My Top 10 Books: Fall Reading
“Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book.” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I’m excited to share with you the books I’ve been reading lately! Here in the Seattle area, where I live, the misty dark days of autumn make a particularly welcoming invitation to prepare a hot beverage and settle into a comfy chair with a good book. Do you read more during certain types of weather?
Below, you’ll find a wide variety of genres from non-fiction and fiction. Some, but not all of the titles were given to me by publishers for review purposes—but all opinions are my own.
By the way, I’m on Goodreads. Are you too? If so, let’s connect over there too!
Note…Amazon affiliate links may be used throughout this post. If you click on a link and buy a book, I receive a small portion of the proceeds at no additional cost to you. Thank you! For full disclosure, click HERE
Non-Fiction Favorites
Habakuk: Remembering God’s Faithfulness When He Seems Silent by Dannah Gresh | Bible study
About: The prophet Habakkuk faced great storms in life. His fears of the future crippled him with doubt and left him questioning God. How is it, then, that he is now a shining example of how the righteous live by faith?Learn how the storms of life can become opportunities to activate your faith in Habakkuk: Remembering the Faithfulness of God When He Seems Silent. You’ll study the book of Habakkuk—which maybe you’ve never done before!—and discover how remembering is essential to understanding the faithfulness of God. Through daily Scripture, prayer, and meditation, you’ll enter the life of this prophet, and: Gain freedom to express your fear and frustration to God Remember that God is at work—even when He seems silent Increase your capacity to practice the art of waiting on God Learn how to navigate through the storms of life to live free from fear and full of joy
This six-week study provides daily interactive Bible study and an easy-to-use leader’s guide for group participation. Dannah Gresh also hosts a six-session podcast series to kick off each week of study. Find it at dannahgresh.com.
My Review: This six-week study of Habakkuk is a comprehensive, beautifully written guide that incorporates the author's podcast, prayer, study, and meditation. It seems especially relevant during the time of Covid, as it was written to remind God's people of His faithfulness when it might seem as if he's silent. There are five-days worth of work for each week, and it is intended to be done with a group. There are fill-in-the-blank sections, word studies, a timeline, and questions that invite deeper thought spread throughout the book. I thought this study was well done, very robust, and designed for the woman who really wants to dig deep into God's Word.
James: Recipe for Living Faith by Leah Adams | Bible Study
About: Long before smart phones and the digital lifestyle appeared on the horizon, James spoke wisdom to anyone who will listen: Blessed are doers of the word, not hearers only. Information is great but even the best information, the word of God, is incomplete without action. Action is the real currency of the twenty-first century. James: Recipe for a Living Faith is a six-week instruction manual on the Christian faith, penned by James, a younger brother of Jesus. In this study, the reader will consider topics that are essential to a dynamic and powerful faith journey: faith and works, staying faithful under persecution, partiality in the body of Christ, patience, the importance of taming the tongue, and prayer
My Review: This study of the book of James is a well-written, clear, and fascinating dive into the wisdom that is offered from this book of the Bible. It focuses on topics such as faith and works, taming the tongue, and prayer: relevant and practical for today. Also, there are some really great recipes included! I highly recommend any of Leah's Bible studies.
Speak Life Daily Over Yourself by Michelle Bowman | Christian Faith
About: The good news is we have victory in Jesus Christ! I wrote this book because I needed “truth” spoken over myself each morning. I know there are plenty of apps and books with positive affirmations readily available. But I needed more than just a positive word. I needed to speak the Truth and pray over myself, my family, and everyone in my life. That’s how the idea of writing this book came about. As you read I want to encourage you to speak out loud. You will want to do this first thing in the morning if you are able. Any time of day will be alright, it’s just a great way to start the day. Every page has God’s truth about you on it. Whether you read one page or five you will be speaking life over yourself.
My Review: This short book of morning affirmations about who we are in Christ is a great tool to keep on hand for devotional time. Each page is a quick reminder, along with a scripture verse, that one can meditate on. I like how this book helps me to focus on who I am in Christ.
More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times by Betsy de Cruz |Christian Faith
About: This book will help you make small steps towards God and experience more of His power and presence.
Many of us long to experience more of God in our daily lives, yet we’re too distracted by a busy schedule, our own anxious thoughts, and even social media to hear His voice. We can’t slow down long enough to receive what God wants to give us.
Betsy de Cruz has learned that opening small windows to invite God in can make a big difference in our day. In More of God, Betsy invites us to a fresh sense of God's presence as we rediscover:
•How spending 20 minutes with God leads to more peace and joy all day
•Ways to conquer distraction and grow our prayer lives
•Simple solutions to help us hear God’s voice as we read Scripture
•Creative ideas for making quiet time a delight instead of a duty
•Hope and help when life gets too hard to have a quiet time
My Review: I loved the gentle encouragement of Betsy's message in this book. More of God isn't religious in tone, and it doesn't make the reader feel inadequate and guilty. Instead, it's a refreshing and relatable message that offers readers practical ways to seek more of God in their daily lives. I highly recommend this book.
Fiction Favorites
Dividing Sword by Katrina Hamel | Biblical Fiction
About: In a time when Rome rules the world and the people are crying out for a savior, a revolutionary rabbi walks the land, dividing families and faith. A Pharisee disciple will do whatever it takes to secure his future, even betray those he loves. A young woman longs for peace and safety, but her heart pulls her far from home. What are they willing to give up for their faith?
From the temperamental Sea of Galilee to the tinder-box that is Jerusalem, this journey through Matthew's gospel will sweep you into the first-century world. Witness the epic events of the gospel with all its wonder and conflict. See Jesus through the eyes of a woman and a Pharisee.
Beth believes Jesus offers healing and hope, but his plan for her husband rises like the waves of the sea to wash away her dreams for the future. Afraid of being left behind, she chases after her husband Peter, but in traveling with Jesus she finds more questions than answers. As her husband pursues the Nazarene with his whole heart and her cousin's bitterness towards Jesus grows, she wonders, what place can a woman have in the coming kingdom?
Reuben believes the way to a restored Israel is through careful obedience to law and tradition, and Jesus of Nazareth is challenging tradition at every turn. Under the watchful eye of his secretive rabbi, Reuben hopes he can rise above obscurity and take his place as a leader among men, but a disastrous confrontation with the Nazarene threatens to destroy his budding career. When his dreams collide with the people he loves, is he willing to do what it takes?
My Review:Dividing Sword is a fictional story based on the Gospel of Matthew as told from the viewpoint of Beth, wife of Peter, and Reuben, her cousin, a religious scholar, and an opponent of Jesus. It's obvious that the author did an incredible amount of research into the culture that the story is set in. I loved reading this story and imagining what it would be like to travel with Jesus. I also gained a deeper appreciation for both the privileges and the sacrifices that the early followers of Jesus experienced. Beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.
A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White | Historical Romance
About: Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family's history, their very name?
Peter Holstein, given his family's German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered.
But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors' scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he's more than his name?
My Review: As I read this story, I often thought of the movie, Oceans 8, because I saw parallels. I loved the cleverness of the female protagonist, and even though she could conceivably be cast as a villain, she was so likable! This was a fun story with adventure and romance. I was rooting for the characters the whole time, hoping they would do the right thing. The historical details were also well done. I highly recommend this book!
A Night Divine by Dawn Kinzer | Contemporary Christian Romance
(one of seven novellas in Melodies of Christmas Love)
About: One chilly December night, a tragedy connects successful model Camryn Tate and outreach minister Trace Gardner. As they share a common mission serving the homeless on the streets of Seattle, they provide more than food—they offer hope. But as Christmas Eve approaches, secrets have the potential to break Camryn’s heart.
My Review: Camryn Tate is a successful model who is searching for a deeper purpose in life when an unexpected series of events leads her to begin helping people who are homeless. She's a lovely, yet relatable character, and I was rooting for her the whole time. Set in Seattle, at Christmastime, I loved the details that were included because they were often real and recognizable. The romance between her and Trace was sweet. This was a feel-good, uplifting, inspirational story that warmed my heart.
Mr. H.O.A. by Carina Taylor |Contemporary Clean Romance
About: Bane Fox knows exactly what he wants in life: financial stability.He does not want to be homeless.He does not want to be the president of an HOA.It’s rather unfortunate he is both of those things. Oh, and did I forget to mention he has a fake wife?Yeah, that’s me.
My Review: Mr. H.O.A. is a funny and charming contemporary clean romance. I laughed out loud several times as I was reading. The concept is fun, and a fresh take on the fake marriage trope. There were a few surprises that were delightful. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel | Historical Romance
About: After losing the love of her life to a big city journalism job, Elissa Tillman pours herself into the suffragette movement and her secretarial work helping keep her father’s Pittsburgh newspaper afloat.
Cole Parker returns to the steel city with the phantom failures of his past nipping his heels. All he asks of the future is a second chance with the woman he once spurned.
The murder of a millionaire offers the perfect chance for Elissa to prove to her father and the world that she’s a serious journalist. But there’s a catch—she has to compete for the story. Against none other than Cole Parker, the very man who shattered her heart.
My Review: I loved the character of Elissa Tillman and this story had me rooting for her the whole time. Mystery, romance, and an unexpected conclusion kept me turning the pages. The setting in Philadelphia during the 1920s was also fun to read about.
Home and Dry in Normandy by George East | Memoir
About: the first of two books following the adventures of George and Donella East as they try to realise their dream of living the good life in rural France. After months of property-hunting, the couple arrive at The Mill of the Flea, a dilapidated and long-abandoned eighteenth-century water mill set in ten acres of fields, woods, streams and mud in the heart of the magical Cotentin peninsula of Normandy. There, the Easts set about renovating the farmhouse and tiny mill cottage on a shoestring budget.
As they struggle to adapt to a very different life and culture, the Easts find themselves with an unofficial estate manager as René Ribet moves on to their land in his ancient caravan. René will, he says, help them learn the ways of the countryside while returning the mill to its former glory. To the innocents abroad he appears a godsend. To the locals in the nearby village of Néhou, however, René Ribet is known as The Fox of Cotentin, notorious for his wily money-making schemes. Financial success eludes the couple but they gradually find their place amongst the characterful locals and develop an unlikely and enduring friendship with René. As the seasons pass, the couple finally realise that the real treasure has been around them all the time...
My Review: This book offers a peek into the life of an Englishman and his wife as they buy property in rural France. House renovations, working the land, eating and cooking wonderful food, meeting a cast of colorful characters, and trying not to go broke in the process...this is a memoir that offers a fun account of the author's adventures. George East's personality comes through on the pages, and I can't help but imagine him to be a tall tale-teller--and someone who would be an awful lot of fun to share a table with at a pub.
Bonus
What is Beautiful? by Abbie Springier, illustrated by Ashley Lauren Snyder | Children’s Literature
About: It's a question we all ask at some point in our lives. It's also a question many of us struggle to answer in a way that satisfies or affirms us.
But what if we could change that for our daughters? And our daughters' daughters? What if we could give them a picture of beauty they can embrace, a picture they can see every day looking back at them in the mirror?
A rhyming illustrated book appropriate for ages 6-12, What Is Beautiful? is a whimsical and refreshing reflection on beauty for every girl at every age.
My Review:This children's book is not just for children. Every girl and woman needs to be reminded of their true worth in the eyes of God- and this book beautifully does that. The whimsical illustrations are incredible. This is a book that belongs on a coffee table so it can be looked at time and time again.
Thank you for taking a look at my list. Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Now, I love to know if you have any book recommendations! What are you reading?
For more book recommendations check out: My Top 10 Books: Summer Reading | My Top 10 Books: Spring Reading
