The theme I began to notice in several of my books this month was rest.
Rest in the season you’re in (even midlife)
Rest in the truth of God’s Word.
Rest in God’s enthronement.
Rest in the work of the Spirit.
At first glance, a book on productivity might seem disconnected from rest. But I was reminded that resting in Christ isn’t about sitting with my feet up or doing nothing.
True rest is a daily posture of humility and steadfast trust in God. We don’t set aside action, growth, or serving in order to rest. Rather, we trust that rest comes as we faithfully engage in the work God has given us—embracing the people around us and the opportunities to reflect Him in our daily lives.
In fact, even in the fiction I read this month, I noticed characters learning to depend on Christ, especially in the midst of pain and suffering. It was a powerful reminder that rest and trust in God are not just relevant in the quiet moments, but also in times of struggle.
In the middle of the back-to-school rush, this has been a timely reminder for me—to depend on the Lord's strength and His purposes for my life.
I hope you’ll find something of interest in these titles!
Content
Fiction
Psychology
Christian Living
Fiction
This book continues the author's Elite Guardians series, with a tone that feels reminiscent of Criminal Minds. Noelle, Jonah, and their team work to uncover the mystery behind the attacks on Jonah—and how they might be connected to Noelle's childhood kidnapping. The story is intense and weighty at times, but the characters rely on their faith to navigate the challenges. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Isabelle and Alexander tells the story of an arranged marriage that is met with unexpected tragedy. The novel explores the challenges couples face when injury or illness disrupts their lives, highlighting the virtues of friendship, endurance, and loyalty. It’s a clean romance, written for the general market. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With her signature suspenseful style, this one keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story is full of intriguing twists, as the reader is left wondering whether Lindsay is telling the truth about the strange events happening around her. The detective is also uncertain, creating a tense dynamic between them at first. However, as he works to uncover the truth, Lindsay learns to trust him. If you’ve enjoyed her other novels, this one won’t disappoint. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you're in the mood for something different, Through Dust and Ashes offers a gripping story about a family heading west. Along the way, they take in a woman and her son who are fleeing from an abusive husband. The author doesn’t shy away from depicting tragedy, so there is some mature content. What I love about her writing is how she skillfully weaves a thread of hope throughout, as the characters face hopelessness and desperation. The Lord provides people in their path, ultimately leading them to faith. This book is part of a series, so while the ending isn’t a cliffhanger, it leaves room for continuation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Psychology
I thoroughly enjoyed Atomic Habits and highly recommend it!! It’s filled with behavior theory and offers countless ways to apply it. Whether in my personal life, spiritual growth, parenting, or coaching clients, there’s so much valuable insight to digest. The book provides practical strategies for building positive habits and breaking negative ones. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Christian Living
*Chasing Sacred: Learn How to Study Scripture to Pursue God and Find Hope in Him by Mikella Van Dyke
A great introduction to inductive bible study. She helps whet your appetite to dig into the scriptures! Check out my full post! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a book I didn't know I needed until I read it! Highly recommend it if you're near or entering...or even are in midlife! (Read my whole review!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is beautifully written, weaving personal story to illustrate biblical truths of the fruit of the Spirit. (Read my REVIEW) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a dive into the creation story, looking at how creation stories among Ancient Near East cultlures and how the biblical account is different. I really enjoyed this. (Catch my review here!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you discovered something that piqued your interest. I'd love to hear about what’s on your shelf! 📚 Feel free to share in the comments👇🏼 or drop me a note!
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*denotes books I've received from Netgalley or the publisher with the opportunity to post an honest review!
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