My inbox is filled regularly with questions like:

• “What devotional should I read next?”
• “Is there a parenting book you suggest?”
• “My small group doesn’t know what study to do next, any suggestions?”

Knowing that greats are always coming into the market, I will try to do a quick snapshot of some of my current and past favorites for different seasons. If you are looking for a good match, take some time to peruse the descriptions through the link, I will try to give  the quickest synopsis here!

For those struggling with infertility:

• In Due Time: My friend Caroline wrote this 60-day devotional with daily devotionals for those who need hope and encouragement rooted in Biblical truths during waiting seasons.
• Hannah’s Hope: Seeking God’s Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss:  This book was the first I read on our journey and brought me immense comfort that I wasn’t alone in my grief.
• Anchored in Hope: This is a book containing devotional essays by 45 women, myself included, that shares scripture for those struggling with infertility. (It was an honor to be a part of!)

• Dear God, Why Can’t I Have a Baby?: I found a lot of comfort in this book during my infertility journey. It is written as a guide for couples-in-waiting.

For those struggling with a difficult season, needing hope (infertility or not):

• Finding Faith in the Dark: When the Story of Your Life Takes a Turn You Didn’t Plan: This is hands down one of my favorite reads during our season of struggling to find purpose in the hard. (There is no direct story line with infertility involved, but it helps you wrestle with the dark chapters of your seasons.)
• Hope in the Dark: Believing God is Good When Life Is Not: I flew through this book (post infertility struggles) and loved it, applicable no matter where you are at in your journey or what your story is.
• It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered: This book deals with processing unmet expectations with God’s Word at the very center. It’s written by the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst, and I highly value her writing. (I cannot get enough of this book and am currently rereading it.)
• In the Wait: A Six-Week Study on Waiting: This is another project I had the pleasure of being a part of and is intimately woven into our infertility story, however, each co-authors focuses on a different aspect of finding the ability to live well in waiting seasons, many of whom do not have infertility as part of their story. (There is also a companion study-guide for small groups.)

For those looking for encouragement as a mom in a season of parenting;

• Power of a Praying Parent: 31 chapters broken into different ways you can be praying for your child(ren) with written prayers. Incredibly powerful and easy to apply over and over again.
• Homegrown: I had the chance to preview this with Lifeway and love that this one is for the whole family, kids included! It focuses on cultivating the fruit of the Spirit within each member of the family.

• Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus: A small daily devotional with Biblical roots and encouragement no matter what mothering season you are in. 

• Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday: I just finished this book with my summer book club and it was a game-changer. I was worried I wouldn’t relate to it as I don’t see myself as “grumpy”, but it was incredibly impact-ful in how I view my role as a parent and this season with littles.

• Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family: This book contains practical and gospel-centered principles that have been incredibly eye opening and incorporate methods with Biblical truths. I will be rereading this as the kiddos get older as well.

• The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively: Admittedly I have not read this one yet, but have read several other versions of the authors 5 Love Languages. This is on my list for the upcoming year as I now as able to see my children’s personalities (and potential love languages) emerge. 

• Night Light for Parents: This daily devotional (written by Dr. Dobson) is a filled with practical parenting advice and biblical wisdom. Great for doing with a spouse! 

Great for a small group of women:

• Grace Not Perfection: Linked is the companion DVD that goes along with the book. I love when great books add small-group resources. This one is a four-session video series.
• Restless: Because You Were Made for More: This DVD based study kit has everything you need – from the DVD, to conversation cards, to the study guide. It’s based off of Jennie Allen’s book Restless and while this is just one I have chosen, all her small group curriculum’s are awesome. I also have been part of a study that did Stuck which was great.
• I love Beth Moore studies, like this one, Quest, however, there is A LOT of homework, which is based on terrific content, however, know your audience and the season they are in.

• WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working: My small group did this years ago and it’s made a resounding impact on how to live in a way that is against what the world deems “normal” and focus on what God says. Good for male or female groups. There is a correlating DVD series and workbook, but they don’t necessarily line up with the book itself. I found the book to be very valuable for discussion! 

• The Armor of God: All of Priscilla Shirer’s books and devotionals are outstanding.  This is a 7-week study is a workbook style.

 

Authors I like and would recommend – many of which has questions in the back of their books for conversation – linking a fave by each below;

• Steven Furtick
• Craig Groeschel
• Judah Smith
• Lysa Terkeust
• Bob Merritt (my pastor, out with a new book that’s wonderful, I just finished!)
• Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan 
• Shauna Niequist 
• Bob Goff
• Francis Chan
• Andy Stanley
• Annie F. Downs 

I am certain I am forgetting many great books, so I will update this post regularly with an Edit below to add. In the meantime, have I missed one of your favorites? I’d love to hear below in the comments!

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