10 Books for the Single Girl (Single Girl Series #4)

1. Uninvited - Lysa Terkeurst

This book really spoke to me on the topic of rejection and loneliness. The biggest takeaway for me was the idea that a lot of the rejection we experience is perceived rejection. Also, rejection often stems from putting our hope in something other than Christ. 

2. Unseen - Sara Hagerty

This book speaks to my deepest heart's desire: to be known, to be seen, to be loved. I haven't finished it, but so far, I'm loving the idea that God sees our little moments. He sees us. If you need this, this is the book that will remind you that God is glorified when we focus on Him, even when we think we aren't seen. 

3. Messy Beautiful Friendship - Christine Hoover

I read through this book last summer with my sister. It completely changed the way I view friendship. We, even as Christians, tend to view friendship through the lens of the world. It's the reason so many female friendships turn toxic. This book brings us back to the biblical view of friendship and teaches us how to treat other women like the new creations they are in Christ. 

4. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers

I was pretty skeptical about this book since it's so widely acclaimed. Being in an MFA program will do that to you. Though I stand by the fact that it's not the best book I've ever read, I do think it's an excellent portrayal of God's relentless love for us. How strongly I identified with the broken, ashamed prostitute in the story rather than with the man who knew His value in God's eyes. I could hardly put it down. 

5. The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo

A friend recommended this book to me almost two years ago. It was one that had always been on my list, but it kept getting pushed to the bottom. But honestly, I read it in a day. It was so inspiring and so well-written. It's all about finding your life's purpose and doing whatever it takes to attain it. You'll be inspired. 

6. The Lipstick Gospel - Stephanie May Wilson

This is the book I needed to read in college. It's all about heartbreak and the emptiness we feel when we try to keep one foot in the world and one foot following Jesus. Stephanie's book reminds me that God is fun and for me, even when I think He isn't. 

7. Wild & Free - Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan

I read this book as a bible study with my two sisters and my step mom. It examines ways in which we hold ourselves back from the life God has called us to and equipped us for. I totally suggest reading through it with others. It fostered a lot of awesome discussion about past hurts, why we react to situations the way we do, and how we can support each other moving forward. 

8. The Red Tent - Anita Diamant

This book is a fictional retelling of Dinah's story, which takes up just a short part of the book of Genesis (chapter 34). It's told in beautiful, lyrical prose and tells a story of generations of women and the complicated bonds they form. Y'all, it is such a moving story and a reminder about how much women supporting women makes us all better. 

9. Reclaiming Your Heart - Denise Hildreth Jones

I bought this book in college and am still working through it. Denise takes you on a journey through all the different ways we shut down parts of our hearts. She walks through different things like the heart that seeks to perform, the angry heart, the heart that shuts down in disappointment. It's such a helpful way to think through the ways we shut God out when life doesn't go how we want. Not only does she tell us ways we shut down our hearts, she tells us how we can begin to open them up again. 

10. She's Still There - Chrystal Evans Hurst

I listened to an interview with Chrystal on Jamie Ivey's Happy Hour podcast. It's all about reclaiming the girl you once were, the girl you think you've lost. I haven't read it yet, but it's at the top of my list. If you've read it, I'd love your opinion!