21. Women Counseling Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick: 4 Stars- This book is written by multiple authors who share many different backgrounds, ministries, and personal experience with issues that women struggle through. It gave solid, Bible answers for sins that are prevalent in our culture today. As a woman who is in ministry, I found this book to be very helpful, especially as God has been opening different opportunities for me to counsel and encourage women. Sin is heartbreaking. Life brings hard things that can be so complex to navigate. Praise the Lord that He has provided an answer to all our heart’s questions in His Word! This book helped me equip myself to better point hurting women to Christ.
22. Love and Sex by Nancy Houston: 3 Stars- This book was nothing like what I was expecting. I thought it would be addressing love and sex in regards to biblical marriage. Instead, it was centered around counseling people who had experienced sexual assault and trauma, pornography addiction, marriage infidelity, etc. Because of this, there was a lot of heavy content that made it a difficult read. It’s not a book I’d necessarily recommend, but it did give me some things to through through from a counseling perspective.
23. When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy: 5 Stars- I remember the days of waiting and trusting God to bring my husband into my life. Those days weren’t easy, and in that season, they felt like they would last forever. Loneliness often reared it’s ugly head. All seasons change, and now I am in the midst of marriage and motherhood. As I reflect on this season and the previous one, my heart is filled with such gratitude for the Lord for helping me to trust Him to write my love story. My marriage is not perfect, but it is beautiful and blessed. I thank God for that every day, and I ask Him to keep His hedge of protection around my marriage. This book was a wonderful reminder that when you do things God’s way, it is ALWAYS the best way! I will be highly recommending this book to several friends who are in their season of waiting. The Ludy’s give such helpful insight into the “sweeter song” that Christ gives when you make Him the lover of our soul, and then when you trust Him to bring along your earthly lover.
24. Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin: 4 Stars- I have been working through this book in my personal devotions for the past several weeks, and it has given me much to think on and pray through as I analyze my heart. The author compares our lives to a measuring cup. We are often so consumed with the little lines and numbers. How do we measure up? Or maybe even more important to us- How do I measure up compared to ________? Jesus presents us with a very different example. Jesus was not consumed with how He measured up in the eyes of those around Him because He was so focused on pouring out Himself for them! When our “measuring cup” is pouring out, the lines no longer matter, they no longer hold significance! The book addresses ways in which we measure ourselves such as in regards to sin, wealth, our appearance, our ministries, and our status. In a world consumed with self, she gives the rally cry to live like Jesus!
25. Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose: 5 Stars- When I posted on social media that I had finished this biography, I received messages from so many ladies saying this was one of their favorite books! Rightfully so! Darlene Deibler Rose gives such a powerful testimony of Christ’s faithfulness and love in spite of unimaginable circumstances. Her resolute faith and courage challenge me in my walk with the Lord.
My favorite story from this book is when Darlene was locked alone in a prison cell and was longing for a banana. She prayed and asked God if there was any way He could get her one banana, to please answer this prayer. Later, she laughed at her request thinking of how ridiculous it sounded. She was a prisoner-of-war in a bug-infested cell. How on earth could God answer that silly request? Not 24 hours later, a man shoved not just 1, but over 90 bananas in her cell!! She tells that before she could take one bite, she bowed her head crying, asking God to forgive her for her lack of faith. What a powerful God we serve!!
26. Mama Bear Apologetics: Guide to Sexuality by Hillary Morgan Ferrer & Amy Davison: 5 Stars- Every mama needs to read this book! The authors do an amazing job at bringing the light the sexual agendas that are being pushed our our young (very young!) children in our culture today. They define words and ideologies that I’ve never even heard of, but that the younger generation is growing up knowing as status quo. I also loved that not only did they give a very biblical foundation for their arguments and presentation of truth, but they also gave a lot of scientific/medical research (especially in regards to issues like gender transitioning, pornographies affect on the wiring of the mind, the breakdown of language, etc). This is a great resource to have in your “tool box” as you seek to raise children for the Lord in the midst of a perverse culture.
27. Wild Things by Stephen James and David Thomas: 4 Stars- Both men authoring the book have years of experience working with men and boys in a counseling capacity. Beyond that, they are dads to boys. This has earned them much experience in the different facets of a boys journey to manhood. They divide that journey into different stages based on age, and discuss changes the boy is going through, ways parents can navigate those changes, and how parents can best support and encourage their child in that season. The book goes on to give other glimpses into boyhood, adolescence, and eventually manhood challenging mothers and fathers to do their best to help their boys bridge those gaps. The end of the book had practical information on handling different things boys are facing in our culture today (such as pornography, video games, etc.)
28. Let Them Be Kids by Jessica Smartt: 5 Stars- This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Jessica Smartt this year. A few months ago, I read her book Memory Making Mom, and I loved it! A friend recommended this book, and I knew I had to pick it up. It did not disappoint! Nothing in the book was revolutionary, but it served as a wonderful reminder to put my energy and attention in the things that really matter during these precious childhood years.
In a culture where children are being pushed to grow up years before they are ready, this book encourages parents to fully embrace the beauty of childhood. Each chapter presents a different “gift” we can give to our children- boredom, being uncool, imagination, balance, grit, manners and kindness, family, innocence, and faith.
Jessica Smartt has a very easy-to-read writing style, and she offers practical advice on how to implement what you read.
29. The Well-Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles: 5 Stars- I think if we were honest with ourselves, we’d agree that though we might look like we have everything together, we often find our souls thirsting for something. Is there more to the rat race we let ourselves fall into? Is there something deeper? Is there something that leaves deep satisfaction and peace in a busy, broken world? Yes, the answer is found in Christ! Gretchen Saffles does a beautiful job of reminding us that Jesus is is a deep well we can draw all we need from. As we dig into His Word, it ministers to our soul, giving our thirsty hearts the refreshing water He alone provides.
“The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become. That’s what you will take into eternity.”
30. The Family Garden Plan by Melissa Norris: 5 Stars- If you are new to gardening (like me!) and you need all the tips on how to have a successful garden, this is the book for you! It is packed with tons of helpful information, diagrams, and charts you can fill in as you organize and plan to have a garden. The book is filled with gorgeous photos of the author’s garden and her family as they work in it. Even though it has so much information, I did not feel that it was overwhelming. It was presented in a way that is easily to digest and implement.
31. The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi: 5 Stars- “When you care about something, you try to do it well. When you care about everything, you do nothing well, which then compels you to try even harder. Welcome to being tired.” Can anyone relate? My hand’s raised! This book challenges you to be “genius” about the things that matter to you, and to be “lazy” about the things that don’t matter to you. The author walks you through different steps, questions, and self-analysis to discover what does matter to you, and what doesn’t. The practical steps were very helpful as I seek to implement this thought process more into my home. Several of those steps include: deciding once, starting small, asking the magic question, building the right routines, putting everything in it’s place, scheduling rest, and more!
32. Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss: 5 Stars- We live in a broken world with broken people. Sorrow and hurt often work themselves into the pages of our story. Do we allow those heartbreaks to consume us? Nancy DeMoss takes us into a study of forgiveness as addressed in the Bible. Much of what God says on the matter is contrary to our nature and fleshly desires. But it is only in doing things God’s way that we find freedom from the pain others have inflicted upon our lives. She writes, “… failing to forgive can often bring about problems in your life far worse and more long-term than the pain of the original offense.” If you find yourself struggling this area, this book gives good counsel on how to break free from the bondage of unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment and embrace the freedom and peace that forgiveness offers.
33. Ezra: Leading the Return to God by Clarence Sexton: 4 Stars- This is the newest book written by our pastor. He takes a deep dive into the book of Ezra, mining out the truths God has for us from this minor prophet. I’ve often heart it said that though the Minor Prophets are minor in size, they are not minor in message. Ezra led the Jewish people back to obedience as they returned to the God of the Bible. As we seek revival in our land, this book holds truths that we need today!
Family Read-Alouds
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown: 4 Stars- We listened to this on audio book, and we quickly got swept up in the story! Roz is a robot that gets stranded on an island inhabited only by animals. She has to learn how to adapt and engage with her unfamiliar surrounding. It’s a bumpy road, but eventually, she befriends the animals and even adopts a little goose, Brightbill. The story recounts all the different adventures and troubles that happen along the way. I won’t spoil the ending by telling you what happens, but it is quite the plot twist! As soon as we finished the book, Eden begged for us to start reading the sequel!
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown: 4 Stars- SPOILER ALERT Roz has been taken back to the robot factory, far away from her beloved island. There, she is repaired and sold a farming family. She has to hide her true identity and pretend that she is like every other robot. Finally, with the help of the farmer’s children, she escapes. Her son, Brightbill, helps her navigate her way home. Many mishaps occur along the way, and at the end, you wonder if she’ll ever make it alive! Through some unexpected circumstances, Roz and Brightbill make it back to their island!