One nice thing about the new year is that it seems like a good time to start a new book. It is an especially good time to start a book that may actually be good for you; one that can help you accomplish some of those lofty resolutions. Might I suggest a devotional book?

The plethora of devotional books out there can be overwhelming. You won’t find them all on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, but if you get online you will find a gazillion books that sound alike. Or, you may find a gazillion books by the same author. Not the way you want to start. Here are some that I have enjoyed, or heard great things about. Some are well known, but at least a few of them are from just off the beaten path.

One Thousand Gifts, A Dare to Life Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp, was published about one year ago and has stayed on the New York Times Bestseller list since then. I read it as a personal study, though it is not set up like a devotional book. Still, each chapter gives you much to think and talk about. Ann shares her faith journey, and how she started counting God’s gifts, or blessings, on a daily basis. Learning from her experience and becoming aware of each day’s blessings together would make a great group study.

I started Jesus Calling by Sarah Young on January 1, 2011. It is a small book of daily devotions which has blessed my life greatly. The daily readings are short enough that you can manage them, and they are so encouraging. I especially like how Sarah cites multiple verses at the end of each reading, so that you can see the basis for her thoughts yourself. This little book will teach you a lot.

I have not read Don’t Make Me Come Up There! Quiet Moments for Busy Moms, by Kristin Welch, but I am a loyal reader of her blog, We Are THAT Family, so I’m anxious to read her first book. I’ve heard nothing but positive praise for this honest look at motherhood, and how to have faith through it. It is on my list for 2012 and would make an excellent group or individual study selection.

This fall, I partnered with another blogger to do an online study of The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd. The book includes a Leader’s Guide in the back and each chapter ends with practical tips to “do,” “read,” “choose,” etc. The advice about how to be a positive mom is practical, without being preachy. This book would be perfect for a mom’s Bible study group.

Right now, I am reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Normal Vincent Peale, a classic first published sixty years ago. Maybe I got on a “positive” kick when I read Karol Ladd’s book? I don’t know, but it is working for me. The Power of Positive Thinking is such a well-respected, foundational book, I think it should be required reading for anyone looking to improve their spiritual life, or their attitude in general.

Grace for the Good Girl, Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life by Emily Freeman is also on my list for 2012. At first the title threw me off – what does she mean? – but as I read more reviews I became intrigued. Grace for the Good Girl seems to address the perfection seeking tendencies that some women may have, and the difficulty we sometimes have with simply letting go and receiving grace. It looks like a worthwhile read, and one you may want to tackle with friends.

Finally, I will recommend my favorite devotional book and spiritual guide: the Bible. I have found that when I simply open it up and start reading, I learn the most. I become more familiar with stories I thought I knew. I read passages I once glossed over, and find that they are filled with poetry and meaning. I say this because you shouldn’t be afraid to read your spiritual book of choice, solo. Devotional books are, in the end, just supplements. They can be beautiful and life changing, but if you cannot find the right “one” for you, or you find it has become a crutch in your spiritual walk, go straight to the source. It will be a great way to start 2012.

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