Faith Reads: A Selective Guide to Christian Nonfiction

by David Rainey

Overview

At last—a resource for librarians who wish to build or develop their nonfiction collection and use it to better serve the needs of adult Christian readers. Covering the three major branches of Christianity (Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox), the author organizes more than 600 titles into subject categories ranging from biography, the arts, and education, to theology, devotion, and spiritual warfare. Award-winning classics are noted. Introductory narrative frames the literature, and helps librarians better understand Christian literature; and learn how to establish selection criteria for building a Christian nonfiction collection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591586029
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/30/2008
Pages:	388
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

David Rainey is Senior Bibliographer at the State Library of Louisiana. Besides doing reference work, he is responsible for collection development in the Dewey 200s (Christianity). He is a reviewer for Christian Library Jourbanal and also administers a small resource center that he started at his church. His background includes work at public, academic, and special libraries.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Life Stories
Chapter 2: Prayer, Worship, and Spiritual Growth
Chapter 3: Christian Self-Help
Chapter 4: Evangelism
Chapter 5: Arts, Culture, and Education
Chapter 6: Business and Leadership
Chapter 7: Science and Nature
Chapter 8: Bible and Theology
Appendix A: Christian Nonfiction Book Awards
Appendix B: Review Sources
Appendix C: Christian Nonfiction Publishers
Author/Title Index
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

Librarians have resources to help them do collection development and readers' advisory in the area of Christian fiction, but Christian nonfiction can be unknown territory. In Faith Reads: A Selective Guide to Christian Nonfiction, author Rainey provides an annotated bibliography of 646 titles, arranged by subject. The book is divided into eight broad chapters, from 'Life Stories' to 'Bible and Theology,' and each chapter is subdivided into more discreet topics.” —Booklist

“This comprehensive guide to Christian nonfiction is written for librarians who purchase or provide reader's advisory services, as well as for people who have a special interest in the genre. It encompasses the three major branches of Christianity: Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.” —VOYA

“Although some academic libraries that collect broadly in the areas of modern Christian culture may wish to add this work, it is most appropriate for public, church, and Protestant seminary libraries.” —ARBA

“Rainey's book will be of great value primarily for public libraries.” —Catholic Library World

“David Rainey has compiled a useful and topical guide to Christian nonfiction. . . a relevant listing for any librarian building up a Christian non-fiction collection in a school/college setting and for public librarians keen to widen their coverage.” —Reference Reviews

From the Publisher