Porch #159 🎅 10 Exceptional Books to Calm + Heal + Inspire

a Christmas gift-buying guide curated around what Grace & Space people value most

Well hello again, my dear reading pals!

I don’t know about you, but when I think back to those moments when someone’s taken the time to select the perfect book for me, written something personal on the first page, wrapped it up all pretty, and presented it with a hopeful look in their eye, I felt so loved. Seen. And valued.

These ten are those kind of books.

I've gained renewed life and fresh energy from their beautiful pages.  Along the way, my thirsty soul, over-stimulated brain, jangled emotions, tired daily routines, untended relationships, and/or blah living spaces have been enriched in one way or another.

Lend yourself a bit of grace and space, my dear.  Pour yourself a cup of tea, settle down somewhere cozy.  May you feel gently calmed, motivated, and relieved as you wander through these links and titles … and then get a whole bunch of Christmas shopping done. 

(And yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to buy yourself a little treasure to tuck into your own Christmas stocking. Permission granted to look quite astonished when you find that hidden treasure on Christmas morning.)

Click on the titles to read samples, learn more, or purchase. Many of these are on sale even as we speak. HINT: I'll often batch-buy after discovering the perfect title.  And yes, as an Amazon affiliate, I earn a very small percentage at no extra cost to you whenever you click on a link and then shop til you drop. A special thanks to those of you who do this on a regular basis.

Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives & Open Our Hearts
- Marilyn McEntyre
‘Teacher, writer, and wordsmith Marilyn McEntyre shows readers how the simple act of writing a list can open doors to personal discovery and spiritual growth. Deepening her reflections with abundant writing prompts and real-life examples, McEntyre turns the humble list into a work of art—one that has the power to clear minds, open hearts, and change lives.’

I love this little new-to-me volume. It’s a rather serendipitous add-on to your reflective, quiet time moments. When she finally had to go back to the library where she belonged, I immediately went and bought my very own forever copy.

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Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path
- Erin Loechner
'Renew your priorities with prompts and charts that ask you to consider your words and choices.  Shift your focus with recipes and resources to help slow your life.  Refresh your perspective with insights worth sharing to uncomplicate your life.'

Erin has penned a uniquely out-of-the-box, creative volume ... a beautifully illustrated gift for yourself or another imaginative soul who yearns to live life well.  

I absolutely adore her writing style and her innovative spirit.

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The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
- Adam McHugh
‘How would our lives change if we approached every experience with the intention of listening first? In this noisy, distracting world, it is difficult to truly hear. People talk past each other, eager to be heard but somehow deaf to what is being said. Listening is an essential skill for healthy relationships, both with God and with other people. But it is more than that: listening is a way of life.’

I always took pride in being a pretty good listener.  Especially since that's what I did for a living.  Clients and friends told me so.  And then along came Adam McHugh with his razor-sharp observations, often laced with a bit of humor. 

Turns out that some of my rather prideful assumptions were quite out of kilter.  When all is said and done, this volume is one of my all time favorite reads.  I can't stop recommending it.

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Freely & Lightly: God's Gracious Invitation to A Life of Quiet Confidence
- Emily Lex 
'You’ve tried harder. You’ve been more intentional. You’ve done everything “right.”  In your search for meaning and purpose, you’ve placed your hope in many different things—only to find yourself at a turning point, quietly asking, Is this all there is?'

Emily is my own personal watercolor muse and so I can't get enough of her whimsical drawings that adorn the book's front and back end-sheets and are artfully scattered throughout her meaningful writing. I discovered pieces of myself throughout her story.  How comforting to know we're not alone with our struggles!  You just might walk away saying the same thing.

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Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating & Hosting All Year Round
- Myquillyn Smith
'A home that's ready for the seasons is automatically ready to host all sorts of seasonal celebrations.  Be the one who volunteers her home to host because you're finally confident and ready.'

This is not a typical decorating how-to, but instead a common sense approach to creating your own signature home style that will leave you smiling and wondering why you waited so long to open your doors to others.  Myquillyn's keep-it-simple tips invite you to step out of your sometimes lonely comfort zone and make hostessing an integral, relaxed part of your life.

Because it's not about your domestic expertise.  It's all about opening your heart to the people God’s placed on your path.

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Gentle & Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners & Sufferers
- Dane Ortlund
‘What helium does to a balloon, Jesus’ yoke does to his followers. We are bouyed along in life by his endless gentleness and his supremely accessible lowliness. He doesn’t simply meet us at our place of need; he lives in our place of need. He never tires of sweeping us into his tender embrace. It is his very heart. It is what gets him out of bed in the morning.’

My faith was strengthened, my soul quieted as I sat reflectively with each chapter.  It'd be safe to say that God used the author's prayerful words to continue the soul restoration He'd been doing after a season that almost did me in.

This is not only a beautiful gift, but also could be a most meaningful small group discussion guide.

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Cozy White Cottage: 100 Ways to Love the Feeling of Being Home
- Liz Marie Galvan
'Although we all might define cozy differently, each definition offers the same promise: a sense of belonging, comfort, and warmth. A corner, a room, a place where our souls find peace and our bodies can rest. And although the craziness of life might tell us we don’t have the time or energy to create a cozy home, I‘m here to tell you that it’s totally within reach.’

Eager fans of living spaces with lots of white space, vintage furniture, and meaningful collectibles will want to scoop up this gorgeous book.  Each page features stunning photos and unique decorating ideas for you to incorporate into your own place.  

You'll find yourself 'oohing and aahing' you make your way through Liz's 1800's farmhouse.  And who knows, maybe you'll find yourself getting a bit motivated to try your hand at one or two DIY projects along the way.  

Her emphasis on all things cozy hits home for me.

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Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, & Survival Mode - & Into a Life of Connection & Joy
- Aundi Kolber, MA, LPC
'One of the best parts of learning to open myself up to God and allowing him to sit with me in my joy and grief is this: I have learned to see myself as He sees me ... during our hardest, scariest times - whether our bodies feel stressed and jumpy or sluggish and slow - God is there to reassure us that we are not defined by our best days or our worst days.  We are His beloved.' 

For those who've been living in survival mode, Aundi's wise counsel is soothing and life-altering.  Even the book's title will cause you to exhale just a bit deeper after living on high alert for far too long.  This process of finding gentle healing from continued anxiety and stress is a necessary, sacred work so we are able to move ahead into whatever God has for us to be and to do.

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I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights & Dilemmas of the Reading Life
- Anne Bogel
'In this book, we'll dive into the personal nature of reading - what shapes us as readers, what we bring to the page.  We'll explore how to read, how to choose good books, and what happens when we read bad ones.  We'll dive into why we connect with some books so powerfully.  We'll peek into other people's reading lives.  And we'll enjoy every minute of it because that's the kind of people we are.  How good it is to be among people who are reading.'

Anne's ode to the bookish life is every book aficionado's delight.  If you view reading as vital to your daily life, this lovely, whimsical read has your name on it.  

The perfect gift for your favorite bibliophile.  And a perfect size to toss into your bag as you head out the door.  Because you'd rather be reading.

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Invitation to Solitude & Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence
- Ruth Haley Barton
'The image of the jar of river water captured what I knew to be true about myself.  I could not avoid the realization that I was the jar of river water all shaken up and the sediment that swirled inside the jar was the busyness, the emotions, the thoughts, the inner wrestlings I had not been able to control.  It was a moment of self-discovery - which is where all good spiritual journeying begins.'

This was the book that started it all for me ... the pursuit of a deeper, more reflective spiritual life.  This little guidebook helped deepen my walk with the Lord in ways that have been life-changing.  

What’s been your favorite volume to give … or get?
Linda 🎅

Porch #120 🎄 Merry Christmas from your very own personal shopper!

PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits

🔗 Anne . Paula . Joanne . Andrew . Joanne . Lynn