Books that fill the cracks

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

For those who never expected to face “such a time as this” and need to see that by God’s grace they can make a difference: Star of Persia, Jill Eileen Smith

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/star-of-persia/390200