Reading is my escape. It’s also my favorite form or procrastination.
This summer while my boys are in the neighborhood pool, I’ll be parked on a lounge chair, Kindle in hand, reading.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your summer reading list, I’ve got a few suggestions for you!
My Kindle is loaded with over 2000 Christian fiction books. I snagged most of them for free from Christian Book Finds.
These four books stand out as Christian fiction books that God used to teach me new truths about Him.
My Favorite Christian Books:
If you’re looking for some new authors to check out my current favorites include Staci Stallings, Dan Walsh, Leah Atwood, Chautona Havig, Traci Peterson, Rachel Hauck, and Kristin Ethridge.
I also read a lot of non-fiction Christian books. I try to keep on top of what’s trending so I know what the women in my church are reading. I also want to keep up with the latest trends in women’s ministry and church resources. And I’m always eager to know more about God’s word and exploring the ways in which He calls us to love and serve others.
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin and Word-filled Women’s Ministry by Gloria Furman are two of my current recommendations for all leaders to read.
God’s been leading me to focus my reading on mentoring, discipleship, and evangelism.
This summer I plan to read:
- Generation Z by James Emery White
- Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
- The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard by Kristen Schell (read my review here)
- Tell Someone: You Can Share the Good News by Greg Laurie
- Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
- Sharing Jesus (Without Freaking Out) by Alvin L. Reid
- Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
My “hope-to-get-to” book list includes:
- On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury
- Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt
- Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos by Vicki Courtney
- Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It by Robert D. Lupton
One of the members of our church book club suggested Good Reads (online, app, and connected with Kindle) as a way to keep up with the books we’ve read and want to read. I’m still working on completing my profile, but you’re welcome to follow me there.
There are authors I will not endorse and I can’t always recommend everything I’ve read. I take seriously God’s mandate in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to test everything we read. I encourage all believers to do the same.
I hope the lists above have been an encouragement and resource to you as you plan your summer reading list.
If God’s calling you to dig deeper and study His Word this summer, I encourage you to check out my READ Bible Study Workbook. If He’s instead calling you to step up your prayer life, consider enrolling in the Prayer Warrior Boot Camp.
Praying we’ll each embrace the opportunities God gives us to draw closer to Him this summer!
I’d love to know, what books are you planning to read this summer?
You may also want to read:
Book Review: The Simplest Way to Change the World
Book Review: None Like Him by Jen Wilkin
Book Review: Word-filled Women’s Ministry
One year ago: How to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
Two years ago: 6 Out-of-the-Box Ideas for Using Music in Your Ministry
Three years ago: Summer Bible Study Solutions
Four years ago: Coffee, Cake, and Comedy Night
Cyndee, this is so helpful! I’ve read a few on your list and can’t wait to read the others. Thank You!!
Thanks, Jean-Ann. <3 I hope to put together another list for this next summer too!
Cyndee, your summer reading suggestions are awesome. I have just finished reading THE SWAN HOUSE and I could not put it down and at the end – tears were coming down my face. It is a book everyone should read. You will not put it down. Reading the Prayer Box now. Please, please, please keep up with your book selections.
Oh Meg! Thank you! The Swan House stands out as one of my all-time favorite books. Hope you enjoy The Prayer Box just as much. Thanks for encouraging me to share more reading recommendations. I’ll be sure to do so!
Hi Cyndee, I appreciate your website, especially the recommended books. Thank you. I would appreciate any information you can give regarding the ‘Facebook masterclass’ that you have recently attended. Thank you.
Hi Myrna, so glad you found the book recommendations helpful. 🙂 I’m still taking the FB masterclass. I don’t know if/when they will be opening another session. Sorry!
Just finished Never Unfriended and Practice Resurrection.
Both amazing In different ways.
Michele – thanks for the suggestions! I know several women who’ve recently finished Never Unfriended.
thanks Cyndee for the suggestions on book reading. I am reading Tracie Peterson My Valentine from our library. I started it last evening and will probably finish it in a day or two. I am always looking for new Christian authors that I’m not aware of. It certainly keeps me in the right path instead of television junk! Thanks for the suggestions. Susan
You’re so welcome Susan! I don’t think I’ve read My Valentine – I’ll have to check. I’d pick a book over tv any day! 🙂
Hi Cyndee, I would like to send you my newly published book, “Purposed for Womanhood” for your review. Is there an address I could use? Thanks!
Lulu, I’ll shoot you an email. 🙂