10 Fantastic Christian Books to Read this Summer

Looking for Christian books to read this summer? Here are ten fantastic titles, both Christian fiction and Christian nonfiction, some oo-rahs for our spiritual growth, others clean entertainment on a mission. (Plus a few extras!) So whether you’re wiggling those tootsies in the sand–and sweating like a melting chunk of ice–or curled up at home in the cool air conditioning, grab a title from this list and enjoy your summer reading this year.

What Is A Good Summer Book to Read?

Any. Because aren’t books awesome? Whether they’re fiction or nonfiction, in print or audio, novels and often nonfiction whisk readers to far-off lands and intricate lives, allow us to wrap ourselves in the skin of characters or real people, and feel the pounding of raw emotions and struggles inside our chest by well-placed words poured out on pages. Here are a couple of bonus authors to add to our summer reading list.

Charles Martin

If you’re searching for a book that intertwines the warm weather of summer and the lapping of waves against the shore, try The Water Keeper or Unwritten, both by New York Times Bestselling author, Charles Martin. His novels, each an enjoyable story centered on a social issue, immerse readers in wonderful ways, causing us to love the characters and draw nearer to the issue.

The Water Keeper

Unwritten, Paperback

His writing’s more literary and poetic in feel and typically weighty with description. He’s one of my top ten authors, but even I have to skip some of the descriptive paragraphs from time to time. (But don’t tell anyone, okay?) Consider this permission to do the same, if needed.

His latest read, The Letter Keeper, appears to be a good summer book to read.

Letter Keeper

Denise Hunter

Go out and grab a copy of Bookshop by the Sea, okay? This new release, a coastal story based in North Carolina, rocks the category of a sweet story. I’m in the middle of the story, and wasn’t going to include the title in this post, but how sad would that be? To not share a good, sweet story with friends.

Denise Hunter writes a good story. I’ve read nearly all of her novels, and each one holds the readers attention well. So go ahead and take this coastal story to the beach with you this year!

Bookshop by the Sea

Goodreads

A reliable site for Christian fiction book recommendations, especially fiction although nonfiction is listed as well, is Goodreads. Here’s a list of the Most Anticipated Christian Fiction books of 2021.

I found a new favorite author on Goodreads. You’ll find her in my summer reading list below. 😉 In the meantime, feel free to friend request me to follow the titles I’m reading, peruse my “read” list, and recommend a few titles as well. I always love author and title suggestions from readers.

What Are the Hottest Books to Read Right Now?

If you like Christian nonfiction, the top three selling books in June 2021, according to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), are:

• The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
• Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
• Fault Lines by Voddie T. Baucham

For Christian fiction, try these “hot” books for June sales, also noted by the ECPA:

• The Harbinger II by Jonathan Cahn
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
• Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe

Popular Authors

Check out 10 Not-to-Miss Female Christian Fiction Authors to find other summer reads.

10 Christian Books to Read This Summer

Christian Fiction

1. All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (2021 release)
   DELIGHTFUL–that’s all I can say. This is a fun contemporary romance that literally caused me to laugh. I’d not read any of Nicole Deese’s novels prior to this one. I’m wondering why in the world I hadn’t.

All That Really Matters

2. Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
This is another fun, sassy Christian romance by an author who has several novels published to her name. After reading this one, I decided I want to write like Katie when I grow up. 🙂

3. Let It Be Me by Becky Wade (2021 release)
Becky never disappoints, as expressed in my review of Let It Be Me. You might also be interested in the prequel to the Misty River Series, Take a Chance on Me or book 1, Stay with Me. (You can also read my review of Stay with Me.)

4. Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar (2021 release)
I’ll admit, I love Tessa Afshar–as a Christian and human. I signed up for her mailing list a year ago after being a student in one of her fiction writing classes. Her newsletter rocks. I look forward to reading it each month. There’s a different spirit about her, and it shows.

Biblical fiction, her genre, isn’t my gig–but it might be yours. So I’m adding her latest release, even though I haven’t read it, to the list. If you dive into it this summer or later in the year, I’d love to hear your thoughts. No doubt it’s a good one!

5. Building a Family by Jennifer Slattery
This short novel was published in 2020, but it’s the perfect length for summer vacation reading. It’s clean, easy to read, and was written by a sweet gal whose heart beats for Jesus. This book is part of Love Inspired Inspirational Romance by Harlequin.

Building a Family

Christian NonFiction

6. Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee (2021 release)
Did you grow up near a farm as I did? Or, maybe you joined the ranks of farmer wives like Jennifer Dukes Lee? Or you might live in the city, surrounded by the faster pace city life often offers. In this book, the author shares about unhurrying the heart with the help of country life. This nonfiction book relates to our faith, and it’s a perfect read to slow down those fast-paced summer days to help grow a faith that ultimately yearns for deeper roots.

Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl

7. Health, Healing, & Wholeness by Tracy Crump (2021 release)
These devotional stories of healing, health, and hope emanated from Tracy’s time as an intensive care nurse. She’s a beautiful storyteller, and this devotional proves it once again. This one’s perfect for short reading stints. It’s also a great gift to give in lieu of a card.

Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness

8. Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me by Ian Morgan Cron
This book is as intriguing as the title. It’s the perfect listen as an audiobook. If you’re looking for an intriguing, story based on a young man’s upbringing, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s not a literary giant, but it certainly left me saying, “No way!”

9. Prison to Praise by Merlin Carothers
I recently gave away one copy of this title to a KristiWoods.net subscriber. It made such an impact on me as a new Christian that I couldn’t help pass it along. It’s an energizing read centered on praise’s tremendous power, and it’s the perfect short, summer read.

10. Shift by Abby McDonald (2020 release)
Mental health’s a big topic right now, especially since many of us have been cooped up for over a year. It’s timely for Shift. Abby’s book is an encouraging read that helps readers change focus to see the presence of God. Scoop up a copy to read on those sandcastle building days.

Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God By Abby McDonald

I hope you find a goodie or two from this list. Whatever book(s) you choose to read this summer, however, happy reading!