rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

Jamie Ivey releases new book with Thomas Nelson: Why Can’t I Get It Together?

WHY CAN’T I GET IT TOGETHER? — THE LATEST BOOK BY TOP-CHARTING PODCAST HOST & BESTSELLING AUTHOR JAMIE IVEY — ENCOURAGES READERS TO EXCHANGE THE WAY THINGS ARE “SUPPOSED TO BE” FOR A LIFE FAR MORE FULFILLING

Known for meaningful conversations about life and faith on her popular podcast, The Happy Hour (45.5 million downloads), Jamie Ivey brings the same transparency to the page in her latest book, where she reminds readers they aren’t alone in wanting “better,” but first they have to give up the pursuit of perfection. 

“Ivey strikes a relatable tone that will easily earn readers’ trust. Her steadfast reassurances to ‘chase holiness rather than looking or feeling like you have it together’ resonate. This will be a balm to stressed-out believers.” – Publishers Weekly

_________________________________________________________________

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) November 28, 2023 —“I always thought the older I got, the more I’d have my life in order,” admits Jamie Ivey, host of one of the fastest-growing podcasts, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, and author of the forthcoming title, Why Can’t I Get It Together? (2/13/24, HarperCollins).

That revolving door of “I know better but I can’t seem to do better” can get the best of anyone. Who hasn’t said, “I should be over this by now”? Who hasn’t been discouraged at falling into the same traps, the same old habits, the same struggles for perfection or control over things beyond our grasp?

As Jamie Ivey freely admits in this book, the struggle is all-too-real sometimes. Yet her newest title presents a welcome opportunity—one that she has personally experienced: the opportunity to escape the cycle of shame and frustration and open the door to a new path. A path that leads to greater peace and a surprising sense of personal satisfaction.

Sharing honest stories of her own relatable struggles—from marital conflicts to parenting challenges to physical insecurities—Jamie Ivey understands the flawed perceptions that keep people from living in the present moment and enjoying life as it’s meant to be enjoyed. For example, she writes, “When it comes to taking care of my body, I wonder how everyone on Instagram makes it look so easy. Do they wake up every morning and choose to drink water all day? Somehow they get to the gym five times a week and still have a job and family and friends. I can’t figure it out. No carbs? No sugar? No dairy? No fun! It’s hard to find what makes me feel good and doesn’t just push me toward wanting to look good. My body insecurities keep creeping up while I’m just trying to be healthy!”

The popular pattern of trying to “get it together” is essentially to embark on a hopeless quest. We have to exit the revolving door, she says, in order to find a new path. And what Ivey has discovered in her own journey is how much better it is to spend one’s energy on embracing the transforming power of God’s love versus spending it in the strive for the ideal.

Our own efforts to get it together in areas we have no control over, says Ivey, will “never move the needle to a better future because it has nothing to do with us or anything we can do. You don’t always have to give in to what the world, your family, or your own self declares is the way things are ‘supposed’ to be. God desires goodness and joy for us. [He] went to great lengths to offer you and me the best good news ever.”

To help move that needle toward joy and away from perpetual frustrations, Ivey guides readers through an examination of six critical areas of their lives:

  1. Past and Present Hurts
  2. Obligations
  3. Needs
  4. Desires
  5. Expectations
  6. Responsibilities

This inventory can then be used to map out what “getting it together” means for each person.

Ivey’s credibility on the subject matter stems from her breadth of experience as a writer, speaker, mother, wife, and podcast host. Her immensely popular podcast, boasting 4.5 million downloads and over 600 episodes, has become a gathering place for meaningful conversations about life and faith. Ivey’s ability to share raw, redemptive stories from her own life, coupled with her gift for delivering God-empowering messages, has garnered her a dedicated and diverse following.

Her fans and new readers alike will be relieved to give up the futile pursuit of perfection and redefine what it means to fully embrace themselves from a divine point of view and gain a personal definition of self-satisfaction that is achievable for them. Why Can’t I Get It Together? offers valuable insights on such relevant topics as:

  • How to get clear on your reality and shatter the illusion of the ideal
  • How to deal with the areas of life that seem stubbornly out of your control
  • How to put an end to the unhealthy spiral of self-shaming
  • How to set healthier expectations that won’t damage your sense of satisfaction
  • How to take steps toward a life of chasing holiness

Jamie’s latest work is a fresh reminder that we are all in this together, and there are rewarding ways to enjoy life for exactly what it is.

Why Can’t I Get It Together?: Kick Unrealistic Expectations to the Curb and Rest in God’s Truth will be available everywhere books are sold on February 13, 2024. Learn more at www.jamieivey.com/get-it-together. Subscribe to Jamie’s podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or other streaming services. Follow Jamie Ivey on social media @jamieivey on Instagram, @jamie_ivey on X (formerly Twitter), and @TheJamieIvey on Facebook. To learn more about Jamie, visit www.jamieivey.com/read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JAMIE IVEY is the creator and host of the popular podcast, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, a central gathering place for talking about life and Jesus, which boasts 45.5 million all-time downloads and 600+ episodes. Jamie is an author who shares gospel truths with raw, redemptive stories from her life. She loves to deliver God-empowering messages to women. Jamie and her husband, Aaron, live in Austin, Texas, with their four teenagers and two dogs.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: THOMAS NELSON is a world-leading publisher and provider of Christian content, providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. With over 250 new, original books and Bibles published each year and distributed in more than 100 countries, translating content into more than 65 different languages, Thomas Nelson is committed to one central mission: inspiring the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curricula, and digital content. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, visit ThomasNelson.com.

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 THE JESUS DISCOVERIES
JEREMIAH J. JOHNSTON
2 18 DAYS IN HEAVEN
GABE POIROT
3 THE KING IS COMING
JOHN BEVERE
4 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
5 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
6 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
7 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES®
GARY CHAPMAN
8 THE WAY OF THE WILDFLOWER
RUTH CHOU SIMONS
9 CAPABLE
SISSY GOFF, LPC-MHSP AND DAVID THOMAS
10 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
View All
1 THE KING IS COMING
JOHN BEVERE
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
4 THE WAY OF THE WILDFLOWER
RUTH CHOU SIMONS
5 CAPABLE
SISSY GOFF, LPC-MHSP AND DAVID THOMAS
6 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
7 ROSE BOOK OF BIBLE CHARTS, MAPS AND TIME LINES
ROSE PUBLISHING
8 IF THE TREE COULD SPEAK
TIM TEBOW
9 THE AWE OF GOD
JOHN BEVERE
10 LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN
MAX LUCADO
View All
1 THE JESUS DISCOVERIES
JEREMIAH J. JOHNSTON
2 18 DAYS IN HEAVEN
GABE POIROT
3 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
4 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES ®
GARY CHAPMAN
5 100 MEDITATIONS ON THE WORDS OF JESUS
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
6 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
7 DISCIPLINES OF A GODLY MAN UPDATED EDITION
R. KENT HUGHES
8 BOUNDARIES UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION
HENRY CLOUD AND JOHN TOWNSEND
9 GUARDRAILS
JIM RAMOS
10 BIBLE WORD SEARCH DEVOTIONAL (THE BOOK OF PSALMS)
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
View All
1 THE LUMBER BARON'S WIFE
LYNN AUSTIN
2 WITNESS PROTECTION
ROBERT WHITLOW
3 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
4 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
5 MORE THAN FRIENDS
DENISE HUNTER
6 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
7 HARBOR POINTE
IRENE HANNON
8 A LINEAGE OF GRACE
FRANCINE RIVERS
9 THE BOOKSHOP OF 99 DOORS
JAIME JO WRIGHT
10 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES: AN ENGAGING VISUAL JOURNEY
HANNAH HURNARD
View All
1 IF THE TREE COULD SPEAK
TIM TEBOW
2 100 MEDITATIONS ON THE WORDS OF JESUS
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
3 HEAL YOUR HURTING MIND
CRAIG GROESCHEL WITH WAYNE CHAPPELLE
4 100 MEDITATIONS ON THE NAMES OF JESUS
BROADSTREET PUBLISHING GROUP LLC
5 THE FAITH TO FLOURISH
CHRISTINE CAINE
6 DON'T STOP PRAYING
MATTHEW WEST WITH MATT LITTON
7 UNCOMPLICATE IT
HOSANNA WONG
8 UNCLUTTERED FAITH
JOSHUA BECKER
9 HOPE FOR HARD DAYS
MAX LUCADO
10 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEALING
RICK RENNER
View All
1 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
2 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 DID YOUR MOTHER EVER TELL YOU?
BARBARA COSTELLO
6 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
7 I PRAYED FOR YOU
JEAN FISCHER
8 A CHILD'S FIRST BIBLE
KENNETH N. TAYLOR
9 WHEREVER YOU GO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW...
MELISSA B. KRUGER
10 THE WORLD NEEDS WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE
JOANNA GAINES
View All
1 EVERY MOMENT HOLY: RITES OF PASSAGE
DOUGLAS KAINE MCKELVEY
2 WELCOME TO ADULTING
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
3 THE CASE FOR CHRIST STUDENT EDITION
LEE STROBEL WITH JANE VOGEL
4 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
5 IS GOD REAL? FOR TEENS
LEE STROBEL
6 THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE SELECTED THOUGHTS AND SCRIPTURES FOR THE GRADUATE
RICK WARREN
7 THE CASE FOR FAITH
LEE STROBEL
8 POCKET PRAYERS FOR GRADUATES
MAX LUCADO
9 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
10 DO HARD THINGS
ALEX HARRIS AND BRETT HARRIS
View All
1 EVERY MOMENT HOLY: RITES OF PASSAGE
DOUGLAS KAINE MCKELVEY
2 WELCOME TO ADULTING
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
3 THE CASE FOR CHRIST STUDENT EDITION
LEE STROBEL WITH JANE VOGEL
4 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
5 IS GOD REAL? FOR TEENS
LEE STROBEL
6 THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE SELECTED THOUGHTS AND SCRIPTURES FOR THE GRADUATE
RICK WARREN
7 THE CASE FOR FAITH
LEE STROBEL
8 POCKET PRAYERS FOR GRADUATES
MAX LUCADO
9 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
10 DO HARD THINGS
ALEX HARRIS AND BRETT HARRIS
View All
1 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
2 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
3 BIBLE PROMISE BOOK - KJV
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
4 MINI DEVOTIONS GRACE FOR TODAY
SOLLY OZROVECH
5 199 PROMISES OF GOD
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
6 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
7 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
8 MINI DEVOTIONS FOR WOMEN
CAROLYN LARSEN
9 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
10 FREEDOM OF SELF FORGETFULNESS
TIMOTHY J. KELLER
View All
1 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER
2 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
3 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
4 KJV GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE, PINK
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
5 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
6 NLT LARGE PRINT PREMIUM VALUE THINLINE BIBLE, BROWN CELTIC CROSS
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
7 NLT LARGE PRINT PREMIUM VALUE THINLINE BIBLE, GARDEN PINK
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
8 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE, HARDCOVER
THOMAS NELSON
9 NRSV CATHOLIC BIBLE GIFT EDITION, WHITE
CATHOLIC BIBLE PRESS
10 NIV LARGE PRINT VALUE THINLINE BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
View All
1 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
2 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, BLACK
THOMAS NELSON
3 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
4 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
5 NLT ECONOMY BIBLE
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
6 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
ESV BIBLES
7 NKJV ECONOMY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
8 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, BLACK
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
9 NIV HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
10 NIV OUTREACH BIBLE STUDENT EDITION
ZONDERVAN
View All
1 New International Version
2 English Standard Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New Revised Standard Version
9 New International Reader's Version
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 INCENDIARIO
ITIEL ARROYO
3 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
4 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO
RICK WARREN
5 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA - SERIE FAVORITOS
STORMIE OMARTIAN
6 EL PODER DE LA MADRE QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
7 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
8 LA VIDA DEBAJO DEL SOL
SUGEL MICHELEN
9 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
10 JESUS TE LLAMA, Tapa dura
SARAH YOUNG
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, NEGRO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, ROSA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
DIAZ-PABON, LUIS ANGEL
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, negro imitacion piel
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE ESTUDIO ARCO IRIS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 BIBLIA CATOLICA EDICION ECONOMICA
CATOLICA, EDITORIAL
8 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TIERRA SANTA
VIDA
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GIGANTE CON REFERENCIAS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
View All
1 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
2 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
3 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
6 COMO ORAR EN EL ESPIRITU
JOHN BUNYAN
7 JESUS Y SUS AMIGOS / JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS
VIDA
8 180 VERSICULOS DE LA BIBLIA PARA VENCER LA ANSIEDAD
CAREY SCOTT
9 JESUS SALVA AL MUNDO / JESUS SAVES THE WORLD
VIDA
10 ¿PARA QUE ESTOY AQUI EN LA TIERRA?
RICK WARREN
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA webinar: The Vanishing Church with Ryan P. Burge
June 12 | 10 am central
International Christian Rights & Export Fair
June 16-17, 2026 | Chicago, IL
ECPA webinar: AI and the Intelligent Publisher with Brooke Dobson and Joshua Tallent
July 10 | 10 am central
ECPA webinar: Navigating Anxiety in People and Systems During Times of Change with Adrian Pei
August 7 | 10 am central
ECPA C-Suite Symposium 2026
September 13-15, 2026 | Asheville, NC

Career Center

Bookstore Accounts Sales Manager
Whitaker Corporation, Remote
Advertising & Merchandising Coordinator
Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois
Marketing Manager, Christian Publishing Group
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, Remote
Mobile Developer (Swift)
Crossway, Remote
Licensing Department Administrative Assistant
Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois
Managing Editor
Christian Art Gifts, Bloomingdale, Illinois
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2026 · ECPA