While it wasn’t as raw or vulnerable as Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet, the message was still good and helpful. I really loved Sara Hagerty’s first book, Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet, and I think I was expecting this to be just like that one.

Unseen by Sara Hagerty: This book took me a while to read, because I started it during the first week of school (not my best move), but didn’t manage to finish it until Thanksgiving Break.

I enjoyed reading it as an adopted child not just of my parents but also of God. This book was a much needed read for me, and while it is geared towards those who are in the process of/considering adoption, it also has a message for the church to remember how important adoption is. when it comes to anything related with the ERLC, the unborn, etc.

Adopted for Lifeby Russell Moore: I am so thankful for the work that Russell Moore does and the voice that he has in the U.S.

I appreciate his voice and his desire for the “not yet marrieds” to come to know Jesus more through the process of singleness and dating. Lots of times I feel like books like these can be incredibly cheesy or not a true display of what singleness can look like, but his wasn’t that. His practicality, his understanding, and his words were/are much needed in this world.

Not Yet Married by Marshall Segal: On that same note, Segal’s book about “The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating” was another favorite of this year.

I appreciated her constant reminders to trust in the Lord, no matter what stage of dating/not dating you are in. I so love Elisabeth Elliot’s story and her heart for the Lord, which is so evident on the pages of this book. It was helpful for us to read it while in the midst of weddings/engagements/lots of friends in relationships.

Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot: My friend Jordan and I read this together during August/September, and I’m so glad we did.

I think this will become a yearly tradition for me to use this devotional each advent season. His writing is kind and understanding, yet convicting but also gentle as He leads you back to the cross. This advent devotional is written in a similar style to his New Morning Mercies devotional, another favorite of 2017. Anyway, I am a big fan of (I refer to him as PDT) PDT and his devotionals.

Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp: Very quick side note, for those of you who are followers of PDT, what do you refer to him as? Paul Tripp? Paul David Tripp? PDT? I have all the questions about this.

If you are looking/wanting/desiring to have deeper friendships (or even just friendships in general) with the women at your church, this is a must read! However, that wasn’t always the case and I know friends come in and out of seasons. I think–no, I know–that sweet friendships are rare and unique, and I am so incredibly blessed to have more than one close friend. It was everything I wanted in a book about navigating friendships in the church–as adult females. I got it and read it and posted practically every page on InstaStories because it was SO.

Messy Beautiful Friendship by Christine Hoover: Carrie, my pastor’s wife and good friend, mentioned this book to me in the spring.

And I’m a sucker for any type of “year-end” post, so here are my best reads (in no particular order) of 2017:

I say all that to say that I haven’t read that many more books since the summer, but I have read some. I think it was around Veteran’s Day when I finally felt like I could emerge from the work hole I’d crawled into and have a social life again (that’s a bit dramatic, but it did feel that way some days).

I’ve noticed that pattern develop over the last three years of teaching, and I’ve come to terms with it this year. That’s because the fall semester is the BUSIEST time of the year for me. I feel as though this post won’t have too many different books than when I posted about my best summer reads earlier in the year.

Grade 5 best reads 2017