If I could have my pick at super powers, one of them might be to read a handful of books at a time, and absorb each book as if it was the only one I was reading. I have probably 3 I’m currently trying to read (obviously one wins out, but three are bumping around in my brain), 5 sitting on the bookshelf I want to read next, and 2 I recently read that I’m still mulling over. Haha, that’s me.

A friend suggested I check out Jodi Picoult, and I started with Nineteen Minutes. Man. It was heavy, but engaging. A story about a school shooting, fit with all of the detective investigation and emotional insights of the teens. It was one of those that you can’t put down once you start.

After I saw the movie War Room, I picked up Priscilla Shirer’s Fervent, a book about prayer. I enjoyed how Priscilla broke down prayer. She unpacked it in a way that was intriguing, inspirational, and convicting. She gave practical Scripture to pray with after each chapter, and spoke on the many values of an active, consistent prayer life. I highly recommend it.

The Practice of the Presence of God is one that I read a couple times a year. It’s a short book of letters/conversations between Brother Lawrence, a monk, and friends. I love this book because its entire premise is practicing, experiencing, and engaging with the presence of God in even the most mundane of tasks. It brings me to my knees every time I read it. It challenges me to simplify [desires, life, activities], to remember the intimacy that I can have with God, and to treasure my relationship with Jesus above all else.

Having A Mary Spirit truly changed me. Personal, authentic, life-pondering. It’s difficult to say more than that because it will probably touch and impact you in different ways than it did me. But, another high recommendation from me.

“I believe the ability to love people as we should only comes from the security of knowing we ourselves are loved. For you cannot share what you do not have. Which is another reason we need the Holy Spirit—for He bears witness with our hearts that we are God’s children, and dearly loved as well (Romans 8:15–16, 1 John 3:1).”

On my to-read list are similar books it seems…

I like Jen Hatmaker as a person, so I imagine I’ll enjoy For The Love as well. Also, the tagline is right up my alley: Fighting for grace in a world of impossible standards.

Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman is a recommendation of a friend of mine. This friend is one who is honest, caring, and dearly loves Jesus and people, so I’m excited to begin this book.

Another Jodi Picoult, The Storyteller. The friend who recommended the above book of hers said that this one was probably her favorite book of all time. Um, big statement. Naturally, I’m intrigued.

Lord, Change Me. I learned of this book because Joanna quoted it a couple times in Having A Mary Spirit. When I begin this book, I know my heart will be praying for the Lord to do a real, gentle, gracious, powerful work – to change. I’ll keep you posted.

Has anyone read any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts before I dive in.