7 of the Best Christian Books for Women
As a self-confessed bookworm, I know how frazzled you can feel wandering the aisles of a bookshop or browsing The Good Book Company website, hoping for divine inspiration but ending up with decision fatigue instead.
If choosing your next read feels more like a test of endurance than a joy, don’t worry—you’re not alone, especially when so much of Christian literature, especially for women, can be fluff. I’ve put together this list of top Christian books for women to gently guide you towards a read that will both encourage your heart and lift your spirit.
What Do I Mean by ‘Books for Women’?
To be honest, I rarely like books written just for women! Much of the human experience is the same for men and women, and there is little that needs to be written just for us. After all, we read the same scriptures. So, a lot of the books I’ve included below are suitable for men and women, but most are written by women or with women in mind.
7 of the Best Christian Books for Women
1. ‘Sermon on the Mount’ by Jen Wilkin
Honestly, I could recommend everything Jen writes, but this is the study that impacted me the most. I especially love the way she expands and explains the Beatitudes, linking aspects of the sermon back to the Old Testament. It’s the first time I’ve seen either of those things done, even though the sermon on the mount is a popular and well-known text.
Other studies I have done by Jen and would recommend are ‘Genesis – God of Creation’ and ‘Abide’ on 1, 2 and 3 John. I am currently in the middle of her Revelation study, which is also amazing. Books I have read and would recommend are ‘Ten Words to Live By’, ‘None Like Him’, ‘In His Image’ and ‘Women of the Word’.
2. ‘Disciplines of a Godly Woman’ by Barbara Hughes
It’s a good few years since I read this, but my copy is heavily annotated and underlined from the many times I read it in my twenties and early thirties. Barbara weaves together stories and teaching, and it is like listening to an older woman give good, solid biblical advice based on scripture and her own experience.
3. ‘Passion and Purity’ by Elisabeth Elliott
I love both Elisabeth and Jim’s stories, and this book tells of their love story and how they kept themselves pure for marriage, even when it was difficult. Inspiring, and even though it is written in a different time, still a great read today.
4. ‘Relationships: A Mess Worth Making’ by Paul David Tripp and Tim Lane
Written by two men, this book offers honest, down-to-earth insight into what relationships really require. It reminded me that with the right heart posture, they’re always worth the effort—no matter how hard. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, it speaks to showing up well and navigating challenges in a real, practical way.
What stayed with me most was how it challenged my own habits—holding back, avoiding conflict, or only giving when it’s convenient. It pushed me to lean into hard relationships instead of walking away, and reminded me that messy, imperfect connections are often where the deepest growth and community happen.
5. ‘The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey Into Christian Faith’ by Rosaria Butterfield
This book didn't take me long to read, but it felt like a huge breath of fresh air. The way Rosaria seeks to carefully study and apply the word of God to every facet of her life post-conversion is so refreshing to read. With empathy and wisdom, she speaks of sexuality, sin generally, church, fellowship, marriage, adoption, hospitality, homeschooling and many other things. To read a book so eloquently written about how God can change lives and has mercy on even those we feel are too far gone to be saved was a huge encouragement.
6. ‘Gay Girl Good God’ by Jackie Hill Perry
'Before I knew it, I was back with the same temptation, and with someone else’s power.' Loved this quote! This book is beautifully written, and that could be enough to keep you reading. But there’s more. The story is compelling. It makes much of God.
It puts it simply: our will isn’t as important as God’s word; our desires don't matter next to God’s will for our lives.
7. ‘The Toxic War on Masculinity’ by Nancy Pearcey
This is a refreshing read, though quite dense: a book about masculinity written by a woman. Nancy Pearcey makes a research-backed case that challenges the idea that traditional masculinity is harmful, showing instead that men rooted in faith tend to be more committed husbands and fathers, even within a biblical framework of leadership and submission.
She traces so-called ‘toxic’ behaviour not to masculinity itself, but to the Industrial Revolution, which pulled men away from family life and reshaped their role. By contrasting the self-controlled, service-oriented ‘Good Man’ with the aggressive cultural stereotype of the ‘Real Man’, she argues that much of what we’re told to reject is actually a distortion of something good.
For women navigating modern relationships, her message is clear: reclaiming a healthy, sacrificial vision of masculinity could lead to stronger relationships, and also prompted me to reflect on how spaces like the church can better engage men without becoming unhealthy. It took me a while to read, but I enjoyed the combination of humour, history, theology and storytelling.
And Hope Designs Christian Bookmarks
If You’re in the Mood for Fiction…
I can recommend the Narnia series, especially 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (it’s a familiar story) and 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader'.
Books by Francine Rivers are popular for a reason. I especially loved 'Redeeming Love' and 'Unveiled: Tamar'.
Finally, the Green Ember Series and the Wingfeather Saga are beautifully written. They’re suitable for children who enjoy chapter books, but I read and enjoyed them as an adult.
Happy Reading!
My Reading Journal provides the perfect home for a written record of the books you read over the course of a year. As well as recording key details such as the title of the book, author, genre and when (and where) you read it, you can also use your journal to note down any thoughts along with your favourite quotes. >>> And Hope Designs Reading Journal
For even more bookish inspiration, take a look at these posts…
9 Ways to Get Out of a Reading Slump
