By Barbara M. Britton @BarbaraMBritton

It might surprise readers to know that my reading life was fairly sparse growing up. I lived in sunny California, and I spent my days roller skating, bike riding, and playing outdoors with my friends. I enjoyed reading, but I relegated it to the evening. Even today I read mostly at night.

In my early years, my family didn’t believe in God, so Bible reading wasn’t practiced. 

One of my favorite times at school was when the Scholastic order form arrived. My parents allowed me to choose a few books for the quarter. Some of my favorite books were classics like “The Borrowers” or “Stuart Little.” I would also buy anything about sharks. I’m a big fan of Shark Week on the History Channel. Some of my Scholastic reads are in my basement. I have a shelf of books from my childhood. I’m surprised they don’t fall apart when I open them.

I don’t recall my mom ever reading a book. When I asked her about it, she told me that when she would sit down to read as a kid, my grandfather would tell her, “Don’t you have anything better to do?” My mom is spreading her reading wings later in life.

Today Barbara Britton shares about her reading life. #Reading #Readingcommunity Click To Tweet

My dad always read books. He traveled to work on trains long before computers or smartphones were developed. Dad bought the latest bestsellers and read them on the train. I inherited his paperbacks and read James A. Michener. I slogged through “Hawaii” and “The Source” thinking everyone wrote at a slow pace and with extreme detail.

It wasn’t until I felt the compulsion to write a novel that I began to read books steadily. Literary professionals tell writers to read in their genre, so I delved into historical romance novels. The first manuscripts that I created were set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

I had no idea there was a Christian Fiction publishing world until my fourth manuscript was picked up by a Christian publisher. My Bible-themed Young Adult novel was placed in the Biblical Fiction category. I began reading novels centered around Bible characters like “Pearl in the Sand” by Tessa Afshar (Rahab) and “Love Amid the Ashes” by Mesu Andrews (Dinah). How had I missed this treasure chest of books about God and His love for us? We aren’t perfect, but we are forgiven, and Christian stories share that salvation message. A lady in my church came to faith by reading Christian Fiction. How cool is that! Praise the Lord! 

Overall, my reading habits haven’t changed much. I still read in the evening. I still prefer paper books. But now, I read the Bible and focus on bringing little-known Bible characters to light. I prefer stories that shine a light on God’s love and share the hope we have in Jesus. Stories I wish could be found in a public school book flyer.

 

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates
under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day. Her Tribes of
Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. She also authored a WWI Historical set
in Alaska. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy
strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barb and her books on her website
www.barbarambritton.com.