10 Books I’m Thankful For
(and Why They Changed My Life)

As we enter this season of gratitude, I’ve been reflecting on the voices that have shaped me this year…not just the people I love, but the words that have strengthened my soul, sharpened my leadership, and steadied my heart. Some books are enjoyable, but others become companions. They sit with us during early morning coffee, late-night prayers, hard decisions, or quiet breakthroughs. These are the books I find myself returning to, quoting from, gifting to others, and thanking God for. Today, I’m sharing ten of them with you—because I believe they might do the same for you.

Before I jump into my list, I want to mention something important. Not all of these books are written from a distinctly Christian worldview. I read widely, because wisdom isn’t limited to one genre, one background, or one belief system. Some of these authors may not fully align with my theology or perspective, and that’s okay. I don’t read to agree with every sentence; I read to grow, to think, to learn, and to gain insight that can sharpen my life, leadership, and faith. I believe we can appreciate truth wherever we find it, while still holding fast to our convictions.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books I truly love and personally benefit from.

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins; This book arrived in my life at exactly the moment I needed it, and based on its overwhelming popularity, it seems it’s doing the same for millions of others. Let Them gave me permission to stop over-managing other people’s choices and to release the pressure I never should have been carrying in the first place. I didn’t realize how exhausting it was to take responsibility for what I couldn’t control until this book helped me let go. It has brought clarity, confidence, and a surprising peace into my relationships and decisions. Sometimes freedom begins not with action, but with release. This book helped me do just that. If I had to pick my top book of the year and narrow it down to just one, this would be it. Get it here.

 

 

2. Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On by Stormie Omartian. This isn’t a new release by any stretch, and that’s exactly why I treasure it. It has stayed on my shelf longer than most books and remains one of my all-time favorites. Whenever I’m walking through uncertainty or facing a season where God’s direction feels dim, this is the book I reach for. Stormie Omartian reminds us that God doesn’t illuminate the whole path at once, but gives us “just enough light” to take the next faithful step. This book has steadied me through moments when the not knowing felt overwhelming, even unbearable. It has whispered peace, strengthened trust, and helped me keep moving forward one illuminated step at a time. Get it here.

 

 

3. From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks. This book came to me through the recommendation of my friend, Pastor Stephanie Smith, and I’m so glad I listened. From Strength to Strength delivers on its promise to go deep—it gently challenges the way we think about success, purpose, aging, and what it means to live a meaningful life beyond achievement. I’ve had more “a-ha” moments with this book than I expected, the kind that make you pause, breathe, and reevaluate what truly matters. It’s a thoughtful guide for anyone who wants to transition from striving to flourishing, from performance to wisdom, and from accomplishment to lasting significance. Get it here. 

 

 

 

4. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, by Nedra Tawwab; This book was recommended to me by my therapist, and it has been tremendously helpful—not just in theory, but in daily life. Nedra Tawwab writes with clarity, compassion, and practicality, helping us understand that boundaries aren’t walls to shut people out; they are tools that make love, leadership, and relationships healthier. This book has helped me recognize where I was overextending myself, confusing kindness with over-responsibility, and saying “yes” when my soul needed “no.” Every chapter offers real-life strategies that empower you to communicate honestly, protect your peace, and show up as your best self. It’s a guide not just for healthier relationships with others, but with yourself. Get it here.

 

 

5. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear; This isn’t just a book you read once for motivation…it’s a book you return to when you’re serious about change. My husband loves this book so much that he reads it every year (and sometimes more than once). He’ll tell you that every time he revisits it, he learns something new, and honestly, he’s right. Atomic Habits has changed my life forever by helping me understand that transformation isn’t built on grand gestures. It’s built on small, consistent decisions repeated over time. James Clear shows how tiny habits compound into lasting results, both personally and spiritually. If you’re tired of big goals that fall flat, this book teaches you how to build a life you actually grow into—one small step at a time. Get it here.

 

 

6. When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection by Dr. Gabor Mate; This book stopped me in my tracks, especially in how it speaks to women and the silent ways we carry stress. Dr. Gabor Maté explores the deep connection between emotional repression, chronic stress, and physical illness—and he does so with compassion, not alarm. As women (and especially as women in ministry and leadership), we’re often praised for endurance, selflessness, and strength. Yet this book helped me see that constantly pushing past our limits isn’t noble if it harms our health. When the Body Says No is a powerful reminder that ignoring our needs is not a mark of faithfulness, but a form of self-neglect. Our bodies are telling a story, and sometimes they are begging us to listen. This book invites us to pay attention and care for ourselves with the same kindness we offer others.Get it here.

 

7. The Marriage You Want: Moving Beyond Stereotypes for a Relationship Built on Scripture, New Data, and Emotional Health, by Dr. Keith Gregoire and Sheila Wray Gregoire; This book resonates deeply with Larry and me because it reflects the kind of marriage we strive to live—one marked by mutual respect, shared strength, and a partnership where both voices matter. The Marriage You Want offers a biblically grounded, research-based view of marriage that values the dignity and calling of both husband and wife. The Gregoires present a vision of marriage that isn’t about hierarchy, control, or keeping score, but about Christlike love that empowers, honors, and supports one another. As a couple who embraces an egalitarian marriage, we see ourselves in these pages—not perfectly, but intentionally. This book affirms that God’s design for marriage is not power over, but love alongside, and that’s a message worth celebrating. Get it here.

 

 

 8. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield;  This book was an unexpectedly emotional read for me. The War of Art doesn’t just talk about creativity…it confronts the resistance that keeps us from stepping into our calling. Steven Pressfield names the self-doubt, fear, excuses, perfectionism, and distractions that try to rob us of purpose, and he does it with honesty that feels almost uncomfortable at times. I found myself reading page after page feeling deeply seen, and deeply challenged. This book spoke to me about my future, my work, and the responsibility of pursuing what God has put in me to do. It reminded me that calling requires courage, and that doing what we are created to do is not merely optional—it’s obedience. The War of Art is a push, a mirror, and a wake-up call all in one. Get it here.

 

 

9. Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge; This book is, without question, my favorite mentoring tool. Any time I disciple or mentor someone, this is the first book I place in their hands. Secrets of the Secret Place is not theory, it’s invitation. Bob Sorge leads us into a life of intimacy with God that isn’t rushed, performative, or driven by ministry pressure, but rooted in quiet, relational pursuit. This book reminds us that depth with God is not built in public, but in private; that spiritual authority is born in hidden places; and that the most powerful leaders are those who know Him intimately. Each chapter is short but piercing, practical but profound. It doesn’t just teach us about the secret place—it draws us there. Get it here.

 

 

10. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler and Emily Gregory; This book is my go-to resource for teaching leaders how to have hard conversations with wisdom and clarity. Crucial Conversations equips us to face conflict without fear, to speak truth without hostility, and to create safety even in tense dialogue. As leaders, we don’t get to avoid tough discussions, and people depend on us to handle them well. This book provides the practical tools and emotional framework to do exactly that. Whether I’m teaching workshops or navigating ministry relationships myself, I return to these principles again and again. It has helped me approach difficult conversations not as battles to win, but as opportunities for growth, understanding, and transformation. Get it here.

 

 

I’m grateful for the words that mentor me when no one is in the room, challenge me when my thinking needs to grow, and comfort me when I’m carrying more than people can see. Books have a way of discipling us—not instead of community, but alongside it. If one of these titles speaks to your heart, I hope you’ll read it, underline it, wrestle with it, and let it shape you in the best way. And I’d love to hear what books you’re thankful for too. Drop a recommendation in the comments, send a message, or share a favorite quote. We become stronger when we keep learning together.