My Favorite Books of 2025

“No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Isn’t it true? A good book can be like spending the day with a friend.

Have you ever finished reading a book and somehow felt more understood than when you started? I love books like that. And then there are books that stretch you — the ones that make you think differently, see more clearly, and grow in ways you didn’t expect. I love those, too. And of course, there are books that teach you something new about the world, about people, about yourself.

And every once in a while, you find a book that leaves such an impression that you’re convinced the whole wide world should read it. Those are the ones I often go back to again and again.

This year, I read books in all of those categories — books that showed up in my life at just the right time, like a good friend does.

Being human is hard. Leading is hard. Loving Jesus and trying to live with clarity, courage, and emotional health in a complicated world can be hard. These books helped ways I didn’t expect. I’ve linked them below in case one of them might help you, too.

Side note: There are affiliate links in the list. You can click the title of each book and grab it for yourself! I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

The Books

1. The Let Them Theory (Mel Robbins)

This book felt like the real talk every girl needs when she gets stuck trying to take responsibility for all the things. Control issues, anyone? Fear of being misunderstood? Yeah… me too. Mel leads with a simple idea: let people be who they are, and you be who you are. That brings a surprising amount of freedom.

This one is especially helpful for the people-pleasers in the room. Or if you’re the kind of person who replays conversations, worries about how things came across, or feels responsible for managing other people’s emotions.

2. Cues (Vanessa Van Edwards)

This book made me laugh out loud more than once. It is all about the subtle signals (or cues) that we send and receive during a social interaction.It is fascinating, funny,  relatable, and practical. If you are a communication nerd like me, you will love this.

3. A Jesus Shaped Life (Lisa Harper)

Lisa Harper makes complex theological ideas feel like a conversation with a wise, funny friend over coffee. I laughed. I cried. I smiled. By the end, I was filled with awe and gratitude for Jesus.

This book reminded me how our theology shows up in our everyday lives. And, that’s an important reminder!

4. A Healthy Calling (Arianna Molloy)

This one felt like a deep exhale. It speaks honestly about the emotional and spiritual weight of calling — the parts people don’t always talk about. Dr. Molloy is wise, compassionate, and real. Burnout is no joke. But healing is possible, and this book helps you understand all of it. I’m so grateful I found this book when I did.

5. Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara)

This book is such a beautiful picture of what it looks like to go above and beyond for people. It is about creating experiences that make others feel seen, valued, and cared for in unexpected ways.

Even though it is not a Christian leadership book, the principles reflect the heart of the Kingdom. It made me rethink hospitality in my home and how I show up for people in everyday moments.It also made me want to take a trip to NYC and go to Eleven Madison Park! 

6. The Next Conversation (Jefferson Fisher)

Practical, reassuring, and incredibly helpful if you tend to overthink what to say (or replay what you already said). This book offers simple frameworks for navigating hard or important conversations calmly and with clarity. And that’s something we could all benefit from.

7. Throne of Glass Series (Sarah J. Maas)

I added some fiction back into the mix this year. And, this series completely swept me off my feet. I loved it — truly. It’s full of courage, loyalty, sacrifice, resilience, and the slow, brave becoming of a woman who learns who she is and what she’s willing to fight for. So many nights I stayed up far too late reading just one more chapter! I read the entire series in just a few months. I loved the story, the characters, and the brilliant writing. If you love strong female leads, rich world-building, and can’t-put-it-down stories, this series is a must read.

One Last Thing

I did something this year I said I’d never do… I bought a Kindle.

And not only did I buy one,  I love it. It’s lightweight, easy on the eyes, and it’s pink (yay!). I still love the feel of a real book in my hands, but somehow reading felt easier this year. And, I’m here for it! 

Your turn!

Have you read any of these books? What’s on your 2026 reading list? I’d love to know. I’m always looking for my next great read.

Old Friends and My 17-Year-Old Self

I’ve been in one of those moods. You know the kind of mood where I’m all in my feelings, remembering, thinking, reflecting, asking all the questions.

Recently I saw a handful of people from way back when and it stirred up all kinds of things.

Like sadness because life can sometimes change so quickly that it takes your breath away. One minute you’re living your best 17-year-old life. You have plans and people and places. But in the blink of an eye, your best 17-year-old life seems to vanish into thin air. It morphs into something you couldn’t have imagined and, in some ways, didn’t choose even if just for a season. And the plans, the places, and people vanish right along with it.  Sometimes they come back around, and sometimes not. And, I’m not being dramatic.

Like gratitude because some people feel like coming home. Do you know what I mean? It’s like your soul breathes a deep sigh of relief at the sight of them, because once-upon-a-time they were your people. And while 17-year-old Valerie didn’t have language for it, these people were safe, steady, and oh-so-significant to me. To have known them for any time at all is a gift. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to know them again.

Like grief because when you stand across from people who somehow still feel like home after decades of distance, you feel the sense of loss all over again and a tiny hint of wishful thinking that you could pick right back up where you left off. Because how can it possibly be that thirty years passed.

Like regret because I didn’t understand how to invite my friends into hard, messy things, so I let them go instead. I’m not sure many 17-year-olds really understand how to do that, at least not 17-year-olds like me. Now I know better.

Like curiosity because you want to know all the things. ALL of them. But to bombard my friends with all the questions would have been a tiny bit obnoxious. And I’m sure I was ridiculous, but I don’t even care.

Like joy because when you’re looking for it, you can find it in the most unlikely places. These people represent something good and right. They’re part of moments I look back on with fondness that make my heart smile even today. My best 17-year-old life was turned upside down by trauma and tragedy. But here we are, all these years later, because Jesus. And, my best life is this one. Also, because Jesus.

Like hope because God is strong and kind. He will never be one without the other. He is patient, full of unfailing love, and always present. He’s perfectly faithful, and friends, He’s paying attention. This weekend, He knew just what my heart needed.

That’s who He is —the God who sees. And, this is what He does — the God who cares.

In the meantime, if you have people in your life who feel like home let them know. Today. Tell them that they matter. Make it weird. Otherwise you might find yourself standing on the other side of thirty years, wishing your 17-year-old self had known better.

Love your people. Love them well. Love them on purpose. And, love them out loud. Yeah, what if we did that?

When It Feels Scary to Dream

2025 is off to a rocky start. And, 2024? Well, it proved to be difficult in more ways than I could have possibly imagined. But it’s also been full of unimaginable beauty and joy. Both things can be true. Because, Jesus.

I’m working on all my new year reflections and focus, but it’s proving to be harder than I expected. It’s a strange mix of expectation and anxiety when I try to put my favorite ink pen to paper. Maybe you’re feeling the same tension I am around the new year. Maybe, like me, you’ve had moments when you’re not quite sure it’s safe to dream or set any goals for 2025. Maybe you’re not sure you can handle any more disappointment, which seems to be lurking at every turn. Yeah, me too. Yet, I still dare to hope when I remember this: the faithful love of the Lord endures forever; His mercies never cease (Lamentations 3:21-22) …

Be brave, friend. Lean in. Dream anyway. Plan prayerfully. But, live fully surrendered to Him.

Here’s the thing: God has always been and always will be. He hung every star in the sky long before I took my first breath. Not only does He know all the details, He sees the big picture. Whether we’re dealing with significant loss or celebrating significant wins, He. Is. Faithful. And, He. Is. Good. He crowns the year with a bountiful harvest, and even the hard pathways overflow with abundance (Psalm 65:11). Always. Because that’s just who He is. It’s who He’s always been. Nothing has taken Him by surprise yet, and He knows what He’s doing. He’s still working on your behalf.

Whimsy. For the Win.

Hey, it's me. I love Dr. Pepper and donuts. I have a collection of scented markers and flair pens. And I love to drink sparkling water out of a Smurf glass. Sometimes, I watch cartoons, and I love to play games. I have three suitable-for-adults tulle skirts that I refer to as tutus. Oh! And I love to wear a good, kitschy graphic tee (my current fave features Snoopy). Never mind the Mario Kart Happy Meal toys I have piling up in my office.

I tend to be nostalgic, for sure. I love things that instantly conjure up all the warm, cozy feels. You know, things that remind me of where I came from and who I am. It's why you can often find me wandering through the Peddler's Mall with a warm cup of coffee in my hand, looking at all the things. One of my favorite life rules: "Everybody needs a little whimsy in their life." I believe it. To. my. core.

Maybe you're thinking it's all too absurd. I'm an adult, after all. I get it, I do. I have a serious side, too. Once upon a time, I might have been too serious, uptight even. I can also be very practical. I'm quiet, introverted, and introspective, with very big feelings. E X T R A. I know. Yet, somewhere along the way, I learned that a little whimsy in my life helps more than it hurts. I figured out that all these things can be true at the same time.

That's right, I said W H I M S Y! We don't use that word much anymore. But I love it! It means "playful, lightly fanciful, and/or quaint in an appealing way."

Here's the thing: it's okay to play—even as grown-ups. Not only is it okay, but it's necessary! The benefits are numerous and include improved mental health, emotional stability, lower stress, emotional healing, a positive mindset, boosted creativity, improved relationships, better brain function, and better physical health.

Appropriate expressions of playfulness at appropriate times are healthy. I used to get all tangled up here believing playfulness = immaturity. A well-meaning leader once advised me that playfulness undermines influence, authority, and credibility. I bought into that idea for a long time until I realized it reinforced a fear of man and overemphasized outward appearance. It is possible to take ourselves too seriously because, pride. I'm not advocating for the right to be a goofball! I'm saying this: making room for whimsy in our lives isn't absurd -- it's brave. It's not about abandoning wisdom and turning your nose up at the notion of maturity and responsibility. It's about confidence enough to hold both things in a healthy tension. It means you can intentionally seek out and embrace tiny pockets of joy. You can live without fear of judgment. You can dare to dream and imagine. You can grab hold of genuine curiosity. Life can be challenging, but it can also be wildly beautiful and full of wonder. How I choose to see makes a considerable difference. I want to see the world with wide-eyed wonder.

What's more, I don't have to carry on as if the weight of the world rests on my shoulders. God has the whole wide world in His strong and capable hands. It's not my job to control anything.

So, if you need me, I'll be over here sipping Dr. Pepper out of my fave Smurf glass, choosing wonder over worry, fully believing that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is give ourselves permission to play. Won't you join me?

Eyes Up. Ears Open.

Sunflowers are so cool. While a sunflower is actively growing, it literally reaches for the sun as it tracks the light across the sky from sunrise to sundown. Heliotropism is the fancy Scientific word to describe the behavior. I think we could learn a thing or two from these beautiful flowers. I mean, do you ever feel like you’re not “tracking” in one way or another? Yeah, me too. Just this week actually.

I woke up yesterday with a song in my mind. One phrase on repeat, again and again and again. Confession: I am not excited when this happens! It actually drives me a little bananas.

“Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me. Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me…”

I headed out for my morning walk planning to listen to another song and reset my brain. I fumbled with my phone in my gloved up hands, all the while this one phrase from this one song was rolling around in my mind. But, I was determined and a tiny bit frustrated. Until something stopped me dead in my tracks. “Are you listening? Pay attention. Walk with Me.”

It wasn’t an audible voice, but I’ve learned to recognize this kind of interruption — a gentle (or sometimes not-so-gentle) nudge in my spirit. So, I walked and talked to God — about all kinds of things. And I listened.

I prayed about finances and a job opportunity. “…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed about family matters. “…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed about ministry. “…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed about friendships and deep community. “…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed about a broken down car — again. “Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed through some discouragement. “…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

I prayed about the grief and heartache lingering after walking away from one season while feeling completely uncertain about what’s next.

“…Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.”

“Are you listening? Pay attention.”

Here’s the thing: God is really, really good at being God.  And He always does what’s good and best. During my walk, after every single request, that one phrase from the one song rang out in my head as a clear reminder that He’s got every detail well in-hand. And before the end of that day, God made that truth evident to me in multiple ways. I’m grateful He stopped me in my tracks that morning, otherwise, I might have missed it. For the last few days, I hadn’t been paying attention. I wasn’t tracking with Him. And, He knew it. But, in His kindness, He reminded me that He hems me in, before and behind and His goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Good days, bad days, and every day in-between. Because, Jesus.

And if it’s true for me, it’s true for you, too. Don’t forget to remember. Eyes up. Ears open. Pay. Attention.