Best Christian Books to Add to Your Summer Reading
I just returned from a family vacation to the beach. To me…summer and the beach means lots of time to read. I love reading. It’s one of my favorite ways to pass time.
The last time I posted here, I wrote about 4 Practical Ways to Guard Your Thoughts. Some of the things I suggested were reading the words of other Christians and watching your media input. Reading Christian books is a way that you can do this. With summer now in full swing, I thought I’d share some Christian books that I’d recommend you add to your summer reading list.
10 Christian Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List
Nonfiction
–Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis- This is one of my all time favorite books. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you read it this summer. Katie is a missionary in Uganda who gave up everything our culture values (comfort, family, friends, a boyfriend, college, etc.) to follow Christ. This book really challenged me and changed the way I look at the world.
–In the Land of Blue Burqas by Kate McCord- Kate (which is a psuedonym, she changed her name for protection) was a missionary in Afghanistan. This book gave me a glimpse into this culture which I think is often very misunderstood. It also helped me better understand the Bible as the context of Afghanistan is more similar to the context of the Bible than America is. It was a very easy read and it felt like having a conversation with the author.
–Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman- This is a very convicting book. Even so, it’s not a hard read because the author infuses tidbits of humor in the stories he shares in order to make his point. He really delves into what it means to truly be a follower of Jesus.
–Orphan Justice by Johnny Carr- Adoption and orphan care is a passion of mine, but I believe that this is a book that all Christians should read. The call to care for the orphaned and vulnerable is a call for all Christians, not just those who have a passion for it. This is one of my favorite books on this topic because I found it the easiest to read and the most applicable. I also love how it covers a wide range of topics from abortion to racism to human trafficking and beyond.
–The Most Misused Verses in the Bible by Eric J. Bargerhuff- God has recently been showing me how important it is to read the Bible in context. This was an enjoyable, quick read that went through some really popularly quoted verses and explained what they really mean in context. This is not a complicated, theological book. It’s written in a way anyone can understand.
Fiction
–Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers- This is one of my all time favorite series. If you love historical fiction, you’ll enjoy this series. I have to admit, the first book is the best in terms of the story. The second and third books involve more of a personal journey of some of the characters and the plot moves a little slower.This is one of the few series that I’ve read more than once.
– Lowlands of Scotland series by Liz Curtis Higgs- This story may sound familiar because this series is based on the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel from the Bible. It is set in Scotland in the late 1700s. This is another great book for the historical fiction lover.
–Refiner’s Fire series by Lynn Austin- This is another historical fiction. This one taking place during the Civil War. What’s interesting is that each story is from a different perspective. One story is about a girl living in the South, another is about a girl living in the North, and the last one is from the perspective of a slave living in the South.
–Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers- This series tells the story of each of the women mentioned in Jesus’ lineage. Obviously, the author has to use her imagination to make a full book out of each story, but I believe it gives you an idea of what it might have been like to have been one of these women.
–A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison- Disclaimer: This is not a “Christian” book, but I still would recommend it. It is about a topic that I think is very important to the Christian community-human trafficking. It gives you a glimpse into what it is like to be taken against your will and the sad reality of what people really go through all around the world.
What Christian books would you recommend adding to our summer reading lists?
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Michelle says
Megan- I haven’t read any of the other books you’ve listed, but I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendation of “The Most Misused Verses In the Bible.” It’s very good, and, as you said is a great introduction to reading the Bible in context.
And, since you recommended a book by Lynn Austin, I absolutely loved her “Chronicles of the Kings” series:
http://michellelesleybooks.com/2013/03/11/book-report-chronicles-of-the-kings/
Megan Hall says
Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard that from other people as well. So, I’ll definitely have to add that series to my “to read” list.
lbeauwilliams says
The “Mark of the Lion” series is THE TICK, TICK BOMB. Also, the adult “Left Behind” series is really, really good. I read all 12 or 13 books in a few months!!! I will totally check some of these books out. Thanks, Megan!!!!
Megan Hall says
Thanks for reading! Mark of the Lion is one of my favorite series every! I never read any of the Left Behind books. I might have to check those out.
jeanwise says
I always like a good book list and appreciate you sharing both fiction and nonfiction. I discovered several I hadn’t heard of before so thanks for sharing your insights on each. coming over the Thought provoking Thursday.
Megan Hall says
Thanks for reading! I’ve always loved to read, but a few years ago I decided I needed to read more nonfiction and I’m glad I did or I wouldn’t have read many of these great books.
rachaeljdebruin says
Some great suggestions! I have actually wanted to read Kisses From Katie for a long time myself 🙂 And Not a Fan I have also had friends rave about.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Rachael @ http://www.parentingandhomeschoolinginfaith.com
Megan Hall says
I hope you’ll read them both! Kisses from Katie is one of my favorite books ever! Both books are full of great truths.
DD says
Neta Jackson’s Yada Yada prayer group series is stand alone or read all.
Megan Hall says
Thanks for the suggestion. That one sounds familiar. I think I’ve either seen my mom or grandma reading those.
Laura Rath says
I read the Lineage of Grace series many years ago. Although fiction, it was an important step in my faith journey because they took me to Scripture where I did more reading and digging in.
I also just finished Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Agreed – it is convicting and a good read. Right now I’m reading & enjoying The Noticer by Andy Andrews.
(Visiting from Sharing His Beauty.)
Megan Hall says
Thanks for stopping by! I agree about Lineage of Grace. I was the same way. After reading the book, I wanted to go back and read that account from the Bible.
pjkuhn says
Love, love, love reading lists! I love anything Francine Rivers writes. I had a 4-day writing course with her at a writer’s conference. She’s a true lady and her immersion into God’s Word shows through her books. I want to get the Most Misused Scriptures. That sounds like a good one. I just read Mark Batterson’s All In–it was a good one. I’m reading Chasing Frances now. I usually have a stack beside me that I’m reading. ~Pamela
Megan Hall says
I’m the same way! How awesome that you got to attend a writing conference with her. Her writing is great!
Donna says
Not a Fan was good, and anything by Francine Rivers is excellent. If you haven’t read her Redeeming Love and The Atonement Child, you must read those. I think that they are her best works. If you liked Not a Fan, you might like Christian Atheist.