Christy Finalists!

I love the Christy Awards. So many interesting, excellent novels all in one place. I'm ashamed to admit how few of them I've read this year, though. Only six out of the 27 (though the one that finaled in two categories is sitting in my tote ready to read next).

Key: Bold I've read, italics I plan to, bold authors I've read other of their books.

The Christy Awards 2008 Nominees

CONTEMPORARY (STAND ALONE)

• Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson)

• In High Places by Tom Morrisey (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

• Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)

CONTEMPORARY (SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS)

• Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon (Viking Penguin)

• A Time to Mend by Sally John and Gary Smalley (Thomas Nelson)

• What Lies Within by Karen Ball (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

• Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

• A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

• Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

LITS (four nominees due to a tie)

• Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Elwell Hunt (Tyndale House Publishers)

• Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach (Kregel Publications)

• Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

• Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck (Avon Inspire, a division of HarperCollins Publishers)

ROMANCE

• Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills (Barbour Publishing)

• Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney (Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster)

• Remembered by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

SUSPENSE

• The Cure by Athol Dickson (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

• My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (Moody Publishers)

• The Pawn by Steven James (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

VISIONARY

• Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

• The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (NavPress Publishing Group)

• Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson)

FIRST NOVEL

• Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

• Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (NavPress Publishing Group)

• The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

YOUNG ADULT

• Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson (NavPress Publishing Group)

• In Between by Jenny B. Jones (NavPress Publishing Group)

• Maggie Come Lately by Michelle Buckman (NavPress Publishing Group)

It's interesting to see how my tastes have changed, from the romance, historical, and contemporary authors I've enjoyed in the past to the suspense, visionary, and young adult books I enjoy now and want to read in the future.