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Amanda | Christian Bookstagram

@aebooksandwords

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📚 Christian book reviews & tips for readers.
📚 Collecting spiritual formation books faster than I read them.

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If you’re new here, my name is Amanda. 👋

Other than always being buried in books I need to read, I am first and foremost a follower of Christ. My husband is @espressoevans (he doesn’t go on social media much FYI) and he is a coffee lover, barista, and gamer who lovingly puts up with my love for books. 😂

I’m typically a lot more introverted than this photo might seem to let on (an INFJ for those who want to know). This photo was part of a fun but rare photoshoot my sister did with me while she was visiting us in the NC mountains.

👩‍💻 Writing

I write at my blog of almost 20 years, MusicalTheologian.com, and also on my Substack, Faint Yet Faithful.

📚 Some of my fave books (updated in 2026)

• “Spirit-Filled Singing” by Ryanne Molinari
• “Surprised by Oxford” by Carolyn Weber
• “Feasting on Hope” by Hannah Miller King
• “This Homeward Ache” by Amy Baik Lee
• “Once Upon a Wardrobe” by Patti Callahan Henry
• “Liturgy of the Ordinary” by Tish Harrison Warren
• “Fruitful Theology” by Ronni Kurtz
• “Prayer” by Timothy Keller

👩‍💼 My job/vocation

I am a minister of music and communications assistant in a local Anglican church (ACNA) and also worked as a flute and whistle maker for 20 years. As of June 2025, I’ve started an Etsy shop and freelance writing and website work as @worshipfulworkflow. In the past, I’ve worked briefly as a librarian in college and public libraries. ☺️

💬 Anything else?

Is there anything you’re curious about me or want to share about yourself? Or maybe you’re just enjoying a laugh at these fun photos! Whatever it is, share a comment below. ⤵️

🏷: #booklovingbelievers #christianbookstagram #christianbookstagrammer #christiannonfiction #christianreaders A funny self portrait with books all around and on top of me. by @aebooksandwords

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4 years ago

My Favorite Christian Books & Poetry

These are a handful of favorite Christian nonfiction and fiction books, as well as poets I often return to and recommend.

These are the kinds of books that continue to shape how I approach the Christian life. They don’t all come from the same tradition, but they point to the same goal: loving God and living faithfully before Him.

Timeless Christian Reads

• Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
• Why I Am a Christian by John Stott
• The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
• On the Incarnation by Athanasius of Alexandria
• Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer
• Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Life in Christ

• The Lord of Psalm 23 by David Gibson
• Living Life Backwards by David Gibson
• Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin
• The Good & Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith
• Blessed Are the Unsatisfied by Amy Simpson
• This Homeward Ache by Amy Baik Lee
• The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
• Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Prayer & Communion with God

• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
• Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
• Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Spiritual Formation & Discipleship

• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney
• The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
• The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
• Fruitful Theology by Ronni Kurtz

Christian Fiction for Reflection

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
• Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry
• Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown

Christian Poets & Poetry

• George Herbert
• Christina Rossetti
• John Donne
• Gerald Manley Hopkins
• Luci Shaw
• Anne Porter
• Wendell Berry
• Malcolm Guite

Above All
• The Bible

What are some of your favorite books and authors? by @aebooksandwords

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6 months ago

I read pretty widely compared to some, particularly with topics that are nonessentials (those that have more than one side of plausibility that is able to be quite well supported via Scripture, such as the Wesleyan/Arminian view vs Calvinism).

I think we can glean from the works of others even when we don’t wholeheartedly agree, or even when we don’t fully know how we view a particular topic yet.

That said, this doesn’t mean we blindly believe, support, or promote everything an author writes, says, stands for, or other people they endorse.

In all honesty, I don’t think it is possible to know every detail to such an extent. We will always likely find something we’ve missed (& how much truer this is for an unfamiliar author or someone we get an ARC from only to realize the book contains things we’re not okay with in some way.)

Sometimes I also read books for wisdom or ideas they could contain though I know I won’t fully agree theologically or otherwise (e.g. “Atomic Habits” or a Roman Catholic book like Augustine’s “Confessions” or Teresa of Avila). I do this with my ready to search out biblical truth in comparison when necessary.

In that, this post is a sort of disclaimer to express that just because I read a book or author (or you see it on my shelf or desktop), doesn’t equal an endorsement of every single thing in a book or that an author writes, says, or believes.

We must remember to know God’s Word, to read carefully, & to know that we can still be in loving unity even when we disagree on the nonessentials.* We must know when to simply agree to disagree vs to mark & avoid.

(*This requires understanding essentials vs nonessentials in our Christian faith, which helps us not break fellowship or dismiss one another/groups of believers when we shouldn’t. Still, we ought never be dismissive regarding actual heresy & false teaching either.) by @aebooksandwords

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3 years ago

Anyone interested in saving on books? I am ready to see these books go to new homes! 😅 B/c of that, orders of $15+ are 25% off through 9/30.

Find the link in my bio or stories. Facebook followers, tap here: https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/aebooksandwords

#christianbooks #christianbookstagram #christianreads #christianfiction #christiannonfiction by @aebooksandwords

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20 days ago

Simply enjoying something without a strange, underlying guilt attached is difficult for me. Yet God desires a different perspective for His sons and daughters. But that said,

“We don’t intuitively track with him. We have to learn new ways of thinking.”

The struggle I shared above is precisely why I was drawn to the book “Eat, Drink & Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Enjoyment” by Ray Ortlund, who is a pastor, an ESV Study Bible contributor, and a canon theologian with the Anglican Church in North America.

Drawing the reader into an exposition of Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, we learn that our apprenticeship to Jesus is also a journey to delight in God’s goodness in us and throughout all His creation. The gospel is no bland or stolid call, but one of "bold enjoyment."

God’s wisdom, he points out, is both serious and joyous—not just one or the other: “enjoying the enjoyable is part of Christian virtue. . . Do not downplay rejoicing.”

Though I appreciated this book, I wasn’t a fan of the writing style. I feel like the book missed the opportunity for a much deeper dive on this subject. Nonetheless, this would be a helpful book for young adults and those soon to reach that stage.

Highlights:

“What if the measure of your okay-ness, moment by moment, is where your life is coming from—namely, from God’s grace?”

“God is the great giver of everything truly desirable.”

“The Old Testament keeps showing us Jesus from different angles of vision.”

“The further you go with [Jesus], the more alive you will feel.”

“This word [rejoicing] is inviting us in. It’s opening a door to a new, tender responsiveness to God, moment by moment.”

“All of history’s evils, piled up together into one huge, stinking heap, amount to the tiniest speck, when compared with the everlasting vastness of the nuclear-powered goodness of God.”

“Nothing kills our morale and saps our energy like sin. Sin breeds shame, shame kills hope, and then we really spiral down.”

“The risen Christ above is not tired, and he’s not tired of you.”

Thanks to @crosswaybooks for gifting me a copy of this book.

#christianbooks #christiannonfiction #christianbookstagram by @aebooksandwords

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21 days ago

The Best Books I've Read in the Last 5 Years

Booksta friends, it was so difficult to pick ONE book for most of these. So do you know what I did? I created more categories than I originally planned. 🤣

But *all* of these books are excellent reads that I love & recommend so that’s cool with y’all …yes?

➡️ Tell me in the comments: What’s a book that belongs in a best titles category from your reads?

Best Surprise Find:

The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are & How We Relate by @sarah_westfall

Best in Christian Living:

Dangerous Virtues: How to Follow Jesus When Evil Masquerades as Good by @johnkoessler

Best in Spiritual Formation:

Holiness Here: Searching for God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life by @karen.stiller

Best in Cultivating Habits:

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by @justinwhitmelearley

Best Book on Prayer:

Prayer: Experiencing Awe & Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller

Best in Apologetics:

The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel

Best in Biblical Application:

Paul for the World: A Grounded Vision for Finding Meaning in This Life―Not Just the Next by @nijay.gupta

Best Advanced Reader Copy:

Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us About Who We Are, Where We’re Going, & the Joy of Following Jesus by @ornitheology_blog

Best Fiction:

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry

Best for Those Serving Their Church:

Spirit-Filled Singing: Bearing Fruit as We Worship Together by @ryanne_molinari

Best for Those in Ministry Leadership:

Confessions of an Amateur Saint: The Christian Leader’s Journey from Self-Sufficiency to Reliance on God by @mandysmithhopes

Best in Living a Life Attentive to God:

Liturgy of the Ordinary by @tishharrisonwarren

Best in Memoir:

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

Best about Reading:

Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice by @drjessicahootenwilson

Best for Our Digital Era:

Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age

Best in Creativity & the Arts:

Discovering God Through the Arts by Terry Glaspey

Best Poetry Book:

Parable & Paradox by Malcolm Guite by @aebooksandwords

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a month ago

It’s was cool to learn how to create my own printable Kindle case inserts AND to share them with you in my Etsy shop. I’ve enjoyed this purple collage aesthetic insert on my own Kindle, but it will soon be time to switch to something with all the beauty of fall. Swipe through to help me choose which one!

#kindleinsert #kindledecor #kindlelovers #inmykindleera #kindlegirl by @aebooksandwords

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a month ago

I’m so excited to dive back into this excellent book by @ryanne_molinari from @crosswaybooks. And even better, this time it will be with other music folks as we read a chapter weekly and then discuss it together online! This was my all-time favorite read of last year, and one I can see myself returning to yearly as both a music ministry leader and worshipper. It is truly the most spiritually formational read I’ve found combining my two loves as a believer.

Do you want to join in reading it with us? Do you want to bear more fruit of the Spirit in your character, life and ministry? It’s not too late to join in! Go visit @ryanne_molinari’s feed for the details!

#christiannonfiction #musicministry #spiritualformation #worshipleaders #christianbookclub by @aebooksandwords

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a month ago

Have you seen the new planner coming out for 2027 from @david.c.cook publishing?

The 2027 Jesus-Centered Planner provides a Christ-focused way to plan and stay organized while also engaging in a daily Gospels reading plan, weekly reflections, and monthly Scripture memory verses.

The planner also includes prayer journaling prompts, gratitude prompts, and weekly challenges that inspire you to walk out your faith daily.

I’m excited to try out this planner when the next year starts (although this year could slow down a little first!)

Swipe through the slides to see a few glimpses at the pages inside this planner.

Thank you to @david.c.cook for gifting me a copy of this planner to review. by @aebooksandwords

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a month ago

Can you believer the ‘ber months have already begun? I’m looking forward to the coming cooler weather, the beauty of the changing leaves here in the mountains, and a handful of new reads! Swipe through or read below for my current reads, upcoming titles I hope to review here, and other books I plan to read in September and October.

💬 Let me know what you hope to read soon in the comments or a release you’re looking forward too for Fall!

*Current Reads*
• The Atlas of Untold Stories by @sara_brunsvold — a rare Christian Fiction read!
• The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carroll Campbell — still working through this one as it keeps getting “back burnered” by other reads.

*Devotional Reads*
• The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer — really enjoying this one!
• Parable & Paradox / Sounding the Seasons by @malcolmguiteofficial — poetry books based on Scripture, holy days, etc. that I’m working through depending on the day and liturgical year.
• Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton — this is a re-read for me that our church staff are going through.

*Review Hopefuls*
• Vulnerable God by @kentanner
• Eat, Drink, & Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Enjoyment by Ray Ortlund
• The Table at the End of the World: Christ’s Regard for Those in Despair by John Andrew Bryant
• Finally Home: The Christian Home of Heaven by Dane Ortlund

*Personal Hopefuls*
• You Are a Tree by @joynessthebrave
• The Art of Living in Season by Sylvie Vanhoozer
• The Understory by Lore Wilbert
• Opening to God: Lectio Divina^ & Life as Prayer by David Benner (^fyi: if you’ve heard bad rap about it, you probably weren’t rightly explained about what it truly is.)

• Knowing and Being Known by @erinfmoniz
• Be Still My Soul — various writers sharing on the problem of pain and the Christian life.
• Blessed Are the Neurodivergent by @sophiekillingley — looking forward to this new release after discovering I am autistic.
• God Loves the Autistic Mind by Matthew P Schneider — a book on prayer for those on the spectrum and those who love them.

#christianbooks #christiannonfiction #christianbookstagram #christianreads #christianfiction by @aebooksandwords

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2 months ago

“At every turn, let my only desire and choice be whatever orients my life toward God's love and flourishes the life of the world.” (@spiritualwayfinding)

Roll a pebble in your fingers.
Pace among the shelter of trees.
Observe the striking vividness of flowers.
Walk in the glow of sunrise.
And here, notice God’s work in and around you.

In “Spiritual Wayfinding: 33 Walking Meditations for Navigating Life with Embodied Wisdom,” Deborah Gregory combines the practice of prayer and Scripture reflection with walking, nature, and creativity.

This book walks readers through a much needed change of scenery—literally—as we spend time with God free of self-imposed constraints and expectations.

This unique devotional would be a wonderful guide for believers who are reflective thinkers as well as for those who like to move or be active and want to bring this into their life with God in intentional ways. Readers are led through Scriptural reflections while engaging all the senses as they pray, walk, and experience the awe of God’s creation and His handiwork in their journey with Him.

I appreciated this book’s invitation to connect with God beyond the usual, drawing us outside to experience awe and enjoy our connection with Him. I could see it helping pull many out of the ruts of challenging, mundane days as we engage all our senses.

If you’re looking for a way to grow your relationship with God in a more active way beyond one moment of your day, this book is worth picking up.

Highlights:

“Perhaps walking with God is not meant to be a metaphor but rather an embodied experience intended to draw me closer to God.”

“Walking humbly with God involves a continuous rhythm of God’s loving action followed by my loving response as I learn to match my steps with God’s.”

“Hope begins with the feet—grounded in a prickly awareness that we straddle earth and heaven. Hope does not passively wait for future restoration. Instead, hope actively seeks the greater good and the glory of God in each step bound to the groaning earth.”

Thank you to author for gifting me a copy.

Swipe ➡️ to enjoy photos from my own walks.

#christiannonfiction #christianbookstagram #devotionals @ivpress by @aebooksandwords

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2 months ago

I’ve been able to list some more books in my Pango Book shop again lately. Swipe through to see what’s currently hanging out in my shop awaiting their next reader! I also currently have a sale happening so don’t miss it. Link in my bio!

#christiannonfiction #christianbookstagram #christianreads #theologybooks #christianfiction by @aebooksandwords

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2 months ago