5 Impactful Reads to Add To Your Bookshelf
I have always considered myself a reader.
When I was younger my reading interests usually consisted of knights clad in armor, detectives solving cases, or young girls with patterned prairie dresses homesteading in the Midwest. Reading fiction, by no doubt, shaped who I am today and was a healthy, transformative piece of my childhood.
However, as I have grown, my interest in what I read has shifted. I want the books I read to be true and raw and informative.
I have found that choosing books is like choosing a friend. Reading takes time and is molding. Why am I reading this book? Is the time I’m taking to read beneficial? Who is the author and what truth will I gain from his words?
These are just some of the questions you need to consider before your eyes rest on page one.
I often ask others for their top book recommendations. I do this because, one, I love adding new books to my library, and two, if I respect someone I will probably respect their reading choices.
So, friend, I wish to do the same for you.
I have found five of my top nonfiction, Christian-living reads that have greatly impacted me.
I hope you will take the time to review these books, add them to your cart, or check them out at your library, and be encouraged as they have encouraged me
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
This is one of the most formative books I have read. These two brothers started a movement of what it looks like to stop living in laziness and to begin “doing hard things” for God.
They write many examples from their lives and other young believers who took the charge of abandoning their comfort and persevering on the trail God had in store for them.
These two meet you where you are in life but encourage you to persevere in doing the difficult for the glory of God.
I’ve read this book a couple of times. I have finished it motivated and encouraged not to settle for the low standards of culture but instead be dedicated to working hard in what I do.
This Changes Everything by Jaquelle Crowe
Writing this book at the young age of eighteen, Crowe meets readers as a peer and fellow believer. Her passion for the Gospel will excite you to take your faith seriously and prompt you to let Jesus transform your life.
Jaquelle will be your biggest cheerleader as she strives to express how Jesus has changed her, how sin is a constant struggle, and what tools we can use to grow.
One of my favorite things about the book is that Jaquelle never sugarcoats the truth. While she presents all of her thoughts with love she is not afraid to let the truth of the Gospel invade your comfort.
With transformation comes changes that are often painful. Jaquelle knows this and longs for Jesus not to be an item on the shelf, but the bookshelf that contains everything you have.
I urge you to read this book if you want to be impacted in a way that deepens your understanding of the Gospel.
Not Yet Married by Marshall Segal
This was one of the most recent books I’ve read.
Whether you are single or dating, this read will prove to be practical as you navigate the crazy young adult life.
Being single can be viewed as a never-ending waiting period. While dating is often looked upon as a time of merely playing around before getting the ring on your finger.
Segal discourages this mindset and says our ultimate striving should be to pursue Christ no matter our relationship status.
By being single you have more freedom to seek and serve God without distractions. Segal provides profitable insight on the topic. If you are dating you can, of course, be chasing God and be Christlike with your boyfriend.
One of my favorite things about the book was the author’s humility. He openly admits that he dated in unhealthy ways. Marshall shares his mistakes and what he learned from those experiences.
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
Without hesitation, I can say this is the best book, besides the Bible of course, I have read.
The truths Ortlund presents in his book is like a balm to the questioning and fearful heart.
The author bases his book on a fact Charles Spurgeon once shared. From the Gospel, out of all the red letters recorded, the only time Jesus expresses his heart is by being gentle and lowly. [i]
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-29 ESV)
Jesus has a heart for the sinner and longs to bring you close. He is the gentle shepherd who loves and does not look at you with hateful eyes but chases your heart with affection and truth.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Perhaps you feel like God is angry at you or you need to be reminded of Christ’s love and goodness—read this book!
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Being a young adult is a launching pad for the future. Understandably, this stage in life can be stressful. The pressure many face of wanting to plan every detail of the future is exhausting.
Should I get my degree in engineering? What if I didn’t go to college and chose to climb the career ladder instead? Will I be married by twenty-five? Where will I live? What church should I attend?
DeYoung stresses the fact that making decisions should not be based on a random Bible verse, a wacky dream, or receiving a vision. Instead, we can look at God’s Word in the proper context and use godly wisdom.
I encourage you to read this book and learn from DeYoung’s practical insights. Making decisions is not rocket science, but can be another way of trusting God with our life.
There You Go!
Well, there you go! I truly believe reading just one of these books will impact you in a variety of ways.
I respect these authors and fully support their message. These books have helped motivate my walk with Christ and I hope it does the same for you.
In the future, I plan to write more book, podcast, and music suggestions I hope will encourage you to dive into richer resources.
As always, please feel free to email me or let me know if you have any good book recommendations yourself. :)
[i] Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly (Crossway, 2020), p. 17
