This month, The Arc team is thankful for their reads this fall! Find some inspiration for your TBR or library list with the ideas below.

Christine

Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe

I just started this book as part of a class on prayer and discernment. Despite its small size, the subject matter goes deep with a critically important question: what is true freedom, and how do we attain it? Growing up on the good ol’ USA, I realize my perspective on freedom is different than that of other countries and cultures. But as Jacques Philippe points out, this vision of outward freedom is not the biblical definition of freedom. True freedom cannot be determined by circumstances, which means no one can take it away from us. Ironically, this also makes interior freedom more difficult to attain, because the real opposition comes not from others but from ourselves, often in the form of disordered attachments to the things of this world.

Freedom has been a recurring theme in my spiritual journey lately, so I am eager to not only finish this book but also apply its principles in my daily walk with Christ.

To Read: Provenance by Carla Laureano

Bethany

Nowhere to Hide by Sigmund Brouwer

During November, I plan to be reading the YA cyber suspense thriller Nowhere to Hide by Sigmund Brouwer. I have read other books by the author before and have appreciated Brouwer’s talent for executing the famous technique of “show, don’t tell.” This particular novel happens to be the second in a series, the first of which I have not yet read; however, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve read a sequel of Brouwer’s out of order! I’m excited to dive in without context and hit the ground running. Sometimes, sequels are even more thrilling that way!

To Read: Five Traits of a Disciplemaker by Doug Nuenke

Isabella

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 

I heard about The Silent Patient numerous times on Goodreads, but my coworker’s recommendation ultimately convinced me to pick up the book. My copy came with an author endorsement on the cover that read, “The Perfect Thriller.” Thrillers have been a recent favorite of mine, so I was initially a little skeptical. When a book is hyped, I sometimes elevate my expectations before reading it and am left disappointed if it doesn’t deliver all I hoped for. The Silent Patient was a pleasant surprise. The novel slowly unravels a murder case from the perspective of the psychotherapist treating the convicted murderer, who has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. As the title alludes to, the patient, Alicia Berenson, has not spoken a single word since committing the murder. I enjoyed the author’s narrative storytelling. He bounces between the psychotherapist’s perspective (as he seeks to understand his patient) and Alicia’s journal entries (which provide clues leading up to her husband’s murder). Bonus points: the author incorporates Greek mythology into the plot! One disclaimer worth making: This isn’t a Christian Fiction novel, so while there’s nothing particularly graphic, there is some content that some might consider risqué. I didn’t personally feel it was anything offensive or overly descriptive but did want to make this note for any potential readers who would appreciate the warning. 

To Read: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Tell us, what are you currently reading? What’s on your To-Read Pile?