11 Books that Built *My* Book

A list of (almost) all my citations

Mother and child no. 2 by J. Alden Weir

It’s in! The first draft of the manuscript for my very first book book is in the loving hands of my editors! The book does not yet have a title and it is about motherhood in the modern age and how Christian women can faithfully engage the role and it will launch in April 2026.

The day I turned the book in, my husband asked if I felt relieved, and I told him “No. I feel shaky and a little manic.” The fatigue from writing this book for a whole year has set in. I’m glad to have a break from looking at it.

But I want to share something with you: a list of the books that have shaped my thinking about motherhood as a means of discipleship to Jesus, and thus, formed the writing of my own book. These are not necessarily books about motherhood, though some are. As a group, they’re about giving ourselves entirely, body and soul, to God.

So here they are. I know they’ll bless you. And, as a bonus, if you read all of these you won't have to buy mine in a year and a half! (But I really hope you will)

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All My Knotted Up Life by Beth Moore

Sister Beth hath blessed us! Regardless of your stance on her bible studies, you’ll be encouraged and challenged by her memoir. It is gorgeous in story and in form. I can’t recommend it enough.

You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith

This is one of my most-cited books of all time because it’s been one of the most formative books of my life. Smith is a philosopher, professor, and author whose work centers what it means to be human in the world that God has made. This book, in particular, analyzes habit as formation of love, and how Christians do well to pay close attention to their habits.

Renewal as a Way of Life by Richard Lovelace

As I was describing a chapter of a very recent Christian book written by a very well-known Christian teacher to my husband, he said “Isn’t that what Renewal as a Way of Life is about?” There truly is nothing new under the sun. This book discusses the necessity and inevitability of renewal as a by-product of souls returning to God as well as the forces that are at work to stop renewal, even before it has a chance to begin (the world, the flesh, and the devil).

Live No Lies by John Mark Comer

Well, I was trying to be coy, but I quoted this one, too. So, yes, this was the book my husband noticed was similar to Lovelace’s. A more contemporary take on what it means to resist the forces of death and darkness as God’s people living in the post-Christian West.

Disappearing Church by Mark Sayers

If you’re looking for a book on how cultural norms and narratives can impact the health of the Church at large, this is it. The central questions of the book are how the Church is to be distinct from the world, why she isn’t, and how to return her to the intended, ancient “salt and light” reality. Sayers is an astute cultural observer and also a genius.

Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic by Nadya Williams

Here’s our first explicitly mother-centric book. It is stunning. Williams chronicles how and why our current culture got to this point of disdaining children and, by extension, their mothers. She details the repercussions of our prevailing low view of human dignity and urges Christ followers to examine how these ways of thinking may have unintentionally permeated their own thinking. It is incredible. Actually, I cried for a full day reading it. Two reasons for the tears: 1) It is beautiful, truthful, whip-smart, and deeply encouraging. I needed to read it. And 2) It’s the book I wish I could have written. But I am not a classics scholar, nor a professor as author Nadya Williams is. Do yourself a favor and ask for this book for Christmas. You’ll be changed by it.

The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

This book is a classic, so I’m embarrassed to say that this was my first time reading it. As expected, it is a masterpiece. In it, Lewis expounds on the four basic forms of human love: storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romance), and agape (charity). I probably don’t have to expound much more here because you’re all well-read and have probably already read this book more than once. Please don’t judge me.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Another classic, but one that felt somehow more significant than many others to this project. Here’s why:

Motherhood is inherently costly. Deeply, profoundly costly. And if motherhood is an aspect of our discipleship to Jesus, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But it is surprising for so many of us, shocking, even for me, even now, after all these years and all this thinking. I think it’s because sacrifice, surrender of ones own preferences and priorities for the sake of another, is under cultural attack. One of the prevailing messages of the “childless by choice” community is that their life is inherently better because they don’t have to sacrifice as much as parents do. They are right in that they may not be forced to sacrifice in the same way, but they are wrong in their thinking that this makes their life “better". It makes it different, to be sure. But Christ says that his way is truth and life, and that in order to follow him toward the truly good life, we’ll have to sacrifice everything. Thus, parenthood is a path (a path, not the path) toward God’s vision of The Good Life.

Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle

Sherry Turkle is one of the loudest voices in the tech-wisdom conversation. She’s a sociology professor at MIT, where she researches tech and its impact on human development and connection. I reference her work in a chapter on community, specifically in the way that mothers are urged to trade in-person community for online connection in the early days of motherhood.

Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

This is another one of my required reading books for moms. It isn’t explicitly about motherhood, but it’s absolutely applicable. Warren is a mother of three and an anglican priest who writes about God’s involvement in the ordinary lives of his people. Liturgy of the Ordinary follows the course of a day and infuses awareness of the Divine, encouraging readers to view every moment as one rife with opportunity for communion with God and others.

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas

I’m on my fourth or fifth read of this collections of essays and poems for the Advent and Christmas season. As I go through this time, I’m finding all these jewels that have to be included in my writing on motherhood. I mean, come on, what season is more applicable to motherhood (the waiting, the anticipation, the lowliness, the mess, the glory, the unexpectedness, etc.) than Advent?! None! If you’re looking for something beautiful and simple for this season, it’s not too late to grab it.

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And that’s it! I also cite many more sermons and videos and podcasts that I’d be happy to share if you’re interested! Let me know in the comments if you are! And feel free to ask any questions you may have about my forthcoming book. I’m really eager to share it with you.