The New Loneliness: Nurturing Meaningful Connections When You Feel Isolated by Cindi McMenamin

Written for a female audience, author Cindi McMenamin’s book explores how traditional reasons for loneliness—“loneliness caused by anxiety, shame, suffering, feelings of inadequacy, betrayal, and more”—have been exacerbated by reliance on technology and the isolation people experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She writes, “The kinds of loneliness that have always plagued humanity since the Garden of Eden are still with us. But now we have new obstacles and complications that have contributed to isolating us from others. And these have made loneliness more a part of our lives.”

McMenamin has structured her perceptive, compassionate book to address three facets of loneliness and offers solutions for each: reconnecting with God, reconnecting with your own heart, and reconnecting with others. In each, she shares personal stories and those of the numerous women she surveyed for her book.

McMenamin’s intent is not to just offer anecdotal accounts of loneliness and biblical advice. Her goal is to help readers apply what they have read to their lives. Each chapter concludes with an application section called “Being Intentional” and “A Challenge to Help You Grow.”

The author’s prayer for readers is that her book will help them take steps to move forward out of a lonely life and “into the abundant one Jesus promised when you’re in relationship with Him and the community of believers He has placed around you. I want nothing more than for you to discover God’s prescription for a far more joyful—and far less lonely—life.”

(Harvest House Publishers)