Reading is very important to me. Yes, as a mom of four boys, three years old and younger, I don’t have a lot of “extra” time. But I view reading as an essential part of my life – for self-improvement, as a Christian, and for my ministry.

If you are not sure how to find time in your day for reading, here’s a resource that might help you: Finding Time to Read as a Busy Homemaker (& Why It’s Important) (<— this also has some really good ways to get free or cheap books…because it certainly adds up when you buy books all the time)!

Because I was pregnant and miserable for the first half of 2015 and then busy recovering from a c-section with newborn twins and 2.5 year old twins for the second half of 2015, I didn’t read as many books as I would have liked. But because of that, I was very selective with those books that I did read and 2015 was a year of some pretty amazing books!

So out of the books I read last year, here are my top 10 favorites! You can also check out my newly designed Resources page for my favorite books of all time. Here are some more resources for reading as well:

• Finding the Time to Read as a Busy Homemaker (& Why It’s Important)
• My Favorite Christian Fiction Books for All Ages
• 3 Classics Every Christian Should Read
• One of the Best Books of the Year: Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full
• But, I’m just too busy to read the Bible (From a Mom of 4)
• My Summer & Fall 2015 Reading Lists

My Top 10 Books of 2015

Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full – Gloria Furman

Gloria really encouraged me through this book to turn to Christ, to cling to Him, and to daily be in God’s Word – even when it feels like you can’t find another second. The entire book kept pointing back to the fact that we need to be in constant prayer and to really treasure Christ amidst our busy lives as moms. See my full review of the book here.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Women of the Word – Jen Wilken

If you want a no-nonsense, non-fluffy guide to studying the Bible, then I highly recommend this book! This is in my top 10 books of all time: I share about this book in episode #9 of my podcast.

Jen is down to earth and honest about the struggles of developing good Bible study habits, but she’s also very serious about the importance of doing so. I really her appreciate her practical suggestions and her heart in the book.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor – Donna Otto

Mentorship is something that I don’t hear a lot about in today’s modern church. We throw out Titus 2, but real forms of mentoring don’t seem to be happening a whole lot. Donna Otto gives a very thorough look at mentoring from both sides – the side of being a mentee and also how to be a mentor. I feel like I got a really good understanding of both the younger side of mentoring and the older side! I highly recommend this book to all women. The best way we can learn as women, is from each other! This book teaches you how to do that.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle 

Word-Filled Women’s Ministry – Gloria Furman & Kathleen Nielson

This is not an “easy” read but it’s a great book for anyone interested in serving in women’s ministry. It’s not a book that you just pick up and brease through, but time and again Gloria and Kathleen bring you back to the heart of women’s ministry: The Gospel. I was so convicted and refreshed regarding my own ministry as I read through this book! I highly recommend to anyone involved in women’s ministry or serving in various capacities.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Essentialism – Greg McKeown

While Jason and I got this book for our business, it has great principles for living a simple life. Essentialism is all about making and honing the priorities in your life so that you control your schedule and your schedule doesn’t control you! I’m renewed again and again in each chapter with a new sense of wanting to live simply!

Find it in/on:  Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Praying the Bible – Donald Whitney

If you are wanting to grow in your prayer life – to become more consistent, deeper in your prayers – then Praying the Bible will be of huge help! It’s a short, quick read but packed with practical advice and suggestions. This is a book that I will be re-reading in 2016.

Find it in/on:  Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Women Living Well – Courtney Joseph

Every homemaker should read this book at some point! The book is broken into 4 main parts: Your walk with God, your marriage, your parenting and your homemaking. In every section I felt encouraged and also convicted about how I spend my time, respond to my husband, respond to my kids, and more. If you are looking for a good book on Biblical Womanhood, then I highly recommend you get a copy of Women Living Well! You can read my review of the book here.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle

Glimpses of Grace  – Gloria Furman

Gloria writes from within the reality of homemaking. What it actually looks like when you are burned out and exhausted from caring for your home each day. But she also has such a powerful way of bringing everything back to the Gospel and how we need to view our home within the scope of eternity. A very powerful book that I highly recommend all women read! I share about this book in episode #17 of my podcast.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Donald Whitney

This is one of my top 10 favorite books of all time. Whitney walks you through the Spiritual Disciplines that should characterize Christians – from Bible reading to prayer to giving to Scripture memorization. I share about this book in episode #15 of my podcast.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook (Learn how to get it for free on Audible)

Sweethearts for a Lifetime – Wayne & Carol Mack

If you are looking for a great book to go through with your husband – this one is great!! Each chapter is short and sweet and contains some sort of challenge or guide at the end. It will only take you a few minutes each day to work through – but really connects you and your hubby as sweethearts for a lifetime.

Find it in/on:  Paperback | Kindle 

Do you notice two authors several times? Yeah – Donald Whitney and Gloria Furman are among my two favorite authors of all time. I’m slowly making my way through reading everything they’ve ever written, along with Jerry Bridges. A few of his books are on my current 2016 reading list.

Next week I will share what’s on my reading list for January and February.

What is the best book(s) you read in 2015?