Recent Non-Fiction Reads

I've read a few non-fiction reads worth mentioning lately! 

Raising World Changers in a Changing World: How One Family Discovered the Beauty of Sacrifice and the Joy of Giving // This was an excellent book that challenged me and made me really evaluate how we as a family are spending our time and money. Kristen Welch shares many stories and examples from her own family's life about how they've chosen to live counter-culturally in the way they serve and give with joy. She says that the "ultimate goal is to reduce entitlement, feed gratitude, and produce contentment". Her book is a must-read if this, too, is one of your goals in parenting. I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

The Lifegiving Parent: Giving Your Child a Life Worth Living for Christ // I know some people feel inundated with the sheer number of parenting books we have access to, but I really enjoy reading parenting books! This book covers eight key principles explaining what it means to create an environment in your home in which your children are able to experience the living God. I think this book would be a great read for someone who does not want to read a variety of parenting books, as this is more of a book of general principles for creating and cultivating a Christian home environment. It would also be helpful for parents who perhaps were not themselves raised in a Christian home but are desiring to raise their own children based on godly principles. I found it to be a little too broad and general for my personal taste in parenting books, and I didn't come away with a lot of new insight, but it is packed with great truth, principles, examples, and ideas that many would find very helpful! I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Educated: A Memoir // This book probably does need any additional hype, but I will join in with the multitude and say this is an excellent book. I think my jaw was hanging wide open for a good portion of the book, because the way Tara Westover was raised and her view of the world in her childhood was absolutely mind-boggling. I flew through this book and think it's a great book for wide range of reading tastes and preferences.

Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say // I thought this was an incredibly creative idea for a book, but on top of that, it was a really interesting and beautiful read. Kelly Corrigan takes 12 words or phrases (Yes, No, I Don't Know, Tell Me More, etc.) and writes the personal stories involving these phrases and how they've impacted her and taught her. It was eye-opening and just really well done.

Books Worth Reading

Searching for Spring* // If you're walking through a season of suffering or even just waiting for something in your life to become beautiful, this book is for you. Christine Hoover has filled this book with so much rich truth and so many great reminders about how God never stops his redemptive work, and that even the most painful experiences can lead us to the beauty of perseverance, hope, and even God himself. This book was such a timely read for me as I've struggled these past months with questioning God about this season of life he's put us in, wondering what the purpose is, and definitely not thinking it's a beautiful thing. I needed to hear these words that struck a chord deep within me: "Nothing changed except the posture of my heart...[God] was asking me to submit to the unchangeable blueprints in a way that would build beauty rather than bitterness, faith rather than futility, for his glory and for my good." This book was excellent, and I highly recommend!

The Masterpiece* // If you've not read any of the novels by Francine Rivers, then you are missing out! I love the way she writes and crafts her stories. This is a contemporary novel about a famous painter and a woman who begins work as his assistant. The book goes back and forth in time through both of their difficult pasts and their current faith journeys. The book is compelling, and I read it in one weekend! I highly recommend this if you're looking for a well-written, fast-paced, enjoyable story. Bonus: the cover artwork is gorgeous!

Never Unfriended* // I received this book last year when it first came out, but then my life kind of got a little crazy when we moved across the country! It ended up working out perfectly, though, because I am now in a season of making all new friends. This book was an easy and enjoyable read, and I thought it had some really great nuggets of truth about friendships! Whether you're in a season of walking through difficult hurt and struggles in friendships, or if you're in a season of making all new friends (like me!), I recommend reading this book!

Unbroken // If you are one of the few people who has not read this book, then I am here to tell you to read it as soon as you get your hands on it! This has been on my TBR list for years, and I finally picked it off our shelf last month. I could not put this book down! This is truly one of the most incredible books I have EVER read. It is absolutely mind-boggling to think of all that this man endured in his life. I felt extremely emotional throughout the whole book, and tears were definitely shed. This is a story that everyone needs to read and hear about, in my opinion. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year!

*Disclosure: I did receive these books for free from the publisher in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own.

In All Things

What devotionals or Bible studies do you have planned to do this year? I'm wrapping up a study at my church tomorrow, and we're jumping into another study next week! I enjoy doing corporate Bible studies with a group, but I also really enjoy working through studies on my own. On the top of my list for this year is Melissa Kruger's new devotional In All Things. This nine-week devotional studies Philippians, a book written by Paul who is filled with joy, peace, and contentment despite his difficult circumstances. I love Philippians, and I'm excited to learn more through this devotional! I've previously worked through Melissa Kruger's Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, and I love the format of her studies. Her questions are thought-provoking, and her writing is packed with truth and insight. If you're looking for a new study for this year, In All Things will be on sale June 5!

Disclosure: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.