First of all, what a catchy title, huh? Oh, fall, how I love thee. This time, my book reviews include a couple devotionals. If you don't spend some time each day in God's word, reading Scripture directly or being guided by a faith-filled daily devotional, I can't recommend this discipline highly enough. ALSO, I've got a copy of the first book to give away. Author Sarah Philpott is an online friend of mine, and her publisher was kind enough to give fellow bloggers a copy of this book to keep, and copies to give away. I had one friend of mine shyly inquire about how she could get her own copy, and I knew right away, God had given me a copy to gift to her. I pray it ministers to her soul. 

Enter to win a copy of Loved Baby by commenting on this post below or on any of the Facebook posts promoting this article. Give me the first name of a friend you know who has said goodbye to a precious baby. I'll lift each name up in prayer as well. 

Devotional

Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve & Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss (by Sarah Philpott) 

I thought it might be fun for you to see a photo of the book signing Sarah did last night at her local Barnes & Noble. Yes, the book just released this week! First, it's beautiful! Each day tells a story and offers Bible verses, asks questions to do some soul work and closes in prayer. 

You Are The Beloved: Daily Meditations For Spiritual Living (by Henri Nouwen) 

Confession. There are some Christian authors who are terrific thinkers and I know I'd benefit from every word they've ever written. However, if I try to read a lot of their words at once, it goes over my head and I feel like I'm only a semi-capable swimmer in the deep end of a swimming pool. Take Henri Nouwen for example. I was so excited to come across this collection of devotionals from him. I can read a paragraph or two and meditate for some time on the deep well of truth. So good.

Non-Fiction

Church Of The Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up A Life (by Melanie Shankle) 

This is Melanie's fourth book, and she's one of those authors I read every time she comes out with a new one. Church of the Small Things felt particularly timely. We live in a chaotic world where we hurt one another with our Facebook responses, with our tweets, even Lord-have-mercy with mass shootings. This book reminds us there's still a world of good we can do. I loved her reflections on her growing up experiences, but also her thoughts on parenting and marriage and community. It comes out today; read it.

Keeping Place: Reflections on The Meaning Of Home (by Jen Pollock Michel) 

Part Bible study, part theology teaching, part story. I don't know how to categorize this book. It's not to be read quickly. For the author, home was a place, but also a way of finding your place in this world, knowing it's not your eternal home. The storytelling was my favorite part, and I would have liked a little more of it.

She Is Yours: Trusting God As You Raise The Girl He Gave You (by Wynter Pitts & Jonathan Pitts) 

I knew this book would give me material to apply right now, today, as we're in the midst of raising a 9-year old little girl. It provided! I learned some conversation starters and ways to encourage our daughter to be who God made her to be. My favorite parts were the prayers at the end of each chapter. They ended with these words every time: Lord, she is Yours and I trust You with her.

Unseen: The Gift Of Being Hidden In A World That Loves To Be Noticed (by Sara Hagerty) 

The title ministered to me on this one guys! Geez. I'd read Sara's first book, and in some ways it continued her storytelling about infertility and International adoption, but this one honed in on the times in our lives when we're asked to quietly serve God. Times where it's not about getting attention or even recognition. What Sara learned, and went on to share with her readers, is how amazing it is to discover God in these times. When we let ourselves be hidden away, God meets us. Every time. What a valuable lesson to learn!

Historical Fiction

The Witchfinder's Sister (by Beth Underdown) 

I seem to be coming across a lot of debut novels lately. I hope I also come across the author's next books, because I've been blown away. This one has everything a reader wants in historical fiction. You learn about the place and the everyday life of living in those times. Meet Alice Hopkins, a sister to Matthew. After her husband dies, she has no choice but to leave London and return to the Essex region. There, she has to deal with a lot of unsettled business, including a brother who now heads up a group of men who go on witch hunts. 

After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by "Fiddler On The Roof" (by Alexandra Silber) 

Such a good story of love fought for, and held on to, and let go of in order to survive. This book follows Tevya's second child, Hodel, to Russia. Several times I thought, OH, I hope this isn't what happened to beloved Hodel! A life of imprisonment, separation from her beloved, and a whole lot more, interspersed with a look back at the story we know from Fiddler on the Roof. It was good, but hopefully parts of it were in fact, fiction.

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Now, don't forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of "Loved Baby!" Comment below or on Facebook.

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 I received a copy of "You Are The Beloved," "Keeping Place," "The Witchfinder's Sister," and "After Anatevka" from NetGalley for the purpose of generating a review. I received a copy of "Loved Baby," "Church of the Small Things," "She Is Yours," and "Unseen" for being on launch teams to help promote these books. The opinions expressed here are my own.