23 books our staff (actually) read and recommends this year: family reads, kid faves, devotionals that stick, and theology to spark deeper poolside ponders.
Parenting reads, kids chapter books, and a Bible built for tiny hands.
by Sissy Goff & David Thomas
As a psychologist and mom of three boys, I’m picky about parenting books. I want evidence-based, not just inspirational. Capable didn’t disappoint. Its core insight? When we rescue kids from discomfort, we rob them of the internal strength they actually need. Sturdy matters more than successful.
Michala Cox · Administrative Assistant
Check it out →
The Good Book Co · by David Mathis
Reading this children’s book about the famous pastor and theologian with my son (admittedly six months old and mostly there for moral support) turned out to be more for me than for him. Edwards’s final words, “Trust in God and you need not fear,” have stuck with me.
Elly Hamby · Partnerships Manager
Read it together →
The Aquarium Pals series · by Brandy Mincer
As a mom of a shy three-year-old, fear comes up often in our house, and Psalm 56:3 is on repeat. The first Aquarium Pals book has been a sweet gift to both of us. The colorful illustrations and repetitive language are perfect for her age, and the story has prompted real conversations about the storms in our lives.
Courtney Davis · Finance Coordinator
Read with your toddler →
by Bethany McIlrath
My six-year-old has been eating up chapter books lately, and Abigail and the Summer Situation was the perfect addition. The story follows Abigail’s friendship with the up-for-anything Maggie, who can’t come to Bible Club or talk about Jesus at home. Watching Abigail navigate sharing the gospel sparks great conversations with kiddos.
Xan Sibley · Writer
Add it to her shelf →
adapted by Helen L. Taylor
This summer, my whole family is walking with Christian on his journey to the Celestial City with Little Pilgrim’s Progress. It’s an adaptation of John Bunyan’s must-read classic for kids, featuring sweet illustrations of a little rabbit’s big adventure staying on the narrow path to meet the King. My three-year-old is asking for this one on repeat, and I bet your little listeners and young readers will love it, too.
P.S. Pick up a copy and join Moody Publishers’ free Summer Reading Challenge!
Steph Juliot · Writer
Start the journey →
Tyndale Kids
I bought the NLT GO Bible for Kids for my 6-year-old daughter, and I might’ve learned more than she did. She was hooked from the moment she saw the cover. Between the colorful illustrations, the timelines, and the cool facts — it’s basically a little spiritual starter kit kids (and their dads) love.
Nate Wells · Head of Business
Get one for your kid →Devotionals, walk-throughs, and a Bible built for note-takers.
by Tim Wildsmith
Every time I’ve tried to read the Bible in a year, I get stuck somewhere in 1 Samuel and stall out. The Daily Scripture Guidebook fixed that. Each day pulls from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs — so I’m not waiting nine months to get to Jesus.
Courtney Davis · Finance Coordinator
Start the 52 weeks →
by Zach Windahl
If you’ve ever felt stuck or confused by the Bible, The Bible Simplified is exactly what it sounds like and exactly what you need. The author walks methodically through each book in bite-sized, digestible nuggets that actually make sense. The foundation you wish you had from the start.
Nate Wells · Head of Business
Get the foundation →
by She Reads Truth
The Bible Is for You from She Reads Truth is the kind of devotional I wish I’d had years ago. If you’ve ever wanted to read the whole Bible but didn’t know where to start, this 66-day journey from Genesis to Revelation is built for you. With Scripture right on the page, it keeps you moving without the overwhelm.
Kathleen Wadkins · Managing Editor
Start the 66 days →
She Reads Truth
Ever wished you could be more engaged in your quiet time? The She Reads Truth Spiral-Bound Notetaking Bible might be the tool you’re looking for. The wide margins encouraged me to slow down — to process and pray with the Scripture. Helpful maps and structural breakdowns set me up for success when reading tough texts.
Katherine Anne Thierfelder · Writer
Open the margins →Books for putting down the righteous anger, the doomscroll, and the burnout.
by Brant Hansen
In a news cycle designed to keep us offended, Unoffendable is a breath of fresh air. Hansen challenges the idea that we’re entitled to anger — even “righteous” anger — and makes a surprisingly freeing case that letting it go leads to a lighter, fuller life. As he puts it: “Gratitude and anger can’t coexist.”
Kathleen Wadkins · Managing Editor
Let it go →
by Hal Donaldson
It’s easy to want to give 100% of ourselves to 100% of our life 100% of the time, but to forget our personal well-being. (As a working mom, I get that.) Hal Donaldson’s true story of creating Convoy of Hope shifted my mindset. I learned how to better pour into others and care for myself.
Emily Hansen · Partnerships Manager
Read the story →
by Brant Hansen
If you haven’t read a Brant Hansen book, you’re missing out. This “action guide” (a follow-up to Unoffendable) is pure Brant Hansen. Everything’s casual and easy to read — super short chapters filled with anecdotes and humor — but each page loosened my white-knuckled grip on “righteous” anger.
Jason Woodruff · Founder
Get the action guide →
by Richard Wurmbrand
If you don’t want to love your enemies as Jesus does… don’t read this book. Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ, the Complete Story tells the story of a Romanian pastor and his wife who suffered years of persecution, imprisonment, and unimaginable torture at the hands of the country’s Communist government—yet still preached Christ’s good news to their captors. This book revealed how hard my own heart can be and revealed how Christ’s love conquers all. Grab your copy today!
Bailey Parmley · Writer
Grab your copy →Books that will stir your affections for the Lord.
by Jon Thompson
As a pastor, I was always amazed how hard it was to say something true, helpful, and digestible about even one aspect of the faith. Jon Thompson doesn’t have that problem. He shows how holy habits, spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit’s unusual power converge in the life of Jesus.
Peter Nittler · Writer
Read it →
by John Piper
Reading Piper always feels like drinking from a fire hydrant of rich theology (in the best way). Desiring God was no exception. The core idea: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” A paradigm-shifting read. Plus, the revised edition is beauuutiful.
Xan Sibley · Writer
Get the book →
by Rabbi Jason Sobel
I used to see the Old Testament as a warm-up act for Jesus. Now, I see Jesus on every page. Rabbi Jason Sobel helped me understand that every detail in the Bible — from the swaddling clothes to carpenters — was intentionally chosen by God. Nothing God wrote was an accident.
Whipple · Head of Growth
See Jesus everywhere →
by Matt Chandler
We might not say it out loud, but most of us expect that our Christian growth chart will trend up and to the right — which means life’s dark valleys can leave us deeply disoriented. With typical down-to-earth wisdom, Matt Chandler walks readers through the Beatitudes, showing how the Spirit uses our highs and lows to make us like Jesus.
Steph Juliot · Writer
Read this book →
by JP Pokluda
I used to feel confused, and honestly even scared, when I thought about spiritual warfare. Your Story Has a Villain changed that. JP walks you through the enemy’s tactics (distract, destroy, deceive, disunify, desensitize, deconstruct) with humility, honesty, and reflection questions that make it personal.
Nicole Pothitakis · Paid Media Specialist
Know your enemy →Mornings, marriage, movement — small habits that shape your life.
by David Mathis
When I danced, I always prayed before going on stage. But I’d never carried that mindset into everyday exercise. David Mathis renewed this, naming two pitfalls I know well: treating exercise as a chore or as purely aesthetic. My new takeaway: move modestly for His glory, in discipline and gratitude, and for the joy of it.
Miranda Colley · Multimedia Producer
Read it →
by Jennifer Dukes Lee
Whether you leap out of bed fully dressed or are chronically allergic to mornings, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s How to Love Your Morning is for you. After studying every morning mentioned in the Bible (forreal), she found that God has always wanted to meet you in yours. Take the quiz, discover your morning archetype, and walk with her to build a ritual that fits your life.
Sassy · Proofreader
Take the quiz →
by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
If you’ve ever had an argument and thought, “We’ve literally had this exact fight before,” Lightbulb Moments in Marriage is for you. Dr. Emerson Eggerichs — best-selling author of Love & Respect — distills 25+ years of marriage ministry into 12 biblical reframes that break the loop.
Kathleen Wadkins · Managing Editor
Get the reframes →When you want to get lost in a story.
by Gabrielle Meyer
Libby lives two separate lives: one in 1774 and one in 1914. When the Day Comes kicks off Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series, walking with Libby as she’s forced to make impossible choices about love, faith, and destiny. The dual timelines are woven together so seamlessly that the emotional weight is real.
Sassy · Proofreader
Start the series →Send them this list. Their summer reading just sorted itself.