When a Bestseller Surprises You

Can I be honest? Many times, the books I read fall into two categories. The first is made up of personal favorites, the books I reread when I want to escape, relax, or revisit a story I love. The second consists of books someone has told me to read, usually about writing, prayer, or spiritual disciplines.

As a Christian, I tend to stay away from books filled with violence or sexual overtones. I enjoy mysteries or action-adventure books, especially when they have an engaging storyline filled with twists and turns. However, I struggle with Christian fiction when the Gospel feels like a distraction from the story rather than an integral part of it.

This past summer, though, I broke my usual pattern. I downloaded “Theo of Golden” because it was on Audible and had become a New York Times bestseller. I rarely choose a book simply because it appears on a bestseller list. This time, however, I decided to see what all the attention was about.

I knew almost nothing about the book except that it was fiction. At least I knew the genre, which seemed like a reasonable place to start. The narrator had a calming voice, making the book perfect for listening while driving through D.C. traffic. Instead of focusing on the chaos around me, I could disappear into the story.

Interestingly, the slow pace worked wonderfully for me. The descriptions of the town and the people reminded me of several places we lived during our military journey. At first I imagined the story taking place in Golden, Colorado. As the story unfolded, however, my imagination wandered to the small, sleepy towns of the Northeast, much like those portrayed in the series Gilmore Girls. Eventually, after restarting the book several times, I decided the Southeast was probably the most likely place for Golden.

Those repeated restarts actually helped me connect with the characters. I let my husband and daughter listen to the Audible version, so I kept starting over with them. Looking back, I think I might have followed the story more easily if I had read the book myself.

As my journey with Theo continued, several of my friends picked up the book too. Most of them thought the author developed the story very slowly. Because my narrator had such a melodic, elderly voice, I didn’t mind the pace. For me, the slower development became part of the experience, not a problem.

The book also met many of my personal preferences. It did not contain sexual overtones or violence I try to avoid. Instead, it centered on a main storyline with a few interesting connections between the characters. I will not spoil the ending by telling you what happens. I will just say it wasn’t what I expected.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was discovering that Theo of Golden had become a New York Times bestseller. I didn’t know the author, so after finishing the book, I looked up his biography. I recommend waiting until after you finish the book before doing that yourself. I prefer not to judge a book based on what I know about its author.

Sometimes, it is refreshing to step outside our usual reading patterns. We may discover a story we would never have chosen otherwise, and sometimes the journey itself becomes part of what makes the book memorable.

Jennifer Wake is a passionate Bible study leader, author, and educator dedicated to helping others grow in faith and wisdom. With a background in chemistry and physics, she brings clarity and depth to her teaching, blending science, scripture, and real-life application. Jennifer holds a master’s degree and is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC), offering practical guidance rooted in both knowledge and compassion. As a military spouse and the 2023 AFI Fort Belvoir Spouse of the Year, Jennifer has served alongside her chaplain husband, supporting families and building resilient communities. She is also a seasoned teacher and trainer, known for her engaging and down-to-earth teaching style. She is currently working on two new books. She is a proud mother of three adult children and two beloved dogs. Whether she’s writing, teaching, quilting, or walking her pups, she remains committed to living a life of purpose, faith, and service.

Learn more at Jennifer’s website or her BRRC author profile page.

I rarely choose a book simply because it appears on a bestseller list. This time, however, I decided to see what all the attention was about. Share on X