Searching for Christmas Ideas?

Books & Board Games Edition

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Also, it may say “Book & Board Games Edition” but at this point I offer no other editions. Maybe next year it will expand, but since I just thought of this idea… well, here we are. A brief overview:

• Book Categories

  • Spiritual Formation

  • Women in Church

  • Devotionals

  • Canadian Context

  • Fantastic Fiction

• Board Games!

So, without further ado here are some of my favourite things that you may wish to include in your Christmas list, or buy for someone else.

CHRISTMAS SPOILER: If a link takes you to Amazon… I am part of their affiliate program and will receive a small commission. It doesn’t change your shopping experience but I appreciate it.

Please keep in mind, I would not recommend something I don’t believe in.

If you’re looking to deepen your Christian journey, these are my Top 7 books:

1. The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner

2. Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen

3. Invitation to a Journey by M. Robert Mulholland

4. The Discerning Heart by Wilkie Au & Noreen Cannon Au

5. I Am The Love That Flows Through Me by David G. Benner (available through Cascadia Living Wisdom)

6. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

7. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

Wondering how to bring creativity into your spiritual life? You may be interested in these books.

1. Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth

2. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

3. Awakening the Creative Spirit by Christine Valters Paintner & Betsey Beckman

Are you a woman in the church who’s wishing she could speak more deeply into women in leadership? Check these out:

1. The Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight

2. Need to Know curated by Danielle Strickland

3. She Deserves Better by Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach & Joanna Sawatsky

4. Malestrom by Carolyn Custis James

Would you like some updated, new devotionals? Here’s a few I enjoyed:

1. Sacred Belonging by Kat Armas

2. The Moral Teachings of Jesus by David Gushee

3. The Lord is My Courage by K.J. Ramsey

4. The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper

Maybe you’d prefer some poetry. Here are a couple suggestions.

1. Guerillas of Grace by Ted Loder

2. The Book of Common Courage by K.J. Ramsey

What’s your favourite devotional?

In the words of a famous commercial “I am Canadian,” and for that reason I’m deeply invested in the Church in the Canadian context. Here are two books that I highly recommend.

1. Blessed Are the Undone by Angela Reistma Bick & Peter Schuurman

2. Overlooked by James Tyler Robertson

Ah, the fun stuff… Fiction! I read a lot of fiction this year after I learned that I needed fun in my reading schedule. Here are a few of my favourites in no particular order or genre.

1. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell (psychological thriller)

2. Scythe; Thunderhead; The Toll by Neal Schusterman (young adult; dystopian future - a box set is also available)

3. The Women by Kristin Hannah (historical fiction - Vietnam War)

4. Wyrd Sisters by Terry Prachett (part of the discworld series - fantasy)

5. Gallant by V.E. Schwab (young adult - gothic fantasy)

Did you read any of these? What are your thoughts? The Women made me cry!

What do you recommend? I’m always looking for great books to read.

We’re huge board game players in our house. So much so that we renovated the basement to create a room just for board games. These are a few I just love to play. It’s too hard to put them in order, but I will say that Ark Nova is in my Top 3.

Andrea recommends:
You can often find pre-played games on Facebook Marketplace or dedicated groups (locally, provincially, and nationally) for a great price that have barely been played, and because serious gamers are careful with their games they’re typically in amazing condition.

1. Ark Nova - a heavy weight game about building a zoo. It also has an expansion that allows you to add marine animals.

2. Dorfromantik - a cooperative tile-laying campaign game that you can play over and over again.

3. Paint the Roses - a hidden card game where you’re trying to outrun the Queen of Hearts. The link is for the Deluxe Edition, we have the standard one.

4. Verdant - a wonderful, cozy game about places plants around your house.

5. Scythe - a heavy euro worker placement game. Not to be confused with the book series from above.

6. That’s Not a Hat - a fun, easy to learn party game of memory and guessing.

I could name so many more games, but I think I’ll leave it at that. Do you have some favourites? I’d love to hear about them!