One of my favorite gifts to give and receive are books. I’ve read so many over the years that sometimes they blur in my mind and I can’t recall the details. But some stand out despite the wear and tear of time. I’ve gathered a few gems that might inspire your own reading list or round out your gift giving below…
A series by Kristen Heitzmann that launched in 2009 from Bethany House, The Diamond of the Rockies plays out over three books beginning with The Rose Legacy then Sweet Boundless, concluding with The Tender Vine. The heroine is full of life and grit and her hero is unforgettable, too. You’ll feel you’re wearing boots and walking the dusty streets of Crystal, Colorado during the gold rush!
I began reading Biblical fiction with this riveting series by Francine Rivers & Tyndale many years ago. The Mark of the Lion gave me a much richer understanding of those first Christians and the early church amid all the sin and turmoil of that era. A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and As Sure as the Dawn round out the series. Who can resist a rare hero on a historical cover?
My favorite Liz Curtis Higg’s series, a retelling of the book of Ruth set in Scotland. And don’t forget her lovely Christmas novella…
Now for some beloved nonfiction…
Blessings for the Morning and Evening is my favorite way to start and end the day. Susie Larson has a way of writing devotionals and Bible studies that are remarkable, full of beauty and truth. I finished Fully Alive recently and it was one of the most rewarding I’ve ever experienced, truly life-changing.
Last but not least is my favorite Bible currently. The Amplified version captures the full meaning behind the original Greek and Hebrew.
Here’s a sample from Job 23:10:
But He knows the way that I take {He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it}. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold {pure and luminous}.