16 New Nonfiction Books You Don't Want to Miss This Fall

Just go ahead and get ready to make that TBR list a liiiiiiiittle longer 📚📝

Remember that time I said “This is my shortest seasonal book round-up in 8 years of preparing these… but I’m pre-asking you to remember this in the Fall when I send eleventy-billion your way.” Remember how I said the Fall list already had 37 titles bookmarked for consideration?

Mmmhm. So I’m here to say I’m sorry but also you’re welcome, because look at all the thoughtful and good words. (!!!)

The number of titles continued to grow over the summer, but for the sake of how long this is with book descriptions + covers, I’ve limited myself to 16. (SELF-CONTROL.) There are (obviously) a bunch of great books coming soon that aren’t listed below, but hopefully you’ll find one or two that you didn’t know about and that fit the season you’re in/interest you for further learning or discussion. Most of the time, y’all ask me for Christian nonfiction recs—so that’s mostly what you’ll find below. BUT, I have several other titles + memoirs + fiction recs for this fall. I’ll sprinkle those in upcoming Thursday Things emails + the private All The Things IG Stories!

I’ve read an early copy of many titles below, but those still on my To Be Read list come highly recommended from trusted friends or they’re written by authors I’ve read and loved before.

These are listed in order of release date. Due to the word count and number of images, the post may only partially show in your inbox, cutting off a few books. Look for “view entire message” at the top and click for the full post!

P.s. I edited the blurbs down from what’s listed on Bookshop, but you can click on any book title to read the full description.

The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance :: Jemar Tisby

The Spirit of Justice reveals the stories of the people who fought against racism and agitated for justice—and what we can learn from their example, their suffering, their methods, and their hope. For those who were galvanized by award-winning author Jemar Tisby’s call to action in his acclaimed The Color of Compromise, this book will inspire you to see past the complicity of the church and gain the determination to join the fight for racial justice, no matter the cost. As Tisby writes, “The Spirit of justice is always at work to inspire followers of Christ to undertake acts of liberation and bear witness to the good news of their savior.”

A Fine Sight to See: Leading Because You Were Made for It :: Sophie Hudson

With relatable stories and disarming grace, popular podcaster and author Sophie Hudson cuts through the confusing, differing stances on Christian women in leadership and offers a resource that empowers women to embrace their roles as leaders. Drawing from the book of Exodus, and using her trademark humor, Sophie skillfully helps you identify the leadership traits you already possess, serve with boldness inside and outside the church, and lead faithfully and consistently. This is your invitation to embrace leadership with confidence and to find joy in understanding how God sees you.

Chasing Sacred: Learn How to Study Scripture to Pursue God and Find Hope in Him :: Mikella Van Dyke

In Chasing Sacred, Bible teacher Mikella Van Dyke breaks down the misconceptions and reservations so many of us have about what it means to study the Bible. She’ll help you: learn a practical, step-by-step method to understanding God’s Word, gain a fresh perspective on what it means to study the Bible for a new generation, engage in a healthy habit of Bible study that encourages confidence and eliminates shame, and feel equipped to lead a small group or ministry in your community. As you chase the sacred narrative woven through the pages of Scripture, let Mikella guide you to a deeper understanding of God’s Word and the who at the end of the journey: a Savior full of wisdom, depth, truth, and love.

Pilgrim Prayers: Devotional Poems That Awaken Your Heart to the Goodness, Greatness, and Glory of God :: Tim Challies

This curated collection of 50 poems will offer you new language to express both joy and sorrow, praise and lament in any season of life. This collection is designed for daily devotions and mediations and can be used for addressing specific topics in church gatherings or on special occasions. Each entry has an introduction reflecting on the prayer by Challies, helpful explanations of any difficult phrases or words, related Scriptures for study, and a question for application and reflection.

The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World :: Hannah Brencher

In 2021, Hannah Brencher found herself depleted and exhausted—and she knew the culprit was her constantly plugged-in lifestyle. Like so many of us, Hannah had been turning to her phone to cope with life in a time of isolation and uncertainty. That’s when the nudge happened. Turn off your phone and keep turning off your phone. Now in The Unplugged Hours, Hannah demonstrates how the act of powering down changed her entire life. A powerful weaving of memoir, cultural commentary, and spiritual insights, this life-changing book helps you swap the hurried and constant pace of technology for a steadier and more rooted way of living, establish your own unplugged rituals and rhythms in daily life, and uncover the magic within the ordinary awaiting you just beyond the screen.

A Bit Much: Poems :: Lyndsay Rush

At long last, a book of poetry for people who didn’t even know they liked poetry. And they’re in good company: author Lyndsay Rush didn’t know she liked it either. That is, until she embarked on an internet experiment under the Instagram username @MaryOliversDrunkCousin that turned into a body of work that struck a chord with women across the country; thanks to her signature wordplay, witticisms, and―against all odds―wisdom. With titles like “Someone to Eat Chips With” and “Breaking News: Local Woman Gets Out of Bed”, Rush’s debut collection of poetry uses humor to grapple with the female experience and each piece delivers gut-punching truths alongside gratifying punchlines. Readers walk away from Lyndsay’s work feeling seen, celebrated, and wholly convinced that joy is an urgent, worthwhile pursuit.

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The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement :: Sharon McMahon

In The Small and the Mighty, America’s favorite government teacher Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history’s unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time. This is a book about what really made America – and Americans – great. McMahon’s cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free.

The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius :: Kendra Adachi

Most time-management books leave you feeling inadequate, focusing on greatness and optimization. But what if you want to simply live your life without chasing productivity at every turn? Is there a way to manage your time without being at its mercy? Absolutely, and The PLAN will show you how. Using the memorable acronym PLAN, you will learn to prepare, live, adjust, and notice like a Lazy Genius, all through the lens of what matters to you in your current season. You’ll experience freedom from the crushing pressure of greatness, potential, and hustle, and live wholeheartedly today. Refreshingly compassionate and immediately practical, The PLAN is what you’ve been waiting for.

I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t: Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment :: Lysa TerKeurst

Trust is the oxygen of all human relationships. But it’s also what trips you up after you’ve been burned. Maybe a friend constantly lets you down. A leader or organization you respect turns out to be different than they portray themselves to be. A spouse cheats on you. A family member betrays you. And you’re wondering, If God let this happen, can he even be trusted? In a world where so many things feel alarming, I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t will give you a peace that isn’t dependent on unpredictable people, circumstances, and experiences. Instead, it offers practical and biblical ways to make real progress toward healthier perspectives, relationships, and a future you can authentically look forward to.

Your Jesus Is Too American: Calling the Church to Reclaim Kingdom Values over the American Dream :: Steve Bezner

The American church faces a discipleship crisis. Instead of following the values of Jesus, many Christians are chasing after what our culture prizes: power, money, and political influence. In Your Jesus Is Too American, Baptist pastor Steve Bezner invites Christians to rediscover what Jesus treasured and incorporate those kingdom values into the church’s witness. With a pastoral voice, Bezner shares the lessons he has been teaching in his church community for 11 years—humble service rather than worldly success, healing relationships across religious and ethnic divides, repairing harm against marginalized groups, giving generously, and providing a political witness rooted in the local church. Bezner shows that Jesus’s vision of discipleship points toward a different way of being in the world.

The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today :: Jennifer Powell McNutt

Mary Magdalene’s life was transformed when she was healed by Christ and joined his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem. The Gospels teach that she was also a witness at the cross and the first one sent by Christ to preach his resurrection. Yet her story is often confused, scandalized, and undervalued by the church. In The Mary We Forgot, award-winning church historian and theologian Jennifer Powell McNutt unpacks Scripture and history to reveal the real Mary Magdalene: the first apostle of the good news and a model of discipleship for both men and women today. Readers will be encouraged by the reminder that God calls ordinary, imperfect, and unexpected people to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The hope of remembering Mary Magdalene is ultimately to better know the one to whom she pointed, the risen Christ.

Even After Everything: The Spiritual Practice of Knowing the Risks and Loving Anyway :: Stephanie Duncan Smith

Exquisitely told and urgently resonant, this is a love letter to anyone who has opened their heart only to be hurt. In Even After Everything, Stephanie Duncan Smith traverses the church’s circle of time and reorients herself and us in the sacred story told through Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, and Ordinary Time. She reveals the sacred year—through its endless interplay of love, loss, risk, and resurrection—as a mirror to the human experience and an anchor for turbulent times. At its heart lives the promise of God-with-us, inviting us into the spiritual practice of taking courage in the trust that we are accompanied in everything, and love will always have the last word.

The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God :: Dallas Willard

Drawing from his extensive teachings on spiritual formation, Willard illuminates the timeless wisdom contained within each parable, revealing their profound relevance to contemporary life. With clarity and depth, he guides readers through the subversive messages embedded within these seemingly simple stories, urging us to break free from the grip of worldly values and embrace the radical teachings of Jesus. In The Scandal of the Kingdom, Willard reminds us that the kingdom is not some distant future destination but a present reality, beckoning us, as the parables of Jesus did, to live with a new purpose and intentionality in the here and now.

Invisible Jesus: A Book about Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ :: Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips

In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of Christians who are “deconstructing” their faith. While many have written on how to reverse this trend, Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips believe that rather than dismissing these concerns we need to listen more carefully. Deconstructors are uncovering serious weaknesses in today’s church—a renewed fundamentalism, toxic leadership, and legalistic thinking among them. Invisible Jesus is a prophetic call to examine ourselves and discern if the faith we practice and the church we belong to is really representative of the Jesus we follow. Each chapter looks at a different topic and offers biblical reflections that call for us to not only better listen, but to change how we live out our faith as followers of Jesus today.¹

Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention :: Sarah Clarkson

In a noisy world, the cultivation of quiet may feel like a luxury you do not have. But it is also vital to your spiritual life. When we spend our days distracted by social media, news, entertainment, and jam-packed schedules, we make it nearly impossible to experience the kind of thought life that allows us to grow into the people God created us to be. With practical strategies to add stillness, listening, and rest into your daily rhythms, Reclaiming Quiet is your invitation to discover the profound joy of resisting our cultural obsession with distraction and instead cultivating a life of holy attention. You’re more than a viewer, a user, or a consumer. It’s time to seek out some holy quiet.

Praying Through Loneliness: A 90-Day Devotional for Women :: compiled by Kristen Strong²

With the current crisis of loneliness and lack of friendships in today’s culture, this 90-day devotional offers both lived perspective and attainable promise for how to find community and friends. Praying Through Loneliness doesn’t skip over the sadness and hardship loneliness brings, offer trite advice, or give spiritual formulas to shortcut the slow work of friendship. Instead, it offers an empathetic and hopeful accompaniment in the dark night you are walking through. A compilation of stories from many women in all stages of life, each devotional includes Scripture, a vulnerable story where questions and regret are seen through the eyes of Jesus who is always walking beside you, a hopeful message, and prayer references for encouragement.

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What are you reading right now? What books are looking forward to this fall? My TBR list is ready and waiting for your recommendations!

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18 New Books You Don't Want to Miss This Spring

10 New Books You Don't Want to Miss This Summer

1. This, particularly, is such a tender topic—so I want to be sure I say: I have not read this title yet. The honest and helpful endorsements, and previous writings/posts like this from one of the co-authors, leads me to think it will not only be an important and timely book, but one written with thoughtful care. I plan to read it, but of course encourage you to take care in whether you pick it up or not, as it’s something near and dear and tender to many here, and to those they love.

2. Full disclosure: I’m one of the contributors. I’ll tell you more about this one closer to release day. ;) Paid subscribers, the piece you prayed me through writing last fall? And the sneak of a book, earlier this spring? It’s nearly here! All the big feelings I shared with you before—yeah, those still stand and still rise up on a literal weekly basis when I think about this being in print. But, here we go. The why that we talked about—it was worth it

Note: Bookshop affiliate links are used in this post.