SOUL READS | bookographic
I wasn't sure what to call this topical bookographic. It's essentially any book that speaks to the heart, inspires us, or stirs something deep within our souls. There's a bit of a mix in the library below ... take a look! I'd also love to hear the books you've read that have 'hit your heart'.
(As you know, the links to the books below are Amazon Affiliate links. Thank you for your support!)
Ruthless Trust
by Brennan Manning
This book built rock beneath my feet. For years I struggled to trust. Myself, others, God ... it took me till finding this book and reading words that spoke to my soul, that I began to lean into the reasons why trust is so darn hard, but why it is so valuable and so essential to a fulfilled life.
I'm so glad I found this book. Chapter 4 in particular has been read and re-read numerous times. This is foundational reading.
Keywords and themes
“The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of the pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise.”
Author profile:
Richard Francis Xavier Manning, known as Brennan Manning (April 27, 1934 – April 12, 2013) was an American author, friar, priest, contemplative and speaker.Born and raised in Depression-era New York City, Manning finished high school, enlisted in the US Marine Corps, and fought in the Korean War. After returning to the United States, he enrolled at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Upon his graduation from the seminary in 1963, Manning was ordained a Franciscan priest.[2] In the late 1960s, Manning joined the Little Brothers of Jesus of Charles de Foucauld, a religious institute committed to an uncloistered, contemplative life among the poor. Manning transported water via donkey, worked as a mason's assistant and a dishwasher in France, was imprisoned (by choice) in Switzerland, and spent six months in a remote cave somewhere in the Zaragoza desert. In the 1970s, Manning returned to the United States and began writing after confronting his alcoholism.
Braving the Wilderness
by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is known for her work on vulnerability and courage. I could highlight each and every one of her books here, but I chose this one because we've all faced the 'wilderness'. We've probably spent more time in wilderness seasons than on the proverbial mountain top.
Brene has this amazing ability to say deep, convicting, honest words, with an authority based on her research work. She herself is very open and honest with her own story. It's all just so helpful to anyone navigating a wilderness.
Keywords and themes
“Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission. Stop scouring people’s faces for evidence that you’re not enough. You will always find it because you’ve made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.” Maybe stories are data with soul. The quest for belonging. Vulnerability, strength, belief
Author profile
The official line: I’m a research professor at the University of Houston, where I hold the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair. I am also a visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. I’ve spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. I’m the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers, and I’m the host of the original podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. The bottom line: I believe that you have to walk through vulnerability to get to courage, therefore…embrace the suck. I try to be grateful every day, and my motto right now is “Courage over comfort.” I do NOT believe that cussing and praying are mutually exclusive. And I absolutely believe that the passing lane is for passing only. I’ve been married to Steve for almost 25 years, and we have two amazing kids, Ellen and Charlie, and a weird bichon named Lucy.
Freefall to Fly
by Rebekah Lyons
I couldn't say it better than this ... (this is from the blurb)
In this beautifully moving memoir of vulnerability, courage, and ultimately transformation, Rebekah shares her journey into the unknown - a thrilling, terrifying freefall that eventually led to flight. Searching for meaning she stumbled on surrender, discovering that meaning follows surrender.
I was so grateful for this book when I read it. If you're navigating what is often known as 'the dark night of the soul', and you've asked yourself the question: 'Why are expectations and lifestyles breaking us down in unprecedented ways?', this book is for you.
Keywords and themes
Vulnerability, the dark night of the soul, anxiety, parenting, mission, life. Rebekah's story has so many parallels with so many of us. It may not be anxiety, and it may not be New York City, but you know what your 'dark is'. Allow Rebekah the chance to lead you through.
Author profile
Author, speaker, podcast and retreat host. Hey friend, let’s trade stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose. God has revealed to me the rhythms of walking on a journey of emotional health. This is something I fight for in my own life and am called to share with you. Through writing books, speaking, weekly podcasts, and seasonal retreats, my aim is to help you take charge of your emotional health and inspire your loved ones to do the same!
Hope in the Dark
by Craig Groeschel
Have you ever felt like you're wandering around in the dark. Feelings of doubt and despair, hopelessness or confusion. Have you struggled to know who to trust, and worried whether you can actually trust this God you believe in. Have you been through something big, or are you currently feeling lost and desperately needing HOPE.
Personally I loved the connection to the biblical story of Habakkuk. Did you know that the name Habakkuk means 'both to wrestle and to embrace'. Habakkuk is the kind of heart that wants to believe even as it recoils at the possibility.
Keywords and themes
When you want to trust but life won't let you. Honest questions, sincere doubts, and deep hurts can draw you closer to God than you've ever been before.
Author profile
Craig and Amy Groeschel married in 1991 and have six children and three sons-in-law: Catie and her husband Andrew, Mandy and her husband James, Anna and her husband Luke, Sam, Stephen, and Joy. Craig and Amy are also proud grandparents of Cole, McKenna, Spencer, Jace, and Haylen.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
by Charlie Mackesy
Now this book holds the definition of 'soul read' to me. It has so many layers to the story and meaning to life. It speaks with more than just words, it speaks through every pen-stroke, every illustration, even every bit of white space on the page and ink dots in the text.
It is stunning. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Charlie Mackesy is the dearest of authors. You should be buying a copy of this for every person you know, every child, every grandparent, every exhausted follower of Jesus. Every one is invited to connect to the heart of this book.
Keywords
Beautiful illustrations. Eloquent and poignant story. So memorable, so deep and meaningful.
Author profile
British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy began his career as a cartoonist for The Spectator, before becoming a book illustrator for Oxford University Press. His award-winning work has featured in books, private collections, galleries and public spaces around the world. His internationally bestselling book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, was published in October 2019 and holds the record for the most consecutive weeks in the Sunday Times Non-Fiction Chart across all formats as well as being the longest running Sunday Times Non-Fiction Number One of all time.
The Pursuit of God
by A. W. Tozer
When you need a classic, this is it. I almost don't know what it is about this book that draws me closer to it each and every time. It's almost like the very title is the open door, the wardrobe inviting me into 'Narnia'.
The Pursuit of God is for anyone who is hungry for more of God and longs for a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus.
Keywords
Hungering after God. Pursuing Jesus through scripture.
Author profile
Aiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life"). Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.
Luminous Dark
by Alain Emerson
Pete Greig recommended this book a couple of years ago on social media, and it invited me to embrace the concept of 'leaning into pain'. We all live with pain, of varying levels and in varying seasons. We often don't get the opportunity to choose whether we live with or without pain - it happens to us. So how can we learn to live within that pain without suffocating in the process.
Through his story of losing his wife at a young age, and deciphering his faith along the way. Alain has written an incredibly gentle and hope-filled book.
Keywords and themes
A journey through grief. Leaning into pain and struggle. Navigating faith through the hardest of seasons.
Author profile:
Alain Emerson is the national director of 24-7 Prayer Ireland and a lead pastor at Emmanuel Church, a thriving young church in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Alain has a passion to see God do a "new thing" in Ireland. He is married to Rachel and they have two daughters, Annie and Erin.
The Artisan Soul
by Erwin Raphael McManus
I was drawn to this book because I love the author. Erwin McManus' books have certainly been deep, soul books for me. I'm deeply creative at heart, but my nature is organised, structured and responsible. I feel like this book breathed on my creative spirit. and allowed her to soar.
If you need someone to breathe life into your heart, to inspire you to believe that God is full of creativity himself, you can't help but feel energised by Erwin!
Keywords
Creativity, artistry, masterpiece, God as creator. Craft a life that fulfils all God has placed within you to create.
Author profile
Erwin Raphael McManus is an author, futurist, filmmaker, and fashion designer. He is the lead pastor of Mosaic, a megachurch based in Los Angeles. Erwin is a speaker on issues related to postmodernism and postmodern Christianity, and also writes and lectures on culture, identity, change, and other topics.
The Broken Way
by Ann Voskamp
What do you do with your unspoken broken? What's the answer to suffering to the brokenness of all our hearts? What do you do if you really want to know abundant wholeness - before it's too late?
Ann Voskamp is so well known for encouraging people to live an authentic, holistic life - embracing the whole journey. I first read 'One Thousand Gifts' by Voscamp, and I loved the gentle but powerful way of gratitude. She has created a world where it is ok to embrace every season, and see God move and work and produce fruit within each one.
Keywords
Brokenness, heart hurt, the need to pursue wholeness. Gratitude, small moments, honesty, beauty in the small things.
Author profile
Ann Voskamp is a Canadian author, blogger, and memoirist on themes of Christian women's spirituality, and the author of multiple books, including the New York Times bestseller, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, as well as The Broken Way: A Daring Path Into the Abundant Life and WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of.