4 Books I Can’t Stop Thinking About

I’ve loved to read since childhood (even though I’m a very slow reader). I will read pretty much any genre of book (unless it’s horror…I don’t need that kind of scary stuff in my life), but some books stick with me long after I’ve read them. This happens with some fiction books but most often with nonfiction, specifically Christian nonfiction. I don’t know if it’s the author’s writing style or the Holy Spirit moving through the pages of the book, but some books have made a bigger impact on my life than others. In no particular order, here are four of them:

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

About the Book: The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than. In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection–from the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over to the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father. She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection’s ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.

Why I Loved It: I read this book four years ago and still think about it and recommend it to this day. This book came into my life at a time when I was feeling disconnected and left out. It reminded me that living loved comes from a life grounded in the Lord, not other people’s opinions of me. Filled with Bible passages, prayers, and heart-to-hearts, this book is a soothing balm and a hug on a bad day.

Rise of the Truth Teller by Ashley Abercrombie

About the Book: We are experts at hiding from each other. We withhold the truth, pretend we’re okay, and perform at great personal cost. In fact, many of us are so good at lying to others about how we’re “just fine, thank you” that we don’t even realize anymore that we’re lying to ourselves. We’re missing the opportunity to offer our true selves to the world around us, to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done, and to live with grace and gumption.

Why I Loved It: This book is a battle cry and a kick in the pants. Ashley takes your hand and lovingly pulls you into a space full of light, life, and truth. I laughed, cried, felt seen in ways I never had before, and had my beliefs about community and authenticity tested and stretched. I originally listed to this on audiobook and knew from the second chapter that I had to have a physical copy of it on my shelf.

You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly

About the Book: It’s tough when your gifts and passions are stuck in holding patterns of insecurity, shame, and comparison. But the truth is, every experience of your life has prepared you to live out your God-given purpose in this exact moment. The world is hurting and our lives are waiting, we don’t have time stay stuck–we’ve got to make a move. You Are the Girl for the Job is not an empty catchphrase. It’s the straight-up truth God has proclaimed over your life from the beginning. It’s not a statement about your capacity, but rather about His–and that’s why we can dare to believe it’s true.

Why I Loved It: I filled the pages of this book with notes, underlines, and frantic prayers. In the pages of this book, I found the courage to step forward into what God has called me to do and to believe that He’ll work it out for my good and His glory. Jess is the best friend, coach, cheerleader, and tour guide everyone needs in their life as they learn to live fully in the love and glory of God. ***In case you needed a second review to convince you to read this book, my dad said, “This book isn’t just for girls. It’s great for dads too!” ***

I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist 

About the Book: Just after her fortieth birthday, author Shauna Niequist found herself in a season of chaos, change, and loss unlike anything she’d ever faced. She discovered that many of the beliefs and practices that she usually turned to were no longer serving her. After trying–and failing–to pull herself back up using the same old strategies and systems, she realized she required new ones: courage, curiosity, and compassion. She discovered the way through was more about questions than answers, more about forgiveness than force, more about tenderness than trying hard. In I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet, Niequist chronicles her journey–from her life-changing move from the Midwest to Manhattan to the power of unlearning what is no longer helpful and accepting the unknowns that come with midlife, heartbreak, and chronic pain.

Why I Loved It: I read this book right in the thick of lockdown. I have it sticky tabbed and highlighted, but honestly, I felt the need to highlight the entire book. I’ve loved the cadence and poetry of Shauna’s writing ever since I read her first book Cold Tangerines. This book was a soothing balm and a call to togetherness and contentment. There are chapters in this book that I think about at least once a week and that I go back to when I need a reminder to slow down and enjoy life.

I hope these books find their way onto your bookshelves (and maybe your hearts), and if you need any more recommendations, you know where to find me!