Winter Reads

“As the hours crept by, the afternoon sunlight bleached all the books on the shelves to pale, gilded versions of themselves and warmed the paper and ink inside the covers so that the smell of unread words hung in the air.”

(Maggie Stiefvater)

Very few pleasures in life can beat curling up with a good book and a steaming mug of something sweet, and winter is the perfect time for just such a splurge. I was browsing my bookshelves earlier and decided I’d share my favorite titles with you in case your reading list is feeling as sparse as the maple trees outside. Here are some tried and true friends I think you’ll love getting acquainted with in an array of topics. (Note: these aren’t the best books out there, bar none—these are the ones I’ve read and loved in each category so far. My list of books to read is always growing. I’ll keep you updated on new favorites as they come up.) May your books be deep and your beverages amazing.

Apologetics

• The Reason for God by Tim Keller
• Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

Art and Creativity

• A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman
• Making a Mess and Meeting God by Mandy Smith

Bible Studies

• Breaking Free by Beth Moore
• Breathe by Priscilla Shirer
• Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Christian Living

• Chasing God by Angie Smith
• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
• A Scandalous Freedom by Steve Brown
• Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

Discipleship

• Mentor by Chuck Lawless
• Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Evangelism and Missions

• Eats with Sinners by Arron Chambers
• Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman
• Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper

Fiction*

• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Home Life

• Having a Martha Home the Mary Way by Sarah Mae
• Celebrate! by Sheila Lukins

Leadership for Ladies

• The Jesus-Hearted Woman by Jodi Detrick
• Dare Mighty Things by Halee Gray Scott

Marriage

• Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas
• When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
• The Fruitful Wife by Hayley DiMarco

Ministry Wife Life

• Beyond Duct Tape by Shari Thomas and Tami Resch
• Leading and Loving It by Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson

Organization and Productivity

• Taming the To-Do List by Glynnis Whitwer
• More Hours in My Day by Emilie Barnes and Sheri Torelli
• Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald

Spiritual Warfare

• Victory Over the Darkness by Neil Anderson
• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Women

• Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman
• The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner
• Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman

Youth Girls

• True Princess by Erin Davis
• One Girl Can Change the World by Claudia Mitchell
• Priceless by Chandra Peele

Happy reading, friends! I’d love to hear what book you’re in the middle of right now!

*This is hilarious—I never realized all of my favorite fiction books are written by people with initialed names.