Ask any of my friends and they’ll be quick to tell you that I am a total book nerd. I belong to that special (or, more accurately, odd) camp of readers that is always working through at least five different books at one time. Reading one book at a time simply won’t do – there are just too many good books out there.

With that, it’s probably no surprise that my book shelf is a mix of biographies and contemporary literature alongside plenty of classics (okay, maybe loads of classics) and a history or two. I also have a special space carved out especially for books that edify and challenge my faith. Those Christian books are some of my absolute favorites and I find myself returning to them often.

While there are plenty of titles that stand out as especially encouraging or helpful, I’ve narrowed it down to a shorter list of ten recommendations. Many of these books can be found in a local book store or discount online retailer. For simplicity’s sake, though, I’ll include an Amazon link along with the ISBN number. You can also find the full list on this GoodReads shelf.

• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster | 0062803883
• Hinds Feet for High Places by Hannah Hurnard | 0842314296
• Entirety by Dana Candler |1605300667
• The King in His Beauty by Thomas R. Schreiner | 0801039398
• The Allure of Hope by Jan Meyers |1576832635
• Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge | 0785288295
• Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson | 0768415772
• The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennet| 0851512283
• The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning | 1590525027
• Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis | 0062565486

Happy reading, dear saints!