Top 5 Books of 2017

I’ve had grand plans to write this post for about 3 weeks now, and I’m sure you are dying to know about my favorite books from 2017! I cannot disappoint you faithful blog readers, so even though we are already 21 days into the new year, here’s my top 5 list, in no particular order.

Beautiful Battle: A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Mary DeMuth

This is by far the best book on spiritual warfare I’ve read- and it’s not just for women. The author is balanced, hopeful and centers the whole discussion around Scripture. Instead of ending feeling intimidated or afraid, I was encouraged.

Favorite quote: “Spiritual warfare has more to do with the state of your heart before a holy God than a list of things to do or avoid. It involves interaction, sometimes confusion, falling down, getting back up. It involves your willingness to look foolish, to take crazy steps, to trust God’s voice. While there are principles to know and practice, it’s your ability to trust in God’s power and authority that will bring about the victorious life”.

The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

This book introduced me to the Enneagram, a diagram that helps understand our motivations, fears and how this impacts relationships- basically why we do what we do. It is one of my favorite tools for learning more about how God created me (and you), and this book was a great basic overview. I’m a type 6, in case you are curious.

Favorite quote: “May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful and eternal happening. May you learn to see your self with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees in you every moment.”

A Million Little Ways: Uncovering the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P. Freeman

I love the poetic way Emily Freeman tells her stories, the hope she inspires in me and her honest vulnerability. This book isn’t so much about art, but finding the ways God has gifted and filled us, and learning how to offer that to the world in a way that nourishes our souls and the souls of others.

Favorite quote: “Cashiers and cellists are capable of making art because they both have the power to influence, to be fully awake to their Maker, and fully aware of his making of them. I can’t imagine anything more dangerous to the enemy of our hearts than people who know who they are.”

Dust Bowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of The Team That Barnstormed Its Way to Basketball Glory by Lydia Reeder

It was fun reading about some of the first women’s basketball teams, the stereotypes they had to deal with the how this underdog team from Oklahoma Presbyterian College ended up winning the national championship at the height of the Great Depression.

Favorite part: learning how the coach, Sam Babb, was able to provide scholarships for these girls to not only go to college when their families wouldn’t have been able to send them, but also continue their basketball careers.

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I’m slowly collecting the books in the Little House on the Prairie series and revisiting these favorites from my childhood. I read this one during the Cambodian cold snap right before Christmas and loved it (way more than I did as kid. This wasn’t my favorite back then).

Favorite part: the creative ways the people in De Smet, South Dakota stretched resources and helped each other out to survive the winter of constant blizzards.

A few more honorable mentions:

Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk by Michelle DeRusha

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter by Annie F. Downs

What was your favorite book in 2017?