29 Life-Changing Books for Your Reading List
January waltzes in, dreamy and ambitious. Whispers permission to shred your list of what you haven’t finished, haven’t even started, from last year. She’s a bright new start and welcome friend.
Me? Just a girl who loves books, like you. I’ve handpicked my favorites from my bookshelf and I offer to you 29 of the most wonderful books sure to change your life. Let’s meander through my color-organized stacks and stop at these:
29 Life-Changing Books to Add to Your Reading List This Year
1. For the one holding her breath, walking faster, feeling the pressure to do more, balance it all, let no one down: Permission to slow and savor and grow.
Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl by Jennifer Dukes Lee
2. For the one trying to be superhero mom, worrying she’s messing her kids up, not taking care of herself: A better, freer way to live.
Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood by Alli Worthington
3. For the one comparing herself to everyone else, criticizing the girl in the mirror, feeling beat down and defensive: Proof that you matter and so does she.
4. For the lonely mom with no one to listen, the college girl discovering herself, the writer figuring out what she needs to say, avid journalers, non-journalers, and all in-between: A wide-open invitation to come where you’re always welcome and be known the way you’ve always wanted.
5. For the one who’s kind, generously self-sacrificing, turning over every decision in the palm of her hand: A practice that will bring tremendous peace and clarity.
The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst
6. For the one who can’t find a way through the mess/heartache/loss questions: Sure footing to the One paved the way with His very own life.
WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of by Ann Voskamp
7. For the ones with a wild hope that multi-ethic, multi-economic, multi-generational friendships can spin us towards each other: A timely, powerful, unforgettable world-changing read.
8. For the girl looking for more real, relational, vulnerable, less polished, prettied, guarded. The one in search of her kind of people: Tools to build soul-fulfilling, kingdom-building community.
Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World by Jennie Allen
9. For chronic multitaskers, self-sufficient go-getters, best-intentioned oversteppers, and defensive rest-avoiders: Permission to not be fine and help to get better.
10. For the mom who wants to leave a legacy but worries she’s not good enough, smart enough, or Christian enough: Real-life stories of Biblical women a whole lot like you, passing on a legacy (as can you).
Her Children Arise: Passing a Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation by Casey Hilty
11. For the one on autopilot, half-awake to the gifts right in front of her—the good gifts, the hard gifts, the everyday gifts: A recipe for joy no matter the circumstances.
One Thousand Gifts 10th Anniversary Edition: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
12. For the one daring to believe that gratitude is not just for November: Encouragement and daily action steps for every single day of the year.
13. For the woman trying to be the savior of her own story, but feeling like a failure: The best exchange of what squeezes and frustrates for what empowers and frees (releasing soon from Moody and written by a dear friend):
Around the Clock Mom: Make the Most of Your God-Given Time by Sarah K. Butterfield
15. For the one over churchy talk and hypocritical Christians, looking for faith that actually works: A down-to-earth guide to teach you how to hear God for yourself.
Invited: A Simple Guide for Connecting with God by Matt Berry
16. For the one needing to know it’s not just you feeling friendless, awkward or lonely: Finally, Friendship 101 with instructors who let you see inside their heads.
17. For the one on unsteady ground shattered, barely surviving: A wise and gracious how-to from someone who’s been there.
Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart by Lisa Appelo
18. For the perfectionists, people pleasers, overthinkers, and all others who are decision-averse: Decision-making strategies that give you infinite peace.
The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman
19. For the ones trying hard to measure up, feeling numb, empty, afraid ashamed: Permission to stop striving and discover the greatest freedom you’ve known.
Nothing to Prove: Why We Can Stop Trying So Hard by Jennie Allen
20. For the one blaming God, feeling walled up, dried up, betrayed, or overlooked: Humble vulnerability that’s both convicting and freeing.
Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus by Mary Demuth
21. For the word people, question-raisers, community-seekers, and audaciously curious: A slew of lines you’ll want to underline and adopt as a new way of living.
Start with Hello: (And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors) by Shannan Martin
22. For the one currently living a hard story, needing to borrow hope, know that she’ll be alright: A devotional collection lending hope and a hug—to you and also to kids via Compassion International (where all book profits are donated).
23. For the quick-witted and quirky who like to talk real while also laughing: An overdue guide to honest friendship.
24. For the mom short on time, patience, and energy, who wants to grow her faith throughout the week: Insightful and practical wisdom packed into short devotions.
Sunday God Meets Monday Mom: 100 Devotions Connecting Faith and Life by Erin Greneaux
25. For the wanna-be minimalist feeling overwhelmed, indecisive, discontent, directionless: A plan and plenty of pictures to help it all make sense.
Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff by Myquillyn Smith
26. For the shattered, grieving hearts doubting that God is good, not wanting to get out of bed: An acronym to trade grief for strength.
Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Rosser
27. For the writer with a book idea but no clue what to do next: A thorough guide that will keep you on track (while not taking yourself too seriously).
28. For the avid walkers, occasional walkers, and all looking for God along the way: Mic-drop lines of wisdom for everyday life.
29. For the neighbor who wants to know names, faces, and stories of the people she lives close to: A been-there guide to make it simple and doable.
