100 books like Departing in Peace

By William Clifford Davis,

Here are 100 books that Departing in Peace fans have personally recommended if you like Departing in Peace. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Book cover of Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Author Of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven

From my list on preparing practically for the end of life.

Why am I passionate about this?

When my mother died at age 83, I became executor of her estate. When our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 22 and went through four brain surgeries in nine months, I acted as his caregiver while also caring for my father, who was dying from cancer. As a Christian, I wanted to learn what the Bible taught me about the hope of Heaven, leaving a legacy (my mother made it easier to be her executor by organizing her essential information), caregiving, and aging wisely. As an author, life, and legacy coach, and speaker, I love sharing the hope, peace, and comfort I gained through these resources. 

Elizabeth's book list on preparing practically for the end of life

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Why did Elizabeth love this book?

Everything I ever wanted to know about Heaven but didn’t know to ask! Whereas my book attempts to answer questions about Heaven in brief, readable meditations, Alcorn’s book is, as the title suggests, comprehensive. Listening to this book brought me great comfort as I grieved my mother’s death, and I knew I needed to have a copy to keep in my library. 

By Randy Alcorn,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Heaven as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Over 1 Million Copies Sold!

Have you ever wondered . . . ? What is Heaven really going to be like? What will we look like? What will we do every day? Won’t Heaven get boring after a while?We all have questions about what Heaven will be like, and after twenty-five years of extensive research, Dr. Randy Alcorn has the answers.

In the most comprehensive and definitive book on Heaven to date, Randy invites you to picture Heaven the way Scripture describes it—a bright, vibrant, and physical New Earth, free from sin, suffering, and death, and brimming with Christ’s presence,…


Book cover of Creating a Spiritual Legacy: How to Share Your Stories, Values, and Wisdom

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Author Of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven

From my list on preparing practically for the end of life.

Why am I passionate about this?

When my mother died at age 83, I became executor of her estate. When our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 22 and went through four brain surgeries in nine months, I acted as his caregiver while also caring for my father, who was dying from cancer. As a Christian, I wanted to learn what the Bible taught me about the hope of Heaven, leaving a legacy (my mother made it easier to be her executor by organizing her essential information), caregiving, and aging wisely. As an author, life, and legacy coach, and speaker, I love sharing the hope, peace, and comfort I gained through these resources. 

Elizabeth's book list on preparing practically for the end of life

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Why did Elizabeth love this book?

Everyone has a story to share, and that story matters! For the past twenty-five years, I have been helping people tell their stories, and I like using this book because Taylor doesn’t overcomplicate it. He believes every person can share their “spiritual legacy”—that is, their “non-material” legacy, whether it is a story, letter, blessing, or something else. As I coach people in sharing their spiritual legacy, I often use the simple and accessible exercises from this book. 

By Daniel Taylor,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Creating a Spiritual Legacy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

We establish wills to pass on our possessions and property to family members and friends, but what about the things that really matter: our values, beliefs, wisdom, and stories? Those are the things of lasting significance, the things that make up a spiritual legacy. Daniel Taylor, a heralded teacher, bestselling author of Letters to My Children (over 50,000 sold), and a proven master of preserving spiritual legacies, shows how anyone--not just professional authors or those who consider themselves creative--can preserve and pass on their vision of life.

No matter what age or stage of life you're in, creating a spiritual…


Book cover of Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Author Of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven

From my list on preparing practically for the end of life.

Why am I passionate about this?

When my mother died at age 83, I became executor of her estate. When our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 22 and went through four brain surgeries in nine months, I acted as his caregiver while also caring for my father, who was dying from cancer. As a Christian, I wanted to learn what the Bible taught me about the hope of Heaven, leaving a legacy (my mother made it easier to be her executor by organizing her essential information), caregiving, and aging wisely. As an author, life, and legacy coach, and speaker, I love sharing the hope, peace, and comfort I gained through these resources. 

Elizabeth's book list on preparing practically for the end of life

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Why did Elizabeth love this book?

We all need stories of real women aging wisely and well, and Betters, who is in her seventies, and Hunt, who is in her eighties, live and tell vibrant and inspiring stories. I love the way they share biblical examples of women who aged with grace and real-life examples. This book makes me want to honor older women and to become an honorable older woman. 

By Sharon W. Betters, Susan Hunt,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Aging with Grace as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Today's culture marginalizes old age, often portraying it as burdensome and hopeless. Here is a book that presents examples of women who have found joy in the passing of time as they age with grace-finding fulfillment in their enjoyment of God.


Book cover of Who Cares for You?: A 4 Week Bible Study for Caregivers

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Author Of Preparing for Glory: Biblical Answers to 40 Questions on Living and Dying in Hope of Heaven

From my list on preparing practically for the end of life.

Why am I passionate about this?

When my mother died at age 83, I became executor of her estate. When our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 22 and went through four brain surgeries in nine months, I acted as his caregiver while also caring for my father, who was dying from cancer. As a Christian, I wanted to learn what the Bible taught me about the hope of Heaven, leaving a legacy (my mother made it easier to be her executor by organizing her essential information), caregiving, and aging wisely. As an author, life, and legacy coach, and speaker, I love sharing the hope, peace, and comfort I gained through these resources. 

Elizabeth's book list on preparing practically for the end of life

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage Why did Elizabeth love this book?

I am frequently asked about the best way to support caregivers, and I usually recommend this compact little book. Bondurant, a former caregiver of her young daughter, knows caregivers need brief readings and helpful journaling questions. This little book can be used in a group or individually.

I love how Bondurant draws caregivers to the comfort that Jesus cares for them as they care for their loved ones. I am thankful for a book I can confidently recommend to caregivers because it delivers on the “comfort” Jesus offers and they desperately need. 

By Marissa Bondurant,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Who Cares for You? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In all my caregiving, who is caring for me?

That’s the question this Bible study invites us to ponder. Most caregivers experience anxiety, fear, frustration, loneliness, and exhaustion. In their caregiving, they wonder who will refresh their souls.

In this four-weekBible study designed for all types of caregivers, including those who have a special needs child, an aging parent, or a chronically ill spouse, you’ll take comfort in Jesus’ personal encounters with caregivers and discover how God is empowering you to care for your loved one.

In Who Cares for You? you’ll:

Discover how Jesus meets your needs in seasons…


Book cover of A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death

Susannah Fox Author Of Rebel Health: A Field Guide to the Patient-Led Revolution in Medical Care

From my list on defend yourself U.S. health care system.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m not a clinician, but friends often ask for my advice when they get sick or need help caring for a loved one. I’ve spent nearly 25 years mapping the terrain created by innovative patients, survivors, and caregivers, the rebels of medical care. I’m also a caregiver to elders. Along the way, I’ve collected books to loan when someone facing a health challenge asks me, “What do I do now?” Each of these five books was written for when you find yourself in the healthcare maze and need to borrow courage, sharpen your senses, and navigate as best you can.

Susannah's book list on defend yourself U.S. health care system

Susannah Fox Why did Susannah love this book?

My mom and I are competing to see who can give away more copies of this book; we love it that much. Both of us have been bedside caregivers for dying relatives and have seen firsthand how beautiful that process can be if people are prepared.

I love how the book is designed with nice, large print, lovely illustrations, and little snacks of insight sprinkled throughout in boxes and “fast facts.” This book is the essential What to Expect When You’re Expecting–but for death.

By Bj Miller, Shoshana Berger,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked A Beginner's Guide to the End as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“A gentle, knowledgeable guide to a fate we all share” (The Washington Post): the first and only all-encompassing action plan for the end of life.

“There is nothing wrong with you for dying,” hospice physician B.J. Miller and journalist and caregiver Shoshana Berger write in A Beginner’s Guide to the End. “Our ultimate purpose here isn’t so much to help you die as it is to free up as much life as possible until you do.”

Theirs is a clear-eyed and big-hearted action plan for approaching the end of life, written to help readers feel more in control of an…


Book cover of The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Products That Win

Kartik Hosanagar Author Of A Human's Guide to Machine Intelligence: How Algorithms Are Shaping Our Lives and How We Can Stay in Control

From my list on managing technological innovation for mere mortals.

Why am I passionate about this?

I build and use emerging technological innovations in business, and I also teach others how they might too! I’m a serial entrepreneur and a Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As an entrepreneur, I co-founded and developed the core IP for Yodle Inc, a venture-backed firm that was acquired by Web.com. I’m now the founder of Jumpcut Media – a startup using data and Web3 technologies to democratize opportunities in Film and TV. In all this work, I'm often trying to assess how emerging technologies may affect business and society in the long run and how I can apply them to create new products and services.

Kartik's book list on managing technological innovation for mere mortals

Kartik Hosanagar Why did Kartik love this book?

This book by Steven Blank is a bible for anyone trying to understand how to build lean startups. The classic mistake that most entrepreneurs make is to go build a product soon after they develop a hypothesis about what customers want. By building products before customer discovery (i.e. verify customer needs and a scalable sales model), many products miss the mark and fail. The book explains how a lean start-up can figure out what customers want before proceeding to build products. This emphasis on a customer-centered approach rather than a product-centered approach can be the difference when it comes to finding product-market fit. A must-read for any founder!

By Steve Blank,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Four Steps to the Epiphany as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The bestselling classic that launched 10,000 startups and new corporate ventures - The Four Steps to the Epiphany is one of the most influential and practical business books of all time.
The Four Steps to the Epiphany launched the Lean Startup approach to new ventures. It was the first book to offer that startups are not smaller versions of large companies and that new ventures are different than existing ones. Startups search for business models while existing companies execute them.

The book offers the practical and proven four-step Customer Development process for search and offers insight into what makes some…


Book cover of It Starts with One: Changing Individuals Changes Organizations

Justin G. Gravitt Author Of The Foundation of a Disciplemaking Culture: Building a Core Team to Awaken a Movement

From my list on build a Christian disciple making culture.

Why am I passionate about this?

Making disciples is the hardest, most rewarding ministry I’ve ever experienced! For the past ten years, I’ve been helping pastors and church leaders make disciples and build a disciple-making culture in their churches. I know the challenges each of these things brings, and I’ve read books that teach others how to do them. However, most of these books focus on the big picture and never get into the weeds about how to do it. My goal with this list is to give you books to help you learn how to make disciples and build a disciple-making culture. 

Justin's book list on build a Christian disciple making culture

Justin G. Gravitt Why did Justin love this book?

Changing the culture of any organization is a huge challenge. Black is an expert in culture change who teaches others how to do it in the business and non-profit world. This book is full of insights born from Black’s experience.

From the start, he explains how change works, why we often get it wrong, and what’s required to make real change and make it last. The book is organized around the main barriers to change and the solutions to those barriers. This book is focused, clearly written, and full of illustrations and tools.

It’s an easy 10 out of 10 for me because it helped me develop an internal framework of how change works and how to lead others through the change process. 

By J. Stewart Black, Hal Gregersen,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked It Starts with One as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"PROVOCATIVE, PRACTICAL, POWERFUL!"

-Stephen R. Covey, Author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

"For any executive, this is an excellent roadmap for leading strategic change!"

-Bill Marriott, Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc.

"Finally a book that gets it right. Organizations don't change.
People change. It Starts with One gives extremely practical tools to make real change happen."

-Jack Zenger, Author of The Extraordinary Leader and CEO and Co-founder of Zenger|Folkman

"All successful businesses accept the need for change. It Starts with One steers the reader through the complexities of modern leadership and delivers a powerful framework for…


Book cover of Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time

Jordan Yin Author Of Urban Planning For Dummies

From my list on planning livable cities from the bottom up.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an urban planner and educator who is fascinated not just by cities and the experience of place, but also by the ideas and actions that go on “behind the scenes” in the planning of cities. Almost all US cities are guided by some sort of local plan and, while no plan is perfect, my hope is always that inclusive planning can help communities solve their problems to make any place a better place. I was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and have lived mostly in the eastern US – from Michigan to Alabama – where I'm constantly intrigued by the everyday “nooks and crannies” of the places and communities where I live, work, and play.

Jordan's book list on planning livable cities from the bottom up

Jordan Yin Why did Jordan love this book?

Cities have become more pedestrian-friendly over the last decade and Jeff Speck’s book is one of the reasons for this movement. Walkability saves lives, promotes a sense of community, and makes places more sustainable. Speck’s guide to “Ten Steps of Walkability” is an instant classic in the practice of urban planning with approachable ideas such as “mixing uses” and “getting parking right” that can help bridge the gap between activists, politicians, and developers to work together improve any community.

By Jeff Speck,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Walkable City as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Jeff Speck has dedicated his career to determining what makes cities thrive, and he has boiled it down to one key factor: walkability. The very idea of a modern metropolis evokes visions of bustling sidewalks, vital mass transit, and a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly urban core. But in the typical American city, the car is still king and downtown is a place that's easy to drive to but often not worth arriving at. Making walkability happen is relatively easy and cheap; seeing exactly what needs to be done is the trick. In this essential book, Speck reveals the invisible workings of the…


Book cover of The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals

Donald Summers Author Of Scaling Altruism: A Proven Pathway for Accelerating Nonprofit Growth and Impact

From my list on essential reading for nonprofit leaders.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent most of my adult life using entrepreneurial business practices and principles to redesign and transform nonprofits. From my very first nonprofit organizational acceleration, I was hooked. The wealth one receives from helping other people is so much richer and more satisfying than money–altruism is truly life's greatest pleasure. You know the movie The Sixth Sense where the little kid sees dead people everywhere? I am the same way, except everywhere I look, I see uncaptured opportunities for social impact. I live and breathe social impact strategy, governance, financing, evaluation, and change management. Because by fixing problems in those areas, organizations are able to do more to make the world a better place.  

Donald's book list on essential reading for nonprofit leaders

Donald Summers Why did Donald love this book?

Planning is easy, but execution is hard. Nonprofit leaders can gain a clear, practical understanding of how to measure and execute an organization's progress toward social impact goals with the clear, simple, and compelling four disciplines of execution.

It is simply terrific for putting strategy into practice. You will learn the key concepts from 4DX. We found reading it like getting a new set of glasses that brings the world of management into focus and allows us to see a pathway to success.

By Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The 4 Disciplines of Execution as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fully revised and updated, the definitive guide for leaders on how to create lasting organisational change.

Do you remember the last major initiative you watched die in your organisation? Did it go down with a loud crash? Or was it slowly and quietly suffocated by other competing priorities? By the time it finally disappeared, it's quite likely noone even noticed.

Almost every company struggles with making change happen. The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Revised and Updated is meant to help you reach the goals you've always dreamed of with a simple, repeatable, and proven formula. In this updated edition of…


Book cover of Blown to Bits: How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy

Niraj Dawar Author Of Tilt: Shifting Your Strategy from Products to Customers

From my list on marketing strategy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have taught marketing strategy to MBAs and Executives at Business Schools and companies around the world, and have consulted for major companies in financial services, consumer packaged goods, software, and others for over three decades. Some of my Harvard Business Review articles are among the review’s bestsellers, and my book on marketing strategy, TILT: Shifting Your Strategy from Products to Customers, received the best business book award in 2014. I run a marketing strategy consultancy at Brand Strategy Group with clients on three continents. 

Niraj's book list on marketing strategy

Niraj Dawar Why did Niraj love this book?

This book described the economics of the internet age as the web was taking off. It remains a classic in that it not only predicted many of the transformations that were to play out on the web, including social media, and it continues to be useful as a template for predicting the coming transformations that will be wrought by Web3 and Blockchain.

By Philip Evans, Thomas S. Wurster,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blown to Bits as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Richness or reach? The trade-off used to be simple but absolute: your business strategy either could focus on 'rich' information - customized products and services tailored to a niche audience - or could reach out to a larger market, but with watered-down information that sacrificed richness in favor of a broad, general appeal. Much of business strategy as we know it today rests on this fundamental trade-off. Now, say Evans and Wurster, the new economics of information is eliminating the trade-off between richness and reach, blowing apart the foundations of traditional business strategy. "Blown to Bits" reveals how the spread…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in planning, death, and Christianity?

Planning 49 books
Death 391 books
Christianity 679 books