Reading Challenge Rec

[Heather]

For a reading challenge I have to read a book in which none of the 10 commandments is broken. I read mostly suspense thrillers and murder mysteries, so I am struggling with finding something in my book collection to read.

Any suggestions?

[Ali]

I think Aliss at the Fire by Jon Fosse technically should work: not a single death there is really anyone's fault, and it's short enough that there is not many place for breaking any other commandments. But it's also a stream of consciousness kind of story which meanders between memories from various moments of the past, so might not be the easiest read.

Another idea: could a nonfiction book count?
I was thinking: a crafting manual. You might be cursing when the project doesn't go your way, but that's the reader, not the book.

[Aquaria]

It's not difficult to get around that one. The first five aren't about morality at all (but are deeply anti-American, if you're from that country), abiding by the last one would make the entire world economy collapse, and the remainder aren't difficult to avoid if you select something from literature for youngish-children. Or under an explicitly religious banner.

[Jan]

You might try chapter books for older children. There should be no killing, adultery, swearing, or coveting the neighbors wife. However, there may be some not honoring the parents, coveting the neighbor's goods, lying (bearing false witness). Wow, It sounds hard. A book with no conflict.
Maybe an Amish romance book. I have never read one but I expect they might conform to these standards.
Even kids get jealous, disobey parents, steal from siblings, but the conflicts get resolved. You want something squeaky clean.

[Kristen]

Wow, that's some challenge! I think Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir might fit the bill, though the 4th commandment is tricky.
Are you looking for a book with a Christian thread, or simply a book that doesn't contradict the commandments? For example. I mentions Project Hail Mary - I don't think it contradicts any of the commandments, but it largely leaves religion out of the narrative (no mention of church, romance, etc.).

[spoko]

Kristen wrote: “Wow, that’s some challenge! I think Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir might fit the bill, though the 4th commandment is tricky.
Are you looking for a book with a Chris...”

People take the Lord’s name in vain throughout Project Hail Mary.

[Kristen]

spoko wrote: "Kristen wrote: “Wow, that’s some challenge! I think Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir might fit the bill, though the 4th commandment is tricky.
Are you looking for a b..."

I guess I didn't realize. This challenge really is a head scratcher. Thanks for catching that, Spoko!

[spoko]

Kristen wrote: “spoko wrote: “Kristen wrote: “Wow, that’s some challenge! I think Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir might fit the bill, though the 4th commandment is tricky.
Are you l...”

Honestly, that’s one that’s probably broken in most mainstream books for adults. Violating that commandment is such a common part of everyday speech, even for observant believers. Unless an author is going out of the way to avoid it, I’d expect it to show up.

I think a kid’s book or a very tame YA is about the only way to meet this challenge. Or a non-narrative genre like crafting, cookbooks, etc.