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I am an avid reader and love to have my nose in a book. I have several authors that I like to stalk and whenever they come out with something new, I know it will be gold.
This fall season, almost ALL of my favorite authors have new books launching and I am SO EXCITED.
The following list of books is a good mix of encouragement for moms, inspiration, fun fiction, absolute hilarity, and a cookbook to boot (and if you read to the end, I have a special giveaway for you!!).
I hope somehow in between football games and homework and back to school dinner madness, you will find a pocket of time to escape into reading. I will be right there beside you and I will bring the hot apple cider!
Mom Set Free: Find Relief from the Pressure to Get It All Right by Jeannie Cunnion
My favorite author ever (besides God) Jeannie Cunnion has just released her second book for moms and the title alone has been ministering to my soul since I received my book in the mail a few weeks ago! Anyone else out there trying so hard to get it right and be the perfect mom and carry ALL THE PRESSURE to produce kids who aren’t criminals? Today you have hope, mama! Page 33 teaser, “When we find ourselves crumbling under the pressure to hold all things together, that’s a good indicator that we have forgotten the supremacy of Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created… and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17). God is the One holding it all together. Not us.” Boom– what a gracious and powerful reminder to loosen our grip and trust God to be enough for us and our kids. Grab your copy straightaway.
Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty
I loved Sara’s first book
To Be Where You Are (A Mitford Novel) by Jan Karon
Y’all – I loooove Jan Karon’s the Mitford series. These books are like comfort to my soul. I can’t wait to find out what’s going on with my secret book crush, Father Tim, and his family.
Church of the Small Things: The Million Little Pieces That Make Up a Life by Melanie Shankle
I had the super privilege to get an advanced copy of this book and I read it in 2 days – which is saying a lot since I started it around the time we went back to school and life kind of blew up. Melanie’s heart behind this book is to remind us (through incredible wit and hilarious stories) that life is about being faithful with the small things. What a release from the pressure of having to chase down the ‘glamorous’ life and embrace the goodness of the faithful life! I will be sharing a little bit more about this book in October – closer to its release date – but I had to add it to this list now because it’s so good and also so you can get all of the amazing preorder goodies! Simply make your purchase by clicking the book image above and then head on over to Church of the Small Things to claim the bonuses!
GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Simons
I haven’t even bought this book yet but I know it’s going to be ON POINT. Ruth is truly a beautiful soul, artist, and life-giver. This gorgeous devotional will challenge you to become deeply rooted in God’s faithful promises and will point you to Him in whatever season you are in!
Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker
This book was essential for my survival of Hurricane Irma. As the forecast said our area was going to be a direct hit at a Category 5, my husband went crazy prepping and I went paralyzed by fear and had to lie down because I am a super helpful wife. I picked up this book and within minutes I was laughing so loudly my husband thought I had a touch of schizophrenia. I don’t agree 100% with all of her theology, but I absolutely adore her big, beautiful heart and her desire to unite this world through love. And also she is just so unbelievably funny.
From Freezer to Table: 75+ Simple, Whole Foods Recipes for Gathering, Cooking, and Sharing
Finally, I got my copy of this in the mail a few weeks ago and it is SO GOOD, y’all. I am not even a freezer-meal-maker, but let me tell you something – this book has changed me. From Freezer to Table features 75+ simple, family-friendly recipes that will help you reclaim your kitchen from processed foods, while simultaneously saving your wallet, your waistline, and your time. Also I LOVE the girls who created this cookbook – they are Polly and Rachel from Thriving Home Blog and I am having all the proud mama feels as we celebrate their first launch. PLEASE support them by ordering this gem-of-a-cookbook. Your family will thank you!
GUESS WHAT?!
**GIVEAWAY TIME!**
THRIVING HOME BLOG IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF THEIR BRAND NEW COOKBOOK TO ONE OF YOU, DEAR READERS! HAPPY DAY!
You can enter by leaving a comment on this post and telling us why you need this cookbook in your life.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my sweet international readers!). The giveaway will end at 12:00 am (EST) on Thursday, September 21. A winner will be selected shortly after and notified by e-mail. If winner does not respond within 24 hours, a second winner will be chosen. Thank you for being a part of this fun giveaway! Leave your comment below!
Joyfully,
Julie 🙂
I am always looking for new, easy recipes to put a meal on the table quickly. I am currently raising my two grandchildren (ages 2 & 3) and life is a little hectic right now.
My hubs is serving overseas, so wrangling healthy meals has been an even bigger challenge for me lately. I would love to have some non-processed meals ready to go for my four kids. Thanks!
What mama can’t use a recipe book that makes life easier?
Thank you for this list of great reads!
I would love this cookbook! I’m always looking for new recipes for my family.
2 under 2. I will keep it at that! Lol.
This would be such a help to be well fed, and organized. Can’t wait to try the recipes.
Raising four young kids and running my own business, I could definitely use a cookbook like this! ❤️
I (sometimes) enjoy cooking & I’d love to be able to make a meal that doesn’t include mac & cheese (because it’s my 4 1/2 year old’s favorite & we know she’ll eat it). We’ve been trying to eat healthier & get away from processed everything, but it’s more difficult when you’re a one income family & the budget is TIGHT!
I need this cookbook because…. Let’s be honest, what mother doesn’t need a new cookbook?!?!
What a great selection of books!!!
Would love this cookbook because I’ve been reading about it and heard SO many good things BUT most of all for the sheer convenience of having a meal ready on those days that are extra busy and stressful. Thanks for a great giveaway!!
As an homeschooling mom of 12, I love any ideas to make my life easier and freezer meals are always helpful!
I love to cook! I especially love to cook when I actually have the time to cook. Of late, life has been hectic, and the family still has to eat 🙂 This book would be so very helpful in this busy time of life!
We just wecomed our baby girl on 8/31 -with big brothers 4 and 2, needless to say some freezer meals would be very helpful in this crazy/wonderful season!
Ha! I need this book for the very reasons it was written — to help get us out of processed mode, eat healthier, and not break the bank each week while doing it. SO eager to get started!!!
We are a busy family and it would help having this cookbook to help stop eating out. And my daughter loves to cook.
We are on the go Mondays and Tuesdays so I could definitely use some freezer meals that I could just whip up easily for these busy, busy days.
I’d love to have some new recipes to feed my preschooler and toddler, (and husband)…working full time, going to school, and taking care of the home, I need things easy!
I am always looking for new recipes to feed my family of six. They each have their own likes and dislikes and sometimes it gets frustrating. Especially now, with school starting, it’s nice to Try new recipes to reignite my desire to cook .
To incorporate some new recipes
I am trying to get rid of processed foods in my home but it’s hard when you don’t really know how and you’re not a great cook. I’d love to have this book to give me some ideas and directions on how to do it!
I cook almost all of my family’s meals, I love to cook with fresh whole foods and I work parttime and find that freezer foods keep my family well nourished on a day that I have been working, SO I’m EXCITED to get a cookbook that will help me know what and how to cook then freeze whole food meals!
I’ve recently started meal planning for my family and would love some new ideas! I’m still trying to figure it all out and still keep up with work, homework, bath time, lunches, prepping for the next day, etc, but anything to make life easier, I’m all for!
I would love a copy of this cookbook! With working part time outside the home and juggling the responsibilities of parenting three little girls and supporting my husband in ministry, freezer meal ideas would be awesome to have!
Glad to hear you too survived Irma. We are also in South Florida. Funny enough, we have no power still so freezer meals sound like magic, but this too shall pass. And, when it does, freezer meals would be so helpful during the week for me and my crazy awesome crew (husband, 7, 5, 3 and 10 month old). Thanks for all you do here.
I lead multiple community cooking groups that focus on folks gathering together to learn more about cooking as well as to encourage each other. One of the groups is a cook and freeze group, and I am always looking for more inspiration for recipes!
I would love this cookbook because a little freezer inspiration would go a long way to get us out of the same cycle of dinners. We now have activities four nights per week and since we prioritize family dinner time it means they need to be FAST (so they are also becoming repetitive…). I need some new meals to cycle in.
Thanks!
I need anything that helps me get food on the table a little easier! Can we say “teenage boy”!!!!!
I would love to have this cookbook, I love trying new recipes that don’t involve processed foods.
We are a family of 7 that stay busy so healthy meals are a must for us.
I love this list of books! I already have several of them on my nightstand, and I’ll check out the pre-order for “Church of the small things”. Seems like we have similar reading interests!
I’ve never tried freezer cooking, but I am desperate to get us off processed foods. It’s just that they are SO convenient!!! Help!
Cooking is my #1 passion in life and boy oh boy do I love getting a new cookbook in the mail! I plop down on the couch and skim through it and mark my favorites. I try to cook a brand spankin new recipe every single night. My family loves to experience new meals. Thanks so much for the opportunity to add this to my collection. I would be over the moon thrilled and so grateful! XOXO
I’m in a total dinner slump! I dread that time of day. Kiddo behavior is never great during that time either. Looking for tools to make it a more peaceful time together!
I would LOVE to have this!!
I would love to win this cookbook. I’m a mom to four girls, ages 9, 7, 4, 1. We are involved in swim, dance, gymnastics, soccer, piano, and church! So we have to plan our meals out carefully!
I recently found out that my 11 month old has several severe food allergies. I am still nursing him, which means a complete diet change for the both of us. I have spent countless, overwhelming hours in the kitchen, grocery store, and Pinterest the last few weeks reading labels and trying new recipes. I have followed Thriving Home’s blog for a couple of years now, and I love that I can still make a lot of their recipes with a few substitutions to be safe for my baby and myself. Would love to have their cookbook on hand!
Hi, am one of those super unorganized moms!!! But I really think that I could do the freezer meals thing and would take a TON of pressure off…but place high value on health and a lot of freezer meals are processed foods or fatty etc…this book sounds wonderful!!! Plus I would be just delighted to have a book instead of having to work it all out online!!! I love love love cookbooks!!!u
Would love to try freezer cooking. I haven’t ever done much but with 5 people and all our running to and from it would be good to try.
I need this cookbook to help me be a mama set free, faithful in the small things, laced with the moxie and grace to be where I am in the mess. 🙂
Would love to have some easy, healthy meals in the freezer for those busy nights that are coming this school year. Thanks for the giveaway!
I need help eating healthy…and this would be perfect! I’m hitting that middle age slump where metabolism is really slowing down, this would be a great help to start nipping that in the bud!! Thanks for a great review to some wonderful books!
I love stocking up my freezer with delicious meals for both my family and for other families! I would love this new cookbook. 🙂 I love your blog, Julie. I used one of your printables for a teacher gift when my daughter started preschool this year. She loved it! So creative.
<3 My employer recently made us go to 4-10 days, so I am pooped when I get home, but still need to fix something for my family for dinner – and quickly. I am excited to have the chance to win this book and start fixing some of these wholesome meals on my Friday off for the whole week!
I am looking for an easy way to get healthy meals on the table and free up more time to spend with the Lord and with my family! Thanks for this opportunity!
I would loooove a book to help me prepare convenient go-to meals that are also incredibly healthy for myself and my family! I get stuck in ruts of trying to find new recipes that are healthy and quick to make. To have a book at home with great recipes would be such a blessing! That way, I don’t have to constantly try to scramble something up from Pinterest using my phone. I think my kids (4.5 and 2.5) would also feel more involved in the kitchen because they could look at the book with me and see the words and pictures, vs. looking at a recipe from my phone or computer screen. It makes things a lot more hands on and I love that!
would love to try this book as a mom of two young kids!
I need this book because my life is a little upside down these days with care for a child from a hard place, my husband needs hip surgery, my Grandmother is nearing end of life, and my Mom is caring for her, so I’m feeding my family, grocery shopping, homeschool the child from a hard place, carpooling the other 3 to 3 different schools, and I need ideas as we always have issues at the dinner hour, and my Dad is here with my Mom so busy
I would love to have a copy of the cookbook to help me come up with dinner ideas to prep in advance. I have two young boys and by the time we get home every evening, there is no time to cook and get everything else done.
Last week found me serving:
crackers and summer sausage (and baby carrots)
hamburgers without buns (and baby carrots)
take out pizza (and baby carrots)
Poor kids, they also got baby carrots in their packed lunches.
It was a tough week! I would love to have something else to fall back on in times of stress. Thanks for the opportunity
I have four kids and just started homeschooling two of them, so freezer meals might save my life.
Cookbooks are the most wonderful things, they tell beautiful stories but with food-shared between friends and family and capturing the best of memories!
We recently adopted a little boy and I am struggling holding life together right now. I also was never really taught how to cook. Not only that, but working full time and trying to control a chronic illness with healthier eating is a struggle in itself. I feel like learning to freezer cook would allow us to at least eat a nutritious dinner at home as a family, and give some sort of normalcy to our chaotic life.
Aw sweet mama! That sounds like a lot! You are being oh so faithful to what God has called you to and I’m hopeful that you will see His faithfulness in this season (however long it lasts). Sending big hugs!
I need this cookbook! we eat out way too much because I don’t feel like cooking. It would be such a time and money saver to have meals in the freezer instead of eating out.
I am always looking for new recipes to try. Recipes that are quick to get on the table.
Four little ones and I’m homeschooling the oldest 2 because we’re in a transition to move into a nearby city to be intentionally among those who are different from us . . . and so our house is on the market. It’s crazy here and I don’t always have time to prep a meal when a last minute showing is happening. So freezer to table? Yes please. Oh and once we move? Yes, some more please because . . . projects and getting to know neighbors. This sounds like a dream, especially for someone who has never jumped on the freezer meals bandwagon.
I would like this cookbook, From Freezer to Table, to help my husband and I to include much healthier meals all the time. Also, after 39 years of marriage we need to add some newer, more nutritious meals for ourselves and to share with others.
Love all those books! I’ve been eyeing this cookbook and would love some new ideas and practical tips!
I need this cookbook to make my life easier! I want to spend more time with my family, save money, stay away from processed, “on the run” drive thru food, and maybe lose a little weight while I’m at it! This would be a lifesaver for me!
Life is so very hectic for me that I have very little time to even think about fixing meals. Being able to pull wholesome meals from the freezer when needed would be wonderful!! And a stack of those other very interesting reading books for some rest and relaxation time seems like a great thing to check out!
I love books and would be thrilled to have a new cookbook to page through!
I didn’t know Jan Karon had a new book! I’m thrilled.
GraceLaced is a favorite of mine this fall along with Church of the Small Things. Another favorite of mine is So Close to Amazing by KariAnne Wood.
I’m a mama of 4 who teaches a class full of second graders by day and takes care of my kids, hubby, and our household by night and by weekend… This would be awesome to win! It sounds amazing!!!
A few years ago, my friend invited a group of us to cook multiple freezer meals in her Michigan farmhouse and then swap with each other (so we each would make one recipe 5 times and then leave with 5 different meals for our freezer)! We moved out of state last year, so I continued the tradition at our new home with a new group of friends. I love turning something regular into a productive social outing. Our kids enjoy having people over to play while the moms cook 🙂 Then we also have meals prepared to share with company or deliver to a family who is welcoming a new baby into their life! My husband loves to hear the line up of recipes 😊 And I am excited for this new resource that serves a bigger spiritual purpose…so much life happens around the table! Thanks for hosting a giveaway and thanks for your continuous generosity!
I always enjoy new recipes for my family. Hopefully, my collection of cookbooks will be as rewarding to me as for my future generations.
I love that the recipes are simple and they are freezer meals
I’m a mama of 2 little boys and am determined to meal plan and bless my family with whole, healthy foods! Thank you for offering this giveaway!
As a working mom this book looks like a relief to my crazy meal planning ways – pick me – i need freezer meal ideas!
This book would be a great help in planning meals for our family of six! Thank you!
I’m at the point where I start to dread dinner time every evening. With my littlest one being pretty cranky during that time and knowing that there’s a pretty good chance he’s not going to like everything on his plate, I’ll take all the help I can get!
I would love this cookbook to help me with freezer meals!
Food is my love language and I adore cooking for my family. However, with 5 kiddos, time is never on my side. Especially when we eat real food 3 meals a day. Ha. This cookbooks looks like a great way to get new ideas. So fun!
I’m currently commuting an hour each way for my job and cannot figure out dinner! Especially as my husband works opposite from me!
I am always looking for new ideas.
Ahh! Freezer meals sound prefect right now! Going into winter, pregnant with number 4, homeschooling my oldest who’s in kindergarten (our first year!) Life’s great and wonderful but crazy! Love your booklists everytime!!!
Would love to win the cookbook to simplify healthy meals for my family!
My husband and I have decided to homeschool our children 4 & 6 years old. Although, ideally, we would like mommy to stay home and run the show daddy is better at teaching and I am better at working lol However, I am definitely better in the kitchen, hands down!! I am all for anything that helps his days go smoother and keeps us healthy!
I need this cookbook for my picky eaters!
I’m struggling t keep it all going.
I would love this cookbook! Adjusting to life with 4 littles, I could use some help and inspiration for cooking!
I’d love this cookbook because I am about to move into a new-to-us house and would love to have freezer meals prepared for when we have crazy days of unpacking and settling in with a toddler and baby to still care for.
Life gets in the way of meal prep many times. We tend to eat out a lot–not good for the waistline. I would love to be able to pull something out of the freezer and stick it in the oven. I would also love to prep some meals for my two daughter-in-laws to help them out with their busy schedules.
I would love to win a copy of From Freezer to Table because I love trying new recipes, finding new favorites and especially being able to plan ahead for those busy week day sports/school activities nights. Life is so much easier when there’s a meal already prepared in the freezer just waiting to be thawed out, cooked up and devoured by hungry family. 😁
My freezer post Irma is in need of filling! Plus I returned to work this year. Meals made with healthy whole foods would be a big improvement over the freezer section processed foods I’ve been relying on for dinners!
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad to know about this resource. I’m a Mom to 3 littles (5,4, and 2), with a new little one joining us through adoption this December! I am also the wife of a church planter, and our little church eats a potluck meal together every Sunday after church. Some new meals from the freezer would be a great way to make Sunday mornings run smoothly!!
Our older (cooking!) children BOTH got married last summer, leaving me with 3 small children & a hubby gone all day! They had spoiled me for so long I think I’ve forgotten how to cook! Help me Rachel- I’m back to pb & j!!!!
I’ll just say 3 very busy growing boys!😳
I would love to have this cookbook! I love everything about quick, easy, healthy food! I do the Hyvee freezer meals each month and this book would give me more ideas for meals for my family!
I love that their approach is balanced between whole-foods and realistically attainable ingredients. This would be awesome to use both for feeding my family and for introducing variety to the many freezer meals I give to those on hard times. Thanks for hosting this wonderful opportunity!
Would love a new cookbook with healthy flavorful meals!
Oh man I need this book! I am a very busy homeschool mama of soon to be 3 kids! I’d love to get new recipes in my kitchen, especially freezer meals!
I would love this cookbook to help me get out of the slump with new meal ideas and so that I can make freezer meals and be more prepared for dinner….especially with 3 little boys who are all begging for my attention.
Because life is beautiful and crazy and I need help getting meals organized. Typically I decide thirty minutes before cooking. But I want to change. I want there to be a joy in providing meals with love to my family. That’s all. To show them how much tastier food can be than what I make now. And to have celebration. About the day. About life. And all while sitting enjoying a great meal.
I love cooking meals for my family and am always on the lookout for great recipes and having recipes that I can freeze and serve later are a major bonus when the busy weekdays hit. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I need this cookbook in my life because I have 6 months old boy/girl twins and a 2.5 year old daughter and am always looking for great freezer meals to store away to be able to have during the week. My hubby started a new job 2 weeks ago and had surgery last month so is still doing PT after work 2 nights/week for an hour. So dinnertime gets crazy around here with babies starting puréed foods and not having time to feed them and cook dinner at the same time. Having new recipes from this cookbook to stash in the freezer on the weekends and pull out during the week would be awesome!
We have 2 kids under 3 and are debating having 3 under 4. We need all the freezer meals we can get lol
I need this cookbook to help me plan dinners for my family and cut back on getting out. Meal planning would help us build out savings, decrease our debt, and plan for our future!
Thank you!
What a wonderful giveaway!! I have three kids ages 3,2, and 1. Soon our 3 year old will turn 4 and before anymore birthdays we are expecting baby number 4!! I have not done an awesome job of meal prepping before a new baby comes each time, so here’s my chance! Thank you for the opportunity to win!!
I’m a stay at home mom cooking for five of us everyday. I grow a ton of our own food. This cookbook would be so great to help keep us healthy!
I’m terrible at cooking! And recently I started cooking with more vegetables and my kids are beginning to complain. I want to feed them healthy foods but also yummy foods.
I am always looking for new cookbooks and new recipes to try! Thank you for the opportunity to win
I want to start cooking for my family. I just don’t know how. I need good resources to do so. I am a mama and wife and really could use the help.
Because freezer to table sure would help this momma of 5 :)!! (Long time follower :!!)