Have you joined our Happy Unconventional Life Reading Challenge yet? (If not, come join the fun! It’s free. Click here to learn more.)
If you’re like me, you probably have a stack of books that you’ve been wanting to read and that’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to read the books I suggest here. But if you’re looking for ideas, I’ve used this page to curate a list of book suggestions that match the weekly reading prompts in the challenge workbook. These are books I personally love and think you will too. (I’ve read the vast majority of these books, but a couple of them that are still on my desperately-want-to-read list.) All the books on this list are selected to encourage and uplift you, but please remember that you are not bound to this list! If you interpret a prompt differently than the way I interpreted it, go with your gut! Browse the list and see if anything jumps out at you! Most importantly, choose books that are worth spending your time on and will make you a better person.
How to Use This List – There are three levels in the challenge and I’ve combined all 3 levels on this list. So scroll down to whichever month we’re in. Below that month you’ll see 3-5 reading prompts. One of those prompts will be for Level 1, Two prompts will be for Level 2 and all the prompts will apply to Level 3.
You may own a lot of books already, but if you want to read books you don’t already own, be sure to check out this post about Reading on a Budget where I outline how I save money buying books. (Coming Soon!)
Happy Reading, Friends!
This list uses affiliate links to help you find exactly what you need. You can see my complete disclosure here.
January
Devotional Life
A Place of Quiet Rest – Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Keep A Quiet Heart – Elisabeth ElliotThe Devotional Life – Patrick Oben
Bible Study
How To Study The Bible For Yourself – Tim LahayeWomen of the Word – Jen WilkinSeven Arrows of Bible Study – Matt Rogers
Building Confidence
You’re Already Amazing – Holly GerthYou Are The Girl For The Job – Jen ConnollyA Confident Heart: How To Stop Doubting Yourself And Live In The Security of God’s Promises
Developing Better Habits
Hello Mornings – Kat LeeAtomic Habits – James ClearMake Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe The World – Admiral William H. McRaven
Reading
How To Read A Book – Mortimer AdlerThe Read Aloud Family – Sarah MacKenzieGive Your Child The World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book At A Time
February
A Number In The Title
101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home – David Bordon7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess – Jen Hatmaker7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey
A Book About Finances
Total Money Makeover – Dave RamseyYou Need A Budget – Jesse MechamThe Money Smart Family System – Steve & Annette Economides
Memorizing Scripture
Keep In Memory: How To Enjoy Bible Memorizing With Profit100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By HeartHis Word In My Heart – Janet Pope
March
Making The World A Better Place
A Complaint Free World – Will BowenDouble Blessing: Don’t Settle For Less Than You’re Called To Bless – Mark BattersonChicken Soup For The Soul: Random Acts of Kindness
A Book About Jesus
Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name – Max LucadoWhy Believe In Jesus? – Tim LahayeThe Jesus I Never Knew – Phillip Yancey
Missionary Story
I Heard Singing – Molly RankinAny Title from the Christian Heroes Then & Now Series – ywampublishing.comEvidence Not Seen – Darlene Deibler Rose
Historic Event
Aunt Phil’s Trunk (any of the 4 volumes in the series)Endurance: Shakelton’s Incredible VoyageWe’re Not Leaving: 9/11 Responders Tell Their Stories of Courage, Sacrifice, and Renewal
April
A Book that is funny, inspiring, or uplifting
I’ve Found My Keys, Now Where’s My Car? – Florence LittauerMayburry Humour Across The USALaughter Still Is The Best Medicine – Reader’s Digest
Hymns
My Life And The Story of the Gospel Hymns And Of Sacred Songs And Solos – Ira SankeyThen Sings My Soul – Robert Morgan101 Hymn Stories
Evangelism
Will Our Generation Speak – Grace MallyThe School of Biblical Evangelism – Ray ComfortThe Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert Coleman
A Book About A Controversial Topic
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert – Soaria Champagne ButterfieldMiller’s Review of Critical Vaccine Studies – Neil MillerUnplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye Opening Journey Across the Life Line
May
Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life – Donald S. WhitneyDisciplines of a Godly Family – Kent HughesDisciplines of a Godly Woman – Barbara Hughes
Death or Grief
Living With The End In Mind – Erin KrampThe Art of Dying Well – Katy ButlerGood Grief: A Companion For Every Loss – Granger E. Westberg
Miracles
The Hand That Intervenes – William A SpicerMiracles – C.S. LewisThe Miracle of the Seventh Day Ox And Other Miracle Stories From Russia
Homemaking
Home Mangaemnt Plain & Simple – Kim BrennemanThe Lifegiving Home – Sally ClarksonSink Reflections – Marla Cilley (“The Flylady”)
June
Biography, Autobiography or Memoir
Becoming Elisabeth Elliot – Ellen VaughnMarriage To A Difficult Man: The Uncommon Union of Jonathan & Sarah Edwards – Elisabeth DoddsFound Faithful: The Timeless Stories of Charales Spurgeon, Amy Carmiachale, CS Lewis, Ruth Graham Bell, and others – Elizabeth Skoglund
Creation
Darwin On Trial – Phillip JohnsonThe New Answers Book (any of the 4 volume series)A Flood of Evidence: 40 Reasons Why Noah and the Ark Still Matter – Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge
Nature
Birdmania: A Remarkable Passion for Birds – Bernd BrunnerAlaska Bear Tales – Larry KaniutParables from Nature – Margaret Gatty
Parenting
Full Time Parenting – Israel WayneThe Ministry of Motherhood – Sally ClarksonThe Connected Parent – Karyn Purvis & Lisa Qualls
July
A New Hobby
31 Days To Better Genealogy – Amy Johnson CrowSibley’s Birding Basics – David Allen SibleyThe Complete Guide to Natural Soapmaking: Create 65 All Natural Cold-Process, Hot-Process, Liquid, Melt-and-Pour, and Hand Milled Soaps – Amanda Aaron
A book about Food or Eating
Folks, This Aint Normal – Joel SalatinOmnivore’s Dilemma – Michael PollanSix Thousand Years of Bread: Its Holy and Unholy History – H.E. Jacobs
Self-Help
Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters – Blythe Daniel & Helen McIntoshHealing From Hidden Abuse – Shannon ThomasThink Differently, Live Differently – Bob Hamp
God’s Love
God Loves You – David JeremiahCrazy Love – Francis ChanGod Loves Broken People (And Those Who Pretend They’re Not) – Sheila Walsh
August
Health
The China Study – Dr Colin CampbelParasite Rex – Carl ZimmerThe New Optimum Nutrition Bible – Patrick Holford
Family Life
The Most Important Place on Earth – Robert WolgemuthThe Life Giving Parent – Sally ClarksonIn This House We Will Giggle – Courtney DeFeo
Prayer
The Battle Plan For Prayer – Steven KendrickThe Hour That Changes The World – Dick EastmanWhat Happens When Women Pray – Evelyn Christenson
Written By A Blogger
Messy, Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real Life MarriagesLittle House Living: The Make Your Own Guide to a Frugal, Simple, and Self-Sufficient Life – Merissa AlinkMore Than Just Making It: Hope For The Financially Frustrated – Erin Odom
September
Christianity
True For You But Not For Me – Paul CopanCold Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospel – J. Warner WallaceThe Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence For Jesus – Lee Strobel</p
Hope
Holding Onto Hope – Nancy GuthrieHope The Best of Things – Joni Earakson Tada (Small Booklet)Unshakeable Hope – Max Lucado
Productivity or Efficiency
Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating And Get More Done In Less Time – Brian TraceyGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity – David Allen12 Week Year: Get More Done In 12 Weeks Than Others Do In 12 Months
October
Encouragement For Hard Times
The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace In The Midst Of Life’s Hard – Kara TippetsThe Discipline of Grace – Jerry BridgesSuffering Is Never For Nothing – Elisabeth Elliot
Media and/Or Technology
12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You – Tony ReinkeThe Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps For Putting Technology In Its Proper PlaceMedia Choices: Convictions or Compromise – Phillip Telfer
True, Inspirational Story
Angels On Earth: Inspiring, Real Life Stories of Fate, Friendship, And The Power of Kindness – Laura SchroffOnce Upon A Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen – Bob Greene (This is one of my personal, All-Time Favorites!!!)Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love – Katherine & Jay Wolfe
Trusting God
Trusting God Even When Life Hurts – Jerry BridgesYou Can Trust God To Write Your Story – Nancy & Robert WolgemuthWhat Happens When Women Walk In Faith: Trusting God Takes You to Amazing Places – Lysa Terkeurst
November
Friendship
Closer Than A Sister: How Union With Christ Helps Friendships to FlourishGirls Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship In A Lonely WorldFriendish: Reclaiming Real Friendship In A Culture of Confusion – Kelly Needham
Gratitude
Radical Gratitude: Discovering Joy Through Everyday Thankfulness – Ellen VaughnChoosing Gratitude: Your Journey To Joy – Nancy Leigh DeMossOne Thousand Gifts – Ann Voskamp
Hospitality
Extraordinary Hospitalty For Ordinary Christians: A Radical Approach For Preparing Your Heart and Home for Gospel-Centered Community – Victoria DuerstockThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters – Priya ParkerThe Gospel Comes With A Housekey – Rosaria Butterfield
Choices
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity – Nabeel QureshiFor The Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddel, Hero Who Inspired Chariots of FireThe Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent A Year Trying To Sing In The Morning, Clean My Closets, Read Aristotle And Generally Have More Fun
December
God
Experiencing God – Henry BlackabyThe Pursuit of God – A.W. TozerKnowing God – J.I. Packer
Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness Then & Now:Your Next 24 Hours: One Day of Kindness Can Change EverythingMake & Share Random Acts of Kindness: Simple Crafts and Recipes to Give and Spread Joy – Mique Provost
Christian Living
The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life For Today – Hannah Whitall Smith & Catherine JacksonUnoffendable – Brant HansenSpeak The Truth: How to Bring God Back Into Every Conversation – Carmen Laberge
Teaching or Mentoring
Teaching To Change Lives – Howard HendricksSpiritual Mothering – Susan HuntBecoming A Titus 2 Woman – Martha Peace
