When you look back on your life at who or what has influenced you, what usually comes to mind? Chances are you will answer one of two things–people or books. As Charlie “Tremendous” Jones originally said,
You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.
Books have a major impact on who we are and will become. Think about it. How did you receive much of your education? Through books. What influences our belief systems? Books. Just last week I shared three books that really influenced my life this year alone. Whether you like to read or not, books have a major impact on our lives.
Fortunately, I enjoy reading. In fact, growing up, I was often caught reading by the floor heater in the bathroom because it was the only quiet warm place in the house where I knew I wouldn’t be disturbed. As funny as that sounds, I read many a book on the floor by that heater, and I now see the same trend in my oldest daughter. Around this house, we love to read.
Last year I set the goal to read 24 DIFFERENT types of books--something I’d never done before. It opened my mind to different kinds of writing and topics I normally would not seek out, and it was fascinating. I learned so much through the diversity of the books that I can’t wait to do so again.
That said, I have also realized that I need to do some much catching up on the books I HAVE before making NEW purchases so my goal this year is simple: to read as many books as I can from my current physical and virtual bookshelves. I may occasionally purchase a new book I just can’t resist from my Amazon Books Wish List or check out a new release from the library, but for the most part, my reading will consist of Christian fiction and non-fiction books I already have.
Books have a major impact on who we are and will become.Click To TweetSo what books will I start with? Here are the top 10 books currently in my reading cue.
10 Christian Books Worth Reading
- Give Your Child the World by Jamie C. Martin
- Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
- Grace, Not Perfection by Emily Ley
- God is Just Not Fair by Jennifer Rothschild
- Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
- When God Makes You Wait by Adam Houge
- Handle with Prayer by Charles Stanley
- Even Now by Karen Kingsbury
- Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph
- The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate
Some of these books you may recognize from others’ top 10 must reads from several years ago as new releases. However, I have learned that instead of wasting my time reading every new book that catches someone’s fancy, I wait a bit to see how it rates after a hundred or so reviews. In doing so, I have saved myself from reading many duds and saved my time for only the creme of the crop.
Knowing many of these books have stood the test of time, I thoroughly look forward to reading them knowing that I will most likely be changed for the better as a result.
