Welcome sweater weather, the crackle of home fires, hot chocolate and marshmallows on repeat, and a stack of marvelous new reads. This Fall, I have been on a grand college tour with my daughter Belle. A highlight is getting to visit local bookstores in every town. I immediately walk up to the counter, share my list of all-time favorite reads and authors, and then relish recommendations from the book-loving experts. The following list reflects my love of a good story and books that nourish my spiritual life. Please, please send me what you are reading!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

On a visit to Parnassus Bookshop, Remarkably Bright Creatures was recommended as a “heart-feel-good” read and it did not disappoint. One of the main characters is an octopus in the local aquarium. Who knew an octopus could know so much about life and love!

Good Enough by Kate Bowler

I was already an admirer of Kate Bowler, author of No Cure for Being Human. I appreciate her authentic, vulnerable, truth-telling voice about holding on to faith and hope when the carpet has been pulled out from under you. She says her new book is “40ish devotionals for a life of imperfection.”

The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner

My friend Ashley gifted this fun summer read set on an island off the coast of Italy during WWII. It has quirky characters, love, redemption, and who doesn’t love an escape to an Italian island!

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner 

Listening to a podcast interview with the brilliant, compassionate spiritual writer, Eugene Peterson, my curiosity was peeked when he said this book should be in the back of every church next to the Bible. He said it is a beautiful story about true, sacrificial love. My mom and husband both said it is a book that will stay with you!

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Maggie O’ Farrell is one of my favorite authors. She is a master at making her characters come alive in your mind’s eye, but especially in your heart. What a marvelous carpet-ride she gifts readers from Shakespeare to the Renaissance world of Florence. I love her strong, creative, resilient female characters!

Run with the Horses, The Quest for Life At its Best by Eugene Peterson

It’s no secret I am crushing on Eugene Peterson. I am reading everything I can get my hands on. Bono from U2  counts this as one of the most meaningful books for his spiritual life.

Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life by W. David O. Taylor

The Psalms have been a soothing balm for me during challenging times. These 150 prayers/lyrical poems cover every human emotion and circumstance faced here on earth. They are so honest about what we go through as humans. Taylor does a brilliant job giving the back story of the psalms and how we could read them for guidance in our everyday lives.

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah

On a recent college trip to California, I picked up this new release. What’s not to love about Jackie O in Paris!

Love, Farrell

THE PIANO SOUNDTRACK

I am a huge fan of the Piano soundtrack. The piano music is transportive and provides the perfect musical backdrop to an afternoon of reading!