The first half of the year I went heavy on the theological and spiritual formation books, but something in me shifted this month and I just NEEDED some fiction.

So prepare yourselves for an overload of the fiction books (and a few theological books) that I read this month!


As always, you can click on the picture to find the book on Amazon!

“Your identity is grounded in God’s work in you, not your work for God”

Melissa Kruger

Identity Theft, edited by Melissa Kruger: This book is actually a compilation of short essays from ten theologically-grounded writers (I love when several authors can write cohesively on a singular topic!). Each chapter addresses ways our identities can be “stolen” while also offering identity “truths” to cling to. Ultimately this book urges the reader to remember: you are not your failures, your personality, your job title… you belong to God and you are hidden in Christ. I would definitely recommend this book!

“But Jesus — he delivers us from false gods. Tasting and seeing Jesus is the expulsive, new affection that drives out our love affair with idols. Jesus must be more fascinating to us than any new ways of living. Jesus must be more compelling to us than any temporary circumstance. Jesus must be more valuable to us than any trinket or toy. Jesus must be more real to us than any fleeting self-image or narcissistic self-actualization. Jesus Christ liberates us; he is the one who breaks the power that idols have in our lives.”

Gloria Furman

The Pastor’s Wife, by Gloria Furman: The thing I love about reading Gloria Furman is that no matter what topic she is writing on, she manages to effortlessly weave in the message of the Gospel. In this book she writes of exquisite gift that it is to partner with a pastor in ministry, while also bravely acknowledging the specific challenges it poses. I’d HIGHLY recommend this to anyone married to someone in ministry.

“Morir es fácil; lo difícil es vivir.

Dying is easy. Living is hard.”

Gayle Forman

If I Stay, by Gayle Forman: This was my first dip back into the fiction world in almost a year and I absolutely loved it. It’s technically a ‘young adult’ read, but the story is comprehensive and doesn’t seem at all limited to that particular genre. It is heartbreakingly beautiful and tells the story of love, loss, and the beauty and bravery of life.

“”It’s not like i pictured,” she said. “We’re not sparkly here.”

I laughed and said that didn’t make sense. But I do believe, now, that places change you, and that while the city was lit up all around us, we were growing flatter and smaller by the day.”

Jody Lynn Anderson

Midnight at the Electric, by Jodi Lynn Anderson: This book is a fascinating story of resiliency, family, and love. The story spans three generations (which I didn’t think I would like, but I ended up being fascinated by), telling all three captivating stories at the same time. It highlights the interconnectedness between people and the way that time, place, and family shape us all. This was a super fun book to lose myself in for a few days.

“…for there is nothing heavier than compassion. Not even one’s own pain weighs so heavy as the pain one feels with someone, for someone, a pain intensified by the imagination and prolonged by a hundred echoes.”

Milan Kundera

The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera: Kundera’s writing is beautiful, poetic, and robust, but at the same time there is something bizarre about it. There were times where I didn’t love the storyline (and warning: there are some pretty inapprorpiate parts), but the way he explained the emotions and thoughts of the characters was just fascinating to me. People just don’t seem to write like him anymore…

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”

Nicholas Sparks

The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks: Say what you will, this story is timeless and beautiful. I mean, just read that beautiful quote and cue the tears! It’s a story about how people change and how love overcomes even the deepest heartbreak. It’s a story illustrating commitment to marriage, even until the bittersweet end. 

See ya next month for more great reads! As always, send any and all book recs my way – I love adding new books to my list!