What we’re looking forward to in 2017

First-day-back-at-work conversations tend to focus on how Christmas went, what gifts were given and received, and how much weight we need to lose—as we slowly get back into the working mindset and set goals for the year to come.

To give you a sneak preview of what’s coming in the next few months, I wandered around the office and asked some of our staff to share which upcoming releases they are particularly excited by.

Andre Parker (Head of Design)
"In the second half of this year we’re releasing two new illustrated books that I have been working on for a long time. Eric Says Please (September) finishes a wonderful trilogy of rhyming books by Welsh wonder Dai Hankey. Parents always want to teach their children to say “Thank you, sorry and please”—it’s just good manners! But these brilliant books connect these vital words with gospel truth."

"A new addition to our bestselling Tales that tell the truth series will be God’s Very Good Idea (September). It’s been great to work with author Trillia Newbell on an extremely important subject—racial diversity."

Rachel Jones (Staff Editor and Publicist)
"I’m looking forward to reading Dealing with Disappointment (January)—because it speaks something we all feel, but rarely feel able to talk about: that brooding sense that life in general, and our Christian life in particular, is just not delivering in a way we expect it to. It’s something my generation feels particularly keenly, so I’m hoping it will fuel some good discussions and help us to be more realistic in 2017."

Tim Thornborough (Publishing Director)
"Where Was God When That Happened? (February) is the latest book from Christopher Ash, and addresses very powerfully a question that we all wrestle with. Christopher’s approach to the question is fresh and thoroughly biblical, and will, perhaps, be uncomfortable reading for some. But Christopher’s trademark qualities of simplicity, clarity and warmth are woven throughout. This will be an enormously helpful book for everyone."

Carl Laferton (Editorial Director)
"2017 is a year when we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Explore with the Reformers (January) is a daily-reading resource from the writings of Calvin, Luther, Bullinger and Cranmer. I’m planning to read it in my quiet times this year, and am looking forward to seeing their insights and being helped by them to follow Jesus more courageously."

"I’ve also been privileged to work with two exceptional authors on a book of biblical reflections called Hope When It Hurts (April). There are lots of books about the doctrine of suffering, but a book that helps you in your own suffering that is hope filled and biblical is very unusual. Both the authors struggle with long-term conditions, and bring a richness and reality to the writing that is particularly powerful."

James Burstow (Commercial Director)
“Gospel Shaped Mercy! (April) This is the final part of what has been a 3-year project for us to produce a substantial curriculum with our partner The Gospel Coalition. Stephen Um helps us see how works of mercy, compassion and justice are an essential part of our response to the Gospel. It’s a much-needed message for our churches.”

"It’s always exciting to launch new products, but it’s easy for us to overlook some of the really important things we have been doing since we started. Our quarterly daily Bible reading notes Explore is one of our oldest and most established products, and something that remains close to our hearts. This coming year one new development is the availability of the riches of Explore in a new hardback format, featuring writers such as Tim Keller, Mark Dever, Sam Allberry and Richard Coekin."

Elizabeth Parsons (Translations Co-ordinator)
"One often-unsung part of our work is the encouragement of translations of our books into other languages. This year I am looking forward to over 60 resources coming out in over a dozen key languages. There is a Dutch edition of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross planned. Plus new translations in French, Tamil, Shona and Swahili of our Pray Prepare Preach series, which helps preachers worldwide teach the Bible more effectively and faithfully."

What are you looking forward to most from The Good Book Company in 2017? Join the conversation and comment below. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and download The Good Book Company App straight to your phone or tablet.