Whew. If these past couple of weeks haven’t left you feeling anxious, count yourself lucky. I think Buzzfeed got it succinctly right with one tweet…
... pic.twitter.com/pJ67ncSGFZ
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) March 12, 2020
From elections to pandemics to markets to (book nerd-specific here) book tours and conferences being canceled, it’s been a hecka past couple months, enough to raise any person’s anxiety levels.
If you’re one of the many who have felt a little freaked out by your newsfeed every morning, you might be looking for respite from all those anxious thoughts.
But I think that’s what I love most about books: they offer you a true opportunity to both escape and learn, to allow your brain to relax and find truth at the same time. And while the real world will need solutions to the ongoing problems, there’s a lot of truth and tension-easing that you can find in a really good book.
I put together a small list of books that have either inspired me, calmed me, or just downright shamelessly entertained me, and thought I’d share these books for when you’re feeling anxious...
Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker
Jen Hatmaker has the distinct gift of being both tender and laugh-out-loud funny all in the same sentence. From true confessions about sneaking out to sushi instead of going to the gym to what it means to relentlessly pursue a journey of faith, she tackles it all in this book. Plus, she delightfully narrates her words in a way that just make this audiobook something special. If you need something that is both going to make you laugh AND say “Amen, sister!” then this is the book for you.
The Wondering Years by Knox McCoy
Knox McCoy is here to tell you that you can love Star Wars AND love Jesus. In fact, you might be able to strengthen your faith by studying some of pop culture’s biggest franchises. If you’ve ever listened to McCoy’s The Popcast podcast, you’ll know what kind of clever humor/nerdy humor you’re about to experience in the Wondering Years. It’s the perfect reminder that you can find truth in the little things, including those Star Wars comic books I may or may not own.
Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
If you’ve never read a Max Lucado book, may I suggest that you just go ahead and start with this one? It’s a beautiful book, and written with the warmness and fantastic storytelling that is just quintessentially Max. This book is like a warm bath to an anxious heart.
All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols
Morgan Harper Nichols is a gem: her poetry is luminescent and her narration in the audiobook is equally moving and soothing. If you haven’t had a chance to experience Morgan yet, be sure to A) Follow her on Instagram B) Subscribe to her podcast and C) Check out her latest book, All Along You Were Blooming. This is one where you’re probably gonna want both the print and the audiobook, because they’re both gorgeous in their own unique way.
Hey, Page Chasers, hope you feel well – physically, mentally, spiritually. Hopefully books can be a little comfort while times are making us all anxious.
Be well, wash your hands, and we hope you find some books for when you’re feeling anxious!
If you're looking for more audiobook recommendations, be sure to check out these other Page Chaser posts...