I was that girl. The one with her nose buried in a book as she sat beneath a tree, nibbled on a sandwich, or hid beneath the covers with a flashlight. Now, I’m just a grown-up version of that girl. My books are piled in homey wicker baskets, a two-drawer nightstand, and I steal away time to read between tutoring sessions and when my family is preoccupied by Sunday afternoon football games and homework.

A book is far more entertaining to me than a ball launched into the end zone–especially when I have a steaming mug of English tea in hand. And this month, I’m recommending seven books. If you’re interested in one, just click the image for more information.

Nonfiction

Stop Living Small reminded me why Mary DeMuth is one of my favorite authors. The book sings with authentic prose directed at the lies with which women like me struggle–believing we must earn, perform, or become in order to deserve God’s love.

If you struggle with your worth, ever feel alone or abandoned, or doubt God can use you, Stop Living Small: Ten Truths Toward Your Significant Life will draw your heart closer to Christ and reveal His “wild love” for you.

Favorite quote: “When we pine after being chosen, we forget that the entire world has the same deep need, and we cease from choosing them.

Favorite quote: We all run around in circles hoping-hoping-hoping to be noticed, except that as we do that, we have no time or energy to dignify another person by picking them. Click To Tweet”

 

If you’re travelling life’s hard road of loss, grief, or suffering, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Destination Hope. Between its pages you’ll discover two companions who’ve journeyed before you and now come alongside to encourage you with gentle words of wisdom. You’ll gain perspective, deepen your faith, and be reminded that joy is further down the path.

Destination Hope is a wonderful book to share with others, as well.

Favorite quote: Each morning I drag my little red chair (my sacred place of time with the Lord) adjacent to God's throne. Knees touching with the Almighty, I receive and infusion of hope directly from my Creator. Click To Tweet

Favorite quote: “Each morning I drag my little red chair (my sacred place of time with the Lord) adjacent to God’s throne. Knees touching with the Almighty, I receive and infusion of hope directly from my Creator.”

Transforming Your Thought Life for Teens is a great book for individual reading, a mother-daughter book study, or a group study.

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It’s difficult to find a book my teenaged daughter and I can study together that doesn’t gloss over the difficult topics with which she and other young women struggle daily. Sarah Geringer’s newest book, Transforming Your Thought Life for Teens: Renew Your Mind With God, is the sort of book I’m exploring with my daughter as together we practice meditating on God’s word. My daughter is growing stronger as she  “puts on the belt of truth” and we are discussing important topics such as unforgiveness, jealousy, and a critical attitude.

Each chapter includes sections for recording Bible verses and journaling thoughts. It also concludes with a prayer and Reflection Questions.

Favorite quote: As a daughter of the King, you belong in a huge family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Don't miss out in the fellowship in that family. Don't believe your loneliness is a jacket you'll have to wear for life. Click To Tweet

Favorite quote: “As a daughter of the King, you belong in a huge family of brothers and sisters in Christ. Don’t miss out in the fellowship in that family. Don’t believe your loneliness is a jacket you’ll have to wear for life.”

I also recommend Sarah’s book, Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus. You can read more at From the Bookshelf: Four Books to Read Now to Relieve Anxiety, Fight Stress, and Organize Your Life.

 

If your child struggles with mental health, Messy Hope will give you encouragement when you doubt the future, battle with fear, or wonder how your child will ever manage.

Filled with practical experience as well as insights from her daughter, Lori Wildenberg provides parents with tools and ideas without sugar-coating the hard of walking through mental illness beside your child.

The prayers at the end of each chapter are particularly helpful when you no longer have words of your own.

I highly recommend this book if you are living the journey of parenting a child or teen with mental illness.

Favorite quote: “Be a conduit of hope in a hard situation.

7 Books to Read, Share, or Download Click To Tweet

 

I

Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College is written by Michael J. Kruger. Having read this thought-provoking book to my two older teens over a period of Sunday afternoons, the book provided a springboard for conversations about worldviews and Biblical values.

Kruger is winsome and intellectual, but deals with concepts in a way that older teens and college students will be more prepared to manage such difficult questions as, I’m Finding It Harder to Believe in Events Like the Resurrection–How Can I Believe in Miracles If I’ve Never Seen One? and The Concept of Hell Seems Barbaric and Cruel–Wouldn’t a Loving God Save Everyone?

Not only is Surviving Religion 101 a solid book for older youth and young adults, but it is a great resource for parents, grandparents, and youth leaders, and educators in the Christian high school setting.

Children’s

Sarah Had a Little Plan, by Jen Tousey, is a children’s book that explores the story of the writer of Mary Had a Little Lamb and a proponent of one of America’s most celebrated holidays, Thanksgiving. Promoting the idea of an establishing a unified day of gratitude to four presidents over a period of forty years, Sarah clung to her ideals of patriotism, education for both boys and girls, and an end to slavery.

This book, written to the rhythm of Sarah’s famous children’s nursery rhyme, includes follow-up questions to promote comprehension and discussion, a sturdy list of vocabulary words, and a copy of a primary document–Sarah’s letter to Abraham Lincoln.

Favorite quote:                                                                                                                                                                              Lay down anger and bad thoughts,
And bow our heads in prayer.
Give thanks for all we hold so dear
And all we have to share.

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks for the free book, @AmbassadorIntl!
I am an @AmbassadorIntl #bookreviewer and #partner.

In a season highlighting harvest, nutrition, and Thanksgiving, Susan Neal’s latest children’s book, Eat God’s Food: A  Kid’s Guide to Healthy Eating is the perfect addition to the homeschool or Christian educators library. Packed with interesting facts and activities, the author weaves God seamlessly throughout the book and incorporates information about each food group along with the importance of a healthy diet and simple recipes.

This hands-on resource is a great addition for fall and can easily be differentiated or implemented as a peer teaching tool.

Currently on the Bookshelf

• How to Listen so Your Kids Will Talk: Deepen Your Connection and Strengthen Their Confidence by Becky Harling
• Woke Religion: Unmasking the False Gospel of Social Justice by Wes Carpenter
• Heirloom: Living & Leaving a Legacy of Faith! by Kathy Howard
• Hope Amid the Pain: Hanging onto Positive Expectations When Battling Chronic Pain and Illness (a 60-Day Devotional Journal) by Leslie L. McKee
• You Are Not Alone by Elisa Morgan
• James’ Reading Rescue by Dianna Wilson-Sirkovsky
• Cinched: Living With Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God by Kristine Brown

I would love to know more about what you are reading right now. Please share with us in the comment section below.

Peace and grace,

Tammy

I often link up with these wonderful bloggers:

Mondays   Anita Ojeda

Tuesdays InstaEncouragements

Wednesdays  Recharge Wednesday / Tell His Story/ Linkup/Let’s Have Coffee

Thursdays Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light

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This week’s featured post is by Kate R. Dale, a mental health and faith advocate, who shares honestly about the struggle to move in boldness and share the truth of Christ when avoidance is the easy answer. In a world longing to be set free, Kate provides the encouragement I needed today to “give myself (and God) more room to make it a gospel-sharing opportunity”.

Be sure to drop by her site. You’ll be glad you did! Then drop your link below.

Seizing the Season:

Being Faithful & Fearless to Spread the Good News

by Katie R. Dale

Click here to read.

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