As I’m often asked for book recommendations on various subjects, I decided to put together an online list of my top ten books in various categories. Basically, if I was only allowed 10 books in my library on that subject, these are the ten I would choose. Other posts include:

With “Mother’s Day” just round the corner, I’m listing the Top 10 Books for Moms. I’ve read most of these, but one or two are on the list on the basis of reliable recommendations and social media surveys. Of course, most of the Top 10 Biographies of Christian Women could also be on this list, but I’ve decided not to overlap.

After this list you’ll find a poll where you can cast three votes for your favorite books in this category. Click on “View Results” to see what books are most popular.

You can also add any book not on the list by writing the title in “Other” or in the Comments  I’ll add these to the end of the post under “Reader Suggestions.”

1. True Woman 101: Divine Design: An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood by Nancy Leigh Demoss and Mary Kassian.

As the title says, an 8-week course on womanhood, ideally for a small group.  Counter-cultural yet truly liberating.

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

We have to have one book dedicated to marriage on the list, and what better choice than Keller’s marriage transforming book. Nothing has influenced my own marriage in recent years more than this book.

3. Parenting by God’s Promises by Joel Beeke.

This book achieves that rare biblical balance of combining the huge responsibility God lays upon parents together with the huge encouragement God gives to faithful parents about their children.

4. Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman.

You’ll be amazed at how Gloria Furman brings the Gospel into every part of everyday life. And then you’ll start doing it yourself. See also Gloria’s follow-up volume of daily devotions, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms. And if Daily Devotions is your thing, then you’ll enjoy Seasons of the Heart: A Year of Devotions from One Generation of Women to Another compiled by Donna Kelderman.

5. Housewife Theologian: How the Gospel Interrupts the Ordinary by Aimee Bird.

Similar in genre to Gloria Furman’s books, this one will make moms value and love their work more and, more importantly, value and love their God more.

6. Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh Demoss.

In this book Nancy highlights a number of lies that many Christian women have embraced about themselves, about God, about marriage, and others. But she not only exposes them, she also uses God’s truth to smash these chains and set captives free.

7. True Beauty by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre

The most recent publication on the list, it inspires women to aspire to the beauty of godliness. It’s one for daughters too, as is Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild by Mary Kassian.

8. All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior

The only non-Christian book on the list but an enjoyable and informative read about the numerous ways the parent-child relationship has changed in our culture. It’s fascinating to see even secular voices being raised against the child-centered and child-driven families that our culture is creating.

Now you decide, what are your favorites? You can cast three votes and add a book if it’s not in the list.

Honorable Mentions

Tending Your Garden: Wisdom for Keepers at Home by Denise Sproul.

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot

Life in Jesus: A Memoir of Mary Winslow by Octavius Winslow.

Fit to Burst: Abundance, Mayhem, and the Joys of Motherhood by Rachel Jankovic.

Reader Suggestions

A Mother’s Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother by Jean Fleming.

Mother by Kathleen Norris.

Confessions by Augustine (for the role of a praying mother).

Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

  • Frederika Pronk

    There are many more, such as books by Susan Hunt, Sharon James, Faith Cook, Joni Eareckson-Tada, Lydia Brownback, Elisabeth Elliott, etc., etc.

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  • Leslie Hoff

    My youngest son was having difficulties adjusting to certain social aspects of his young life. As someone who works full time, we are unable to take care of a pet. I was recommended a book, that I would also like to recommend to all of you called “Watson’s Way” by author Joel Lund (http://bit.ly/WatsonsWay). My song and I read this book together every night for a couple weeks and it really changed his outlook. The author uses his family dog to teach life lessons such as how to be a more patient person, and how to better get a long with others. There is something so pure about learning these things from an innocent animal and my son really seemed to enjoy it. We laughed at times and even cried, but overall I feel we both came out of the experience as better people. Using practical examples of everyday problems our children (and us as well!) deal with, it teaches us through stories and the reactions of Watson (the family dog) how to lead a better Christian life.There is even a place for kids to write in a journal if they want to!

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