The Winter 2025 Book Review for People Who Love Jesus and Literature

Let's get cozy and review some books, shall we?

Writing with Jesus is a reader-supported publication where laughter is found, tears are shed, and faith is made steadfast. Writings on wrestling with God, motherhood, and some comedy to lighten the mood.

What to expect in this post:

• Reviews of books this winter including Hinds Feet on High Places, Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, and one other one to prove I’m a real Christian in case you had doubts.

• Daisy’s top book pick for Winter 2025: She’s only 12 months old, but she has strong opinions about these things. It’s a fun, sweet read for the whole family about God’s creation and His creativity. I’ve only read it to her over and over again every single day 117 times and counting, per her request, so consider me a victim an expert.

• Ryan’s top book pick for Winter 2025: When I asked Ryan who would enjoy reading this book, he looked at me quite seriously and said, “cool people…?”, and after giving it more thought, “Anyone who enjoys being entertained, challenged, learning more about how Jesus loves people, and wants to be brought for an emotional ride.” Thank you, Ryan. That’s much better.

So, let’s get started. Grab some tea, maybe coffee, the dog, not the cat (you know how they feel about their introverted time), a backscratcher even, I don’t know what you do to relax, whatever just get comfortable, and let’s review.

Hinds Feet on High Places by author and missionary, Hannah Hurnard

Rating: 4/5

If you’re looking for a fictional tale that honors the Lord, this one is for you. It’s whimsical, saturated with metaphor, and it might be a meeting place for the Lord to speak to you. Rich with the beauty of nature, this story takes you along an arduous journey of a young woman named Much Afraid as she is led by the loving Shepherd away from her Fearing family to the high places. Accompanied by two companions Sorrow and Suffering, Much Afraid’s story stands as a symbol for the Christian life from being a believer in bondage to a refined and sanctified servant and bride of the Most High.

Every night, with my trusty reading light, I read my husband a page (or two), and night after night was gripped by Hannah’s gorgeous story telling. Her style of writing brings you back in time to when it was written in 1955, and reminds you of the classic beauty of the King James version of scripture.

And as a bonus, this particular copy I read (featured in the picture above) also includes her personal journal entries that inspired the book written on her journey from England to Switzerland to Israel following the death of her father. (If you end up reading it, please let me know what you thought!)

Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Pastor Mark Vroegop

Rating: 4/5

This practical how-to guide for grief and lament is a must-read for the weary and wounded Christian, or anyone desiring to understand the ways in which heartbreak is processed and how to meet others where they’re at. After Mark and his wife lost their daughter, Sylvia, at the end of his wife’s pregnancy, and years of infertility and a chemical pregnancy followed, Mark’s journey of wrestling with the Lord became the blueprint for walking alongside others in lament.

Taking a dive through the Psalms and Book of Lamentations, Mark’s words serve as a place of validation and relatability, of direction and encouragement, of sweet conviction and discipleship. Each chapter ends with reflection questions, perfect to do with a spouse, a group of friends, or just alone with the Lord.

Every Wednesday morning, one of my best friends and I would cozy up together on these cold winter days and discuss the chapter we read that week. My friend’s copy was a gift from a family friend and member of our house church who lost her 23-year-old son while he was serving in the military. Filled with this mother’s notes and scribblings, and mine with all my messy underlining, together we discovered the patterns of lament, the permission to complain and cry out, and how to find hope on the other side of sorrow.

Crossway ESV Illuminated Scripture Journals

Rating: 5/5 because, duh, it’s the Bible.

Now, I couldn’t do a book review without including the Bible. What kind of Christian do you think I am?

Okay, but seriously, these pretty gilded scripture journals have changed the game for me.

Each page of scripture is accompanied by a blank page for notes and prayers. It’s the only way I’ve been reading the Bible since I first went through revival a few years ago.

As I’ve made my way through the Old Testament, I have praised God and questioned Him. Nevertheless, He is the same God I so fell in love with in the New Testament. The Word of God has kept me close to the Lord, no matter what I am reading. Feel free to read a post I wrote on this, I Didn't Want to Read the Old Testament but Jesus Told Me To: & I am changed, for more details.