Yep, I totally had breakfast with Lisa Leonard and Lindsey (Pleated Poppy)!

Ever since she spotted a picture of me with Nester on The Nesting Place, my cousin’s sister-in-law has believed that I am some famous blogger who knows every other famous blogger.

I’m reluctant to tell her that I, in fact, am not a famous blogger. Maybe because I like to pretend, sitting on my scratched leather couch in my tiny house in my baggy jeans and slippers, that I am famous. Just maybe.

But the truth is, as you all well know, that I’m not famous at all. I do, however, have several famous friends. I’ve even met some of them in real life.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten to know the amazing women of (in)courage through outrageous e-mail threads, blog conferences and our too-short but simply incredible weekend at the beach. And I’m so excited to tell you about some of the projects they’ve been working on.

(In other words, I have famous friends who write great books – and you should totally check them out!)

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp: Drawing heartbreaking beauty out of the simplest of details, sweet, sensitive Ann invites you into her grace-bathed life of farming, parenting and writing – and deeper still into your own life. You will discover a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of becoming present to God that brings you deep and lasting joy.

You can buy it at Amazon or Dayspring. (And it’s the first book that (in)courage’s Bloom Book Club is reading!)

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider: Tsh’s book’s aim is to convince its readers that simple living is the absolute best way to live. Be it with house cleaning, family schedule management, personal finances, and managing the “stuff” you allow within your four walls, the only way to live well is to do so intentionally and simply. The first half of the book delves into the why behind realistic simple living, giving the reader a nail to then hang the how of living simply discussed in the second half. And by redefining the too often-used phrase “simple living,” a busy home manager living in the real world can then make practical changes that work for the whole family. There are chapters for cleaning and organizing the home room-by-room, and future project ideas will inspire readers to turn their house in a haven they love.

I can’t WAIT to get my copy of this one. You can buy it at Amazon.

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst: Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn’t a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the ‘I’ll start again Monday’ cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the ‘want to’ in making healthy lifestyle choices.

To be honest, I’m a little afraid to read this one. I have a feeling it will hit me hard. You can buy it on Amazon and Dayspring.

I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith: In 2008, Angie Smith and her husband Todd (lead singer of the group Selah) learned through ultrasound that their fourth daughter had conditions making her “incompatible with life.” Advised to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose instead to carry this child and allow room for a miracle. That miracle came the day they met Audrey Caroline and got the chance to love her for the precious two-and-a-half hours she lived on earth.

Upon receiving the original diagnosis, Angie started a blog (Bring the Rain) to keep family and friends informed of their journey. Soon, the site exploded in popularity, connecting with thousands who were either experiencing their own heartbreaking situations or simply curious about how God could carry someone through something so tragic. I Will Carry You tells the powerful story of a parent losing her child, interwoven with the biblical story of Lazarus to help those who mourn to still have hope—to find grace and peace in the sacred dance of grief and joy.

Angie’s story leaves me breathless. You can buy her book at Amazon or Dayspring.

Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times by Holley Gerth: Rain on Me is an interactive devotional created to help you not only survive but thrive in the storms of life. Delivering encouragement and hope, each of the 40 devotions include interactive elements such as reflection questions, space for journaling, further reading and prayers. Many devotionals focus primarily on the spiritual. However, Rain on Me provides a holistic approach that addresses the spiritual, emotional, relational and even physical aspects of journeying through life’s storms. With Holley Gerth’s combined background in counseling and her experience in the greeting card industry, this book offers a voice that is uniquely encouraging, warm and authentic.

Holley is the most encouraging person I know, and reading this book is like meeting her for Bible study every day. You can buy her book at Amazon and Dayspring.

From Head to Foot: All of You Living All for Him by Annie F. Downs: From Head to Foot is a devotional that reads like a memoir-deeply personal, touching and delightfully humorous. A true storyteller, Annie Downs takes readers on an eventful journey from the top of your head to the tip of your toes, and everywhere in between. Perhaps you are struggling with your body image. Maybe you desperately want to know why you are here and why God made you. Maybe you are simply looking to learn how to love God more fully. From Head to Foot will teach you that it’s time to change the way you view your body, and in turn the way you use it to serve God. It’s time to love both the Creator, and His creation (you). It’s time to offer your whole life, your whole body to the Lord-From Head to Foot.

I’m reading Annie’s book right now, and it’s awesome. The end. (P.S. You can buy it on Amazon.)

What are you reading right now? And, if you please, do YOU have any famous friends? ;)

Affiliate links were used in this post, and the descriptions of each book were adapted from Amazon. And I’m linking this post to Things I Love Thursday on Diaper Diaries. Because I LOVE these girls, their hearts and their words.