I had a reader reach out to me the other day to tell me she was going on what she calls a soul reset weekend and she wondered if I could recommend some books for her.
Can we all pause for one second and say that this idea of a soul reset weekend sounds so beautiful and glorious?!
Whether it’s a weekend getaway to escape the noise or a DIY recharge weekend at home, I’m entirely on board with the idea of a soul reset in our current cultural climate.
It reminds me of one of my favorite Anne Lamott quotes: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
In my mind, a soul reset weekend looks like resting, napping, unplugging, journaling, reading in the sunshine, reflecting, and all the things that we don’t get to do in the busyness of life. It looks like a coffee shop date with yourself and a fresh journal as you peek into the back end of your life and reevaluate or reprioritize some areas.
But back to the girl in my DMs who was going on her soul reset weekend.
She asked if I had any solid book recommendations, and I decided it was time to create a soul reset book list.
So, without further ado, here are the books I would recommend for a soul reset weekend:
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
You can read this tiny book in under two hours, but it feels like an instant soul reset every time I pick it up. It consistently draws me back to what matters and why living awake and aware is the key to peace and deep joy. If I were doing a soul recharge weekend, this would be the first book I would start with.
Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer
Now, I have to be honest about this one. I have not personally gotten to read this book the whole way through, but my husband has, and I’ve read bits and pieces. I feel confident enough to recommend anything by John Mark Comer to be on this list.
While I may say The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is the perfect title for a soul recharge, I feel like Practicing the Way carries the same kind of vibe, weight, and necessity as Comer’s other books.
You really can’t go wrong if John Mark Comer is attending your soul reset weekend.
Take What You Need, by Aundi Kolber
I love Aundi. I love her outlook on life. I love her grace-filled words. I literally got this book in the mail a few weeks ago, opened it up to a random page, and started reading. And I’m not kidding you—it was all about healing. It was the exact words I needed to hear on that specific day about my own healing journey.So, if you want little bits of good words and encouragement sprinkled into your soul, pick up this book by Aundi.
Love Your Life, by Rachel Awtrey
This book doesn’t arrive til August, but I would be adding it to my cart right now if I were you. I love Rachel with my whole heart. I got the chance to do an endorsement for this book and I was taking furious notes from the start.
This book is perfect for anyone who needs a soul reset and a little more joy in their daily lives. If you really want to amplify your life with a little bit more color, this would be the perfect book for you. It is all about unlocking joy in life’s messy, mundane, and magnificent moments. Amen.
Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon McDonald
I recommend this book every chance I get. It’s on every book list that I’ve ever compiled. I’m currently reading it for the 600th time. I’m just kidding. It’s not really 600 times (more like 10). But every time I read it, I find something new that applies to my exact season.
This book is perfect for the person who feels like life is overwhelming, chaotic, and disorganized right now.
There’s too much noise. You’re too distracted. Your inner world needs a tune-up, or, better yet, you need to create an inner world for the very first time.
If you’re tucking yourself away for a little soul reset weekend, this book will get to the heart of the question: What would it look like to step back into daily life, feeling like your time, stewardship, resources, and relationships are more balanced? And that all comes from ordering your private world.
The Unplugged Hours, by Hannah Brencher
This is a shameless plug for my book, but part of what I imagine goes into a soul recharge weekend is turning off your phone. We’ve become so addicted to noise that it is in literally every little thing that we do. And so, for many of us, that requires stepping away from the noise to get back to the person who was there before all that noise got in in the first place.
That’s why I recommend this book. If you want to examine the ways in which technology is distracting us and dig deeper to find the root of all the noise, this is the book you want on your list.
Come Away My Beloved, by Frances Roberts
My friend Dawn gave me this book years ago when I was recovering from severe depression. All these years, it’s still one of my favorite devotionals. It’s literally one of those books you can open to any page, take what you need, and feel refreshed—be reminded that God loves you and that God is walking steadily with you.
It’s such a classic, and I recommend it for a soul reset weekend or just everyday life.
A Cry for Mercy, by Henri Nouwen
This is actually a book of prayers, so again, there’s that same vibe of opening up to a random page and seeing what’s there for you.
But Henri Nouwen was among the first people I learned how to write prayers from. I would study his writing and how his prayers were so honest and real, and then I would script my own.
I imagine that during a soul recharge weekend, it could be a really helpful practice to take some of the things you’re dealing with, the heavy and the hard and the good and the great, and script them into honest prayers for God. This book will definitely help you get started in that area. It reminds me, whenever I flip it open, that I am allowed to be honest, messy, and real with God. He wants me just as I am.
The Inner Voice of Love, by Henri Nouwen
At this point, it’s clear we’re not having a recharge weekend without Mr. Nouwen coming along. All in favor, say aye.
Another brilliant piece of work, this book actually comes from Henri’s private journals. It’s one to read in small doses—each tiny chapter is both a pep talk and a drink of water all on its own. These notes were written during a time of deep soul depression when Henri was struggling, and he wrote these words as imperatives—to remind himself of the goodness of God, the beauty of life, and the truth that he was stronger than his own thoughts and feelings.
This was one of the first books I picked up from Henri Nouwen, and it’s absolutely a favorite.
Create Anyway, by Ashley Gadd
This one is specifically for the mamas and anyone feeling creatively drained.
I love Ashley Gadd with my whole heart and soul. I would follow her anywhere and read her grocery lists.
This book will help you recharge your creativity and get back to the basics of writing, making, baking—whatever your creative practice looks like. I’m a big believer that we are all creative beings and that we should all be flexing these muscles, but if you need a guide in this area, Ashley Gadd is absolutely the one.
Anonymous, by Alicia Britt Chole
Fair warning—this book feels like a demolition to your soul. It hurts SO good. If you’re in a season of grappling with feeling unseen or unnoticed, this book will feel like a balm to your weary soul. Every sentence will take you to church—trust me on this.
This book has changed my life more than once, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.
Present Over Perfect, by Shauna Niequist
Anything Shauna writes is pure gold. What I love about her writing is that she’s never trying to fix you or even necessarily change you. She’s just sharing stories from the heart; somehow, you find yourself in each one.
Shauna is one of the best writers out there. She’s so grace-filled and so kind, and she works so intentionally to fill her life with beauty. I can’t imagine a soul reset weekend without her words of wisdom.
p.s.
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