N. J. Edwards' 3 favorite reads in 2025

Some girls talk to animals. Mia can hear their souls.In the quiet village of Tecura, thirteen-year-old Mia has always felt different. Animals seem drawn to her—and somehow, she can feel their sorrow, joy, even fear. When a mysterious prophecy is spoken over her during her naming ceremony, Mia’s life changes forever. She is no ordinary girl. She is the Soul Whisperer.But when her dreams begin revealing fragments of a forgotten past, and a strange bracelet on her wrist hints at a royal secret, Mia sets off beyond the safety of her seaside home. Accompanied by her best friend Toby and… show more.

Since Eugene Peterson first wrote this spiritual formation classic nearly forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by its call to deeper discipleship. As a society, we are still obsessed with the immediate; new technologies have only intensified our quest for the quick fix. But Peterson's time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same-a long obedience in the same direction. Following Jesus in this way requires a deepening life of prayer, and throughout history Christians have learned to pray from the Psalms. Peterson finds encouragement for today's pilgrims in the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), sung by… show more.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

From Sauron's fastness in the Dark Tower of… show more.