If you are a Christ follower, you most likely read books to nurture your faith.  

If you are a mom, you probably read lots of books on many subjects.  

If you are a home educator, you are constantly reading books of all types in just about every category imaginable.  

Most readers of this blog are all three! During my days of home education, I read aloud to my children for hours every day. My personal reading time was primarily devoted to “how to” – how to be a better mom, a better wife, a better cook, a better organizer, or how to teach my children to write, to read, etc. 

Books in progress were often found (and still are!) on my kitchen table, my desk, by my bed, in the bathroom, in the car (for when hubby was driving), and multiple titles in the family room. To this day, when I take time to watch a show on television, I may be found reading during the commercials.  

For many years, most of my reading time was devoted to books about my kids – how to teach, train, discipline, disciple, or feed them. Any fiction (aside from historical titles from our Sonlight reading list) was usually a kids’ picture book I was reading to my preschoolers. While my book list seemed nearly endless, I did very little reading simply for enjoyment.

Holidays and vacations, however, brought time to indulge in some “for-mom” books. Looking back now, I believe I should have added a “for-mom” book to the ongoing pile for every day. Just a few minutes of this reading break each afternoon can be refreshing and relaxing.  

As the time for Christmas list-making draws near, you will most likely be asked, “What do you want for Christmas?” Before you ask for something practical — an Instant Pot, a new vacuum, or towels to replace the threadbare ones you keep using — consider asking for a few good books. And I’m defining “good” as a “for-mom” book: something that, while it may educate and inform, is not expressly or intently devoted to assisting in your role as mom/teacher/wife.  

I’m sharing a few favorites here in a book list for my fellow moms, hoping one might bless you as it has me. Some of these have been favorites for many years, while others are recent reads that I enjoyed. My list includes fiction nonfiction, classics, and ones you’ve most likely never heard of — which either means I’m a woman of diverse interests, or my brain is so scattered I’m unable to drive in a consistent lane! I hope one of these sparks your interest: 

1. The Mitford series, by Jan Karon 
   I’m cheating a bit by listing this as just one book because there are 14 books in the series! If you begin with At Home in Mitford, you will be hooked. A welcome, joyful change to the racy/immoral/profane-ridden fiction that often makes the best-seller lists today. These are engaging, Christ-centered, thoughtful, and make me laugh out loud! Delightful!
2. Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate 
   This is a work of historical fiction based upon the notorious Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. It’s horrifying that this type of corruption and scandal – stealing children from poor families so they could be adopted by families of privilege – occurred in 20th century Memphis. It was chilling, gut-wrenching, but also a masterful tale of redemption and mystery. It prompted me to do my own research on the real-life scandal.
3. The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis 
   This Christian classic employs satire to teach about temptation. The tale unfolds from the viewpoint of demons whose responsibility it is to undermine the Christian convert. The book is a series of letters written from Uncle Screwtape to his incompetent, struggling nephew Wormwood to mentor him in the art of tempting and undermining the faith of his “patient.” Even if you read this in high school, it might be time to read it again. 
   
4. Madison Park: A Place of Hope, by Eric Motley 
   Madison Park, Alabama was founded by freed slaves in 1880. This is the elegy of native son, Eric Motley, who was raised in this poor community that was wealthy with love, faith, and a sense of taking care of each other. It was inspiring to see the value placed upon both faith and education. Motley grew up to become a special assistant to President George W. Bush. 
5. Still Growing, by Kirk Cameron 
   I found this on the bookshelf at Goodwill and thoroughly enjoyed it! Kirk Cameron was raised in a middle-class family and his autobiography tells how he made it to stardom. What a blessing to hear Kirk’s journey to faith! I found myself cheering out loud when, even as a young man and a relatively new believer, he took a stand for what was right. He and his wife Chelsea are living out the truth of Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given much is required.”
6. Decision Points, by George W. Bush 
   Our 43rd president’s memoir is shared as a series of key decisions he made in his life. I appreciated his transparency in disclosing matters of not just politics and governing, but also faith and family. Inspiring, gritty, and real.
7. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen 
   Written in 1813 and set in the Regency Era of England, Pride and Prejudice is most likely found on every recommended book list. Its famous opening line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” sets the tone for the entire book. Witty, humorous, romantic, and utterly delightful, Jane Austen will have you speaking with a British accent, longing to travel back in time, and agreeing that marrying for love should always supersede choosing a mate for money. 
8. Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, by Rosaria Butterfield 
   This autobiography chronicles the journey of tenured English professor Rosaria Butterfield, from liberal lesbian activist to committed follower of Christ. Readers of our blog will be intrigued to learn she later married a pastor and became a home educator. Her book, The Gospel Comes with A House Key, is also a great read. 
9. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers 
   I read this book 22 years ago while recovering from cancer surgery. Set in the era of the California Gold Rush, the book is a re-mix of the book of Hosea. The main character, Angel, was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea obeys God to pursue and marry Angel. Her journey to faith in Christ is a beautiful picture of God’s redeeming love for us all.
10. Mark of the Lion series, by France Rivers 
    Couldn’t resist adding another by one of my favorite authors. Set in first-century Rome, this book trilogy is a page turner that will have you staying up way past your bedtime. This tells the story of Hadassah, a Jewish-Christian teenager who survived the Roman conquest of Jerusalem to be sold into slavery. Her steadfast faith in God shines the light of Christ into the Roman aristocracy, the colosseum, and challenged me to live my convictions. Thanks to Francine Rivers, I have a greater understanding of the challenges of being a believer in the first century. 

Whether one of these or another interesting read, here’s my challenge from one mom to another: make some time to enjoy a good book! And because we so often discover great books on the recommendation of a friend, we hope you’ll expand on this book list by leaving us a note below and letting everyone know what you are reading! 

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