Joy
Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray
Many of us find ourselves running on empty with no time for rest. Bonnie Gray shares the key to reclaiming intimacy with God, ourselves, and others in her book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace. Whitespace means taking a break from chores, conversations, and the daily grind of life to be still. Just as beautiful art needs whitespace, our souls need spiritual whitespace—a place to rest in order to find balance and beauty. We can all make room for rest by feeding our souls with solitude. Bonnie includes biblical encouragement and thought-provoking prompts in every chapter, allowing readers to create space in the everyday for God, refreshment, and faith—right in the midst of our stress-frayed lives. It’s a must-read for anyone hoping for a deeper connection with Jesus.
To Read: The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
Chloe
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I never read the full Chronicles of Narnia as a child, but the themes and stories come up in various Christian circles so I decided to finally read them for myself. I bought one large volume and have been reading all seven straight through. I am not normally a fan of fantasy so I wasn’t totally sure what to expect from these stories. I have been blown away by the beauty, depth, humor, and profound implications for my own personal faith that I have found in Lewis’ work. The series takes place in the land of Narnia and spans centuries of Narnian time, as experienced by the English children who are drawn into this world to fight battles, go on journeys, rescue heroes, and ultimately come to know Aslan, the majestic lion who represents the figure of God. As it was intended for children, The Chronicles of Narnia paints the gospel in such a beautifully simple way, but never overly so. I am so glad to have experienced Lewis’ masterful storytelling in this incredible series.
To Read: Come Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp; Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
Adam
The Kremlin Conspiracy by Joel C. Rosenberg
New York Times bestselling author Joel C. Rosenberg strikes again with another intense geopolitical thriller. The Kremlin Conspiracy interweaves the story of two main characters, one American secret service agent, and a man close to the center of the Russian president’s inner circle. While this is a fictional account of world political conflict, Joel paints of picture of events that could be ripped form today’s headlines. If you liked Joel’s other books, or are a fan of authors Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, Daniel Silva, Brad Taylor, and C. J. Box you will love this book.
To Read: Without Warning by Joel C. Rosenberg; Grant by Ron Chernow
