Recommendations are everything when it comes to books. With so much content out there, it's difficult to know where to start otherwise. A simple suggestion from a friend is often what we need.

All three of these books were recommended to me (Jono) by a friend or family member. Two were lent. One was gifted. And all were great reads. So, here are my second-hand recommendations. I hope they bless you as they have me.

The Pleasures of God by John Piper. God is happy. He's beaming, singing, and exuberantly joyful. It's easy to forget at times, but God is never grumpy or melancholic.

Piper explores God’s happiness in this book. He plumbs the depths of scripture to find what warms the heart of God. Perhaps surprisingly, 90% focuses on what God delights to do rather than what he delights to see in his people. The attention is off us and onto the joyful exploits of a smiling Father.

Untangling Emotions by Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith. Whether you’re a natural stoic or the ‘emotional type’, we all have emotions and need to navigate them in a godly way. This book is a helpful guide for doing exactly that. Written with everyday relevance, it tackles the darker side of our emotional lives—painful emotions like fear, anger, shame, guilt, and sorrow—and explores how we can understand them biblically and process them wisely.

Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin. I’ll confess this one isn’t a recent read from me. In fact, I read this book shortly after starting to lead worship and found it incredibly formative. Bob Kaufflin, a seasoned worship leader and songwriter, explores what biblical and God-honouring worship looks like. A fount of practical advice then follows, gained from years of experience. Accessible and personal, this book is perfect for any worship leader, songwriter or musician looking to foster a heart of worship themselves and in the church.