Christian Shelves

This is a book that I thankfully had on hold with the public library for some time, as I've discovered that I need to be more cautious about what Christian non-fiction books I may be interested in adding to my personal library. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer is a book that I've seen pop up here and there, so I'm glad I finally know a little bit more about the hype (though I'd still very much consider myself on the sidelines). As a side note, this book is listed as the #1 bestseller in Feminist Theology, which I confess I don't know much about, nor have I explored it further. Book Synopsis We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.  To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.  ...

I rarely purchase new releases from Christian bookstores unless I've read the author before, so I was really basing this purchase on what I saw other reviewers share.  Lest We Drift by Jared C. Wilson did intrigue me with its premise, but it's a lesson I've learnt for the future where I will try to better gauge whether I'm the right audience before buying a book I'll likely pass along to others. Book Synopsis How do we keep from drifting away from what makes us who we are? How do we even know we're drifting? In this provocative new book, Jared C. Wilson discusses the potentials and problems with evangelical departures from gospel-centrality. In a variety of ways, on both "the left" and "the right," Wilson outlines these threats from angles sometimes imperceptible at first glance. As you read Lest We Drift , you will recognize the signs of drift in the faith and teaching, and learn to navigate the five particular dangers prevalent in the chur...

I'm going to go against my previous posts about keeping my opinions to myself on things outside of faith and reading by sharing some of my recent experiences instead. I figure that if we read fiction to broaden our understanding of other perspectives that it might be worthwhile for me to share how things have been for me as a non-representative Canadian (I'm not speaking for anyone else here!) 😄 I'll be honest in that it's been tough in the last few weeks and months. I've done my best to keep up my optimism and more importantly, my hope in Christ, Who is unchanging and steadfast. Rulers come and go, nations evolve and change, and politics can swing back and forth, but God is immutable and sovereign over all things. That being said, recent geopolitical factors have resulted in an emotional toll on me and a lot of the people I interact with in my life. While I am grateful that I can place my burdens at the foot of the cross, I recognize that others in my life have va...

It's always a treat to read a Christmas book that can whisk you away into the holiday season no matter what time of year it is  (spring counts, right?) 😊   Married Before Christmas by Hannah Foster is one such book, and it's one that I would recommend adding if you're already compiling Christmas books to read! Book Synopsis While Heather MacLinn is still reeling from the unexpected death of her uncle, she discovers he’s left behind a will with some very not so twenty-first-century-like stipulations. If she’s to inherit the home she was raised in since she was twelve then she needs to be married by the end of the year. However, her uncle’s unplanned death doesn’t leave her with much time as Christmas is only just around the corner. On top of grieving her uncle’s death, and searching for a husband, Heather’s mortal enemy Jed Canopy returns to her life to wreak more havoc. Or at least that’s what she thinks. But can Jed be an unexpected friend when unknown relatives start br...

I am grateful that I was able to be reminded afresh of what I believe and why I believe it through this book. What Exactly is the Gospel? by James Finke is an encouraging and motivating book for any Christian in affirming the core tenets of the Christian faith and in providing practical methods for sharing the Gospel. Book Synopsis My longtime barber was stunned and had tears in his eyes. “James, keep going. The entire shop is listening.” The chatter, laughing, and cracking of jokes that normally filled the packed barber shop was absent. Instead, the entire place was listening intently to the conversation he and I were having as he cut my hair. It was the Gospel – the good news about the person and work of Jesus Christ – explained exactly as it is in this book. I’d been in that barber chair countless times before and nothing like this had ever happened. That’s because it wasn’t something particular about me that had changed the atmosphere of the room. It was the Gospel - the single gr...

Ever since I had my first taste of beignets after reading Julia Monroe Begins Again , I've been excitedly looking forward to the second book in the Beignets for Two series. Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet introduces us to Julia's best friend, Kate, revealing to us why Kate has adamantly been opposed to being in a relationship, with plenty of humour and Cajun charm to accompany the story. Many thanks to  Bethany House Publishers  and  LibraryThing  for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing. Book Synopsis I turned to him, and he winked at me. Winked! We needed clear lines in place between us. We would not be flirty friends. We'd be friends, period. The sooner I made that distinction, the better. Forty-year-old Kate Landry's carefully planned life has become as messy as the powdered sugar on her famous beignets. Juggling the responsibilities of r...

Words cannot express how much I've enjoyed the Hilton Head Island Series by Ivy Emerson! Dream Fighter is the third book and is such a joy to read. This book had me smiling at all of the antics while appreciating the gentle humour and heartwarming words that I've come to expect from the author. The whole series is not to miss! I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Darcy: I got the message years ago—I'm the problem, an inconvenience, a burden… So, I've poured everything into my MMA career, to prove I can succeed on my own... But now, my greatest opponent is the doubt creeping into my heart… My plan? Stay focused, keep swinging, and never depend on anyone… The only problem is... after seven years of silence... he's back. Noah: I thought being perfect would make me worthy—worthy of love, of her… So, I went in search of approval, but all I found was a past that’s too broken to fix… B...

In looking for a book that addresses abuse in the church, I'm thankful that I came across one that specifically highlights the experiences of women. Safe Church by Dr. Andrew J. Bauman provides a glimpse into the harsh realities that many Christian women may face in their churches and ministries, revealing just how much work is needed to ensure that all congregants are and feel safe. Many thanks to Baker Books  and  NetGalley  for providing a copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that by and large the church has failed women. From sexual abuse scandals involving high-profile pastors, to decades-long systemic cover-ups of sexual harassment and mistreatment, to harmful theology that has driven women to leave the church and find community elsewhere, it's clear that something is broken. If we want to fix it, it's time we start listening. Drawing on new, firsthand research an...

This might be one of the books that I've waited for the longest since starting up my blog and Bookstagram account! In fact, it was not long after I binge read Nicole Lam 's books in a week or two that I sought out her earlier stories on Wattpad and discovered The Painter and the Pretty Girl , which has now transformed into The Artist and the Muse , releasing on March 17, 2025 😊 I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis I need this Art History class to get my degree. But I never expected my professor to be my former fake fiancé. Struggling artist George Devereaux needed a visa to stay in New York when I met him, and I needed a date for my ex's engagement party. So offering to marry him was a purely logical decision. But when he broke off our engagement of convenience, I thought we would have a clean break. After all, it's not like what we had was real. Our history might be more complicate...

I listened to an audiobook recently that brought up an interesting discourse on the nature of modesty for Christians, which went beyond the concept of dress or appearance. Rather, it was about how we engage with others and the extent to which we expose ourselves on a more philosophical level.  This was great timing for me as I've been thinking about the concept of people who participate in offering "opinions about opinions," which could serve to be another form of exposure, and in this case, made me wonder if overexposing my thoughts could be construed as a form of immodesty. I won't be offering a full book review here as there were some issues I had with the book (despite agreeing with some of the content in theory), but  Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield does offer a lot to think through, especially for Christian women. The last lie that she covered was actually the one that affected me most. With apologies to the punctuation and formatting...

What a ride this book took me on where it felt like nearly every chapter, something was happening that kept me wondering what would be next!  Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell fits the theme of the book perfectly and is the third book in the Crossroads Suspense series . I am grateful to the publisher,  Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis You can’t watch your own back. Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa's supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot. Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trus...

Having a soft spot for YA/New Adult books made reading Anything by Kristina Welch a fun trip into memory lane with the first title in her Mayberry University series released earlier this year. I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Two guarded hearts. He’s breaking down walls and she’s building them higher— a match made in Heaven, or a blueprint for disaster? After the fiery downward spiral of senior year, Kit Talbot crash-lands on a quirky college campus where traditions rule and dorm floors act more like family. It’s just weird enough to keep her mind off the wreckage she’s leaving behind. Enter Levi Whitaker, known as the swooniest guy on campus. Magnetic, confident, and far too much like the ex who sent her life into that PTSD-tainted nosedive. Levi seems to be everywhere, focused on her like she’s the only girl in the world—even indulging her sugar addiction with delivered treats. But Kit’s self...

A Christian hockey romance written by Liwen Y. Ho ? Sign me up! Assisting the Athlete is the final book in the Kendall Family series and is one that is worth reading for any hockey fan 😊🏒 I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis She’s the only one who can melt this hockey player’s heart … Bekah Kendall has always been under the protective care of her older brothers, but now she's finally living life on her own terms. She has a new degree, her own place, and a coveted spot on the sports medicine staff for a top hockey team. This job is everything she’s hoped for, except for the excessive attention she gets from the players. But there’s no way she can quit, not when she needs to prove to her family that she can make it on her own. Watching out for his sister's best friend comes naturally for Sebastian Watts, so he does everything possible to help Bekah get a job with the Gilroy Gladiators. Howe...