20 Fall 2017 Books I'm Excited About

Book lovers, get excited for Fall 2017 books! I'm incredibly excited about this collection of books because the options from this fall are just so good! There's even some children's books that I discovered and really, really want! I know Rick and I have a 5 year plan, but we may need to start putting a children's library together because I am so in love with children's books right now. Let's go explore some books!

Coming in September + Ready for Preorder (Or Just Out!)

September 1 - Deeper Waters: Immersed in the Life-Changing Truth of God's Word by Denise J. HughesTurning to the Bible isn't always easy. Where does one start? How do you read this anyway? Denise cuts through those questions as she demonstrates how to read the Bible with the expectation that God will meet you there. She teaches readers how to hear God in his word, see the connection of where our world meets his word, and actually even enjoy reading this "boring" book.September 5 - Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table by Bri McKoyIf you read and loved The Turquoise Table from my 2017 Summer Picks, you'll love this book. Bri explores the conversations and connection that takes place around a dining room table and how to make it more meaningful for you and your people.September 12 - Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age by Ben StuartAre you looking for a dating book with good and solid Biblical theology? This is it. Ben explores the 4 distinct stages of romance and life and what it should mean for us from a Biblical perspective in today's culture. Looking through each of these stages, Ben explores what eternal things we should be pursuing at each point as we try to glorify God in each of these stages.September 12 - Braving the Wilderness: A Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene BrownDid you see this was written by THE Brene Brown? That's practically enough said. I got to see her on her Houston stop of her book tour where she did an overview of her new book. It is packed with the research and goodness that one expects coming from Brene Brown. Having said that, Brene lovers pick this up soon!September 19 - The Dogist Puppies by Elias Weiss FriedmanOne word. Puppies! This is an amazing coffee table style book featuring a ton of puppy pictures that all dog lovers would absolutely adore.September 19 - Reading People: How Seeing The World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne BogelI heard Anne discussing this on a podcast what feels like ages ago now. Personality tests always intrigue me whether it's a Myers-Briggs or Which Disney Character Are You?. I'm Cinderella by the way. Anne gives practical insights as to how knowing and utilizing your test results will revolutionize life.

Coming in October + Ready for Preorder

October 3 - Kill the Spider: Getting Rid of What's Really Holding You Back by Carlos WhittakerIf I could only recommend one book that is life changing this year, it'd be this one. I've received an Advanced Readers Copy and will be telling y'all all about this book in a future blog post. Until then, preorder it because WOW. Carlos cuts away at the cobwebs we swipe and show us that that's a temporary fix as we discover what spider is making those cobwebs. I finished it a week ago and can't stop thinking about it and the implications it has for my own life.October 3 - Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful by Katie Davis MajorsYou may remember Katie from her debut novel, Kisses from Katie, which is featured on my 2017 Reading List. She's back this October as she grapples with the huge question of God's love for us in troubling times. She invites us into the moments of questioning she has as she searches for answers and hope.October 3 - A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory by Frederick BuechnerThis collection of essays grapples with the hard topics of pain, grief and grace. It covers "such topics as the power of hidden secrets, loss of a dearly beloved, letting go, resurrection from the ruins, peace, and listening for the quiet voice of God. And he reveals that pain and sorrow can be a treasure—an amazing grace."October 6 - A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, Hopeful Spiritual Community by John PavlovitzCan we as a church live in the inclusiveness that Jesus called us to where we love everyone?John Pavlovitz explores this question of who should the church love when it comes to topics of LGBT inclusion, gender equality, racial tensions, and global concerns.October 17 - Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis AlsdurfThanksgiving is always a holiday that is laced with understated magic for me. It's the magic of the collision of simplicity, faith and family. This gorgeous children's book explores one family's Thanksgiving traditions that they hold in the woods. Everything about that just seems so magical. Thanksgiving, you really deserve more books.October 17 - A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa's Tasty Trip Around the World by M.E. FurmanI am fascinated by cultures which is why when I saw this children's book, I knew instantly that I'd be getting it for my future kids. (Future = waaayyyyy down the line.) I absolutely love the travel adventure this story takes little ones on as they get bits and pieces of culture on a trip around the world with Santa. I love that it's a little cookie cookbook too!October 24 - 100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self by Annie F. DownsYou may remember that I'm quite the Annie fan. Her words have definitely permeated my life in crazy ways. I can't wait to sit with Annie in this devotional as we strive together to find our own bravery and strength in our lives for Christ. I can't wait to get my hands on this!October 24 - The Fearless Baker: Simple Secrets for Baking Like a Pro by Erin Jeanne McDowellAfter savoring episodes of the Great British Baking Show on Netflix, the baking bug has bitten me again! Rick is always telling me that once you understand cooking at its roots, it's so easy to customize dishes, change flavors and do all those things that take good food to amazing food. This cookbook can show me the food science so that I can understand baking at its roots. There's a fun little video on the Amazon page to preorder this cookbook which features this quote: "When you understand the why, you don't have to bake with fear." This is definitely the cookbook I need to forge ahead into a life of fearless and delicious baking.October 31 - 200 Women: Who Will Change the Way You See the World edited by Ruth Hobday, Geoff Blackwell, Sharon Gelman and Marianne LassandroIf you asked 5 questions to 200 women of different backgrounds, what would the results be? In this combination of essays and quotes of 200 women discuss some tough topics we get to know that answer. The interviews feature both individuals like Jane Goodall as well as those who aren't known. I love that juxtaposition as we get to see humanity and womanhood at its most beautiful core.

Coming in November + Ready for Preorder

November 7 - A Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan JonesThis is another children's book that I can't wait to add to our collection. Christmas gets lost in the mix. It's no secret. We focus on gifts and not on Christ. In this sweet tale, a group of fun little animals throw a birthday party for Jesus as they celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.November 7 - In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for the Beautiful, Broken Life by Sheila WalshSheila takes us on a stroll through her own mess as she shows what spiritual disciplines have allowed her to see Christ through her struggles. She discusses her defenses and how she had to take them down along with the practical applications each of us can use to evaluate in the midst of our own messes.November 7 - Bonfire: A Novel by Krysten RitterI absolutely love two things: small towns and mysteries. In this small town mystery, a girl named Abby finds herself in quite a predicament as a little inquiry for work spirals into a full fledged mystery of the disappearance of a girl she knew a decade ago. Scandals and dirty secrets exposed!November 21 - A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living by Emily LeyWho feels like they need a simpler life? ME! Emily Ley is the simplifier. I can't get over how perfect this description is: "Emily’s strategies, systems, and methods for permanently clearing the clutter, organizing your priorities, and living intentionally in 10 key areas—from your home and meal planning, to style and finances, parenting, faith life, and more. Emily will show you how to truly make the most of your days with realistic, achievable, and tactical tools." I'm so excited to dive in as I continue to intentionally simplify my own life.November 24 - Stranger No More: A Muslim Refugee's Story of Harrowing Escape, Miraculous Rescue, and the Quiet all of Jesus by Annahita ParsanI can't even begin to do the description of Annahita's story here. In short, she fled her home country, endured a miraculous release from prison, came to know Christ and is now glorifying him in crazy ways. From that short description, I have so many questions. How do you just get out of prison? How did she discover Christ along the way? What is she doing now? I can't wait to read this. Are you preordering any of these? What books are you looking forward to? Do you like seeing 20 books here or would you prefer that I highlight only 10 books when we get to Winter? Share your thoughts in the comments please!