22 Books We Loved

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” —Jane Austen

At the end of each year, I enjoy putting together a roundup post of all the wonderful books we have loved on and shared during the year here at InstaEncouragements. You can always just click on the Books We Love link under categories in the sidebar, but this post puts them all in one place for you.

I hope you enjoy our 22 Books We Loved this past year post!

​Be sure to pin it and save it for later!

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Download the Bible Reading Itinerary today!

Our 12-month, Bible Reading Itinerary, in chronological order of book authorship, gives readers a unique perspective of the Bible. Make your plans today to read through the Bible in the coming year by downloading this resource! Read more...

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss

​Adoring His Attributes

A 30 Day Devotional for Worshipful Prayer

Our faith deepens when we deepen our knowledge of God’s endless glory. Explore 30 of God’s attributes in 30 days with this beautiful journal specially designed to lead you into prayerful worship.

​​For each attribute in focus, the day's reading includes:

• ​an enlightening devotional
• related Scripture verses
• specific prayer prompts
• space for journaling​

​providing rich gospel truth and suggestions for spiritual growth along the way.

​​The more we adore God's character, the more we can grasp our daily need for Him and elevate our love for Him. Understanding His nature both informs and emboldens our belief, touching every area of life. In seeing His might and grace we cultivate awe, gratitude, godly confidence, and readiness to live for His Kingdom. 

Our trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior will grow abundantly. Start worshipping Him in prayer today.

Read our book review of Adoring His Attributes here.​

​Authentic Christianity

Trading Religion and Rules for True Faith
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"If your life is one that reflects radical, authentic Christianity, people become either bitter or better through contact with you. But one thing cannot happen: people will never remain the same. Those who are determined to die are pushed on toward death by coming into contact with authentic Christianity. Those who are seeking to live are helped on into life. Jesus certainly had this quality about Him. No one ever came into contact with Him and went away the same." —Ray Stedman
​

True Christianity is more than a set of beliefs—it is a way of life. In fact, it is life itself! Jesus died for you so that He might live in you. Authentic Christianity proclaims the most liberating secret in all of Scripture: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” All of God’s plans for present victory over evil, as well as His plans for future glory, rest squarely on the amazing fact of your union with Christ.
 
Beloved Bible teacher Ray C. Stedman takes you through 2 Corinthians 2:14 to 6:13, revealing the real purpose, simplicity, and joy of true Christianity. It’s the kind of genuine, workable Christianity that is proven in the trenches of everyday living. It will bring you safely through any crisis and enable you to look back on your life and say, “I have truly known God.” ​

“Move beyond religion, beyond doctrines, beyond rules, beyond rituals, and into that life-changing experience of being intimately connected with Christ at the very core of your being—for that is authentic Christianity.”    —Ray C. Stedman

​Shepherding a Child's Heart 

Shepherding a Child's Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life. Shepherding a Child's Heart gives fresh biblical approaches to child rearing.

You can also purchase the Shepherding a Child's Heart: Parent's Handbook here. ​The Parent's Handbook is not just a fill-in-the-blank study guide that rehearses the material in Shepherding a Child's Heart. In the ten years since the publication of Shepherding, Tedd Tripp has had the opportunity to teach on parenting to thousands of young parents across the country and in many other parts of the world. That, coupled with ten years of insights into God's Word on the subject, has resulted in a broader and deeper understanding of the content and application of Shepherding a Child's Heart. Here are questions about the meaning and application of Scripture texts to the challenges of shepherding children.

​There are sections of Bible study, application, strategic questions to help parents commit to change, and gospel encouragement that you can be a better parent because of the power of grace working in you. The Parent's Handbook is a valuable tool for personal or group study.

​The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids

A Journal to Teach Children to Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness
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The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal is a guide to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for children. It is a self exploration journal designed to focus on being thankful for what we have, the big things in life, as well as the simple joys.

Each. well-designed and kid-friendly, daily spread contains space to list three things you are thankful for, a person who brought you joy and how you felt about your day.

If you start each day by writing down three things you are thankful for—a family, a favorite teacher, starting a good book—you begin each day on the right note.

Do it daily and make it a habit to focus on the blessings you have been given! Grab a copy for your kids today and share the journey together!

“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.” —Socrates

None Like Him

10 Ways God Is Different from Us
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God is:

• self-existent
• self-sufficient
• eternal
• immutable
• omnipresent
• omniscient
• omnipotent
• sovereign
• infinite and
• incomprehensible.

We're not. And that's a good thing.

​Our limitations are by design. We were never meant to be God. But at the root of every sin is our rebellious desire to possess attributes that belong to God alone. Calling us to embrace our limits as a means of glorifying God's limitless power, Jen Wilkin invites us to celebrate the freedom that comes when we rest in letting God be God.

Battle Ready

Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt, and Live Victoriously

Too often we fail to prepare for our battles. So, when challenges, troubles, or opportunities arise, we rapidly become burdened with limiting thoughts of self-doubt, fear, impossibility, and lack. ​

But it doesn't have to be this way. We can train our minds to conquer uncertainty, beat insecurity, and step past the tragedies of yesterday.

Battle Ready is a hands-on Scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life. You'll gain practical wisdom, like how to

• make new habits stick in just five steps
• disarm the seven most common attacks that plague women
• exchange self-limiting thoughts for purpose-driven, love-releasing thoughts
• implement thirty-second mind-lifters that deliver peace
• create boundaries so you live life full of what matters

You can live victoriously! 

Read our book review of Battle Ready here.​

“The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.” —Mark Twain

​Bible and Breakfast

30 Mornings with Jesus

Are you starting your day on empty? Before your feet hit the ground, chaos drowns out any hope of quiet time with Jesus, as the alarm blares, kids run around the house, and your to-do list reminds you that you’re already behind.

Bible and Breakfast is for you. In just a month, you’ll kickstart a morning habit of meeting with Jesus and eating a healthy breakfast every day. Join Bible teacher and author Asheritah Ciuciu for 31 devotions for busy women and 31 tasty breakfast recipes.

Each devotional includes:

• Feast Bible study prompts for days you want to dig deep
• Snack on-the-go devotionals for busy days
• Plenty of space for journaling and responding

Recipes feature:

• Family favorites that are healthy enough to feel good about and tasty enough that your kids will eat them
• A full-color photo for every recipe
• Lots of gluten-free, kid-friendly, and freezer-friendly options

No more waiting for the perfect time and place. Experience the joy of starting your mornings with Jesus today!

​The Red Sea Rules

10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times

​​Ten rules of dealing with dilemmas and discouragements – a divine protocol for handling life. The Red Sea Rules has been updated with new study questions.

Life is hard, especially for Christians. It is certain that we will face difficulties, and that God will allow them, as He allowed the Israelites to become trapped between Pharaoh's rushing armies and the uncrossable Red Sea. But just as certain is the fact that the same God who led us in will lead us out. As The Red Sea Rules makes comfortingly clear, He is in control.

Using the Israelites' story in Exodus 14 as an example, Robert Morgan offers ten sound strategies for moving from fear to faith. Just as Moses and the Israelites found themselves caught between "the devil and the deep Red Sea," so are we sometimes overwhelmed by life's problems. The Red Sea Rules reveals that even in the midst of seemingly impossible situations God promises to make a way for us. His loving guidance will protect us through danger, illness, marital strife, financial problems, or whatever challenges Satan places in our path.

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This past summer, we held our first Summer Book Club-Style Bible Study with The Red Sea Rules. It was AWESOME!!! One thing that happened that I wasn’t expecting is that we had several requests to make the 10 blog posts into a printable version. So, we did it! Download your roundup printable of all 10 blog posts today. This beautiful, full-color, 88-page eBook is available for download here.

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“For my whole life, my favorite activity was reading.” —Audrey Hepburn

Holiness

The Heart God Purifies

​How important is holiness to you? How much thought, attention, and effort do you devote to the pursuit of holiness? Is it your priority and mission to be holy?

Nancy Leigh DeMoss teaches that we must make it our constant, conscious ambition to be holy. Just as an athlete sets his sight on winning an Olympic gold medal, so we as believers must focus on the pursuit of holiness. And the reward that awaits us brings a depth of joy that far outweighs a fading gold medal; it is the humble pleasure of hearing the Father say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Do you long for an authentic faith? Are you eager to know your heavenly Father in a more intimate way? Read Holiness and learn how to say "no" to corruption and "yes" to grace. 

​Holiness is the third book in The Revive Our Hearts series, which has sold well over 240,000 copies. All three include study questions at the end of each chapter, making them ideal for personal or small group study

The Heart That Heals

Healing Our Brokenness Through the Promises of God

"​Our choices have consequences. The pathway we walk has a destination. I want you to make good choices so that the consequences will be good. I want your destination to be one that glorifies God. If you’re in a broken place, it may be difficult to make good choices. Is your pathway littered with the debris of brokenness? I want to help you get past all that and learn to be still, and know that He is God.” —from the Prologue

The Heart That Heals is centered around Psalm 46:10a, "Be still, and know that I am God." It’s a book about healing our brokenness. It's about doing the next thing, and sometimes, the next thing is to be still, and know that He is God. This book is full of Scripture and practical application. Each chapter will challenge you to reflect, apply, pray, meditate on and memorize Scripture. It’s your homework but in a good way.

Please don’t think you’re alone. You are not! Thousands of women just like you have used these biblical principles to heal their brokenness. You have not come here by accident. You've found this place today for a reason and you belong here!

If you and I were Pen Pals, The Heart That Heals is the letter I would write to you if you’d lost a child, a husband, a best friend, or a sister. It’s the kind of letter I would seal with a heart-shaped sticker that says, “God Loves You,” you know, that kind of sticker you used to get in Sunday school. You’d read my letter and you’d know, yes, you would know, He truly does love me! He loves me in the midst of this storm.

"The Heart That Heals is like a friend who comes alongside you to walk a long journey. There are moments on the path when your friend lets you cry, or even cries along with you because the terrain is tough. There are times when your friend grabs your hand and lifts you up because you’ve tripped over a tree root you didn’t see. Then there are glimpses of remembered joy when your friend says something funny-and you laugh-and the path seems brighter. And, somewhere along the way, you realize she gets it. She understands. She knows because she’s walked this path before. Thank you for providing a resource that not only offers healing hope, but also a sense of friendship for the journey." — Stephanie 

Read more book reviews of The Heart That Heals here.​

Therefore I Have Hope

12 Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy

Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy by Cameron Cole

"Throughout the journey of my worst nightmare—my descent into a dark, sad valley—the Holy Spirit would remind me of truths that comforted my soul and sustained my life."

After the sudden death of their three-year-old son, Cameron Cole and his wife found themselves clinging to Christ through twelve key theological truths—truths that became their lifeline in the midst of unthinkable grief. Weaving together their own story of tragic loss and abiding faith, Cole explores these twelve life-giving truths to offer hope and comfort to those in the midst of tragedy.

Read our book review of Therefore I Have Hope here.​

Love Like That

5 Relationship Secrets from Jesus

Improve your relationships today with this book from Les Parrott, Love Like That: 5 Relationship Secrets from Jesus.

In this down-to-earth, practical new book, #1 New York Times best selling author, Dr. Les Parrott provides a simple plan to improve all of your relationships—with family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. ​

​​Dr. Parrott takes the latest findings from psychology and sociology and blends them with biblical teaching to reveal five transformative ways of relating to people demonstrated by Jesus himself:

• be mindful
• be approachable
• be grace-filled
• be bold
• be self-giving

​Each chapter contains a self assessment, and the results will aid your growth and help you revolutionize your relationships

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” —C.S. Lewis

​The Ministry of Ordinary Places

Waking Up to God's Goodness Around You
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“In a world where hope seems dim and solutions feel complicated and partisan, Shannan Martin offers us a starting point that is as radical as it is domestic: widen your circle, hush your mouth, and pay close attention. This book is the right book for this moment in time and I simply cannot get over it. I either laughed or cried on almost every page. We need these lyrical, prophetic words now more than ever before.” —Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Simply Tuesday


“This is a message the world needs. So often we overcomplicate ‘service’ or this elusive call to ministry when all the while ministry is right in front of us. Shannan reminds us of the simple, yet beautiful call to love our neighbor and what that could really look like today. We are reminded that extravagant love in ordinary moments does indeed lead to an extraordinary life.” —Katie Davis Majors, New York Times bestselling author of Kisses from Katie
​

Popular blogger Shannan Martin offers Christians who are longing for a more meaningful life a simple starting point: learn what it is to love and be loved right where God has placed you.

For Christ-followers living in an increasingly complicated world, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to live a life of intention and meaning. Where do we even begin?

Shannan Martin offers a surprisingly simple answer: uncover the hidden corners of our cities and neighborhoods and invest deeply in the lives of people around us. She walks us through her own discoveries about the vital importance of paying attention, as well as the hard but rewarding truth about showing up and committing for the long haul, despite the inevitable encounters with brokenness and uncertainty. With transparency, humor, heart-tugging storytelling, and more than a little personal confession, 

Martin shows us that no matter where we live or how much we have, as we learn what it is to be with people as Jesus was, we'll find our very lives. The details will look quiet and ordinary, and the call will both exhaust and exhilarate us. But it will be the most worth-it adventure we will ever take. 

Read our book review of Ministry of Ordinary Places here.​

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way

Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered
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New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances and shows readers how to live assured when life doesn't turn out like they expected.

What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?

Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness.

Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps us to:

• ​​​Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.
  
• ​Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.

• Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give us more than we can handle.
• Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us.
• Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth.​

“Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.” —Henry Ward Beecher

The ​One Year Book of Hope

The One Year Book of Hope by Nancy Guthrie is for anyone who has been hurt in life and would benefit from a hope-filled daily companion. Critically acclaimed author Nancy Guthrie offers insightful daily reflections based on the Word of God to comfort, encourage, and uplift those who are feeling the aches of life―whether it's because of everyday disappointments or deep losses. Through a year's worth of thoughtful entries, the reader will learn how much God longs to lift us up, carry us through in times of difficulty and uncertainty, and give us true, lasting joy. Each daily step draws you closer to a God who truly cares and the hopeful life he wants you to enjoy.

This book offers:

“Peace is a gift of God, but we prepare ourselves to receive this gift as we pray about everything, cultivate gratitude, and refuse to surrender to worry. You can emerge from your days of sorrow with a heart that has been softened to the Spirit of God—what a beautiful and profitable experience that will be! Or you can allow your heart to be hardened by bitterness and resentment toward God, and rejection of His peace and grace—what a dark place that will take you to... a place far away from the loving embrace of God. “They are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him” (Ephesians 4:18). Heart Mender, take this broken heart of mine and make it soft and sensitive to your Spirit. I want to stay close to You and soft toward You.” —Nancy Guthrie, The One Year Book of Hope

• Daily Scripture readings
• Daily reflections for those who are experiencing any pain, disappointment, or grief
• Daily opportunity to dig deeper into God's Word
• Weekly questions for reflection, opportunities for further meditation, and directed prayer

Suffering is Never for Nothing

Suffering Is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot is a new book published in 2019. ​Hard times come for all in life, with no real explanation. When we walk through suffering, it has the potential to devastate and destroy, or to be the gateway to gratitude and joy.

Elisabeth Elliot was no stranger to suffering. Her first husband, Jim, was murdered by the Waoroni people in Ecuador moments after he arrived in hopes of sharing the gospel. Her second husband was lost to cancer. Yet, it was in her deepest suffering that she learned the deepest lessons about God. Why doesn’t God do something about suffering? He has, He did, He is, and He will.

“Do the next thing.I don’t know any simpler formula for peace, for relief from stress and anxiety than those very practical, very down-to-earth words of wisdom. Do the next thing. That has gotten me through more agonies than anything else I could recommend.” ―Elisabeth Elliot, Suffering Is Never for Nothing

Suffering and love are inexplicably linked, as God’s love for His people is evidenced in His sending Jesus to carry our sins, griefs, and sufferings on the cross, sacrificially taking what was not His on Himself so that we would not be required to carry it. He has walked the ultimate path of suffering, and He has won victory on our behalf.

​This truth led Elisabeth to say, “Whatever is in the cup that God is offering to me, whether it be pain and sorrow and suffering and grief along with the many more joys, I’m willing to take it because I trust Him” because Suffering Is Never for Nothing.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world.  Love of books is the best of all.” —Jacqueline Kennedy

Hope When it Hurts

Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp God's Purpose in Your Suffering
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“When we are humbled and completely dependent on the Lord in the wilderness, it teaches us to remember, even in times of comfort and abundance, that it is God’s faithfulness and power, and not our own strength or wisdom, that we most need.” ―Kristen Wetherell

​In the book Hope When It Hurts, Kristen and Sarah have walked through, and are walking in, difficult times. So these thirty biblical reflections are full of realism about the hurts of life yet overwhelmingly full of hope about the God who gives life.

This beautiful, cloth-bound book will gently encourage and greatly help any woman who is struggling with suffering whether physical, emotional or psychological, and whether for a season or for longer. It is a book to buy for yourself, or to buy for a member of your church or friend. For anyone who is hurting, this book will give hope, not just for life beyond the suffering, but for life in the suffering.

Each chapter contains a biblical reflection, with questions and prayers, and a space for journaling.

Listen Up! 

Kids Sermon Notes & Prayer Journal

Listen Up! is a one-year journal of pages intended to help your child learn to listen to the message of the sermon while sitting in big church. Fun designs will draw in your child to want to fill in the blanks and answer the questions. The journal style enables your child to take ownership of their learning and realize that this is something they can do. Big church is not just for the adults. The questions move from simply stating who is speaking, about what, and where to find it in the Bible, to what do I need to find out more about and helps children think about how to apply what they've learned.

​Space is also provided for your child to record their prayer requests as they are encouraged to watch and pay attention to how God answers our prayers. 

Keeping these notes and prayers in one journal through the year will allow your child to look back and see the amazing things they have learned and the ways God has answered their prayers and worked in their life. This journal is likely to become a keepsake you and your child will treasure for years to come! 

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” —Oscar Wilde

​My Kid's Prayer Journal

My Kid's Prayer Journal 100 Days of Prayer & Praise 

​This is a children's prayer journal built to inspire conversation and prayer with God, and it is packed with goodness! It's the perfect tool for your child to build a better relationship with Christ! 

Start each day reciting the Lord's Prayer and then sit with your child as you go through the guided prompts to help cultivate their understanding of prayer and relationship with God. The journal is printed on high quality paper and has a beautifully designed cover with a matte finish. Grab one for your child or multiple for friends—it's the perfect gift!

Good Days Start With Gratitude Journal

Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

Good days do begin with gratitude! This 52-week gratitude journal is one of our favorites on our favorites list! It's one of the best ways I know to turn an ungrateful heart into a grateful one, in a hurry! When you start writing down all the goodness God has planted in your life, it becomes more difficult to complain or compare. Grab one today and start cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” —Napoléon Bonaparte

Dwell

A 12-Week Guided Bible Study Journal

Studying the Bible doesn't have to be hard. If you're not sure where to start, or are struggling with being consistent in God's Word, try this 12-week guided Bible study journal to help you get on a fulfilling and exciting path in your quiet time with the Lord. Through dwelling on God's word, you'll be rooted and established in Christ. Each week focuses on a different topic; areas that will convict you and encourage you to apply what you have learned as the Holy Spirit lives and moves through you to accomplish His work. 

Inside this journal you'll find floral coloring pages with Bible verses as well as a place for:

• Writing Bible verses for deeper reflection and internalization
• Recording what you learn as you study God's Word
• Reflecting on ways to apply what you've read
• Recording things you are thankful for
• Keeping track of prayer requests and answered prayers

Dwelling in God's word is exciting and enriching. Let's dive into the Father's love letter and see how it impacts our lives and the lives of those around us

Read our book review of Dwell here.​

A Lineage of Grace

Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity

A Lineage of Grace is a compilation of five books in the best-selling A Lineage of Grace series. The series shares the stories of five unlikely women, all in the lineage of Jesus Christ, who changed the course of history.

1. Tamar, betrayed by the men who controlled her future, fought for her right to believe in a loving God.
2. Rahab, a woman with a past, was given a future through her faithfulness.
3. Ruth, who gave up everything expecting nothing in return, was rewarded for it.
4. Bathsheba, her beauty stirred the lust of a king. Her pain moved the heart of God.​​​
5. Mary, all eternity had waited for this moment, and she responded in simple obedience to God’s call. 

Each of these courageous, faithful women were faced with extraordinary, even scandalous challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

A Lineage of Grace  is a historical fiction book. It is loosely based off of stories in the Bible. The theme of each story aligns with that of the Bible. Many of the characters are the same, with some additional characters and events added. Rivers' storytelling puts you right in the center of each story. It's riveting and hard to put down.

When I read the stories of these five women I am constantly reminded how AMAZING our God is! If He can use a child, a prostitute, foreigner, adulterous and a poor woman then He can certainly use you and me!

“And the answers had always come down to trusting God, obeying Him, accepting His will, knowing there was a purpose in what was happening even if they couldn’t see it. But sometimes the pain seemed unbearable.” ― Francine Rivers, A Lineage of Grace

Tell us which of these books you've read, what you thought about them, and which ones are you putting on your reading list?