Any book written by Emily P. Freeman is a guaranteed read for me. She has such a wise, gentle way of sharing powerful life truths that really resonates with me, and her books “A Million Little Ways” and “Simply Tuesday” remain two of my favorite Christian Living books ever. Her newest release is just as wonderful as I’ve been expecting, and is entitled “The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions”. Published by Revell in mid-2019, this book is a powerful tool to help us “create space for your soul to breathe so you can live life with God at a gentle pace and discern your next right thing in love.” Continue reading
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From the moment I learned about Rebecca Friedlander’s new project with BakerBooks, I knew it was a book I wanted to read! “Finding Beautiful: Discovering Authentic Beauty Around the World” is a lovely hardcover book packed with powerful stories, dramatic photography, and this statement at the core: “Let’s redefine beauty for our world!”. 
If you only read a single non-fiction book this year (aside from the Bible), I suggest that it be Jennie Allen’s new release from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Yes, it was THAT good. “Made For This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose” is the first book I’ve read by this incredible author, but now I want to get my hands on everything she’s written! “Made For This” is not just a regular book, rather it is “a 40-day interactive journey, a step-by-step process to guide you in answering life’s ultimate question.” In a workbook-style format with daily reading followed by exercises, journaling questions, Scripture reading, and more, this book is unique and powerful. If you let it, it can also be life-changing. 
Many of the non-fiction books that I gravitate toward have to do with women of the Bible. I was excited to see that this new release from Revell “When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible” revolved around exactly that topic, and from Jill Eileen Smith, an incredibly talented Biblical fiction author! I believe this book, even now that I am finished it, will help me to read the Bible with a much deeper ability to relate to the people and stories within it’s pages. They really were not as different from you and me as it might feel from a quick reading. 
I have never before read a book on the topic of dream interpretation. That’s why I was very excited to pick up “The Complete Guide to Dream Interpretation” by Marsha Trimble Dunstan. This book is a unique addition to the Christian non-fiction market, and as the title tells us, it is on the rather controversial topic of understanding the reason, message, and significance of these scenes that play through our minds as we sleep. 
I have come to adore many of Lysa TerKeurst’s books and devotionals, written on many topics and for women of all ages. With her signature blend of gentle warmth and stories we can relate to, she guides readers to step into the best that God has for them. One of the books that she wrote earlier in her career has now been re-released from Harvest House Publishers, and is entitled “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God: Live More Fully, Love More Deeply, Experience God’s Best For You”. This sweet yet powerful little book is not only packed with Lysa’s wisdom and experience at living a life of “yes” to God, it also includes a Bible study at the end of each chapter to enrich her words with God’s timeless truths. 
After finishing Ted Dekker’s new release “The 49th Mystic”, I was eagerly anticipating its sequel “Rise of the Mystics”. After experiencing the profound nature of the 49th, I wondered if this sequel would live up to my expectations. The answer is yes – a hundred times yes. 
It’s no secret that my favorite genre of reading material is Christian Historical Fiction. When I discover a new author who possesses a special gift for bringing this beautiful genre to life with strong writing skills, themes that whisper of biblical wisdom and truth, and realistic characters who leap off the pages, well… it’s exciting to say the least! After reading the description for a new debut novel published by Revell in the summer of 2018, I guessed this would be just such a story – and I was correct. “The Hope of Azure Springs” is the first published novel by Rachel Fordham, and is a sweet and memorable story that will instantly earn a place on your keeper bookshelf – and in your heart. 
Ted Dekker’s “The 49th Mystic” – easily the most unique and profound novel I have read in years and perhaps ever. I did not know what to expect. And yet even without clear expectations, it still managed to surpass them. Honestly, I believe I could read this book ten times over and still not be finished learning from it. 