There was a time in my life when I thought I only needed to read one book at a time.
I have changed over the years, as have my reading habits. I’ve discovered the blessing of actively reading multiple books at once. They key, for me, is ensuring they are all of different genres. Sometimes I’m in the mood for encouragement. Or easy reading. Or I need to be challenged. Or I need help in a particular area of life. Or I need to escape reality for just a bit.
I didn’t set out to read seven books at once, but here I am. And because I’m enjoying each one of them, I wanted to share them with you.
Fervent by Priscilla Shirer
(the book to read with a friend)
It’s always good to read a book alongside a friend. After seeing the movie War Room, I wanted to read something that would keep those concepts of fighting battles in prayer fresh for me. I texted my friend Tiffany and asked her to go through it with me.
I’ve particularly enjoyed the challenge of this book, opening my eyes to areas in which the enemy seeks to target us. This book has been great at giving me a concrete plan for equipping myself for battle in prayer.
My most recent highlight: “When our lives are packed to the brim with things that squeeze God into the periphery, it’s a sure sign we’ve replaced our devotion to God with a love for something else.”
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
(the bubble bath book)
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a comforting read with soothing, poetic voice–one that’s not going to make me not want to put it down but one that will just fill my soul for just as long as I want to sit.
One Thousand Gifts hits the mark for me. I am immediately drawn in by Ann’s soothing storytelling and telltale truths that hit you in the midst of the artistic brushstrokes of her words. One Thousand Gifts has helped me to notice the little blessings in life, and this practice has made a big difference in seeing the world through the lens of gratitude.
My most recent highlight: “life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change.”
Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst
(the refresher book)
I read Lysa’s book Unglued a couple of years ago but when I saw it devotional form I immediately snagged it. I need reminded of the concepts in Unglued but I’m not one to reread books. Each day’s devotional gives me just enough to keep me on task. I expect it to come in especially handy during the two week Christmas break.
My most recent highlight: “Sometimes we girls think if we don’t make instant progress, then real change isn’t coming. But that’s not so. There is a beautiful reality called imperfect progress.”
Awe by Paul David Tripp
(the challenging book)
I like easy reads as much as the next person, but our spirits also need to be challenged. Awe is a book that provides brilliant wisdom and makes you look at your whole world in a different light. It’s one I only read one chapter at a time, just to let it sink in, but the pages are filled with my highlights that I plan to go back and revisit.
My most recent highlight: “You and I will only rest in situations over which we have no control if we are in awe of the One who controls them all for his glory and for our good.”
Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet & Geoff Benge
(the read with my child book)
I’m so glad that Drew is now at an age that I can read books to him that interest both of us. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Llama Llama books, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed graduating to a new level of reading with him.
After we read Brother Andrew, I chose to read Gladys Aylward at the recommendation of several friends. (Bonus! Drew can take an Accelerated Reader (AR) test on it! He may or may not have chosen this one because it’s worth 8 or 9 points.)
Hoodwinked by Karen Ehman & Ruth Schwenk
(the motherhood book)
Because my life is wrapped up in mothering my 9-year-old and 5-year-old, I enjoy reading books on mothering that aren’t prescriptive necessarily. Reading Hoodwinked leaves me with the feeling of, “You, too? I thought it was just me!” and then gives suggestions on how to handle some of the struggles I face as a mom.
I am enjoying this book so much the MOMs class I lead at church will be doing the small group study starting in January.
My most recent highlight: “Paul doesn’t say that Eunice’s methods, techniques, or teaching saved Timothy. The teaching was a means to a greater end. That end was faith in Jesus. New information alone doesn’t save our children. A new birth does. No amount of content, rules, memory verses, or Bible charts will bring about a new birth in the hearts and lives of our children. That is the work of God’s Spirit.“
Return to Me by Lynn Austin
(the fiction book)
Confession: I actually finished this book a couple of days ago, but I had to include it. I read fiction at night before bed. My mind tends to pool in the evenings with worries, and reading fiction puts me in another world while soothing me to sleep.
I particularly enjoyed Return to Me because it’s a fictional account surrounding the prophet Zechariah, which helped me learn more Bible history without realizing it. As I was finishing it, I began reading the book of Zechariah in the Bible with new eyes. I highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to read the second in the series.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think? What are you reading or would recommend?