October Recommendations

I recently posted a poll on my Instagram story of whether people would rather have book or podcasts recommendations.  Well, the results actually showed that it was almost equal.  So, I decided to combine the two.  This way, you don't have to read through an extensive list of either books or podcasts and decide which ones to pick.  Instead, you can read through a few selections of each and easily pick some to check out!  That being said, here are my recent books and podcasts I highly suggest picking up or listening to.

Books:

Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman is absolutely wonderful in expressing the beauty in simple living.  She addresses the everyday and how to embrace it through home, work, people, and our own souls.  It has been a great refresher and constant reminder to slow down and find Christ in my daily schedule.  Actually, I am currently reading through this book, so I am not quite finished!  However, I am a little over halfway done, and I can honestly say that even if I did not finish the book, it would still have been such a good read that provides such good insight into embracing the simplicity of everyday.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney is a book that I recommend to anyone and everyone that I meet.  I read it over my summer spent in Worcester, and I honestly go back to it time and time again.  To sum it up, it goes through 10 spiritual disciplines in a detailed way.  Each chapter contains a convicting and life-changing bulk of information to apply in the ways of spiritual disciplines.  The disciplines it includes are Bible Intake, Prayer, Worship, Evangelism, Serving, Stewardship, Fasting, Silence and Solitude, Journaling, and Learning.  Guys, my copy of this book has writing and underlining all in it, plus sticky notes...just to give extra emphasis to quotes in the book that spoke so much truth.  Overall, this book is one that you can go back to time and time again, not just as a reminder, but to learn something new about a disciplined Christian life.

The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile is a book all about the Enneagram.  If you have never heard of the Enneagram, let me be the one to tell you to take the test and know your type.  I say this because of my own experience with it.  It differs from other personality tests in that it shows your core fear and desire...as well as your core sin.  It can easily be related to the stripping of our old self, which is mentioned throughout the Bible.  I listened to a podcast by the same individuals that wrote this book over the summer, and when you get to the podcast recommendations, you will see that I also recommended it!  Anyways, this past summer, I really took the time to look into my type.  It was hard at first since it addresses my core sin (eeeeek!), BUT I can not express enough how much it changed my perspective and motives in the things I do.  This book breaks down each type into such detail.  Once you know your type, this book will give even more clarity about yourself.

Podcasts:

"The Next Right Thing" by Emily P. Freeman is like listening to a breath of fresh air.  And let me just say, the fact I am recommending both a book and podcast by her is proof of how wise and wonderful she is.  In this podcast, she addresses various things in each episode about not being overwhelmed with big tasks and big decisions, but instead focusing on the next right thing.  It is an excellent reminder each Tuesday (that is the day she uploads new episodes) to not allow my mind to consume so much pressure from daunting things in my life.  But, instead, grab a cup of coffee or grab a good book next and allow myself to process each big thing into smaller pieces.

"Girls Night" by Stephanie May Wilson is exactly what it is called...sorry guys!  Good news for all of the girls though - this podcast is a blessing.  She hosts different encouraging women each week on the podcasts.  Each episode is so different, so there is a lot of variety to listen to!  It covers many topics, but it all is backed up with a Christian mindset and approach.  It is a wonderful complimentary partner to a cup of tea at night, so if that is right down your alley, check it out!  She uploads each new episode on Mondays.

"The Road Back to You: Looking at Life Through the Lens of the Enneagram" is the podcast that goes along with the book The Road Back to You.  In this podcast, Ian and Suzanne host people of the different numbers each week to discuss life as that number.  So, you can listen to episodes about your number and learn about other numbers as well!  The Enneagram not only helps you to understand yourself but also understand others.  I love finding out others' types so I can understand the way they think and why they do what they do.  This podcast goes deep and causes you to think about parts of yourself that you knew were there but have not been able to put into words.  They are not making anymore episodes for this podcast, but there are plenty of episodes available.  It is worth checking out!  If you would like to take the Enneagram test, you can do so here at Your Enneagram Coach.