Books-these are the masters who instruct us with out rods, without hard words and anger, without clothes or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; if you interrogate them, they conceal nothing; if you mistake them, they never grumble; if you are ignorant, they cannot laugh at you.
~R.De Bury
Good morning! I am up early. . .and just waved my husband down the road. It’s dark out still, and raining. But when I opened the door the air was mild. I can hear the spring birds waking up and singing. I am munching an apple.
Today’s post is about books. As most of you know, I love to read and I do enjoy just about every type of book. But today I want to share titles that have helped me in my Christian walk.
I truly believe that as Christians, we should be very careful that we put good, wholesome words into our minds. We have to be very careful about how much “poison” gets in there. The older I get, the more I know myself and my weaknesses. I was just sharing with a friend yesterday that I have to be cautious of how much “FOX news” I watch. The news channels really get me feeling fear at times. Also, I had to stop reading WW2 Nazi horror story memoirs. The last one I read was a couple years ago, and that book actually carried me into a depression that lasted several weeks. I could not read Foxes Book of Martyrs again. I have studied martyrdom enough to know that God gives grace to His people who are put to death for their faith—I don’t have to fill my head with the details–because I personally can get very morbid about that.
All that to say.. . .reading good, godly, books puts good thoughts in my head.
The Bible comes first. Read your Bible more than any book, because that is how God feeds and waters our soul. The Word of God is ALIVE. . .and able to do so many things. . if only we will pick it up and really study it with interest and longing! When I read my Bible I like to have a pen or pencil, a stack of index cards, and my journal. If you only have time to read one book, make it your BIBLE, and STUDY. Learn of Christ, the Lover of your Soul.
Now, I am just going to type out a list of books that impacted me. I suppose I could be more organized about it but that would take too much time. I wish I could link every book to amazon for you, but again, that would just take too much time. Get a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down any that interest you. Maybe you could find them at the library, if not, than I will also add a couple of links to online bookstores.
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D Martyn Lloyd-Jones (and all of his books would be good)
Brothers, we are NOT Professionals by John Piper (This book was actually written for Pastors but if the house burned down and I could only choose 5 books to take with me, this would be one of them. It has changed my life)
By My Spirit by Jonathan Goforth (his wife, Rosalind, has also written How I know God Answers Prayer, which I also recommend) Missionary/Christian biographies have been a source of inspiration to me.
A Puritan Golden Treasury I.D.E. Thomas (for the times when getting through a Puritan book seems overwhelming, this book is crammed FULL of wonderful quotes by all different Puritan men, it’s a keeper for sure)
The Worn out Woman, When Your Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty, Dr. Steve Stevens, Alice Gray
What Every Mom Needs (can’t remember the author’s name)
Grace Abounding by John Bunyan (honest autobiography)
Little Pilgrim’s Progress and The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (Puritan Paperback, I have to really concentrate in order to read the Puritans, but it is well worth it!)
A Lifting up for the Downcast William Bridge (another Puritan book)
The Hidden Art of Homemaking Francis Schaeffer
When You Rise Up, A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling RC Sproul Jr.
In Trouble and in Joy Sharon James
Patricia St. John Tells her own Story (an autobiography, fun and inspiring)
Singing in the Fire Faith Cook (this one is full of stories of Christians who suffered in all different ways, and how God gave them grace to SING during their trials)
Makers of Puritan History Marcus L. Loane
If I Perish Esther Ahn Kim (a biography)
Home-Making J.R. Miller (beautiful book on family, it changed my view of the Christian family)
Anything you can get your hands on by CORRIE TEN BOOM
Anything you can get your hands on by CHARLES SPURGEON
Any good Christian biography that you can get your hands on
Okay, I know I will probably think of several more after I click “save changes” but this should get you started, if you are looking for a good book to read. And if any of you live near me, you are free to borrow. And Hannah, if you see anything here that you want me to send you to borrow, let me know.
Also, here are a few websites that I like to order books from:
Grace and Truth Books (and all the books are neatly organized by topic! Unlike here! LOL)
More about books:
A Puritan’s Mind, Suggested Books
Have a great day! And get to reading!
And to all my fellow book-lovers, feel free to add your favorite book in a comment and tell us why you love it.
Good to be Home 
I am so, so thankful thaat I can read! What a wonderful world is available to us when we sit down and open the pages of a good book. I miss bookstores (with books in English!) very much, along with the income to actually BUY the books! LOL! When I am in America, I fill a box and mail it back to Denmark. I have many books that are old friends and can be enjoyed over and over. I love your photos that illustrate — especially that one of Grace atop the bookshelf!
The love of reading is such a blessing! This is a nice post.
Great list. I could never finish “Mere Christianity.”
Thank you for this great list! Btw, we are going to start homeschooling our oldest daughter next semester and both of our girls the semester after that. If you have any suggestions from your experience, I would greatly appreciate it! GOD bless!
Mere Christianity was one of my favorites too. A true story that is one of my favorites ~ Follow the River by James Alexander Thom. So many favorites, actually, that I could never remember them all ~
wow great list! thank you =)
Wow I look so serious! What was I so serious about? It was fun reading through your list and have not forgotten what you said about the little Pilgrim’s Progress book, I want to read it to the kids!
Some of these photos brought back to mind past posts and it was fun to see them again! Like the one where you walked in the room and found Gee up on top of the book shelf! Where is the photo of your books out on the front porch near the rocker? That would go perfect tucked in this post as well!
Hi! I would like to suggest a few books too! Although I’m French I can read some of the English books. I’m glad I studied English for more than 10 years… I would have missed so many good books otherwise.
I loved:
-“Under the Overpass” by Mike Yankoski. A moving true story I bought in the States two years ago.
-“The Case for Faith” by Lee Strobel
-“The Five Love languages for children” by Gary Chapman
-“How to Hear from God” by Joyce Meyers
Now I’m reading “I dare you” by Joyce Meyers.
Have a nice day!
delphine
Great list!! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I love reading and seeing so many good books on your site recently and from old posts, I have really taken up the love of reading again. Everyone needs to have time to read. But I am also making sure that my bible is the most important. I am going to look these books up from our library. Thank you so much.
Reading, SIGH, I love reading. God’s Word is fabulous! Delicious! I can’t get enough to satisfy my heart for the day. I’m finding myself picking it up throughout the day. Every word is gold. I have actually read and been told it’s not important to read the Bible everyday! I couldn’t imagine. I have had dry times in my life where I really didn’t take the time to read. Miserable. Empty. Never again! I remember complaining to the Lord once that I couldn’t remember where things where in the Bible and I was having a hard time memorize scripture. He very clearly spoke to my heart and said, “That’s because you never take the time to read it.” That changed me forever! It has to be our very breath! Our food! Then it will be such a part of our hearts that it could never be removed!
Thank you Shanda for this list of books. Some I have read and some I’m still reading. SIGH, I love reading.
Jodi
Just glanced over to my bookshelf at What Every Mom Needs. The authors are Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall.
Thanks for the suggestions! So many books, so little time.
The Bible! Ahh… feeds my hungry soul!
Oh and ps. check out http://www.half.com. They are somehow connected with ebay, I think. I can usually find super low prices here — even on brand new books.
Yay! The list! Thank you so much for posting this!!!
Do you think I could borrow a few for my trip to Florida in a few weeks? I think I’m leaving after you guys get back. Let me know, I would be super grateful. I still adore that picture of Grace on top of her bookshelf, and the one of E and J reading together. I hope you’re having a great day. Love, Trish
Books are one thing that was instilled in us as kids growing up. Dad and Mom taught us to love reading which we passed down to our children as well. There is not limit to learning if a child can read…they have better memory skills too. Do you know about the “Sower Series”, by Mott Media? Your children would love them. Happy reading. Good post.
This is a great list, Shan. Thank you for sharing it! I love all the pictures- perfect for this post.
After reading and perusing your posts because of my subscribing to your site, I am so quenched by your honesty, love for your family and the great pictures you post. Thank you so much for being faithful on this site. I know you are busy, and can get “bogged down” by the everyday circumstances with the house and family, but you always come back up by way of God and His Word. I just want to say I love you as a Sister in Christ and can’t wait till the “Rapture” so we can all get together for tea and even fellowship with Christ. love, evalyne
I love your list, I love how much you love reading, and I love this post! I could spend hours in the library or bookstore… anywhere that there are books. Let’s see… I have wanted to read Miller’s Home-Making for forever, and The Worn out Woman could probably do me well too. There are so many wonderful books! (scribbling furiously…) 😉
I do so love libraries and bookstores! I love C.S. Lewis; he’s one of my favorites and everything feels like such a classic. If you get the chance, read The Four Loves, it’s very good and currently on my nightstand again.
It’s great to see all your kids reading too. That gives them so much more than you could possibly imagine.
this post is just right up my alley! i love books and your favorite authors are also on my favorite list along with a few others. and since you mentioned these i’d like to suggest henri nouwen for you if you aren’t familiar with him, especially “life of the beloved” – amazing! also, if you read brother lawrence’s the practice of the presence of God i have a feeling that will also become one of your favs (if it is the modern version only, the old one is too hard to decipher). when i went to see mary (broncomom) and the other ladies in calfornia last year, we took each other little presents and that book was the one i took all of them. it’s so wonderful! can you tell i get excited about books? LOL perhaps we should start a xanga book club. oh, the fun we could have!
It is a cold day here….David and I did some of our school all snuggled up in blankets. We are reading Mere Christianity right now. It is one of the books in for his worldview study. I like the way C.S. Lewis explains things. He uses great analogies I have never heard before.
I love books. I agree that the Bible tops the list! God made us to learn from stories and words. I have bookshelves, and piles of books all over the house, AND we go to the Library. Recently David had a conversation about what he is interested in ….he mentioned different activites….but didn’t mention reading. He reads for hours. I asked him why he didn’t mention it. It is sooo much a part of his life he didn’t put it in with “current interests” that could pass.
Great post…I will enjoy getting to know those recommendations. Several favorites are in there…but great to have some new leads! The pictures add so much warmth and joy! Lord bless you! Jenny
I have SO many that I love, but if I had to choose one, Hind’s Feet On High Places. It’s my life, in allegorical form and I have to read it at least once a year!
I love to read. DH and DS know if they see me reading, it’s do not disturb unless you’re bleeding or dying. LOL I grew up on the Laura Ingalls books and also the Cherry Ames books. I can remember at a young age, going to prayer meeting and grandpa helping me read my verse of scripture out loud. Everyone took a verse, and they gave me one to read too. I’ve enjoyed all the Jan Karon books in the past few years, and lately the Yada Yada Prayer Group books. Suz
I ALSO LOVE READING! What a great list you’ve posted here. Two books that I have read multiple times in my life are:*Let Me Be A Woman, by Elizabeth Elliot, my favorite author (about the Biblical role of womanhood) *Teaching to Change Lives, by Howard Hendricks(for anyone who teaches in any capacity; it has revolutionized my view of teaching as a piano teacher, Sunday School teacher, and even as a big sister or friend/mentor to others)Have a great day!
The books people read say so much about them. I believe you are what you read. I loved your list, and many on your list were on mine as well. I read about five books at a time. Right now, I am reading (besides my Bible) Corrie T B (Tramp for the Lord, though I have read it before), The book about the Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Humility by Andrew Murray (my favorite author), Folios History of England (Early Medieval England), and Angevin England (another history book) and Augustine’s Confessions. I divide my list into catagories and purpose to maintain that. I wasn’t able to go to college, so I have purposed to be a life long learner, and as you do to let the Lord guide me as to what I read, and that means it will edify. I love Bunyan, Amy Carmicheal, E. Elliot, E. Schaeffer, any missionary story. but especially H. Taylor., Anything by Maj. Ian Thomas. I detest most current pop-Christian authors, the ones whose faces smile out at you when you enter most “Christian” “book” stores, or the Walmart or grocery store variety. Many are the reason the church is in the mess it is right now. (sorry that sounded harsh!) I prefer as you do to find the ones you can get on line. Sorry I didn’t mean to go on so. You hit one of my passions right between the shoulder blades! No wonder we are friends! blessings and love in SC
I am so thankful that you let me borrow some of your books. I enjoy reading so much & you always suggest great things!! It’s nice to see that your kids love reading also. Now a days kids to wrapped up in video games & TV that they don’t enjoy the reading anymore. My kids love to read to!
I’m a Corrie Ten Boom fan also. I discovered her when I was about your age.
Just copying this great list to start hunting.
Thanks for the list! I’ve written down several titles to look for. For some reason I tend to feel guilty abouttaking time to read. I always feel like I should be “doing” instead of sitting down with a book. I think I need to read The Worn Out Woman first. lol!
this reminds me of something i heard someone say once, “show me the books you’re reading. the friends you are keeping. and I’ll show you who you’ll be in 5 years!” based on that i’d say in 5 years you’re going to be super duper SMART & super duper SWEET- er!!! love ya~
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul (and the workbook that goes with it) probably changed my perspective more than any other book ever has. It made me understand the feminine parts of myself that I saw as weak and hindering through God’s eyes and why he created women with some of the unique ways we have about us. It also helped me thoroughly examine my grip on the past and what was relevant and what was not. I just think it should be required reading for every Christian woman… it gave me the permission I felt like I needed to be who God made me. Looking forward to reading Wild at Heart (for men) to help understand my husband a little better.
Also, for marriage, Love and Respect is one of those books that makes you go “well duh… that’s so simple and makes perfect sense, but why have I never approached it that way before?”
I enjoyed many on your list… I’m currently re-reading Worn Out Woman as I am about to embark on a time in my life that I anticipate will be exhausting and draining and wanted to keep some of those things at heart before I was in the middle of the fire, so to speak. 🙂
Thanks for sharing…
I was going through some old posts.. I love to look back on how our families have changed over the years. I just happen to look at this post and I am so glad I did! I will have to write these books down! Thanks for sharing Shanda.