25 Books to Consider for Christmas Gifts (or for Yourself!)

We love to read. As a family, we read together, and each of us reads individually a lot. But, even more than just loving to read, we feel that reading truly enhances so much of life.

So, as you start shopping for Christmas, we want to share with you 25 books that you might want to consider for someone on your list…or just something to pick up to read during this busy time of year. [Each link is to Amazon and is an affiliate link.]

1. ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Set. Admittedly, we do not have this set of books, but we are looking at them closely and have researched them a great deal. Produced with note-takers clenbuterolo online and Bible-markers in mind, each book of the New Testament is given its own small volume with a blank page on one side, so plenty of notes can be made. A wonderful gift for personal Bible study. (about $64 for the New Testament set; entire Bible available for less than $160)
2. Clouded by Emotion (Lance Mosher). This book on miracles and the Holy Spirit is an invaluable study tool; written in a Biblical and very readable fashion. (See Adam’s video review of the book here.) ($10.99)
3. The Civil War (Shelby Foote). Adam is currently reading this classic three-volume series, and is riveted! Though it takes a long time to work through these books (almost 3000 total pages), Foote’s research and presentation will keep you wanting to come back to learn what happens next. ($45.49)
4. Round the World in 80 Days (Jules Verne). Our family read this together and we were all enthralled by the story, from beginning to end. Though some of the references are very much of the period, children can still follow this exciting tale. Additionally, each chapter is fairly brief, so reading a little bit at a time works well. ($9.36)
5. Grace: Simply Incredible, Incredibly Simple (Dan Winkler). A brief, four-chapter book on the subject of grace, this volume will hold your attention with a powerful examination of the Biblical text and helpful illustrations. Though a short book, you will want to work your way through it carefully and, probably, more than once. ($9.99)
6. The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart). Mary Carol has read this series of books; or, maybe we should say she has devoured them. A great series of young-reader level volumes for the kid who loves a good mystery. ($6.99 for volume 1)
7. Truevine (Beth Macy). Maybe the most important history book Adam has read in some time. This volume chronicles two young men kidnapped from the Jim Crow South and literally sold into the circus. It also tells of how their mother never gave up on finding them again http://www.247locksmithsnearme.com/, and of how the area–all these years later–still thinks of the tale. A very important reminder of a horrible time in American history. ($9.97)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery). Leah absolutely loves this series of books, and has read them more than once, including not all that long ago. Simply a classic. ($19.49 for the entire paperback series)
9. Father Brown Short Stories (G.K. Chesterton). If you enjoy mysteries, these short stories will be a good read. Leah is reading this book and loves that they are short stories. After all, she is busy! She also says they really are mysteries; they are hard to figure out until the end. ($14.99)
10. Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War (Nathaniel Philbrick). Both Adam and Leah have read this book in the last few years, and have both learned a good deal from it. Seemingly balanced in its presentation of both the settlers and the natives, it presents strengths and weaknesses of both, taking the history up until there war was the result of declining goodwill. ($8.99)
11. Madaleine Takes Command (Ethel C. Brill). Based on a true story from colonial French Canada, our children loved this book. In fact, Mary Carol is currently reading it through again on her own. The story tells of a 14-year-old French girl who defended a fort, including taking up arms, against the Iriquois. ($13.95)
12. Hymns of the Heart: Discovering God in the Psalms (Adam Faughn). Okay, so we had to include a couple of our own books here! In this book, Adam takes a look at 35 of the Old Testament Psalms, seeking to show the meaning and emotion behind each one. And, preachers, there is a ton of alliteration, rhyming, lists, etc. to help you preach these texts, too! ($14.98)
13. God Give Us Christian Homes (Jim Faughn). A 13-chapter look at God’s plan for the home, this volume is highly readable and very practical. It also includes chapters on some areas of the home that are rarely discussed, such as the “sandwich generation,” which is that group who is raising children and taking care of aging parents. ($11.95)
14. How Many Animals Were on the Ark? Turner recommended this book, which takes a fun and scientific look at how all those animals could have possibly fit on Noah’s ark. It is a great way to teach young people about the meaning of “kinds” in the Bible. ($12.43)
15. The 13 Clocks (James Thurber). Combining a lot of elements of various fairy tales, the kids recommended this book as a great story for kids. It is funny and will teach your kids about the basics of fairy tales while holding their attention throughout. ($9.99)
16. When Calls the Heart (Janette Oke). Mary Carol and Leah both love this series of books, based on Oke’s character Elizabeth Thatcher. Set in the Canadian frontier, this is a beautiful story ladies and young ladies can enjoy. ($9.41)
17. His Life (edited by Jeff & Dale Jenkins). The latest in a series of devotional books, this volume, ready for 2020, contains short thoughts for each weekday of the year (220 total) based upon the life of Jesus. Each lesson can be read in no more than 5 minutes, making it a great way to start or end your day. ($10.00)
18. The Wright Brothers (David McCullough). If you are used to McCullough’s books, to me, this is different, because it is far briefer and, in my opinion, “reads faster.” That said, it is my favorite book by this author of the several that I have read. A fantastic volume for any history fan. ($9.99 in paperback)
19. Christian Hope (Drew Kizer). Though this book is not his newest volume, it is a wonderful read. Designed for Bible classes, this 13-chapter book also makes a wonderful personal study of the subject of hope, as Kizer leads the reader through this study in a systematic, Biblical, and highly practical way. ($6.99)
20. The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created (Jane Leavy). A fantastic biography of Ruth, this volume does not try to go “cradle-to-grave” in order. Instead, Leavy goes through various movements in the life of Ruth that made him the person and celebrity he became. Even for fans who do not like the Yankees, this is a great read, as it speaks to the ups and downs of Ruth very candidly. ($13.99)
21. Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legacy of the Pony Express (Christopher Corbett). The Pony Express is simply misunderstood by most people. We do not think of the very brief time it lasted, nor (on the other side of things) how impactful it was. This book tells the history in a fast-paced way and is very engaging, especially in introducing to the reader some of the riders themselves. ($9.95 hardcover)
22. Rocket Men: The Daring Odessey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon (Robert Kurson). While this book focuses on the Apollo 8 mission, it does an even better job of helping the reader get into the minds of those men who would make that amazing trip, especially considering how early in the Space Race this occurred. Kurson gives many brief chapters in this book, and holds your attention throughout. ($12.65)
23. Clouds of Glory: The Life and Legend of Robert E. Lee (Michael Korda). Adam likes to say that this is simply one of the best biographies he has ever read. Even if you are not a Civil War buff, this book will show you a balanced view of one of the pivotal figures in American history. Over 700 pages in length, but very much worth your time to work your way through, due to a wonderful combination of research and presentation. ($19.99)
24. The Story of the World (Susan Wise Bauer). Leah recommended these books to help encourage your children to learn world history; though you might learn a few things yourself. These books cover a broad range of world history, but do so in a concise and balanced way. (Volume 1 is $13.65; there are four volumes total)
25. Rest in Green Pastures: Encouragement for Shepherds (edited by Chris McCurley). Have you ever thought about giving your elders a gift? This book contains helpful and uplifting passages to elders, and each chapter is written by men who serve in that role. Jim wrote one of the chapters in this book, and we are sure every elder would be encouraged by a copy. ($6.99)

Obviously, there are so many more books, but these are some that we have enjoyed and that might help you think of something to get for someone else, or for yourself. Happy reading!