What's On My Shelf (August 2025)
- Amber Thiessen
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Summer always feels like a chance to slow down, even if just a little. The longer days, the warmer evenings—they invite us to linger, to breathe, and to settle into a good book. Reading becomes more than just a pastime; it’s a way to pause, reflect, and sometimes even find refreshment for the soul.
This last few weeks, I gathered a collection of books that have helped me do just that—whether by offering hope, wisdom, or a little escape. Maybe one will do the same for you.
Then, let me know in the comments what you've been reading this summer! I'd love to hear from you!
Content: Books For When...
You need to know you’re loved.
You’re done striving to be enough.
You’re unsure about magic in stories.
You want deeper discipleship.
Life feels too rushed.
You want a tender fairytale twist.
You want danger, romance, and high stakes.
You want romance with heart and healing.
You want more books!
For When You Need to Know You're Loved
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. Read more from my review.
For When You're Done Striving to be Enough
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. Find out more from my full review.
For When You're Unsure About Magic in Stories
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 (and this review!) might be just what you need.
For When You Want Deeper Discipleship
What does it really mean to keep your heart aflame for God?
Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew Bingham takes us back to the Puritans—a people deeply committed to this very calling.
If you’re longing for deeper spiritual growth but aren’t sure where to start, this book offers rich, time-tested wisdom. It’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and tend your heart before the Lord. Check out my longer review.
For When Life Feels Too Rushed
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. Check out my full review for more!
For When You Want a Tender Fairytale Twist
In this sweet historical romance, a disfigured hero hides away from the world—until a spirited heroine steps into his life and challenges his isolation. With humor, warmth, and a Beauty-and-the-Beast–style love story, Witemeyer delivers a tale of grace and second glances.
For When You're In The Mood for Suspense
After witnessing a murder, forensic artist Jo Cattrel becomes a target—and the only one who can protect her is her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Together they dig into the mystery of her mother’s death, but the truth is as treacherous as the Washington coast they’re racing to survive.
For When You Want a Hometown Romance With Heart and Healing
After leaving behind the spotlight of professional ballet, Charlotte Page takes over her late best friend’s small-town dance studio—only to clash with the brooding high school football coach, Cole Turner. As old wounds and buried secrets surface, both must decide if they’re willing to risk their hearts for a chance at love and a fresh start.
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The asterisks indicate books I graciously received from NetGalley and/or the publisher in exchange for the opportunity to share an honest review.