What is the state of your heart right now?
I don’t want you to think about the casual answer you’d give a friend you met in the store–be honest. What word comes to mind right now about how your heart really feels? Heavy? Panicked? Discouraged? Hopeful?
Here’s a cool thought. What if some fiction author described her heart using the same word–while writing a book? She’s likely done some untangling, some talking with God as she wrote. She’s prayed and wrestled with the very thing weighing on your mind, maybe. Stories have a way of making clear that which is murky up close, both in the writing of them and the reading.
We’re living in a fallen world, and there’s no way to protect our heart from cracks and fissures–but we can always choose how to fill them. Stories have a sneaky way of reaching those cracks, even when we wouldn’t let a living soul near them, and they can make us feel less alone even when we technically are. They are pleasantly invasive and can be surprisingly healing.
Below is a list of books very loosely categorized, and a heart-level description of the contents. Read through, see what resonates with you. Share the list with someone you love.
I challenge you–and heartily encourage you–to escape into the world of fiction and come out with your heart a little stronger, a little more full.
Blessings to you, readers <3
(know another one? Feel free to add it in the comments!)
Loneliness and Disconnect
For anyone dealing with abandonment…discovering the freedom in forgiveness and friendships: Deadly Deceit, Natalie Walters
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/deadly-deceit/393350
For the one secretly longing to be known and loved… one who, married or not, has been crushed by real-life romance: The Love Note, Joanna Davidson Politano (pre-order now, available fall 2020)
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-love-note/397640
For those struggling with the need to fix an unfixable situation or for those who just feel out of place: You Belong with Me, Tari Faris
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/you-belong-with-me/396010
Understanding Purpose and Identity
For the woman whose identity just got turned upside down: The Key To Love, coming October 2020 (available now for pre-order), Betsy St. Amant
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-key-to-love/403350
For the times when we forget what true beauty is: The Hope of Azure Springs, Rachel Fordham
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-hope-of-azure-springs/390080
For someone struggling with mental health and need to believe they are beautifully made with purpose: Living Lies, Natalie Walters
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/living-lies/393070
For those longing to let go of past mistakes and embrace something greater than shame: A Glitter of Gold, Liz Johnson
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-glitter-of-gold/388850
For those who feel like they don’t measure up and are trying to find their place in this world—Don’t Keep Silent, Elizabeth Goddard
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/don-t-keep-silent/390010
For those striving to follow their calling under challenging conditions: A Distance Too Grand, Regina Scott
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-distance-too-grand/396040
Living Through Difficult Circumstances
Adversity can break our spirits or lift us to see the strengths we never knew we had: One More River to Cross, Jane Kirkpatrick
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/one-more-river-to-cross/379950
For the one caught in unforeseen circumstances and desperate for hope, God delivers unexpected goodness: Silent Shadows, Natalie Walters
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/silent-shadows/393360
For the seasons of pruning that seem to be sucking you dry of life: A Rumored Fortune, Joanna Davidson Politano
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-rumored-fortune/386370
For someone caring for a loved one with memory loss and struggling to find hope in the storm: A Sparkle of Silver, Liz Johnson
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/a-sparkle-of-silver/388620
Dealing with Pain and Loss
For anyone wondering where God is in the midst of heartbreak: The Red Door Inn, Liz Johnson
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-red-door-inn/354750
For those struggling with loss and looking for reassurance . . . that God is our rock and he’ll—Never Let Go, Elizabeth Goddard
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/never-let-go/389730
For those who feel broken . . . we can hold on to God and he’ll never leave us—Always Look Twice, Elizabeth Goddard
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/always-look-twice/390000
With God even pain can be used for our good: Yours Truly, Thomas, Rachel Fordham
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/yours-truly-thomas/393090
If you’re in need of a happy ending, of believing that all things truly can weave together for good: On a Summer Tide, Suzanne Woods Fisher
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/on-a-summer-tide/391230