1)  Emily Freeman’s A Million Little Ways I fell in love with Emily’s writing with her first book, Grace for the Good Girl.  Not only did her subject matter nail me on the head, but her writing style was gentle and inviting.  I’ve been an avid follower of her blog, chatting at the sky, as it just makes me feel better to read it.  Emily’s new book which comes out October 1, describes how as children of a creator God, we are designed to live our life as art.  As one who is trying to make friends with my creative side, I can’t wait to see how this kind author invites me further on this journey.

2)  Nadia Bolt-Weber’s Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint

Nadia is everything I am not but wish I could be.  As a 6 foot tall, tattoo covered stand up comedian turned Lutheran pastor, her presence simultaneously intimidates and inspires this quiet southern girl.  In her memoir she details how she went from a life of substance abuse to being a pastor of misfits and outsiders that she relates to so well.  What I’m most excited by in Nadia’s new book is not the drama of her story, but her rekindling my love for  Luther’s theology of grace.  She reminds us that  we all really are a hot mess of sinners and saints used by God in the very same breath.   So cue up “Mighty Fortress”, pass me Pastrix and bring on the grace.

3) Karen Spears Zacharius’ Mother Rain

4) Ann Hite’s Storycatcher I’m going to talk about 3 &4 together since in many ways they are similar.  I’ve enjoyed Karen S-Z’s non-fiction, but was surprised and excited to hear she is debuting her first fiction novel, Mother Rain.  That anyone can make up an entire story in their mind amazes me, so I’m looking forward to hearing how her voice translates into fiction.  Both Mother Rain and Storycatcher are set in the Appalachian South.  I’ll tell you they pretty much had me right there as I love getting lost in the broken yet beautiful stories of the south.  Hite’s Storycatcher is actually a sequel to her popular Ghost on Black Mountain which got both rave reviews from friends in my book group and critical praise.  Storycatcher builds upon the southern gothic themes that Hite is becoming renowned for.  And great news for those of you who live in Middle Georgia…  you can come meet these two mountain women in the flesh and hear them speak about their books this coming Sunday, Sept 15 from 3-5pm at Bare Bulb Coffee.  I love hearing authors’s words in their own voice and finding out the juicy secrets behind their writing.  It promises to be a fun afternoon.

5) Joy Anisa’s Identity Crisis:  Moving From Crisis to Credibility

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Joy Anisa through mutual friends and know that many have benefited from her ministry as a counselor.  I also know she is a grace-filled woman who allows God to move and bless through her life.  So I was pleased as punch to hear that she has a new book coming out designed to help people move through debilitating life crisis into a space of healing and rebuilding.  Lord knows things don’t always turn out like we wish they would.  And sometimes the floor just gives way underneath us.  If this describes you or one you love, I trust Joy both as a counselor and as child of the resurrection to come along side you when you need it most and help you find your way to better ground.  Her book won’t be released for a few months, but you can go ahead and pre-order now in anticipation. So these are the books that I’m looking forward to reading this fall.  If you share my excitement on any of the above, feel free to share this post with your friends. What books are you looking forward to reading in the next months?  There’s always more room on my Amazon wish list 🙂 *  I did not intentionally make a list of all female authors.  Maybe my readers can help me with some good, new books authored by men?]]>