Avoiding Reader's Remorse

Have you ever tried something new — only to be disappointed? Maybe that restaurant everyone was raving about — and you left hungry? 

A similar feeling of disappointment has happened to me sometimes when I read a book from an unfamiliar author. I start the book with high expectations, but then I think a few times:  “Uh oh, did that say what I think it said?”  A few pages later, another sentence makes me stop and wonder. But after a few chapters, I give up and wish I could turn back the page (pun intended) to the moment before I decided to buy the book. 

There are so many options out there, but truth be told, not all “Christian” resources promote ideas that align with Scripture. It’s wise to be “picky eaters” when we select what we read, watch, and listen to. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence. What we take in shapes our thoughts, our emotions, and our desires. Since we can’t treat books like lotion samples (no ‘try before you buy’ option) how do we know if something is going to be a great read or another book in our DNF (did not finish) list? 

One way to see if a resource is worth your time and dime is to look over the reviews or testimonials on the cover of the book or on the website.  A quote from an author or teacher that you trust can give you confidence in the decision to read the material. And of course, a teacher, pastor, or mentor at your church can offer wise counsel when we are unsure of a source. They may even have a copy for you to read! 

We don’t want to start making a new recipe before checking all the ingredients that are needed. Likewise, you can possibly avoid reader’s remorse by checking out an author’s online bio. Knowing some general facts about their experience, skills, and education can be eye-opening. It’s worth noticing what degrees they have and what institutions they studied at. The denomination of their alma mater may have a significant influence on their views. Along with their education, their past and current job titles can also provide insight. 

It’s also helpful to look at the author’s church affiliation. A few extra minutes browsing their church’s website can help shed light on their doctrinal views. Other points of interest are the overall structure of the church leadership and the names/photos of people on staff (including the author in question).  If there isn’t a church mentioned, or the church doesn’t have a clear statement of faith, you may want to remove it from your TBR list before regret sets in.

So you’ve done some research, read reviews, and you have decided to get the book from the author that everyone is talking about. But that is just the warm-up. The next challenge is to use those discernment muscles as you are reading! 

You can stop and ask yourself questions as you are reading. Does the author rely on emotional pull or speculation to draw conclusions about a Bible passage? When an author mentions a verse, does the verse actually say what the author says it says? (Don’t ask me to say that again!) 

Finally, if you want to level up your discernment skills without having to buy anything, Quill Meanwell is at your service! Check out our Learning Discernment blogs and become a pro at spotting common missteps in Christian literature.

Remember, your heart follows what you treasure (Matthew 6:21). A little discernment now may prevent  reader’s remorse later.

See also: When Stories Don’t Match Real Life, Book Buffet