5 Must-Reads

Good books are hard to find. But I don't take the term "must-read" lightly. These five books actually changed my perspective and my life and I could not recommend them highly enough. Dare you to order one on Amazon, then when it comes hop in bed an hour early and read...you won't be disappointed!

Click any image for a link.

1. Choosing Gratitude

This book undoubtedly changed my life. My perspective on gratitude is forever altered. GRATITUDE IS POWERFUL. and contagious. Here's the catch...so are ingratitude and entitlement. I found the roots of those sins so tightly wound around my heart I was shocked and convicted. Here in our 21st century 1st world life it's pretty easy to take things for granted. But when we start expecting nothing and appreciating everything, joy results! I read this book with my accountability partner a couple summers ago and I really believe we are both still putting into practice the mindset shifts we made when we read this...more than I can say for most books I've ever read!

2. Seated With Christ

If you're a female (or a human), odds are good that you've felt the tug to compare yourself to others. And probably never felt that you measure up. She's prettier, smarter, she's more athletic, she has the perfect body. The list continues. I know what it's like to be caught up in the bondage of comparison. And it's no way to live. This book helped me as I was working through the retraining of my brain to find freedom in Christ. Based on Ephesians testimony of our seat in the heavenly realms, Heather Holleman offers practical, spiritual advice and her personal testimony of winning this battle and finding freedom in Christ!

3. The Magnolia Story

Yep, interior design major here and I'm guilty as charged...HUGE Joanna Gaines fan. But honestly, this autobiography is a must read. Learning more about the faith, mindset, and journey of life and a successful business (which was much more bumpy than one might imagine from the successful, put together business we see on Fixer Upper) was so inspirational to me. This dynamic duo encourages me to bring my faith into everything I do, live and work with passion, and take risks. The world needs more Gaines! ;) Just kidding...the world needs more individuals willing to live out their faith and pursue THEIR personal passions like the Gaines exemplify. Now we're talking!

4. Love Defined

This book. I love reading well-written material on honoring God in relationships. The beautiful testimonies of Kristin who was married to her high school sweetheart and Bethany who was in her late twenties and single at the time this was written (she's since been married) make this super relevant no matter what season of life you find yourself in. Not only does it offer practical relationship advice from God's word, but it also provides a lot of insight and inspiration of how to utilize single years well or even serve God in CONTENTMENT and JOY even if you remain single long past your expected time frame or even forever.

5. The Hiding Place

Of all my recommendations, this one probably reads the most story-like. Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid Jews during the Holocaust and were eventually caught and sent to concentration camps. Corrie survived to write about it and her testimony forever changed my life. Reading this from someone who lived it gives new insight into the horrors of the Holocaust and what that time actually looked like. Yet also amazing stories of how God was at still work in little ways (and big ways) all throughout that time. Her UNCIRCUMSTANTIAL joy, gratitude, and peace as well as her humility and servant's heart are so evident through every aspect of her life and writing. Not kidding, when I get to heaven, she's one of the first people I want to talk to :)

I sincerely hope you'll grab on of these and let me know what you think! Please comment below the most life changing book you've ever read (the Bible doesn't count ;))...I'd really like to know and read some of your recommendations!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.