I Read These Christian Books in 2021 and Still Love Them Today

If you’re looking for the best Christian books to read, these are the nine I recommend most. Each one has encouraged my faith in a unique way—through biblical fiction, inspiring biographies, practical Christian living, or biblical marriage principles.

I LOVE to read a good book.

When I was a child, my favorite thing in the world was to curl up with a book in the haybarn during a rainstorm. The barn had a tin roof, so the pounding of the rain made me feel cozy and safe while I devoured stories sentence by sentence.

Even better were winter nights when my mom would read aloud to us while we worked on a puzzle or craft project. Or those camping trips when rain kept us inside the tent, and her voice carried us away to another world. Those memories are etched into me, and they remind me that reading is more than just entertainment—it’s an experience of connection, imagination, and sometimes, transformation.

Even now, I can’t resist a bookstore. The smell of fresh pages, the sight of rows of stories waiting to be discovered, the thrill of endless possibilities—it’s intoxicating.

Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, has a philosophy that explains why reading feels so impactful. He says most books take about two years to write—two years of an author’s life poured into pages. That means when you read one book, you’re absorbing two years’ worth of wisdom. Read ten books in a year and you’ve gained twenty years of wisdom. Read fifty? One hundred years of wisdom in a single year.

Over my lifetime, God has certainly used books to bring healing, answer questions, encourage me, admonish me, shift my perspective, and grow me spiritually. Some books have even offered the joy of simply escaping into a good story for a while.

So from one friend to another, here are nine Christian books I read in 2021 that I still highly recommend. That’s 18 years’ worth of wisdom packed into stories, insights, and encouragement for your own faith journey.

Some are informational, some recreational—but all of them will help you grow spiritually, strengthen your relationship with God, and deepen your connections with others.

For your convenience,

I’ve provided links to Amazon. I do not receive any financial advantage if you use the links or not. They are purely for your convenience.

Biblical Fiction: A Fresh Look at Bible Stories

Let me start with my favorite category: biblical fiction. This genre takes familiar Bible stories and brings them to life in new ways, helping us see the characters and the culture of their time in vivid color.

All My Glory – Terri Fivash

I have to share this book with you first because it is my all-time favorite biblical fiction novel. All My Glory has been out of print for years, but I was thrilled to discover that Terri Fivash re-released it as a Kindle book in 2021.

The story follows Joseph’s transformation—from a self-righteous, exacting young man into a compassionate ruler of all Egypt. His journey is one of suffering, perseverance, and ultimate redemption. From the pit where his vengeful brothers threw him, to the humiliation of slavery, to his rise as steward of all Potiphar owned, Joseph’s life is a study in resilience. When he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, adversity once again became the chisel God used to polish him. Even there, Joseph rose to a position of trust, managing the prison though still a prisoner himself. Then came his sudden elevation to second-in-command of Egypt.

Through all the highs and lows, Joseph learns to cling to God. In the end, he discovers how every hardship had been shaping him, preparing him with the wisdom, skills, and connections he would need to save an entire nation from famine.

What makes this book unforgettable is how true it stays to the biblical narrative while also reading like a page-turning Christian novel. The characters are fleshed out with humanity, the cultural backdrop is richly woven, and the suspense keeps you hooked until the end. If you enjoy biblical fiction that is faithful to Scripture yet alive with detail and emotion, don’t miss this one.

Love in a Broken Vessel – Mesu Andrews

This powerful biblical fiction book is best suited for adults. It offers an intimate and unflinching look at the story of Hosea, the prophet, and Gomer, the prostitute God commanded him to marry.

I listened to Love in a Broken Vessel on Audible, and it convicted me deeply. The story functions as a living allegory, showing how difficult it can be for us—like Gomer—to fully trust God, represented by Hosea. Too often we believe we must take care of ourselves because we doubt that God cares enough to provide what we need. Sometimes we even assume we know better than God about what is good for us.

As I listened, I found myself analyzing my own reactions to God, realizing the ways I hold back and fail to allow Him to care for me simply because I don’t trust Him enough. It was both painful and eye-opening.

Yet, woven through the heartbreak is hope. Hosea’s persistence reflects God’s relentless love. Just as He never gave up on Gomer, God never gives up on us. He continues to work, to pursue, and to woo us, and He will ultimately save us from ourselves—if we will only trust Him.

This novel is not easy at times, but it is profoundly moving. If you’re looking for Christian fiction that illustrates God’s unfailing love in a raw and honest way, this book will challenge and inspire you.

Faith-Building Christian Books

The next two books I want to share with you are stories that have profoundly fed my faith. They are true Christian biographies that read like adventure novels—yet every page testifies to God’s faithfulness. If you’re looking for books that will both inspire and challenge you, these belong on your list.

God’s Smuggler – Brother Andrew

This incredible true story follows a boy from Holland who once dreamed of becoming an undercover spy against the German army that occupied his homeland during World War II. Instead, God gave him a much greater mission: to become an undercover agent for the kingdom of heaven.

Known as “Brother Andrew,” he spent decades smuggling Bibles into closed and hostile countries, risking his life to share the Word of God where it was forbidden. In God’s Smuggler, he recounts his adventures and the miraculous ways God provided and protected him—no matter the danger or difficulty.

It’s a real page-turner and a faith booster. This classic Christian biography will leave you marveling at God’s power and inspire you to trust Him more boldly in your own life.

One Miracle After Another – Gregg Budd

This amazing true story shares the testimony of Pavel Goia, who committed his life fully to God while living in communist Romania. Choosing to honor and obey God no matter the personal cost, Pavel witnessed miracle after miracle on his behalf.

In One Miracle After Another, you’ll see how God responded to faithfulness with provision, protection, and power—even in the face of persecution and great risk. It’s both inspiring and faith-affirming, a vivid reminder that God is still working wonders in the lives of His people today.

If you’re searching for an inspiring Christian book that builds faith, this one will encourage you to remain steadfast, no matter the circumstances.

Christian Living and Spiritual Growth Books

The next three books are more educational in nature, but each one has touched my life profoundly and helped me to grow and change this past year. These are books that don’t just inform your mind—they shape your heart, your habits, and your walk with God.

Change Your Words, Change Your Life – Joyce Meyer

I originally purchased the Audible recording of four live presentations by Joyce Meyer on this topic. However, the original recording I purchased is no longer available. I have attached a link to the audio version of the book by the same title. The presentations were based on this book.

The presentations address the words we habitually speak to ourselves, the words we use with others, and the words we use when we talk about God and our experience with Him. Joyce shows how our words—spoken and unspoken—have a profound impact on our own lives and on the lives of those around us.

If you only pick one “book” from this category, let it be this one. It is packed with life-transforming food for thought and only requires four hours of your time to listen. This is a practical Christian living “book” that will make you rethink how your daily words align with God’s truth.

---

Could It Be This Simple? A Biblical Model for Healing the Mind – Timothy R. Jennings, MD

Dr. Timothy Jennings is a Christian psychiatrist who was deeply troubled that despite all his training, he could not provide his patients with true healing for their troubled minds and souls. His patients struggled with issues like feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, illegitimate guilt, the inability to forgive, bitterness and resentment, dependency, and unhealthy relationship patterns.

These struggles plague the minds of millions of people—including Christians.

In Could It Be This Simple?, Dr. Jennings shares his discovery of God’s original design for the mind and His beautiful plan to restore His children back into His image. He also exposes many of Satan’s subtle tactics that interfere with God’s plan for healing, and explains how you can cooperate with God to achieve emotional and mental well-being and experience genuine spiritual victory.

The first two chapters may leave you feeling a little out of your depth—not because of the vocabulary, but because they establish the psychological foundation for the rest of the book. Stick with it, because once the groundwork is laid, the book becomes easy to read, thought-provoking, and very practical.

His writing style is conversational, and he mixes in real-life experiences from clients to help you see clear applications. If you take the time with this book, you will not be disappointed. It’s a wonderful resource for anyone seeking Christian books about mental and emotional healing.

---

It’s Not Your Turn: What to Do While You Are Waiting for Your Breakthrough – Heather Thompson Day

We all long to see God use us in powerful ways—to influence our generation, to impact our families, to change our world. But often we grow frustrated when it feels like nothing is happening. Heather Thompson Day suggests that the reason may be simple: it’s not your turn yet.

God is still at work, shaping you into the person He needs you to be in order to fulfill His plan for your life.

Heather writes with authenticity and transparency, helping readers recognize that the waiting seasons are not wasted. In fact, when God has you “waiting in the wings,” it’s because He is still preparing you. When your turn does come to step onto the stage, you will be ready to shine for His glory. She also offers practical pointers on how to take full advantage of the waiting time.

It reminds me of Moses. At 40 years old, he thought he was ready to deliver Israel, but instead God sent him to herd sheep in the wilderness for 40 years. The transformation that took place in Moses’ heart during those years was exactly what enabled him to lead God’s people with wisdom and humility later on.

If you are wondering why God is not using you in a bigger way yet—if it seems to be everyone’s turn but yours—this is the book for you. It’s Not Your Turn will encourage you to wait with hope and let God’s refining process prepare you for what’s next.

Christian Marriage Books

And last but not least, I am always looking for solidly Christian books on marriage. No matter what season we are in—whether things are going well or we’re facing struggles—there is always room to grow and learn how to love better. These two Christian marriage books are biblically grounded and incredibly practical.

Boundaries in Marriage – Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

This book is incredible—biblically sound and filled with principles that may be new to you, or may simply refresh and strengthen what you’ve already discovered about marriage.

Even if your marriage is already strong, this book can make it even better. And if your marriage is struggling, Boundaries in Marriage can help you take godly steps toward improvement. The key is to commit to reading it all the way through so you fully understand the concepts. Then, go back again—slowly and prayerfully—and figure out how best to apply what you’re learning to your own relationship.

This is not a book about changing your spouse. Instead, it helps you learn how to make godly choices and set healthy boundaries that enhance your ability to love more fully and receive love more freely. It also helps you recognize what you can control and what you cannot.

When both spouses learn to respect each other’s needs, choices, and freedoms, marriage flourishes. This is one of those Christian relationship books I believe every couple should read.

The Great Sex Rescue – Sheila Wray Gregoire

Yes—I did dare to include a book about sex in this list. And it’s one I feel is absolutely necessary.

The Great Sex Rescue is refreshingly honest, biblically sound, and much needed in the Christian community. Marital sex is rarely discussed openly in church circles, and the silence has led to decades of misinformation for Christian couples. Many women have grown up with damaging messages that left them feeling dirty, used, or invisible. Meanwhile, men have often been sold a cheapened view of sex that robs them of the true depth of intimacy God intended.

This book seeks to change that. Gregoire and her team carefully examine harmful teachings and replace them with a truly biblical view of sex—one that emphasizes mutuality, intimacy, respect, and passion.

After all, God created sex. He intended it to be good, affirming, and deeply connective for both husband and wife. Unfortunately, sin has distorted it. The Great Sex Rescue is a call to return to God’s design so that Christian couples can experience sex the way He intended: as a beautiful, life-giving gift within marriage.

If you’re married—or preparing for marriage—this is one of the most important Christian books on intimacy you can read.

Now it’s your turn: Have you read a Christian book lately that strengthened your faith or your marriage? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear your recommendations. I’m always looking for my next good read.