Hello friends!
How are you? Are there any books that have caught your fancy recently?
I’ve recently been taking a little trip through George MacDonald’s work, specifically reading a short novella he wrote - a fairytale - called The Day Boy and the Night Girl. It’s a gorgeous fairy story about a boy who is never allowed to see a glimpse of darkness and a girl who is denied the chance to see daylight. It’s really an allegory about goodness and beauty and how it permeates even the darkest places of life. For those of you who don’t know, George MacDonald was a Scottish pastor of the 19th century whose books had a profound influence on men like C. S. Lewis and writers like Madeliene L’Engle.
I love it when a book can profoundly change the way you see world. Books have this unique way of slipping a new lens over your eyes so that it shifts the way you see, sometimes bending the light a little, so you step into somebody else’s shoes for just a moment as you’re behind those pages or listening to the narrator read into your earbuds. In fact, another one of George MacDonald’s books, At the Back of the North Wind, was one of those books that changed me and grew my faith.
Today, I’m so excited to give you a chance to hear some lovely bookish friends of mine - as well as fellow writers - share some of the books that have changed them profoundly and helped them become the young women they are today. I was so honored to have these amazing and inspiring young women with me on this call.
So take a seat in my virtual living room, as if you’d just walked through the doors of my home for a book club meeting, and let me introduce you to each of these lovely ladies.
You’ll hear from Valerie Cotnoir (@vcotnoirauthor on Instagram) first, and apart from being the sweetest, coziest, brightest soul in the world, she just released a delightful YA historical novel called Your Home is Here, overflowing with Anne-of-Green Gables-meets-Downton-Abbey vibes. When her mind is not buzzing with new story ideas, you can probably find her researching nerdy history facts, watching Broadway musicals and singing in her church choir.
My friend Ryan Elizabeth (@ryanelizabethwrites and the girl behind Stellify) also joined us on this chat. And let me tell you, she always has the most delightful and unique insights, coupled with her amazing ability to bring out the strangeness and beauty of life, even in the ordinary. She’s also a writer, artist, and Studio Ghibli connoisseur.
And last, but absolutely not least, is my lovely and dear friend Kristianne Hassman (@kristiannehassman_author), who’s also a writer and one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. She’s slightly obsessed with fantasy worlds, cinnamon tea, and traveling. Kristianne actually grew up as a missionary kid in the beautiful country of South Africa and has a heart for sharing stories that impact with truth and beauty. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing her violin, graphic designing, or blogging.
I can’t wait for you to hear the rest of this chat and by all means, sit yourself down by us and lean in as you eavesdrop on our conversation. So without further ado, let’s jump in.
Books Mentioned In This Episode
(Quick Disclaimer: I may occasionally provide a link to a specific book or resource. I participate in selected affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates for these links, so if a link takes you to Amazon, know that it is most likely an affiliate link. Having affiliate links means that if you click on a link I've posted and purchase something, I receive a small percentage of the cost. This doesn't change what you pay and helps support the podcast!)
The Day Boy and the Night Girl by George MacDonald
Audio https://amzn.to/47liiCX | Kindle https://amzn.to/3Y847g9 | Paperback https://amzn.to/479VCW4
Your Home Is Here by Valerie Cotnoir
Paperback https://amzn.to/3Qbfzpe | Kindle https://amzn.to/479VCW4
Val’s Top 3 Books
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montegomery
Audio https://amzn.to/3rKMas1 | Softcover https://amzn.to/3DrraZM hardcover | Cover https://amzn.to/3KcDFw6
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Audio https://amzn.to/3Y9nIfY | Hardcover https://amzn.to/3DsajWD
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Tao
Audio https://amzn.to/3Drzgla | Hardcover https://amzn.to/3O8aMlR | Softcover https://amzn.to/474Gmth
Ryan’s Top 3 Books
Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis
Audio https://amzn.to/43Ezro0 | Hardcover https://amzn.to/43OOj3i | Softcover https://amzn.to/3pUE9QM
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
Audio https://amzn.to/3YnbVuN | Hardcover https://amzn.to/4729dP7 | Softcover https://amzn.to/3Y5TOcy
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Audio https://amzn.to/44UWgEO | Hardcover https://amzn.to/3OtWxJq | Softcover https://amzn.to/4719dyJ
Kristianne’s Top 3 Books
Lord of the Rings Series by J. R. R. Tolkien
Hardcover https://amzn.to/3DAkGHX | Softcover https://amzn.to/44DOBLf
Children of the Storm by Natasha Vins
Paperback https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU | Kindle https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU
Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
Audio https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU | Hardcover https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU | Paperback https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU | Kindle https://amzn.to/3Y9kEjU
Did you enjoy that conversation?
Don’t worry, you’ll get to hear more next time as we dive into some of the things we would love to see future books explore.
However, before we close out the episode, I did want to quickly say a little side note: as I was editing, I realized I never shared my own favorite books that have shaped me profoundly. It’s so funny, I asked everyone to share and I forgot to have myself share!
I thought you might be interested in hearing what they were, so here are my own top 3 books:
My Top 3 Books
Radiant by Priscilla Shirer
Audio https://amzn.to/479UAJG | Paperback https://amzn.to/3OyM4MM | Kindle https://amzn.to/3O3Ou4M
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis
Audio https://amzn.to/3QhcpAy | Paperback https://amzn.to/3QhcpAy | Kindle https://amzn.to/3QhcpAy
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montegomery
Audio https://amzn.to/3rKMas1 | Softcover https://amzn.to/3DrraZM hardcover | Cover https://amzn.to/3KcDFw6
Friends, I hope you have truly enjoyed this episode! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and which three books have shaped and changed you!
Love you all and thank you so much for listening friends! Until next time!
Now it’s your turn: Which 3 books have shaped and changed you into the person you are today? What would you like to hear me discuss in upcoming episodes?