5 Books for January 2026

5 Books...

📚 Book club read: ICYMI, I just launched my 2026 Book Club, and I want you to join! Our first book is the book that was so influential for me that I literally titled my debut book after it: The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. I’m re-reading it now for the first time in 8 years and it’s still SO good. I cannot wait to discuss and read all year around these themes. You can join any time this year by clicking here and signing up.

📚 In the middle of reading: Outlawed by Anna North || This is my IRL book club book for this month. I’ve had it on my TBR for a while so I’m excited to finally dig into it! A feminist Western? Tell me more...

📚 Oldie but goodie: Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker || I read this in 2019 and it really helped me choose a dry 2020, and then again in 2024. I still drink now, but definitely way more mindfully than prior to 2020. I’m grateful! My 11 year old recently picked up QLAW when he saw it on my desk (I quote it in my FDD manuscript) and found all of the science about drinking in the early part of the book interesting.

📚 Seasonal read: Since it is January afterall, maybe you’re thinking about fresh goals. The book that had the biggest impact on how I see my time is Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. Seriously! Reading it is what got my butt into gear to start writing a book in 2021. And here I am 5 years later, about to be published!

📚 Timely recommendation: We are in year A of the lectionary again, and I’m so happy because I already had a copy of A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church Year A by Wil Gafney on my shelf. If you don’t yet, I highly recommend it both for church leaders and regular degular Christians! Dr. Gafney shares some of her own translation of the Scriptures, using gender-inclusive and female pronouns/names for God.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these? I'd love to hear back from you; just hit reply!