Best Books of 2025
- Amber Thiessen
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
It’s a joy to share a handful of my favourite books from this past year—stories and studies that shaped my thinking, deepened my faith, and sparked fresh wonder. Whether you’re a steady reader or someone who picks up a book whenever life allows, I hope you’ll discover something here that encourages you.
For Those Looking for the Beauty of the Church Despite Her Imperfections
Last year, Gospel-Centered Discipleship ran a blog series on the blessing of the local church. I’m both humbled and thrilled to share that my essay is included in this book!
It’s an incredible honor to sit alongside writers I deeply admire. The book is filled with inspiring testimonies of how God has used the local church to bring encouragement and transformation to people’s lives. My prayer is that it will not only encourage you but also challenge all of us to live faithfully as part of our own church communities.
For Those Learning to Pray Through Pain
I'm really so grateful for this book. It was one that God led me to when I didn't know I needed it. The prayer of lament has often been neglected or avoided, but here you'll find biblical teaching on how to pray both with your pain and everlasting hope.(5 stars)
For the Woman Longing to Rest in Grace Rather Than Perfection
Ever feel like you're constantly trying to be enough? Good enough, holy enough, productive enough?
In Perfected: Trading Shame and Striving for Wholeness in Christ, Bethany Broderick invites us to lay down the burden of self-sufficiency and rest in the finished work of Jesus. With warmth and biblical truth, she helps untangle the lies of perfectionism and reminds us where true wholeness is found.
If you’ve been weary from striving, this book is a breath of fresh gospel air.
For Those Who Crave Assurance of God’s Intimate Care and Presence
Ever feel like you're too much... or not enough? Like if people really knew you, they might not stick around?
Glenna Marshall’s Known & Loved is a devotional through Psalm 139 that reminds us we are fully known by God—and still deeply, unchangeably loved. If you’ve wrestled with insecurity, loneliness, or the fear of being misunderstood, this one’s for you.
For the Discerning Reader Who Wants to Explore Faith and Fantasy
Can Christians read fantasy stories with magic?
From Narnia to Harry Potter, these conversations can get heated—and confusing. Some say avoid it all. Others say it’s no big deal. So what’s the right approach?
That’s why I appreciated Marian Jacobs’s new book On Magic & Miracles. Instead of giving quick “yes” or “no” answers, she equips us with a thoughtful, biblical framework for engaging with stories that include magic, miracles, and the supernatural.
If you’ve ever wondered how to approach these stories with wisdom and discernment, this book might be just what you need.
For Those Who Care for Others in the Church
(guess that means all of us)
The language of trauma has become increasingly mainstream. In my own professional development in nursing, I’ve noticed a growing emphasis over the years on trauma-informed care, with workshops and discussions becoming more prevalent in workplaces. But as these conversations expand, the church has both an opportunity and a responsibility to deepen its understanding of trauma’s impact on the people in our communities and congregations.
After all, who better to love and serve those who are suffering than followers of a Savior who endured pain and grief — and now invites us to find hope and healing in Him?
For Every Bible Reader
Have you ever found Bible reading slipping into routine—a checklist to get through instead of an invitation to meet with God? That’s where I found myself, until Matt Smethurst’s Before You Open Your Bible reminded me to pause and consider the posture of my heart before opening God’s Word.
This short book is packed with wisdom, encouraging us to approach Scripture prayerfully, humbly, joyfully, and expectantly—so our study becomes more than knowledge and blossoms into worship and communion with Christ.
Whether you’re new to reading the Bible or it’s been part of your life for years, this little book will refresh your perspective.
For the Soul Tired of Hustle
When was the last time you sat still—without an agenda—just to be with God?
Even our Bible reading and prayers can get rushed. They become another task on the to-do list instead of moments to truly linger with Him.
In Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God, Samantha Decker offers a gentle reminder: life isn’t about doing less for the sake of it—it’s about reordering our days around Christ so we can be present to what He’s doing in and around us.
One idea that really stuck with me? “Front porch time”—setting aside space without an agenda, simply to pray, listen, and be attentive to God. It’s such a simple practice, yet one I often forget in the busyness of life.
If you’re feeling stretched thin or rushing through even your spiritual practices, this book may be just the reset you need moving into the New Year.
Favourites in Fiction
I LOVED Isadora! If you have a quirky friend—or maybe you are that quirky friend—you will love this story!! She faces a lot of struggle with her identity, being accepted by others for who she is, but learns so much about what it means to love and be loved. It's a 31 Days to be Happy experiment and you're going to enjoy the journey!! (5 stars)
Stories set around bookstores are always a fun treat. This story is set in North Carolina, the main characters both have Christian faith. This is a story about friendship, second chances and forgiveness. They've got a tough past to work though and misunderstandings to clarify, so it's perfect for your beach chair with sand between your toes! (5 stars)
I haven't found a lot of historical fiction that takes place in Canada (feel free to drop me suggestions!) So this was a sweet trip into 1800s Toronto. A woman in hiding as a laundress becomes close to a young girl, whose father has connections to her previous life. The community is on the verge of rebellion and she's trying to remain hidden.
Loved this quote, "You figure God abandoned you, but you know deep down that's not true. He was there all along, holding you up until you were ready to stand again."
This is the author's debut novel, highly recommend! (5 stars)
When historical anthropologist Cara Tucker arrives at a secluded Missouri estate for her sabbatical, she’s eager to dive into its centuries-old journals and hidden history. But what begins as a dream assignment quickly turns unsettling. Strange accidents, eerie noises, and shadowy warnings suggest that someone doesn’t want her uncovering the past.
Sheriff Brad Adams has seen plenty in his years on the job, but the string of suspicious incidents at the old estate doesn’t fit the pattern of his quiet county. As danger escalates, Brad and Cara are drawn together—both to piece together the mystery and to confront what’s been buried for far too long.
Out of Time is a suspenseful story woven with history, courage, and quiet faith. It’s for readers who enjoy a touch of danger, a hint of romance, and a reminder that light always prevails over darkness.
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*Denotes books I've received from the publisher or Netgally with the opportunity to post an honest review.