16 Christian Books Worth Reading In 2026
As 2026 begins, there’s no shortage of voices telling you what to read, who to listen to, and how to grow. Every year brings a flood of new Christian books, and figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming.
So instead of giving you a list based on trends or popularity, I want to share something simpler. This is a list of Christian books that have genuinely shaped my faith and life over time. These are books I’ve actually read, wrestled with, and returned to. Many of them have directly influenced the posts and ideas I’ve shared here.
This list isn’t ranked, and it’s not a list of the best Christian books of all time or only books released this year. You’ll find newer titles, older classics, and everything in between. The common thread is this: each one has helped me grow in my understanding of God and live my faith more faithfully.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to invest in your faith in 2026, this is a great place to start.
The Best Christian Books You Should Read
Maybe you’re not much of a reader. Honestly, neither am I, at least not naturally. Reading has always been more of a discipline for me than a passion. But over time, it’s become one of the most formative practices for my faith.
So if it’s been a while since you’ve picked up a book, consider doing it this year. It’s a simple way to grow, and audiobooks count too.
With that in mind, here are some Christian books worth reading in 2026.
1. Core 52 by Mark Moore
This is one of the best books I recommend to people who want to grow their faith but don’t know where to start. Mark Moore was one of my professors, and this book reflects the clarity and practicality he brought into the classroom.
What I love about Core 52 is how manageable it is. Fifteen minutes a day feels doable, even in busy seasons. This book has helped me deepen my understanding of Scripture, and it’s one I often point people to when they feel overwhelmed by the Bible. The follow-up, Quest 52, along with the family and student editions, are also excellent.
You can buy them here: Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year and Quest 52: A Fifteen-Minute-a-Day Yearlong Pursuit of Jesus
2. Good Boundaries And Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst
I originally picked this book up while planning a future sermon series on boundaries. I expected it to be helpful for ministry, but it ended up being personally challenging as well.
Lysa does a great job addressing the guilt many Christians feel around boundaries. She makes a compelling case that boundaries aren’t unloving or selfish, but often necessary for healthy relationships. This is a great book if you’re navigating complicated relationships or learning when it’s okay to say no.
You can buy it here: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You
3. The Question That Never Goes Away: Why? by Philip Yancey
I’ve read this short book multiple times, and I still find myself coming back to it. Yancey has a rare ability to talk honestly about suffering without offering shallow answers.
What stands out most is how personal this book feels. By walking through real tragedies and real people, Yancey helps readers wrestle with the question of where God is in the middle of pain. If you’ve ever struggled with suffering or doubt, this is a book worth sitting with.
You can buy it here: The Question That Never Goes Away
4. Between Two Trees by Shane Wood
Shane Wood was another former professor of mine, and this book has deeply influenced how I understand sin, redemption, and the story of Scripture as a whole.
What this book helped me see is that sin is more than just rule-breaking. It’s a union with death. And the work of Jesus is about restoring us to life. This book has shaped several things I’ve written, and I still return to its framework often.
You can buy it here: Between Two Trees: Our Transformation from Death to Life
5. Soul Strength by Alan Ahlgrim
Alan Ahlgrim was my pastor growing up, and I worked with him briefly before he retired. I read this book during a season of transition, moving and navigating job changes, and it spoke directly into that moment.
This book helped me understand the importance of investing in the right relationships and gave me practical tools for doing that. If you’re craving deeper relationships or navigating change, this book is incredibly helpful.
You can buy it here: Soul Strength: Rhythms for Thriving
6. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
This is a book my wife bought, and I ended up picking it up off the coffee table one day. At first, I was drawn in by Voskamp’s writing style. But what stayed with me was her focus on gratitude.
I tend to live focused on what’s next. This book challenged me to slow down and notice God’s presence in the everyday moments of life. It’s a beautiful and convicting read.
You can buy it here: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
7. Skeletons In God’s Closet by Joshua Ryan Butler
This book addresses some of the hardest questions Christians are asked about hell, judgment, and violence in Scripture. Butler doesn’t dodge those questions, but he also doesn’t approach them defensively.
What I appreciated most was how this book helped replace caricatures of God with a richer, more compelling picture of who He actually is. This book has influenced how I think and teach on these topics.
Buy here: The Skeletons in God’s Closet: The Mercy of Hell, the Surprise of Judgment, the Hope of Holy War
8. What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey
If you’re keeping track, this is my second Philip Yancey book on the list, and that’s intentional. His writing has had a massive impact on my faith.
This book, in particular, reshaped how I understand grace. Yancey doesn’t just define grace. He shows what it looks like in real life, through powerful stories of forgiveness and mercy. If I were ranking this list, this one would be near the top.
Buy here: What’s So Amazing About Grace?
9. Embodied by Preston Sprinkle
Few people balance truth and compassion as well as Preston Sprinkle. Embodied helped me think more carefully about how Christians engage conversations around gender with both conviction and love.
This is a book I often recommend to leaders, parents, and anyone working with younger generations. It’s thoughtful, pastoral, and grounded in Scripture.
Buy here: Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say
10. Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey
This is not a book you read straight through. It’s a collection of prayers for ordinary moments, from doing laundry to sharing meals.
I love how this book reminds us that our everyday lives are filled with sacred purpose. It’s helped me slow down and become more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of life.
Buy here: Every Moment Holy
11. Hope In Times Of Fear by Timothy Keller
Fear seems to be a constant companion in our culture right now. In this book, Keller gently points readers back to the resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope.
This is a book I’d recommend if anxiety or uncertainty feels overwhelming. It’s thoughtful, grounding, and deeply pastoral.
Buy here: Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter
12. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
This is a classic that deserves its reputation. Lewis has a way of explaining complex ideas with clarity and imagination.
If you’ve never read it, it’s worth picking up. And if you read it years ago, it’s worth revisiting with fresh eyes.
Buy here: Mere Christianity
13. Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer
This book is a challenge in the best way. Comer focuses on what it actually means to apprentice under Jesus, not just believe the right things.
If your faith feels rushed, fragmented, or overly busy, this book offers a compelling invitation to slow down and intentionally practice the way of Jesus in everyday life.
Buy here: Practicing The Way
14. Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning
I’m a bit late to Brennan Manning, but this book pulled me in quickly. It’s a vulnerable exploration of what keeps us from fully receiving God’s love.
This book challenged my own tendencies toward performance and perfection. If you struggle with shame or feeling like you’re never enough, this book will resonate deeply.
Buy here: Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
15. Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World
This was one of the most personally challenging books I’ve read. I’m not great at resting, even when I take time off.
This book helped me rethink Sabbath not as a rule, but as a gift and a form of resistance in a nonstop world. It’s a needed challenge.
Buy here: Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World
16. (For kids) Theolaby – The Story of God, by Jennie Allen – 5 Book Series Box Set
This is a beautifully illustrated series that does an excellent job helping kids understand the big story of Scripture.
If you’re looking for a faith-forming resource that sparks meaningful conversations with your kids, this is a great option.
Buy here: Theolaby – The Story of God – 5 Book Series Box Set
You don’t need to read all of these. Pick one or two. Read slowly. Let them shape you.
I’d love to hear. What are some Christian books that have shaped your faith?
