My Top 10 All Time Favourites
Rather than doing a specific, top 10 of the year, I've decided to just do a top 10 in general. I'll get around to writing actual blog posts about these books so you know why eventually, but for now, the list is as below. Enjoy :)
01
Mark Of The Lion Series - Francine Rivers
Until the beginning of this year, Arena had been #01 on my list for at least 5 years. I struggled to find any book that I connected to as much as that book. Until this series. I will definitely be writing a blog post on this series but I can not recommend it enough. This three-part series follows the life of a
young Jewish girl, Hadassah, who is captured and taken to Rome to be a slave. She shows her love and commitment to her family through serving them without complaining, loving them unconditionally and praying continuously. At the same time, we see the life of a German, Atretes, who is also taken into Roman captivity to be a gladiator. At the end of the book, a tragic accident sees them parting ways, Hadassah's fork unfolding in the second book and Atretes' in the third.
This book taught me about implementing my faith into my life in ALL areas, especially considering that this was a time where they didn't have the bible. Their connection with Christ came entirely through faith alone.
02
Sensible Shoes - Sharon Garlough Brown
This book will capture you - there is no doubt about it. Sensible Shoes follows the story of four very different women from four very different walks of life who meet at a spiritual retreat journey. One a pastor, one a widow, one lost in a difficult marriage, and one a young newly-married academic. All have come for very different reasons and all have very different expectations.
The first book, Sensible Shoes, deals with acknowledging the pain in our lives and recognising the areas where we are not open to God - where we want to maintain control. As you walk through the trials of these women, you hurt with them, you cry with them and you laugh with them. You can find my full review of the first book here!
The second instalment, Two Steps Forward, picks up where the last book left off. Meg is off to England to meet her daughter and confront her fears, Charissa is struggling with the news of her unexpected pregnancy, Mara is working through her difficult marriage and learning to trust God even through her doubts and fears, and Hannah is navigating life in a relationship for the first time. My review can be found here!
Barefoot is an emotional continuation of the last two books. Barefoot tells the devastating tale of Meg as she receives The News and how she must live the rest of her life. She learns surrender and hope in Christ. Hannah too walks through this with Meg whilst experiencing the most joy she has felt in her entire life. This juxtaposition of both joy and sorrow characterises the book. With endings come new beginnings as Charissa moves in to the home Meg was newly married in nearly 20 years prior and Mara navigates life as a soon-to-be divorcee, understanding what is means to trust God when you cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel. This was a beautiful, heart-wrenching book. My review can be found here!
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I am currently reading An Extra Mile, the final instalment in this series. Check back here later for my review!
03
Cities of Refuge Series - Connilyn Cossette
This series, though not yet complete, drew me in even more than its prequel (listed below - Out of Egypt). Connilyn Cossette moves away from the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and then travels throughout the desert to their settlement (finally) in the promised land. From there, the Israelites must navigate life as a collective, a tribe, a nation, and not just as wanderers on what felt like an eternal pilgrimage.
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A Light On The Hill, the first instalment in this series follows the narrative of Moriyah, who we met in Wings of the Wind. With a pagan mark on her face, she turns to covering herself entirely. As a growing woman, all of her friends have been married off, yet she has not. When one man finally decides to marry her, her father is ecstatic, though the man is unkind with two awful sons. By accident, as she prepares a meal, the food is poisoned and the sons die, forcing Moriyah to run to the city of refuge or be killed in revenge. This book was thrilling, terrifying, and teaches of loyalty and trust in God.
I was fortunate to work with Connilyn Cossette herself in the release of the second instalment, Shelter of the Most High. This follows the narrative of Moriyah's adopted son Eitan and a foreigner, Sofea, who was kidnapped from her home land and managed to barely escape with her life. My review of this book can be found here.
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The third instalment, Until the Mountains Fall, is due to release in 2019 and I cannot wait!!
The second book, which I just might have to say was my favourite, followed Kiya's sister in law who played a huge role in leading her to God in the first book. The Israelites are camped at the bottom of Mt Sinai. We witness the golden calf worship, the revolts of those who don't trust Moses and then the travel to the promised land. Shira developed so much as a character throughout this book and some of the fears and troubles she had, especially giving up her worries to God, really resonated with me. This book is high on my re-read list.
And lastly, Wings of the Wind. Though I loved this book, it took me a few more days to get through than the others. I didn't feel as hooked as I could have been, probably because I felt so connected to Kiya and Shira in terms of their life stories, and I didn't feel as in tune with Alanah. It was nice though to see Kiya and Shira in this book, though much time had passed. Despite that, the book was so well written, and Connilyn's writing style has definitely improved. Her description of characters and landmarks caught me everytime and I literally felt like I was there, experiencing it with her. The story follows Alanah, a Canaanite woman who is saved off the battlefield by an Israelite, who's only option is to marry her in order to protect her. As these two characters grow, their love unfolds and tells a beautiful story of forgiveness, trust and surrender. I was truly sad to have this book end.
I have just finished this series and I literally could not put it down. The first book was given to me by one of my best friends for Christmas and I was hooked from the first page. Hence why I listed the whole series, not just one book.
The storyline of the first book follows the Exodus from Egypt, starting with the Plagues as witnessed from an Egyptian, Kiya. I found this take so interesting as I've never thought about what it would have been like to be an Egyptian witnessing these mighty acts of God. We follow her journey of discovering God through those around her and how God reveals himself to the Israelites as they leave the land of slavery and become God's chosen people.
04
Out From Egypt - Connilyn Cossette
Final disclaimer, I have read this book about 5 times, and only once have I read it without crying. I usually start to ball from the last 1/4 of the book, especially because I know what is coming. It is a bittersweet ending. And a total worthwhile read. Push through it, I dare you.
Read my full review here.
05
Arena - Karen Hancock
I'm going to start off by saying that this book is definitely an 'either you like it or you don't book'. My husband does not - even though I even tried to read it ALOUD to him :) However, this book made a huge impact in my life in my teenage years.
It follows the storyline of Callie, a girl who has a degree and a not-worthwhile job. She feels like her life is a dead end, stuck every day just living through the motions. Until one day her friend invites her to partake in an experiment. This experiment is said to test your limits and help you break through barriers in your life. Little does she know that she is actually transported to another world where every day you are living solely to survive. The only way out is to get through the Arena.
I don't want to give too much away, but the portray of God in this book really helped me in my teen years realize God in a new way. No longer was he this distant guy who I didn't feel connected to, but a fatherly figure who cared about me and who, if I just concentrated and lay down my worries before Him, was there to listen and comfort me. Maybe that is why this book was so impactful, because of how I discovered God through it.
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06
A Defense of Honour - Kristi Ann Hunter
I was honoured to partner with Bethany House Publishers with the review of this book, which I published a day after I finished reading it because it was JUST THAT GOOD! I must say that I have to rate my favourite books by how hard it is to put them down and for some reason I was just drawn to this book. I haven't read an old-England book in SUCH a long time - literally like 7 years - and this was so refreshing. I love the culture, the etiquette and the way people behave towards each other with such respect. A Defense of Honour followed the story of two people who just happen to meet in a ballroom - both who would rather not be there. As the story unfolds, Graham and Kit constantly bump into each other and find their lives slowly intertwining. However, their two very different walks of life prevent them from fully opening up to themselves. It is only with the challenge to understand their purpose in life and God's will that their barriers finally start to crumble. Anyone in need of some early-modern literature I would absolutely point in this direction. Such a refreshing yet intense read. I could NOT put it down.
To read my full review, click here.
07
The Centurion's Wife - Jeanette Oak
In all honesty, this book took a little while for me to warm up to, BUT after a few chapters I certainly got in there. This book follows the story of two non-Christians being commissioned by Pilate and his wife to investigate the Christian movement after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Through their very separate journeys (they only meet at the end of the book) both characters come to know God and his love for them in two very distinct yet profound ways. This book was very refreshing for a Biblical Fiction book that wasn't told from a Christian perspective. This book was very relatable for people trying to reconcile their sinful lives with a Christian walk and how to forgive past mistakes - even if the other person involved was no repentent. Though I did not love this book, I certainly enjoyed the read. The most interesting part I have to say was the writing style. Never have a read a book from two perspectives in which the characters had not met and did not interact fully until the end. SUCH A GOOD READ!!!​
I would love if you had a look at my full review here :)
08
Praying For Your Husband From Head To Toe - Sharon Jaynes
Though it isn't fiction, I felt almost obligated to put this book in here, solely for how helpful it was for me when I first got married. Now I'm not saying I needed this because we had problems or anything, merely that as a wife I have a duty to build up my husband, to pray for him, to encourage him just as I would anyone else - if not more! And so I found that if I had a prayer list for those around me, why would I not have a prayer list for the man that I am walking beside in life. This book helped me start this off. I didn't know where to start, I didn't know what to pray for or what Godly qualities he as a man should have. This book helped me start right from the very beginning and pray from his head to his toes, a spiritual covering, but also encouragement.
Funnily enough, I actually bought this book when I was engaged, almost as a preparation. I didn't find it weird or anything, in fact as I was praying I just changed 'my husband' to 'Luke'. I honestly don't know why I didn't start praying for him regularly earlier.
Each day is a bit long, so be prepared to put in some time. But it didn't see it as an issue. If I can spend five minutes watching a Youtube video, surely I can spend five minutes praying instead.
So I would totally recommend this to anyone, whether it is your future husband (who you haven't met yet), your boyfriend, fiance or husband, this is the best place to start.
Just on the note of praying for your future husband who you haven't met, any of my single gals out there, I would also totally recommend this video - and anything by the GirlDefined girls. They are AMAZING! To be honest, I'm married and I am STILL learning so much from their videos so no matter what stage in life you are in, you should totally go check them out!