I love reading!! That's usually what I do with my free time. Since I enjoying hearing about what others are reading, I thought I'd share some of my favorites! Enjoy!

BIBLE STUDIES:

Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church by Michael Lawrence

Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie This is a 5 book series that walks you through the Old Testament with eyes to see Jesus in it. Incredibly valuable and helpful. Each book functions as a 10-week Bible Study that you can do alone or with a group.

Essential Bible Companion: Key Insights for Reading God's Word (Essential Bible Companion Series) by John H. Walton, Mark L. Strauss, and Ted Cooper Jr.

Essential Bible Reference Collection (Essential Bible Companion) by Brian Webster , David R. Beach, John H. Walton, Mark L. Strauss, Ted Cooper Jr., and Moisés Silva

How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken

The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate (The Lost World Series, Volume 2) by John H. Walton

The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made by Mark Dever

The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept by Mark Dever

The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV) This has been my favorite study bible so far. There are many charts, instructions, and margin space to help you learn to study your Bible on your own. This Bible helped me enjoy studying Leviticus!

The New Inductive Study Bible (NASB) This has been my favorite study bible so far. There are many charts, instructions, and margin space to help you learn to study your Bible on your own. This Bible helped me enjoy studying Leviticus!

Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne A. Grudem

A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible: Seeing and Knowing God's Word by Tim Challies and Josh Byers

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin This is a great resource on why reading the Bible is important, why knowing it for yourself matters, and how you can go about doing that.

The Promised One (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in Genesis (Volume 1) by Nancy Guthrie

The Lamb of God (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (Volume 2) by Nancy Guthrie

The Son of David (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in the Historical Books (Volume 3) by Nancy Guthrie

The Wisdom of God (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Books (Volume 4) by Nancy Guthrie

The Word of the Lord (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in the Prophets (Volume 5) by Nancy Guthrie

TheBibleProject.com Just go watch one video and you'll know why I love this! They are creating summary videos of each book of the Bible. It's a great resource to help you understand a book of the Bible better as you read it for yourself.

KNOWING GOD:

40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole - Another great book by Alicia. A devotional for the Lenten season, but thought provoking and challenging anytime.

Comforts From Romans by Elyse Fitzpatrick - A great daily devotional, spending 32 days going through the book of Romans in a fresh way.

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer - A helpful read, especially as a parent. Parenting puts you on the front lines of evangelism, answering the questions of little minds. Highly recommend for anyone.

Humility by Andrew Murray - This book redefined my view of humility and kept Jesus as the ultimate example.

Knowing God by J. I. Packer - A classic for a reason, this book describes the unimaginable privilege we have as Christians to know the Living God and describes it in such simple and understandable language. Chapter 3 is one of the most beautiful chapters I've ever read.

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan - A classic for a reason. Wonderfully inspiring and encouraging. If you've never read it, now's a great time!

A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss - Many Christians know they should have a "quiet time" but few know why it is important. Nancy discusses the purposes of a daily devotional life and why this is so important. Great resource.

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence - Choose to enter into the presence of God even in the menial day to day activities. This is a short easy read.

A Praying Life by Paul Miller - What a wonderful and honest book on prayer! Paul tackles many of the questions every person has in regards to prayer but are afraid to ask. Encouraging, practical, and enjoyable read.

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer - A book about truly knowing God, not just knowing about Him. A must read.

CHRISTIAN LIVING BOOKS:

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke - Everyone should read this book! Reinke has done extensive research for this and doesn't demonize technology but also appropriately warns us of its varying temptations. Challenging and encouraging.

40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger. A Different Kind of Fast. by Alicia Britt Chole

Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole - "Jesus's Hidden Years and Yours" This well-written book is about what we can learn from the 30 "hidden" years of Jesus and how to live in our own seasons of hiddenness. One of the best books I've read in years!

Brokenness/Holiness/Surrender by Nancy Leigh DeMoss - A series of three shorter books. While many are looking for the way to climb to the top to find joy, success, and importance, this series reminds us that the way up is always down in the Kingdom of God.

Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller - Anything can become an idol in your life. This book discusses how to identify these counterfeit gods and begin to worship the one true God.

Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election by Sam Storms

Disappearing Church: From Cultural Relevance to Gospel Resilience by Mark Sayers

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty

Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund

Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison

Heaven by Randy Alcorn - Likely one of the most important books I have read. This book gave me a healthy, robust, Biblical view of God's plan for the New Heavens and New Earth, where our final home will be. This book brought an much needed eternal perspective to my day to day!

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson - This is a great book on humility and how it (or the lack of it) affects our daily life. While Andrew Murray's book will always be my favorite book on humility, this is now my second favorite!

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson - Life is gift, not gain. This is what I learned from this fabulous book. In an age where we’re told to make a name for ourselves, this is a refreshing reminder that we will all die and be forgotten. And that that truth is a liberating reminder that all of life is a precious gift to be enjoyed!

Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken by David Powlison

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - Classic by C.S. Lewis. The chapter "Nice People or New Men" was life changing for me.

Messy, Beautiful Friendship by Christine Hoover - So far, the best book on Christian friendship I've read. She does a great job of describing the challenges of Christian friendship and also portraying their beauty. Honest, helpful, and encouraging.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - Encouraging read on the powerful effect of choosing gratitude in every circumstance. This book does a good job answering the question: How can God be good when He allows tragedy?

Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel by Russell D. Moore

The Path of Loneliness by Elisabeth Elliott - In a world that sees loneliness as an evil to be avoided, this book is a glorious reminder that God actually has good things for us in the hard seasons of loneliness that are inevitable in this life.

The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God's Delight in Being God by John Piper

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Komer

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis - A fictional book written from the view of a head demon coaching a younger demon on how to keep a new Christian from following Jesus.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller

Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch

Teach Me To Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life by Courtney Reissig

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch

A Theology of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis

Things Not Seen: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Trusting God's Promises by Jon Bloom

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn - Short read on money and giving. This book will help you recalibrate your mind to think Biblically and eternally about money and possessions.

When People Are Big and God Is Small by Ed Welch - If you struggle with fear of man and caring too much what others think of you, then this book is for you. A great discussion on why we care so much what others think and what the ultimate solution is. Very helpful for me!

RACE:

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson - Such a helpful read for me as a white American. As I read this book I grieved the sins of our forefathers, I grieved the suffering of black Americans, and I grew in my understanding of our history and how it has shaped our present circumstances. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

Womanhood:

(A)Typical Woman by Abigail Dodds

The Feminist Mistake: The Radical Impact of Feminism on Church and Culture by Mary Kassian A 30,000ft view of the feminist movement and how it affected our culture and the church. Biblical, balanced, and thought provoking.

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill-Perry

Let Me Be A Woman by Elizabeth Elliott - Letters from Elizabeth Elliot to her engaged daughter. Elisabeth has been widowed twice and has a wealth of wisdom to share with all women, especially those headed toward marriage.

Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Great resource in helping us as women take our thoughts captive to make them obedient to Christ.

No Little Women by Aimee Byrd - A thought-provoking read about women's ministry and how to see all women in God's household equipped theologically.

Children & Parenting:

The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story by Sergio Cariello

The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis Probably my all time favorite series of books of all time, secondary to the Bible. Such a beautiful allegorical display of spiritual truths. A great series to read aloud with your children.

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul

For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay A helpful and inspiring book showcasing Charlotte Mason's education model. If you are a parent or teacher, it will inspire you and renew your passion to help the children in your life enjoy the world around them and to be educated in the truest sense of the word. This book was a breath of fresh air for me!

Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart by Mary Ann Hoberman

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Storybook: The true story of why Jesus died and rose again by Carl Lafterton

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson This parenting book is in a completely different category than all other Christian parenting books, going beyond how to change your child's behavior, and simply pondering the question: What are the implications of The Gospel of Jesus Christ on our parenting? Phenomenal!

God's Very Good Idea Storybook: A True Story of God's Delightfully Different Family by Trillia J. Newbell

Halfway Herbert by Francis Chan

Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt - Half book, half book list, this is a great resource! Gladys makes a case for why reading books together as a family is so valuable and then provides you with age appropriate books to awaken your children's imagination and love for reading.

Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science by Louie Giglio

The Littlest Watchman: Watching and Waiting for the Very First Christmas by Scott James

Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Dannah Gresh

A Mom's Guide to Lies Girls Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Dannah Gresh

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp

The Pastor's Kid: What it's Like and How to Help by Barnabas Piper

Sidney and Norman: A Tale of Two Pigs by Phil Vischer

What's in the Bible? by Phil Vischer - This is NOT a book, but a DVD video series meant for kids. Phil goes through each book of the bible for children! I honestly think he made this series for parents because I've learned as much as my kids have. Check out his website for more info.

Christian Biographies & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES:

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

Cameron Townsend: Good News in Every Language (Christian Heroes: Then & Now) by Janet Benge

A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot A fabulous biography of Amy Carmichael, missionary to India who rescued and raised hundreds of orphans from temple prostitution.

Defying Jihad: The Dramatic True Story of a Woman Who Volunteered to Kill Infidels--and Then Faced Death for Becoming One by Esther Ahmad

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry

The Autobiography of George Muller George Muller's faith and life has been a tremendous encouragement to me.

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans (Christian Heroes: Then & Now) by Geoff Benge

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom The story of a Christian family in Holland who hid jews during the holocaust. So good!

A Long Way Home: A Memoir by Saroo Brierley

Me, Myself, & Bob by Phil Vischer The creator of Veggie Tales shares the story of seeing his dream come to life and then disintegrate before his eyes. For anyone hoping to do great things for God, this is a must read.

Nate Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer (Christian Heroes: Then & Now) by Janet Benge

Safer Than a Known Way by Pamela Moore The biography of a women who worked for Brother Andrew, "The Bible Smuggler", and Corrie Ten Boom and learned that God's ways are safer than her own.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshia

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot The story of 5 missionaries who gave their lives in the jungles of Ecuador to reach an isolated tribe with the Gospel. A powerful testimony of lives submitted to God for the sake of His Kingdom.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand