Thoughtful Thursday // An Impactful Book

A question about books?! My favorite! But also one of the hardest things you could ask me, because I read a LOT! And I have a long list of books I recommend. So narrowing it down can be hard, which is why I tend to go with the first thing that comes to mind when I am answering questions like this one.

"What is an impactful book you've read? Why?"

I've read so many books that have touched my heart and helped me process something in my life. But when it comes to books that stick in my mind as having changed how I look at something, two stand out right away.

"A Rumored Fortune" by Joanna Davidson Politano helped me see pruning in a whole new way. The book is about a girl who's father was a vintner. She grew up hearing him talk about his work but it wasn't until she was an adult that the lessons started to make sense. Each chapter starts with a quote or piece of wisdom about tending grapevines. It transformed how I read John 15 and think about God's working in my life.

"Bonhoeffer" by Eric Metaxas helped me see a man struggling with what to do in the face of evil. What is required of a Christian? And it showed me how devout Christians can be led to do different things in hard times. What God calls one to do another can't square away with his conscience. That was super helpful for me to learn. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of my "heroes" and, even though this book is massive, I re-read it every now and again to learn more and remember that God constantly is growing and changing people.

Both of these books are on my "will read over and over again"list. (Some people only read a book once; I am not one of them :) I'm sure I could delve into my lists and find a lot of other books that have impacted me but I'll leave it at this.

What book or books have made an impact in your life?