Who Is Karen Kingsbury?

Karen Kingsbury is an American Christian Novelist born in Fairfax, Virginia. She was a sports writer for the Los Angeles Times and later wrote for the Los Angeles Daily News. 

Her first book, Missy’s Murder, was based on a murder story she had covered in Los Angeles. She also had an article published in People’s Magazine while she was there. In addition, she has written and co-written almost 100 novels or short stories; as of 2008, she had nearly 13 million copies of her novels in print. 

She is a #1 New York Best selling novelist, with the last dozen books she published topping bestseller lists. Some of her novels are being developed into novels like; The Bridge, A Time to Dance, and Maggie’s Christmas Miracle. In addition, her Baxter Family series is being adapted into a television series. 

Karen Kingsbury is also a public speaker who reaches more than 100,000 people annually through national events. 

Well, everything listed above is what the internet will tell you. Still, it will not tell you how gifted Karen Kingsbury is in the art of bringing characters to life. 

My favourite of all her series is the Bailey Flanigan series which is focused on the life of a young woman named Bailey Flanigan, who is experiencing some changes in her life. 

I guess this Karen Kingsbury series is my favourite because I felt like she was speaking to me as a young woman who, when I started reading the series, was planning for my new college life, just like Bailey. 

Karen Kingsbury’s books are Christian books that draw you in and keep you hooked. It challenges your faith in God and makes you want to be intentional about your faith. It’s not one of those holier-than-through books; she makes it relatable hence the pull. 

Karen Kingsbury shows that godly relationships can be fun and just as interesting. Karen Kingsbury celebrates family; the importance of family, especially a close-knit one like Bailey Flanigan’s. 

A Deep Analysis Of Leaving By Karen Kingsbury

My first read from her was Leaving, the first in the Bailey Flanigan series. This is the beginning of Bailey Flanigan’s journey to finding herself as a young woman. It talks about how she learns that just like death is inevitable, leaving is inevitable too. 

The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City, and she’s determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she has gotten. 

This book also introduces us to Cody Coleman, her friend who she had deep feelings for. He had left and taken a job outside Indianapolis to be close to his mother in jail. 

He doesn’t reach out to her after he leaves, and she worries about their relationship. She’s worried about what her leaving would do to their already strained relationship. 

The book opens with a scene in the church where the Pastor is preaching about how leaving is a part of life. In his own words, ‘life changes, people come and go, and seasons never last.’ The sermon gets Bailey emotional, and it feels like Pastor Anthony is speaking to her personally. However, at the end of the sermon, we are introduced to the one constant in life; Jesus. 

Also, in this opening chapter of this Karen Kingsbury’s book, we are introduced to Bailey’s mother and their special bond. We can see that they are not just ‘mother and daughter’; they are best friends and sisters. Her mother could tell what had been on her mind immediately after she saw her, and Bailey didn’t bother hiding it. 

The opening chapter goes on with Bailey enjoying spending time with her family in the car, something she will not get to do when she leaves for Broadway. She enjoys the conversations between her brothers, the banter, and, eventually, the shared laughter. She finally accepts that her reality has changed, but she chooses to still enjoy that moment.

We are also introduced to another person who would become a very important personality in Bailey’s life; Brandon Baxter. She led him to Christ during their time together while preparing for a movie they would stare at together; Unlocked. 

Why should you read Leaving by Karen Kingsbury?

This book by Karen Kingsbury, Leaving, celebrates love, family, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions, some of which are not so easy to make. 

Karen Kingsbury will always be my all-time favourite Christian author because of her life-changing fiction and ability to pull me in with a properly written story. 

A book can be nice, a book can be good, or interesting, but not every book can be life-changing, and that is what makes all Karen Kingsbury’s books stand out for me. 

In case you haven’t heard about Karen Kingsbury before now, then please do well to read about her and even try some of her wonderful books.

If you’re a book lover who is always searching for an amazing read, I encourage you to get yourself a Karen Kingsbury book; I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

Cheers!

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About the writer

Nora Baker is a Nigerian Writer. She’s currently a third year student of Mass communication at Anchor University.

Her hobbies are Reading, writing, daydreaming about her next novel, drawing and singing.