Disclosure: I only recommend books I have read myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links from which I may earn a small commission. This helps support me and my family. Thank you.
Every few months I try to read a Christian book. Sometimes they are biographies, sometimes theological, or sometimes just Christian encouragement. But, the good ones can be hard to find. You have to sort through a lot of not-so-great ones to get to the real stuff. I find myself hungry for books with substance. However, many "Christian" books I pick up are pretty fluffy.
They have no real weight.
They say a lot of nice things.
Even Godly things.
But they lack depth.
They leave no lasting impression on my mind, heart, or spirit. I really dislike those kinds of books. Have you read a book like that? Didn't you want to just chuck it out the window because it made you waste your time?
It can be hard to find a book that makes an impact on my life. But I'm always on the hunt. So, when I come across one that ignites a spark in my mind or kindles my soul with a renewed passion for God, my faith, my fellow Christians, or helps me see some new Biblical truth, I want share it with everyone I can. If it brings me closer to Jesus, I want other people to read it and draw closer to Him, too! Because He is where the real life and light is.
I think my friends and family might be tired of me texting them with book recommendations. But I can't help it. There are some books out there just too good not to share.
So, here is a roundup of 12 of my favorites, in no particular order. These are books I think any Christian woman (or man for that matter) would benefit from reading. These are all books that have made a real impact in my life. I hope you'll find something in this list that brings you one step closer to Jesus, just like they did for me.
Yeah, I know. It's obvious. But this book needs to be on your reading list every single day. :) Hebrews 4:12 says:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
I am really loving my She Reads Truth Bible in the CSB version (Christian Standard Bible). I like to have various translations, and read them at different times. I've been reading this version out loud with my kids (we are reading through Acts) and it is very easy reading in simple to follow language. I read this article about the CSB version, and fell in love with it.
I am not advocating one translation of the Bible over another. I love different versions for different reasons. But the bottom line is, God can speak to us through any of them! Isaiah 55:11 says:
"
so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”
Ok, off my soap box and on to the rest of the list...
If, when you imagine heaven, all you can picture are fluffy clouds, a bright light, and some angles flying around in white robes, then you need to read this book. Growing up, I could never get a clear understanding of what I thought heaven would be like, so it was hard to look forward to. This book changed that. It is a riveting collection of true stories of people who have had near-death experiences, and come back to tell what they saw in heaven. It is truly a captivating read.
This is the book I am currently reading. It is one of those books where you feel like you need to underline every other sentence. It is packed with solid biblical truths. If I feel otherwise when I'm done with it, I'll come back here and revise this post. ;) For now, I can already see that it should make this list.
This book was pivotal in my understanding of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. It is a scripture-based walk through everything the Bible has to say about the Holy Spirit. You'll need your Bible handy as you read this book to look up all the references! Growing up, I did not know much about Holy Spirit things, other than He was part of the Trinity. I didn't really understand what part the Holy Spirit had to play in my life and always hungered to know more. If the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts is something you would like to know more about, this book is the best place to start.
The tagline of this book is "Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms." I know this doesn't apply to all women, but if you are a mother like me, then this is a great short devotional book for you. Especially if you have little ones. I read it with a group of my MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) friends several years ago and gleaned so much from it. It helped fill me up at a time when I seemed to be running on empty. I've tried many women's devotionals like this, but this really stuck out to me as one of the best. It's a short book (for busy moms!) but is worth savoring.
Do not miss this book. This is by far the best biography I have ever read. Eric Metaxas is a superbly gifted writer and this is his crowing work, in my opinion. He writes the story of a German pastor and author who takes part in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This is a hefty book, but well worth the time and effort it takes to read. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of what Christians in Hitler's Germany went through. While you're at it, go ahead and read the next book on the list, too...
If you want to read a book about what it means to take up your cross and follow Christ, there are few better to say it than Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
He was executed in a concentration camp for choosing to follow his faith and stand up against evil and injustice. In this book, he points out the pitfalls of the "easy grace" that many German Christians were embracing at the time (before WWII). We must learn from the mistakes of the past, and Bonhoeffer's words seem to be prophetic not only for his time, but for ours as well.
Oh, I do love this book. I love the way Greig writes. He is funny and at the same time cuts to the quick–in a good way. If you struggle with how or what to pray, grab this book right now. It is a practical, completely applicable, guide to praying.
I heard Nik Ripken speak at our church several years ago, which led me to pick up his book. I couldn't put it down. It tells stories of the persecuted church around the world that need to be heard by Christians in America. If you want to get a better understanding of your faith in a global context, this book is a great read. It also truly convicted me about how much scripture I had memorized and know by heart. You can read more of how it impacted my own story here.
What an amazing story of conversion. In his book, Qureshi describes his own journey of going from a devout Muslim to ultimately accepting Jesus as the Son of God, Lord, and Savior. Qureshi takes you along on his quest of deeply questioning his faith and his honest, in-depth search for the truth about what he believes. If you don't know much about the Muslim faith, or Eastern culture, this book is incredibly enlightening. It will help you better understand what and why Muslims believe what they do, and help you better relate to your Muslim friends and spread the truth of Jesus to people who are honestly seeking to please God.
This is another conversion story of a Muslim miraculously being led to faith in Jesus. However, this is from a wealthy Pakistani woman's point of view. Her story is a powerful reminder of what God can do in and through the lives of His faithful followers. It is truly uplifting and gives you perspective of what some must give up to follow Jesus, and gain by doing so.
12. Miracles by Eric Metaxas
I love stories about God reaching into our lives and shaking things up. In this book, Metaxas takes a methodical look at miracles. From the miracle of life itself, to creation, to a woman miraculously finding her lost keys. By examining miracles both big and small, Metaxas shows us how God can reach in through time and space and eternity to affect our lives in ways that draw us closer to Him. He chronicles several fascinating miracles that have happened both to himself and people he knows personally. This book left me thirsting for more stories of God's intervention in ordinary people's lives.
I'm currently on the hunt for the next good Christian book to read... Any suggestions?
