. Honoring the man she loved and meeting her responsibility to the truth may require choices that cannot protect every reputation.
Read online ↗A few places to begin
In FAITH, Hannah opens her table to others after repeated pregnancy loss. Choose this tender story if you want to explore how giving and receiving care can ask different kinds of courage.
Bellevue, Idaho · Inspired by 1 Samuel 1 and 1 Samuel 2:1 through 11
Read FAITH freeMERCY brings an estranged sister back to the Savannah restaurant Vivian built without her. Try it when you want a tense family story about forgiveness, trust and what a new beginning can reasonably ask.
Savannah, Georgia · Inspired by Luke 15:11 through 32
Read MERCY freeIn GENTLENESS, a Wyoming rancher offers his son and granddaughter work, advice and a patient horse. Their needs ask him to listen as well as provide. Begin here for a reflective story about love across generations.
Buffalo, Wyoming · Inspired by Proverbs 15:1
Read GENTLENESS freeIn JOY, a dressmaker is asked to finish a wedding gown for her late son's fiancée, who is now marrying someone else. Read it together to consider how celebrating another person's future can leave room for remembrance.
Thomasville, Georgia · Inspired by Romans 12:15
Read JOY freeThe Whitakers of Sullivan's Island by Quinlan Motley begins with a photograph, a returned letter and Eli's question about whether Graham Whitaker could be his father. The story moves from before Thanksgiving toward a Christmas Day ending.
Start with the free opening, or use the book club selection meeting to decide together. The complete editions are separate purchases: PDF + EPUB $3.99 USD, audiobook $5.99 USD, or both $7.99 USD. United States purchases; applicable tax is calculated at checkout.
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