10 Books Every Christian Woman Should Read

I always loved reading but for the first few years after becoming a Christian, I never really thought about reading Christian books - it's really only been the past couple of years that I have start reading them; now I have a constant stack of Christian books to read that just keeps growing!

Here's a few I've read over the past few years that have really blessed me and that I feel every Christian woman should read!

1. Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers

This was probably the first Christian book that I finished. I had started so many Christian books but towards the middle I always found I was so overwhelmed by the doctrines and the elaborate language that I gave up. This book however was a story, a story of God's redeeming love, inspired by the book of Hosea, it was so simple yet so powerful.  

2. Crazy Love - Francis Chan

Lukewarm Christian this book is for you. 

Allow this book to remind you of God's overwhelming love for you, and once you truly grasp that God loves you with an overwhelming, relentless love how can you ever be lukewarm again? Chan's book reminds us that God's Word is real, so real and that we need to take it seriously. Being a follower of Jesus isn't easy, in the Word it tells us that there is going to be suffering and pain but it is so worth it. 

3. Love Does - Bob Goff

There's a bit of a trend here isn't there? Love is so important!

If you've ever felt a little bogged down with rules and regulations of our faith in an ordinary world, this book is for you. It's a refreshing reminder that our faith is so not about do's and don't's - our faith is a love story. 

What I loved most about this book is how Bob has filled it with little stories about his life, seemingly ordinary experiences have extraordinary results when you show God's love to people. From having your children invited to dine with world rulers, to freeing innocent children from prisons - all these things start with one simple ingredient - love and the rest simply follows because as Bob says, love does. 

4. Kisses from Katie - Katie Davis

Christian women, read this book and be inspired. God calls us all to radical obedience, some like Katie, to the African mission field or some to the mission field outside our front door. I read this book around the same age Katie left to Uganda, and it tugged on all my missionary heart strings; after closing the book I was ready to pack up my bag and leave, ready to show God's love to the nations. Now looking back, I realise this book isn't about that, it's about laying down your life fully to God wherever he places you, showing love and compassion to everyone despite the worldly things it may cost you. 

I love this book and would encourage you all to read it. In fact, I loved it so much that after I read it on my Kindle I bought a physical copy just so I could lend it to people. 

5. The Atonement Child - Francine Rivers

A simply written novel with a heart wrenching message. Read it, cry with it and speak about it. 

Rape and abortion happen. Christian women, our faith is not clean and straightforward, it's messy. We are all broken people who can be restored to a faithful God who heals.

6. The Heavenly Man - Brother Yun

God's church is alive around the whole world. He's moving and bringing more people to Him, in the most amazing ways - ways we the western world can not imagine. Reading this book was like reading about the Church that Acts talks about. 

Christian women, so many of us live a life of so much comfort sometimes it's hard to see God beyond the comfort. But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. This book deeply convicted me, Brother Yun went through years of worldly misery and unimaginable pain in the name of Jesus - yet I struggle to stutter out to my neighbour that I love Jesus in fear of rejection or the dreaded "And she says shes a Christian...". 

Please read this book and remember those who are being persecuted in the name of Jesus and do not fear being persecuted yourself. We serve a powerful God who is worth it all.

7. 7 : An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess  - Jen Hatmaker

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by excess this book is for you! 

From food to fashion, Jen goes through 7 areas of her life in this book and simplifies them. We all struggle with excess in our life whether it's fiance or food. When it says in the Bible to trust God, it really means that so when we put all faith in money, or when we find comfort in food - we're distancing ourselves from God. Allow this book to challenge you and make you question what areas in your life you be holding onto instead of trusting in God.

8.Desiring God - John Piper

This is a book that I've wanted to read for a while. I started listening to John Piper's sermons a few years ago, they were so rich in Scripture and you could really tell he just loved the Lord and His Word. So I finally got this book a month ago, and oh wow, it's deep - I have to admit I still haven't finished it but in the first few pages there was more wisdom that in whole books I've read. So I'd really encourage you to read it, it's not a book you're going to finish in a day or a week. It's a book to meditate on. I hope it speaks to you as much as it has to me so far!

9. Praying for Your Future Husband - Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer

When I first heard the title of this book I thought, "Well that's a bit presumptuous isn't it?!"

And perhaps I was right, God calls some of us to remain single - but the majority of us will get married at sometime in our lives, so why not start preparing ourselves now?
Although the premise of this book is seemingly praying for your future husband, the most poignant message for me was to "stop looking for the one, and start preparing yourself to be the one". It seems to be directed at quite a young female audience but I feel the truths apply to those at any age. Young girls, mothers and grandmothers - read it and preach it!

10.  The Bible




Last but not least - in fact the most important of all! I'm putting this as number 10 because despite how great any of these books are I'm sure they all have flaws however, God's word is infallible. So if there is anything your spirit feels concerned about in these books check it with the Bible - if it's not in the Bible, discard it. These books are meant to be read along side the Word, they are never meant to replace it.

I hope these books bless you as much as they have me!

What books do you think every Christian woman should read? Are there any I have felt out? I'm sure there are! Feel free to leave a comment below. :)