My Big List of Great Books for Moms

It’s no big secret I adore books and reading.  I’m a failure at keeping an up-to-date book list here on the blog but I seem to be doing better at posts that share what I’ve been reading each month.  I’ve been working on a few projects connected to Prayers for Girls lately and because of that I’ve been pulling books off my shelf {and from my Kindle} to find quotes and information I know I’ve read somewhere. In the course of all that, I began to realize how many of the not parenting per se books have influenced my parenting over the years.

Which, naturally, led me to think some of you might like to see a list of 100 {hence the title of this post} books I’ve found encouraging in my parenting journey.  I’m breaking them down loosely by category but several could fit into more than one.  As much as I’d love to explain each book’s inclusion on the list, I think you might not like reading a post that long so I’ll keep my notes to a minimum.

And so, here is my big list of great books for moms — enjoy!

great books for moms ... not just parenting books but also reads to encourage you spiritually, in your marriage, as you build friendships, and on topics such as balance and living well.

 

{For the record, this post has a huge number of affiliate links which simply means if you click and purchase through them I’ll receive a small commission which I will undoubtedly use to buy more books — or possibly some warm socks because for some reason when I’m curled up reading it always seems my feet get cold. Anywho, I have to make you aware of the potential income I’d earn and so now you know. xo ~ TL}

Parenting

These are the obvious ones … and I’ve included one I haven’t even read yet but I have pre-ordered and feel certain I will love because the author is someone I greatly admire.

(1) Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel

(2) Parenting the Whole-Hearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion

(3) Hope for the Weary Mom by Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin {also the (4) Hope for the Weary Mom Devotional which just released this month!}

(5) Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch {review on this one coming later this month!}

(6) Hoodwinked: Ten Myths Moms Believe and Why We all Need to Knock it Off  by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

(7) Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli

(8) Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson {and for the boy moms, (9) Bringing Up Boys}

(10) Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin {yes, I know, I don’t have a boy but this book is FABULOUS!}

(11) A Mom after God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George {one I’ve read and re-read}

(12) Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas {my favorite!!}

(13) Give Them Grace by Jessica Thompson and Elyse Fitzpatrick

(14) Raising Uncommon Kids by Sami Cone {this is the one I haven’t read … but I know I am going to love!}

Family

These are books more about the home and functioning of the whole family rather than geared toward parenting specifically.

(15) Reclaiming Home by Krista Gilbert

(16) A Family of Value by John Rosemond {this is probably one of the books that most shaped how I view our home}

(17) The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman {and for those with older kids (18) The Five Love Languages of Teenagers}

(19) Lead Your Family Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Tricia Goyer

(20) Connecting Church and Home by Tim Kimmel

Marriage

(21) Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas {if you read only one book—besides the Bible obviously—from this list, choose this one!}

(22) The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle {hilarious and full of truth}

(23) Love to Stay by Adam Hamilton

Memoir

I’ve found a recent love for memoirs … but clearly haven’t read many. So please, leave me your suggestions in the comments!

(24) Home by Julie Andrews

(25) Plain Faith: A True Story of Tragedy, Loss, and Leaving the Amish by Ora Jay and Irene Eash

(26) The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

(27) A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson

(28) Found by Micha Boyett

Devotions

(29) My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

(30) Streams in the Desert by L. B. E. Cowman {if you are in a season of struggle, this is the best devotion I can recommend!}

(31) Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

(32) SOLO: An Uncommon Devotional

(33) Treasuring God When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman

(34) One Year Book of Amish Peace by Tricia Goyer

(35) Holy, Wholly, Holey by Kris Cameally

Living Well

(36) The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner

(37) Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung

(38) The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

(39) Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman

(40) The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

(42) Breaking Up with Perfect by Amy Carroll

(42) Keep. It. Shut by Karen Ehman

(43) Let. It. Go by Karen Ehman

(44) Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington {another one I haven’t read but am anxious to get}

(45) Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George

(46) Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George

(47) You’re Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

(48) 24/6: A Prescription for a Happier, Healthier Life by Matthew Sleeth

(49) Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

(50) From Good to Grace by Christine Hoover

(51) Meet the New You by Elisa Pulliam

(52) Choose Joy by Sara Frankl and Mary Carver

(53) Girl Meets Change by Kristen Strong

(54) Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom by Tricia Goyer

(55) The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller

Friendships

Y’all, we need other women! Seriously! This is worth the time it takes to invest … let’s do it!

(56) Heart Sisters by Natalie Snap

(57) Friendships for Grown Ups by Lisa Whelchel

(58) Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace {some of my sweetest friendships have begun as mentoring relationships!}

Faith

(59) Let Hope In by Pete Wilson {a must read!!!}

(60) Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch {I love this book!!}

(61) Radical by David Platt

(62) A Praying Life by Paul Miller

(63) The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

(64) Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin {if you want to learn how to REALLY study your Bible, this is the book for you!}

(65) Think! by John Piper

(66) The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

(67) Counter Culture by David Platt

(68) Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

(69) Barefoot Church by Brandon Hatmaker

(70) Love Walked among Us by Paul Miller

(71) Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

(72) Holy Available by Gary Thomas

(73) Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

(74) The Power of Persistence by Michael Catt

(75) Into the Depths of God by Calvin Miller

(76) Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner

(77) Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

(78) Look and Live by Matt Papa

(79) The Way of Perfection by Teresa of Avila

(80) 7: An Experimental Mutiny against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

(81) A Loving Life by Paul Miller

(82) The Hour that Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer by Dick Eastman

(83) Knowing God by J. I. Packer

Fiction

These are some of my favorite fiction reads … I generally read fiction at night and have found it helps me as a teacher, speaker, and writer.

The Selection Series which includes (84) The Selection, (85) The Elite, (86) The One, and (87) The Heir all by Kiera Cass {confession, I’ve also devoured every novella in this series and have pre-ordered the next book, The Crown.}

(88) The Hunger Games, (89) Catching Fire, and (90) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins {also, I loved (91) The Hunger Games and the Gospel by Julie Clawson which is nonfiction but a great book about the spiritual ideas within the trilogy}

(92) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee {I read Go Set a Watchman and it was okay but not one of my favorites. however, (93) The Mockingbird Parables by Matt Litton is a great nonfiction companion to Mockingbird}

(94) Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

The Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury {all of them … starting with (95) Redemption and all the way to (96) Coming Home. this includes the Redemption series, Firstborn series, Sunrise series, Above the Line series, and the Bailey Flanigan series. yes, a lot of books but every one is fabulous!!!}

Angels Walking series by Karen Kingsbury {her latest series which includes (97) Angels Walking and (98) Chasing Sunsets with the third book, Brush of Wings, to be released in March 2016}

(99) Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

(100) A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers {love these five novellas about the women listed in the geneaology of Christ now all in one book!}

And, so, there you are, 100 great books for moms … books to encourage your in your parenting, books to challenge you in your faith, books to strengthen your marriage, books to inspire deeper friendships, books to help you live well, and books to capture your imagination.  Because, my friend, we desperately need all of these things as we journey down this road of parenting!

Happy Reading!!

xo,

Teri Lynne

What book or books would you add?

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Comments

  1. I love your list! I’ve only read maybe 10 of them, but I could wholeheartedly support all those. If you’re getting into memoir, I highly highly recommend Emily Wierenga’s Atlas Girl. LOVED it and it affected me greatly. I also loved Surprised by Motherhood by Lisa-Jo Baker if you haven’t read that one. Some others I love that aren’t necessarily faith-filled: Almost French by Sarah Turnbull, The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, Foreign Correspondence by Geraldine Brooks, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen, All Over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg. One of my favorite genres!

    • Yay, girl … so many to add! Loved Lisa-Jo’s book. It totally could have been on this list as could “In This House We Will Giggle” by Courtney DeFeo … need to check out “Atlas Girl” and love that you’ve given me lots more to explore!!

      Also, yay for seeing your sweet face here!!

  2. As a Christian mom/author, I love this list! I didn’t notice a humor category, but if you are open to checking out any humor Mom books, I’d be happy to send you a copy of my novella, Mom of the Year. http://amzn.to/1P4Fs1N

  3. Slightly late reply, as usual. I love your list. I would add Happiness is a Choice by Meiers and Minirth. I am currently doing a book study on C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Would love for you to check it out on my, let’s just say, “slightly unconventional” Christian blog Faith by Dummy. http://www.faithbydummy.com Abby

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