Five Bookish Tropes We Need More Of.

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Before I get swept into the post and forget, I have to let y'all know about something! My friends at Inside Out Designs are hosting a NaNo challenge—no extra writing required. Closes tomorrow! :D

That aside, how are you all doing? Is your Thanksgiving week looking as crazy as mine? Work and time with family, on top of a Black Friday book sale (yes, stay tuned! <3), planning two blog tours/parties, prepping for the publication of my newest release, editing, and other undisclosed author-ness that I can't tell right now... It's keeping me hoppin'. ;)

Surprisingly, though, I'm writing a quality post for the first time in forever (not that cover reveals and blog tour sign-ups aren't amazing, but ya know), in an effort to finally keep my blogging attempts on a semi-consistent schedule—by writing about my beloved, under-appreciated tropes in fiction. This is going to be fabulous! 

{ roadtrips }

A good ol' road trip. Honestly, who doesn't love them? Stories with literal road-trips that parallel the spiritual or emotional journey that the protagonist takes are SO amazing.

My example for this trope is To Get to You by Joanne Bischof. The main character, Riley, spends the majority of the book on a road-trip with his estranged father. The story of grace and redemption, forgiveness and healing, was beautiful. <3

Someone write me a fabulous book like this, 'kay? Please and thank you.

{ adoption & foster care }

I don't know what it is, but I really enjoy stories about adoptions, adoptees, or foster care situations—particularly when the adopted teen or adult sets forth on a quest to locate their biological parents. The search for something else and the discovery that what they were searching for has been there all along... <3

Two stories that I've read which fit this trope and were enjoyable reads are True to You by Becky Wade and The Long Ride Home by Marsha Hubler. While one is an adult and the other a teen, both main characters have special stories.

{ amputees }

*enters coughing*  Okay, yeah, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, amputees. I don't know why, other than stories of physical disabilities intrigue me. Basically, I don't know why I'm so warped, but moving on. The ability and the strength to overcome, the resilience and courage... these sort of stories always manage to snag a special place in my heart.

I've read many books with amputees characters, in main and side roles, and some of my favorites are... Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter (some content, not recommended for those under 16), At the Edge of a Dark Forest by Connie Almony, Meet My Boyfriend by Willowy Whisper, and If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock.

{ clean summer romances }

Fireflies in the grasses, a tire swing dangling from a tree branch, stars in the inky night sky, wading barefoot in a rocky creek... Honestly, there's so many beautiful things about summertime. And clean, summer romances are so darling!

My favorite is I Don't Dance by Jesseca Wheaton. Sweet as they come and filled to the brim with adorableness, this little novella is the best. (Did I mention there's country music references? Scotty McCreery, anyone?)

{ hard subjects }

Hard subjects. Difficult topics. The things no one wants to talk about, the things we're afraid to say for fear of starting a controversial debate.

When handled in a God-honoring way, I love it when authors address these issues. Whether its drugs or alcohol addiction, a child born out of wedlock or tattoos, avoiding the topics won't make the problems disappear.

My example for this one is The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof. It deals with a multitude of avoided topics—rape, children born out of wedlock, prostitution, tattoos—and the author deals with each in such a caring, graceful style.



What's your favorite under-appreciated bookish trope? Got any recs for me, according to my above preferences? 

Tune in next week for a post about the five bookish tropes that I wish would just DIE ALREADY.

~Faith