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One of my favorite blessings of having a blog is being able to review new books. I love memoirs and books about growing deeper in faith as well as resources to learn how to study the Bible. It’s my joy to share with you some of my favorite books this year. Each book received 5 out of 5 stars. I’ll include a short exerpt from my review with the link to the full review as well as the link to purchase on Amazon. These would be great gifts as well! Click on the Red title of the book to purchase at Amazon or the link.
My favorite book this year was Ann Voskamp’s, The Broken Way. I had the honor of being on her launch team! As a launch team member, I was even invited to her farm in Canada for a book launch party. I was sad that I couldn’t go but impressed at the way Ann Voskamp truly loves strangers and lives the words she writes. This was the first book I’ve read of hers and it won’t be my last as she is now on my list of favorite authors. Her poetic way with words captivated me.
When you read this book, you can’t help but contemplate what your broken way looks like and what it has done to you. You can’t help but mull over it in order to try and find the redemption and the light that breaks through the broken places of your own heart. You can’t help but wonder how you can use your brokenness to love others. Not one thing in your life is more important than figuring out how to live in the face of unspoken pain.
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Hope Heals is a touching memoir which brings you into the lives of Jay and Katherine Wolf and how each managed to hold onto God and eachother through the traumatic healing after Katherine suffered a massive brain stroke. This book shows how with God as the anchor of your soul, you can live with hope.
While her six-month-old son was sleeping in the next room, 26-year-old Katherine screamed for her husband and collapsed to the ground from a massive brain aneurysm. She was rushed into micro-brain surgery where the neurosurgeon told her husband,“I need you to know that there is a good chance she will not survive.” This gripping memoir takes you into the excruciating accounts of both Katherine and Jay as they struggle to survive her seemingly insurmountable recovery after she survived the removal of part of her brain.
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I’ve been working on a series for January called Trading Fear for Faith. This book really helped me to understand how repeated thoughts and actions form patterns and “Superhighways” in our brains that we must learn to change.
When I saw the book, The ReWired Brain by Dr. Ski Chilton, I knew I wanted to read it in order to understand the way God created the brain to function. Since I’m familiar with the power of God’s word in training my thoughts, I was curious to know how a Christian scientist believes we can rewire the brain. I felt like this book solidified what I’ve been discovering on my own journey.
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This book is written for everybody, not just football fans. He encourages readers to find hope in knowing where our true identity comes from no matter what highs or lows come our way. Tebow experienced the highs of a successful college football career with the Florida Gators, winning two national championships and a Heisman Trophy. He played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and then was traded to the New York Jets. But after only one season, he was released with his hopes and dreams of being a quarterback crushed.
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I was excited to read Chuck Swindoll’s Searching the Scriptures: Find The Nourishment Your Soul Needs, because I wanted to learn his methods of studying and teaching the Bible for over 50 years. The book focused on helping the reader learn how to search the scriptures in order to gain sufficient spiritual nourishment. Each section and chapter of the book centers around the metaphor of meal preparation. You are the chef and you’re going to learn how to prepare a spiritual feast. “When it comes to cooking, it’s not enough to read about it or watch someone else do it; you have to actually get in the kitchen, roll up your sleeves, and give it your best effort! The same is true when it comes to studying the Bible.”
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The title of Patrick and Ruth Schwenk’s book, For Better or For Kids hooked me from the start. It’s the missing vow that commits to love each other when we transition from marriage as a couple to marriage with children. Without this vow, it’s easy to become comfortable living a child-centered or me-centered marriage. “Marriage is both a blessing we receive and a battle we fight for in love, commitment, sacrifice, and grace. The challenge in marriage is not how it starts, but how it continues, grows, matures, and flourishes over time.” I enjoyed every chapter of this book! Patrick and Ruth seem to address every challenge busy parents face when trying to communicate and nurture their relationship. I loved how they shared real-life experiences I could relate to and understand.
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I’ve been taking this Bible to church with me as well as using it to help me to do a few word studies. It’s easy to read and I’m enjoying having the Greek and Hebrew defintions of words easily available.
After recently reading Chuck Swindoll’s Studying the Scriptures, I was interested in learning the context and definitions surrounding some of my favorite verses in the Bible. I was excited to receive the NKJV Word Study Bible. This Bible has a nice simple design with a sturdy hardbound cover. It contains 1,700 Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek word studies to help you understand the precise meaning of ancient words and definitions. The Bible was first given to us in three languages: Hebrew and Aramaic in the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament.
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Streams in the Desert, by L.B. Cowman is one of my all-time favorite daily devotionals. Each day begins with a Bible verse and is followed by a timeless powerful devotion. This is an updated version of the original that was first published in 1925. I gave this to a friend who was undergoing treatment for cancer and she really enjoyed it. This book brings those who are suffering, comfort in knowing their trials are producing in them a stronger faith and that God is very near to them no matter what. This would make a great gift book for someone who is suffering or struggling. I love the two-toned imitation leather cover too!
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Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
I now have a few books to add to my pile. Thank you!
I so enjoyed this list for two reasons. 1) I see several I also read and enjoyed and 2) I see several I need to put on my wish list 🙂 Thank you for sharing your favorite reads. Blessings to you and yours!
I’ve been in a mood to read a lot lately and I appreciate these book recommendations. I think Ann Voskamp’s book might be next on my list.
Hi Dawn! The Broken Way is a MUST read for sure!
Loved all of these reviews, Valerie! Awesome books!!! I can’t wait for your series on fear!
Hugs,
Lori
Great suggestions and reviews! I’ve been looking for a new book to pick up and I may just have to get The Broken Way, Thanks!
Hi Nicole! Thank you for visiting. Yes, you’ll love The Broken Way!
Love these! Streams in the Desert is an old favorite of mine! I have been wanting to read the Broken Way- looks so good!
Thank you so much for visiting this morning Keri! I’ve missed you! The Broken Way is one of those books that I’ll love forever too!