Kelley Mathews
Family lore says that I got off the bus after my first day of Kindergarten, crying. Why? “Because they didn’t teach me to read!” Apparently, I’d taken a little too literally my mom’s well-intentioned assurance that I would learn to read when I started school.
I now read books for a living. Actually, I read books to pay for my lunch and coffee dates. I don’t recommend this career for those who wish to feed their families. But readers find time to read, and writers find time to write, so I make a way to read often and then write about some of it. Enter, this series on recommended books.
My reading “job” began after my seminary graduation, when I swore off any nonfiction, “heavy” sort of reading—because after six years of only that, I needed a break. Bring on the fiction fluff! This coincided neatly with the birth of my first child and the beginning of my SAHM (stay at home mom) years. The internet became a connection to the outside, intelligent, world, and I found authors who needed readers to help them launch their new books. They gave free copies, and I would agree to write a review. Social media marketing began developing soon after that, so I joined Facebook and learned the art of sharing my findings. (A handy tool, since I was also writing books that needed marketing.)
About ten years ago I was invited to judge for the Christy Awards, which honor and promote excellence in Christian fiction with annual awards in several genres. Nothing thrills my husband more than to see a box of 25 novels arrive at our doorstep (Please don’t let her want to keep them all!). About five years ago I began reviewing for Publishers Weekly, “the bible of the book business,” known especially for its 9,000-per-year prepublication book reviews. Over the last six years, I’ve helped manage ministry websites that featured a variety of books. I also continue to help authors launch their new books.
Don’t worry: I also read just for fun, especially e-books I find free or super-cheap. My favorite genres include Christian fiction, historical fiction, romance, spy/military thrillers, action, and suspense. So when I start recommending books or authors, they come from a fairly wide range of genres (probably no sci-fi or horror, sorry).
I will start this series with Christian fiction, as I read this genre most often thanks to the Christys. Don’t assume I’ve written the review I share, or that I’ve even written a review on a particular book. Sometimes I just read and judge, or just read, or review anonymously. But I can assure you that I’ve read the books I’m recommending here. [Disclosure: Book titles may be affiliate links, which give me a tiny commission on purchases. It’s like a little thank-you from the retailers for sending you their way.)
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