One of my New Year’s Resolutions from last year was to READ MORE BOOKS.
And I did!!!
I put it on my list again this year because I want to read some more.
SO…thought I’d share some of those books with you guys. I’m adding a few of my favorites from the year before as well because I feel like you should know about them! A few of these books I am still reading, but have read enough to tell you about them š So here, they are and not in any particular order, but I did put a star by my favorites.
*1. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.
John Luke’s mom gave us a collection of her favorite books for our first married Christmas, and this was one of them. I could kick myself it took me two years to read. One of my favorite books of all time now. It’s a novel about the author’s own life. I guess a bit of an autobiography, but not your typical autobiography. Her childhood story is so crazy that you would think the book is fiction. I’ve been telling everyone I know about it. Jeanette Walls has a story to tell and is such an incredible story-teller.
2.Ā UninvitedĀ by Lysa TerKeurst.
Lysa’s heart, oh my gosh, so precious and so sincere. It shines through in her writing. The first time I read this book I was in a season where I was feeling pretty good, yet still found so much joy Ā in reading it. The second time I went back to this book I was in a place of really needing it. It’s for the rejected, the ones not wanted, the uninvited. During a time I was feeling really rejected, this book brought so much needed truth to my life. Any come on seriously, we have all felt like this at one point or another, no matter how big or how small. Please read it and let God come in and work on your heart.
3.Ā The Red TentĀ by Anita Diamant
This one was so fun to read!! It’s historical fiction and follows the story of Dinah who was the only daughter of Jacob from the Bible. It’s written from her point of view and is super interesting as it tells what it was like to be a woman in Biblical times. It is fiction so if you read it, you can’t take everything as 100% fact from the Bible. It takes her story and fills it in…she is real, and the other people in it are real, but her life could or could not have been exactly as it’s written. Really interesting! It goes into a lot of detail in some areas…so be prepared…it is about Biblical *womanhood* if ya know what I mean.
*4.Ā The Pursuit of GodĀ by A.W. Tozer
Life-changing book. 100%. Tozer somehow spiritually gets super deep yet is super simple at the same time. It is actually pretty profound. This opened my eyes in so many ways to my relationship with God. The main truth of many that I got from this book was we are so capable of having a deep, intimate, real relationship with Him. This book has been more helpful with my walk with the Lord than any other book (except the Bible duh.) Kindle it, Amazon Prime it, or Barnes & Noble it today.
5.Ā The Poisonwood BibleĀ by Barbara Kingsolver
Another one from Korie’s collection, and another historical fiction. It’s about a missionary family who moves to the Congo in 1959. Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the 4 daughters or wife. I read this in Israel 2 years ago and it was one that after a full day of sight-seeing I’d curl up in my hotel bed and read. So hard to put down!
6.Ā Love Lives HereĀ by Sweet Maria Goff
Heard of Bob Goff?? He wroteĀ Love DoesĀ which is another favorite of mine! But this is his incredible wife! She is known by Sweet Maria because she is just that…so incredibly sweet and has such a big heart. You just want to soak up any bit of advice and knowledge you can get from her. Such a good book.
7.Ā What isĀ the BibleĀ by Rob Bell
Ā Have you read anything from him?? Guys he is so interesting and makes some super good points! This book makes you look at the Bible in a whole new way. SO extremely interesting and makes you think about things.Ā Some of you might be thinking Ā “hmmm…Rob Bell…he’s seems to be a pretty controversial guy.” I think everything we read, no matter who its by, we have to hold it up to the Bible. Just because someone may say one thing I do not agree with doesn’t mean that nothing else they say holds any truth. Seriously such a good read!
*8.Ā Redeeming LoveĀ by Francine Rivers.
FAVORITE FICTION EVER. HANDS DOWN. Even JL read it it about 3 days. JUST READ IT.
9.Ā FervantĀ by Priscilla Shirer
This woman teaches fireeeeeeee. You guysssssssss. This book helped my prayer life so much!! She teaches you the importance of praying specific servant prayers, and how to. This woman loves the word. She is also so funny. This is the kind you want to take kind of slow though. Would be really great for devo time.
10.Ā The Zookeeper’s WifeĀ by Diane Ackerman
This is a historical, non-fiction book about the life of a woman who owns a zoo in Poland following the German invasion of Poland. I know I use the word “interesting” a lot too (and if you know me in real life I’m sure you agree haha) but this one is so interesting. So eye-opening and insightful and will make you feel so many different things.
11.Ā The Story of WithĀ by Allen Arnold
My friend’s mom was talking about this on instagram this summer when we were in Hawaii. So I downloaded it on my kindle app on my phone and read it within a few days. It’s a short, easy read, and holds so many good nuggets of wisdom.
12.Ā Spiritual MotheringĀ by Susan Hunt
This was one I had to read for school, and I procrastinated and read it in a day on our way back from New York haha. But it ended up being so good! If you have a heart for women’s ministry this a good one! Honestly a good one for any Christian woman. It tells about the importance of having a mentor and being a mentor.
13.Ā Half Broke HorsesĀ by Jeannette Walls
This is the last book I read! Another by Jeannette Walls about her grandmother’s life and keeps you flipping the pages. This is a really good one!
14.Ā Miss Peregrine’s Home for PeculiarĀ ChildrenĀ by Riggs
This is such a fun read!! Fiction book that just makes you never want to set it down.
15.Ā Hope HealsĀ by Jay and Katherine Wolf
You guys. You need to hear their story and hear their incredible faith through it all. It is so inspiring! Anyone and everyone should read this, but especially if you are in a season of suffering or have a loved one suffering.
*** couldn’t find all my books, but here’s a few!! I hope you guys might can pick some of these up and give them a read! Leave a comment and let me know what you’re reading!! I’ve already read a couple since writing this post, but will save them for another post š
Ā shoppable links
I recently finished Uninvited, so so so good. Currently reading the I Am Loved study of 1 John by Wendy Blight, I highly recommend it.
These all sound amazing! I canāt wait to pick some of them up!!? thank you for sharing
A book I think youād really enjoy is The Nightingale, my resolution was to read more books too and this was the first one I finished in January, itās super good. Thanks for the recommendations Iām definitely gonna read some of them!
Love all your book recommendations! Redeeming Love is one of my all time favorites too!! Soooo good. Currently Iām reading You & Me Forever by Francis & Lisa Chan. Itās amazing!
Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole by Angie Smith is really, really good! I would definitely recommend reading it if you haven’t already!! š
I love Red Tent, I read it in my Women Lit class
Where did you get that backpack? Itās super cute!
Redeeming love was an absolute favorite for me!!! Such a great way to truly understand the book of Hosea
Some of my favorites are on this list too! My favorite book is Jesus The King by Timothy Keller – SO good, I highly recommend… you’ll just walk away so much more in love with Jesus š
You should read the Christy Miller series. Itās a Christian book series about a girl and her life from ages 14-30. There are quite a few books in the series but itās soooo good!
Every time I read one of your posts I think āwhy arenāt we friends!ā ? Thanks for the recommendations!
You should read If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey. Itās so good!!
Oh my goodness you need to read āThe Nightingaleā by Kristen Hannah!!! So amazing!
Ever read āCam My Anxious Heartā or āWhatās it like to be Married to Meā by Linda Dillow? SO good and her writing is so relatable!
Omg I love loove LOVE Uninvited so much! It has changed my life so much.
Uninvited was, and still is, one of my favorite books Iāve ever read. So relatable and definitely helpful in my own life.
Obviously “Love Does” by Bob Goff is such a classic book that I absolutely love. Also “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan is absolutely amazing!!!! “A Mary Like Me” by Andy Lee is a very interesting read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Love does and love lives here are by far my favorites. They make you think of how you can make ordinary things seem fun and exciting. I love bob and sweet Mariaās relationship because you can see the love they have for each other and their fam:)
REDEEMING LOVE IS DEFINITELY A MUST READ!!!
A lot of good recommendations here…..I made a list. š I’m reading The Circle Maker now by Mark Batterson……REALLY good one on prayer. And next on my list is Those Who Passed By –by Eleanor Turnbull….my mom had met her at church (TRBC) & got me the book for my birthday.
I am currently reading “Whiskey Words & a Shovel” book 3 āŗļø
it is a book of poetry and I love reading it before bed and writing personal notes on the pages! It is a must read!
Has anyone read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chamber?
YOU HAVE TO READ Peace Like A River by Leif Enger. So good. I really can’t explain, but I’ll tell you it involves miracles. I don’t re-read books, but I’ve read this one FOUR TIMES. And I’m planning on reading it again after this semester:)
I’ve read some of these, but the rest I’m definitely adding to my list!
P.S. I have a little blog (mainly for me) and you can find a post about this book and a few of my other fav reads:)
Crazy Love by Francis Chan is my favorite. It is so good!! A MUST read! I cried so much reading that book. Another good book is “Single. Dating. Engaged. Married.” by Ben Stuart.
Redeeming love is one of my all time FAVORITES. May or may not have cried while reading it(definitely did.) You should check out Francine Rivers new book “The Masterpiece.” I bought it and could. not. put. it down. Seriously, so good!
I’ve been looking for some new books to add to my list, thanks for sharing yours!(
You should read “For The Love” by Jen Hatmaker! Im also about to buy “The Lipstick Gospel” by Stephanie Wilson
I recently went on a trip to Israel, but before I left I read a book called The Names on the Gates of Pearl. It was amazing!! The author takes you through the good that God works out for those who are called according to His purpose, and center stage are the very people He called first according to His purpose. I recommend it!! I love reading your blog and the book recommendations!
Looks like you have read some pretty awesome books recently and I can’t wait to give some of them a go! I adore your photography and the photos really show how much fun you seem to be as a person – it is lovely to see such a fresh & honest blog!
Holly from The Art of Being Holly xo
I just picked up The Poisonwood Bible, it’s long but I am looking forward to delving into it!! Thanks for the recommendations!
We must be on the same wave length… I just posted a list of books on my blog yesterday too! Haha! I just finished Arcadia by Lauren Groff and it was amazing. I definitely teared up while reading it. If you struggle with depression you would love this book!! It also really makes you think about different ways to live and what is really important. I just started Anna Karenina which is like 1000000 pages long, so I’ll be busy for a while.
-Abby
http://www.whatisabbydoing.com
canāt wait to try some of these! currently reading dance, stand, run by Jess Connolly and it is SO incredible and eye-opening. Iām learning so much. Kinda similar to Lysa in her writing!
I loved Miss Peregrineās! Iām onto the second one in that series. I just, at this very moment, finished āthis is where it endsā about a school shooting, told in the perspective of 4 students. A beautiful, heart wrenching story. Makes recent events come more to life.
I didn’t know it was a series! So happy to hear that!
I’m definitely putting some of these on my reading list! I’m not a huge reader but “The Red Tent” made me excited! I love biblical stories that may not be true but gives us insight. Like I love the movie “One Night with the King,” although it’s not 100% it’s cool to see it and get another feel for the story.
Wow these all look so good! I read all the time! You should read the nightingale by Hannah kristen itās fiction ww2 occupied Frace and it is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!
What a precious gift.
I haven’t read any of these but a few are on my TBR
I just started reading Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda
This was my New Years Resolution too. Finding the time to read has been the trickiest part. I love how fun your photos are. Very happy to have stumbled upon your blog this morning x
Just finished the Nightingale- LOVED it. Also currently reading Lilac girls!
Thanks for the post!!! Currently reading: Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller. It is INCREDIBLE!
I just finished the glass castle today and I have to agree itās such an exciting book!!! Iām thinking of picking up her other book now !!
Mary Kate,
You should check out 2 books. āSonlight Shines on Bufkoā & āSonlight in Bufkoā. The books are by a missionary, Sandy Fields Washer. Sandyās family has been missionaries in Africa for multiple generations. I always loved hearing there stories, and both of these books tells some of their life changing stories while in Africa. The stories show why Africa holds a close place in their hearts and why they love to be there… Sandy is a close friend to my mamaw, and I remember Sandy giving my mamaw her book when I was young. I wanted one of my own so much that she gave me one too.
I loved this post!! Well all of them! Have you ever thought of doing a YouTube channel? I am always looking for inspirational couples and individuals to watch and listen to and would love to watch you and John luke and the puppy of course ā¤ļø
I loved this post!! Well all of them! Have you ever thought of doing a YouTube channel? I am always looking for inspirational couples and individuals to watch and listen to and would love to watch you and John luke and the puppy of course ā¤ļø
Love all these recommendations!!! If anyone is looking for a book to read, I just finished The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and it is amazingggg, iām obsessed and everyone should read it!!