6 Fresh Summer Reads for Christian Women

Are you looking for great Christian books to read this summer? I have a treasure of summer reads for you today!

Last summer, I attended a wonderful presentation by Sharon Jaynes at She Speaks. She is a gifted storyteller who speaks with honesty and wisdom, which shines in this new book.

So many of us women feel like we’re not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or young enough to measure up to cultural expectations. I’ve been one of those women. Sharon says that the enemy holds us captive in the lies that we aren’t enough, and she dispels those lies in Enough: Silencing the Lies That Steal Your Confidence.

If you want to recognize the lies in your thought life and replace them with God’s truth, Enough is the best summer read for you. It’s a battle plan to remove the lies and replace them with God’s promises.

My favorite quotes:

• “I think a phrase from the 1990s should be resurrected…’Talk to the hand, ’cause the face isn’t listening’…We can say that to the devil when he tries to engage us in conversation to try to confuse us or condemn us.”
• “Renewing your mind is somewhat like replacing wallpaper. Getting the old paper off is the hard part…most of the time it’s a tedious process that takes patience and determination.”
• “There’s no closeout sale, end-of-the-year clearance, or discount coupon when it comes to your worth as a child of God.”

The book also contains a Study Guide for group discussion and an extensive “Replacing the Lies with the Truth Quick Reference Guide.” I’m still mulling over the truths Sharon revealed, and I think they will stick with you too.

Netgalley graciously provided a review copy of this book.

Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua

If you like down-to-earth, self-effacing non-fiction with a dash of humor, Barb Roose has written a great summer read for you. Worry is a major struggle for many women, and this book will truly give you weapons to fight and win the worry battle in your life.

I grew up in a family of worriers. Until I was an adult, I was plagued with fear and worry. If I had had the principles and practical tools in Barb’s book years ago, I could have overcome worry much sooner. Her book will be a life-changing resource for many who struggle with worry, fear and doubt. She shows how you can be set free from the worry trap with the freedom only God can provide.

Barb offers many practical ideas for dealing with worry, like these:

• Carrying a stone that you rub when you feel worried, and saying, “I don’t have to worry; God will help me.”
• Using the CALM technique to handle anxiety attacks
• Write down your fear at the center of a page, and list all the what-if scenarios like legs of a spider. Then pray over those worry spiders in your life and use God’s power to kill them.
• Picture your worries like a train that can come to a stop with Bible study and meditation.
• Make a list of the times God has been faithful to you.

She has many other ideas you can apply right away. I enjoyed how she softened hard stories about her anxiety disorder with laughter and encouragement. You’ll enjoy Barb’s friendly tone in this helpful summer read.

Netgalley provided me a free review copy of this book.

Begin Again: The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt and Receiving Rest

Author Leanna Tankersley leads us on a memoir-like path of healing in this important book. She shares with deep vulnerability about her quest to follow God with her whole heart and what she had to lay down in the process. She talks about trying too hard, numbing herself, surviving instead of thriving. By beginning again every morning during a healing season, she learned to face the truth about herself and lean into God’s truth instead.

Her stories are raw and rich. My heart felt heavy as she described a woman’s blistering criticism of her parenting in Target. When she described how she dealt with her needy little girl self, her feelings resonated perfectly with mine. I appreciate her bravery in facing the darkest places inside and coming out stronger in faith.

My favorite quotes:

• “No matter what, God is holding me. He says: ‘You do not need to do more, fix yourself, or hold anything together. You just need to fall back into my grace, trade your trying for trust.'”
• “That’s the lesson of Jacob: the limp is not a mark of failure; it is the mark of showing up.”
• “Each and every one of us is an eligible receiver. I am eligible to receive wisdom, illumination, comfort, and counsel. These are not things I must wait for others to provide for me. These are things I can receive from God.”
• “What are you asking to keep you safe that has no investment in your safety whatsoever?”
• “God doesn’t grow weary of your winding path.”

Begin Again doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. It’s not an easy read, but it is a healing and hopeful one. If you’re looking for healing this summer, this book may be just what you need to help you begin again.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free preview copy of this book.

3-Minute Devotions from the Psalms: Inspiration for Women

Do you need a pocket-sized book to help you keep your faith on track? This handy devotional can help you do just that in three minutes or less every day.

Each devotion features a verse from a psalm, a short paragraph of text, and a brief prayer. The devotions are encouraging and uplifting, instructing you in the Christian life. This book will help you meditate during your lunch hour or commute, connecting you with God in a few spare moments.

Here’s one example from the book:

Attitude Adjustment

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

“What kind of day will you have today? Your answer might be, ‘I won’t know until I’ve lived it!’ But the attitude with which you approach each new day can change the way you experience life. That’s why it’s important to set aside some ‘attitude adjustment time’ every morning. When you wake, remind yourself, ‘This is the day the Lord has made.’ Look for His hand in the details and thank Him for every blessing He brings your way.

I am Yours, and You are mine, Jesus! I go into this day with this truth at the forefront of my mind. Have Your way in me, Lord!”

If you like short devotionals, this will be a great summer read for you!

Netgalley generously provided a free review copy of this book.

Garden of Truth

In my hallway, I have a little table filled with girly things just for my enjoyment. I have at least two of Ruth Chou Simon’s beautiful prints displayed on it year round, and I change them out with the seasons.

Ruth’s floral paintings and beautiful words are the focus in her newest book, Garden of Truth. It’s my new favorite resource for Christian meditation. Watch this short video review:

You can read my review of Gracelaced here, and my interview with Ruth Chou Simons here.

I purchased this book myself, because I love all of Ruth’s products!

CSB Study Bible for Women

Is it time to replace a worn Bible, or are you looking to add to your collection? I’m loyal to my current collection, but this new women’s study Bible from B&H Publishers is becoming a fast favorite.

This Bible is pretty, which puts me in a pleasant mood right away. I like the feel of the pages–not too thin, not too thick. The CSB translation is new to me, and I’m enjoying it; it’s like a cross between NKJV and NLT, two of my favorite translations. The study notes are tailored to a woman’s perspective, which I appreciate.

I’ve started using this Bible as a supplement to my morning study in the One Year Bible, which has no notes or commentary. It’s helping me gain clarity into passages that are difficult to understand.

Unique features:

• Place to record your family tree, plus women who have served as spiritual mothers to you
• Beautiful intros to each chapter, with historical notes, commentary, and outline
• Additional mini-sections for each woman mentioned in Scripture
• “Biblical Womanhood” thought boxes for reflection
• “Word Study” sections of biblical concepts
• “Hard Question” answers from an evangelical perspective
• “Doctrine” boxes for in-depth study
• “Written on my Heart” sections at the end of each book for personal application
• Helpful charts, maps, illustrations, and timelines
• Concordance of All the Women in the Bible

You can see pictures of all these sections on my Instagram post, and view a video about this Bible here.

Thanks goes to B&H and Lifeway for a free preview copy of this wonderful Bible.

Disclosure: By clicking on the links above to purchase a book, I receive a small affiliate bonus at NO additional cost to you. Thank you in advance for helping me offset the costs of my writing ministry!

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