How to read Karen Kingsbury’s books in order
Karen Kingsbury’s novels are a must-read for everyone looking to explore their faith and find grace in literature. Most of her works are an uplifting blend of heart-warming plotlines and characters with a noticeable emotional depth that helps guide the reader to a homiletic message.
Background on Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury
Karen Kingsbury was born in 1963 in Fairfax, Virginia. She’s written almost one hundred novels focusing on Christian tenets. Her most popular series include the Redemption and the Sunrise series. Kingsbury’s novels usually tackle religious themes, such as love, forgiveness, redemption, and piety, and many readers and critics alike have praised her for her relatable characters and touching stories that have served as inspiration for millions worldwide, teaching them the importance of compassion and love. In addition to being a novelist, Kingsbury is also a motivational speaker and a philanthropist, running the One Chance Foundation for parents looking to adopt and the Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing at Liberty University which she uses to promote literacy.
Series involving the Baxter family with Gary Smalley
Kingsbury co-authored her Baxter series with Gary Smalley. The novels are her longest-running series, and they can be divided into several sub-series. Most of the stories are light-hearted yet profound, as they are informed by the author’s religiosity and missionary sense of grace as needed to be preached. The Baxter family is thus set against all the inconveniences of modern America, with only their faith to protect and unite them. The series was adapted into a TV series in 2019.
Redemption series
The first five novels in The Baxter Family series established the key points that would later be the foundation for much of the series. It also introduced the titular family, together with their strengths, weaknesses, and internal politics. Most importantly, it introduces the characters’ moral compass and explains the importance of faith in their lives.
- Redemption (2002)
- Remember (2003)
- Return (2003)
- Rejoice (2004)
- Reunion (2004)
Firstborn series
The second sub-series continues where the first book collection left off, but with special attention given to the Baxter family children, as well as all the hardships and obstacles they have to face.
- Fame (2005)
- Forgiven (2005)
- Found (2006)
- Family (2006)
- Forever 2000)
Sunrise series
The third sub-series presages dawn, but the characters actually have to face their past mistakes and figure out how to accept the fact that divine providence must account for everything that happened.
- Sunrise (2007)
- Summer (2007)
- Someday (2008)
- Sunset (2008)
Above the Line series
The Above the Line features four novels centering around a group of moviemakers traveling to Indonesia to make their dream come true by producing a movie that will spread the word of God and change the world forever.
- Take One (2009)
- Take Two (2009)
- Take Three (2010)
- Take Four (2010)
Bailey Flanigan series
The Bailey Flanigan series is one of Kingsbury’s most beloved publications. The story follows Bailey and Cody, two young adults who start to drift apart as life comes between them.
The Baxter Family collection
Kingsbury wrote additional eight novels between 2016 and 2020, each dealing with one piece of history of the best family ever, exploring events such as John and Elizabeth’s falling in love with each other.
- A Baxter Family Christmas (2016)
- Love Story (2017)
- In This Moment (2017)
- To the Moon and Back (2018)
- When We Were Young (2018)
- Two Weeks (2019)
- Someone Like You (2020)
- Truly, Madly, Deeply (2020)
The Baxter Family Children series
Karen Kingsbury also co-authored The Baxter family children series with her son, Tyler Russell. The series, designed to inspire and entertain younger readers, follows the childhood stories of Brooke, Kari, Ashley, Erin, and Luke.
- Best Family Ever (2019)
- Finding Home (2020)
- Never Grow Up (2021)
- Adventure Awaits (2022)
- Being Baxters (2023)
Other notable Karen Kingsbury books
In addition to her Baxter Family books, Kingsbury has penned numerous other works, including standalone novels, non-fiction books, and other novel series. Some have become Los Angeles Times and New York Times bestsellers.
Angels Walking series
- Angels Walking (2014)
- Chasing Sunsets (2015)
- Brush of Wings (2016)
- Always and Forever (TBA)
Heart of the Story series
- The Family of Jesus (2014)
- The Friends of Jesus (2015)
- The Followers of Jesus (TBA)
- First Hand Encounters of Jesus (TBA)
9/11 Series
- One Tuesday Morning (2003)
- Beyond Tuesday Morning (2004)
- Remember Tuesday Morning (2008)
Lost Love series
- Even Now (2005)
- Ever After (2006)
Red Gloves series
- Gideon’s Gift (2002)
- Maggie’s Miracle (2003)
- Sarah’s Song (2004)
- Hannah’s Hope (2005)
Forever Faithful series
- Waiting for Morning (1999)
- A Moment of Weakness (2000)
- Halfway to Forever (2002)
Timeless Love series
- A Time to Dance (2001)
- A Time to Embrace (2002)
Cody Gunner series
- A Thousand Tomorrows (2005)
- Just Beyond the Clouds (2007)
Treasury of Miracles Books
- A Treasury of Christmas Miracles (2001)
- A Treasury of Miracles for Women (2002)
- A Treasury of Miracles for Teens (2003)
- A Treasury of Miracles for Friends (2004)
- A Treasury of Adoption Miracles (2005)
- Miracles - A 52-Week Devotional (2009)
Standalone novels
- Missy’s Murder (1991)
- On Every Side (2001)
- Oceans Apart (2004)
- Divine (2006)
- Like Dandelion Dust (2006)
- When Joy Came to Stay (2000)
- Where Yesterday Lives (2006)
- Between Sundays (2007)
- Shades of Blue (2008)
- This Side of Heaven (2009)
- Unlocked (2010)
- The Bridge (2012)
- The Chance (2013)
- Fifteen Minutes (2013)
- A Distant Shore (2021)
Children’s books
- Let Me Hold You Longer (2004)
- Let’s Go On a Mommy Date (2008)
- We Believe In Christmas (2008)
- The Princess and the Three Knights (2009)
- Let’s Have a Daddy Day (2010)
- The Brave Young Knight (2011)
- Far Flutterby (2012)
- Always Daddy’s Princess (2013)
- Go Ahead and Dream (2013)
- Whatever You Grow Up To Be (2014)
Gift books
- Forever Young (2005)
- Be Safe Little Boy (2006)
- Stay Close Little Girl (2006)
- Forever My Little Boy (2016)
- Forever My Little Girl (2016)
E-book shorts
- The Beginning (prequel to The Bridge) (2012)
- I Can Only Imagine (2013)
- Elizabeth Baxter’s 10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage (2015)
- Once Upon A Campus (2016, expanded 2018)
Where to read or listen to Karen Kingsbury
Kingsbury’s novels are available worldwide in bookstores and online book retailers in physical, e-book, and audiobook formats. You can order most of them from Amazon or the author’s official website, or you can listen to them on audiobook platforms.
Read Karen Kingsbury’s audiobooks with Speechify
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