Top 10 Christian Books to Pack in Your Beach Bag This Summer
The shift to the free-spirited days of summertime from the rigid school year is typically a welcome change. Pool parties, cookouts, road trips with friends, and special community events at home make the season special. Summertime can also be crazy hot. So, on those days when hanging out in the air conditioning seems like the better way to go, or maybe a rainy day keeps you indoors, consider having a book or two on hand that you can start reading and tell your friends about on that next camping trip around the campfire.
Here are 10 summer reads to add to your list.
1. Developing the Leader Within You 2.0, by John Maxwell
Anyone who has ever wanted to be a leader, or a more effective one, has probably heard of John Maxwell. Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 is an updated version of his 1993 release. Realizing that leadership can be taught has likely encouraged those who don't feel they are natural-born leaders. And for those who are, this book helps to polish those who'd like to be more effective. Maxwell hits on 10 key attributes that are necessary for breaking away from mediocre management and becoming a successful leader. For more information, click here.
2. Boundaries in Dating, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Today, it's harder than ever to date as a Christian. Hollywood definitely has its own version of dating in the 21st century, but try finding stuff about how to date as a Christian, and you can almost hear the crickets chirping! Boundaries in Dating is broken up into four sections: "You and Your Boundaries," "Whom Should I Date," "Solving Dating Problems: When You're Part of the Problem," "Solving Dating Problems: When Your Date is the Problem." There are chapters under each heading that offer insights into those specific topics, and there are even some real-life examples. This book is actually part of a series. Other books in the series include Boundaries, Boundaries in Marriage, and Boundaries with Kids. Click here for more information.
3. Kingdom Single, by Tony Evans
The challenges of being a single today are very different from those even a generation ago. Text messaging, social media, and online dating are part of the complication. Most people hate online dating. And there's a significant lack of 3D places to find someone worth dating. Learning how to be content in your singleness until God answers your prayers and brings the right person along can get frustrating. Kingdom Single offers encouragement, insight, and guidance along the journey of being a Christian single, from dating to marriage. Click here for more information.
4. The Daniel Key, by Anne Graham Lotz
There's something inspiring about reading the story of someone with a life of impact. Certainly, Daniel is one of those people. The Daniel Key explores the secrets to living such a life, highlighting 20 intentional choices that people can make to cultivate a powerful faith like Daniel's. Click here for more information.
5. Radiant, by Priscilla Shirer
If you saw the Kendrick brothers' movie Overcomer, you'll really appreciate this book since it was inspired by that movie. Radiant helps teen girls and young women find their identity in Christ rather than letting culture define them, their past label them, or the enemy deceive them. Click here for more information.
6. Reentry, by Peter Jordan
Many people take mission trips during the summer months. It can be an amazing experience to be immersed in another culture, taken out of your comfort zone, and experience life as a foreigner. You'll make beautiful memories, but there will be one or two ugly ones, too. Precious friendships will be built while you're in the field. You definitely don't see life the same way in your home country when you return. Reentry is a great book to read in preparation for going on a mission trip, whether short-term or long-term, but especially long-term. Maybe read it once before leaving, and then pack it so it can be read again before returning home. Click here for more information.
7. The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman
If there's anyone out there who hasn't read this yet, this summer would be the ideal time to read The Five Love Languages, or maybe reread it for review. This book helps couples to understand the best ways to communicate love to each other when they're outside of the bedroom. Little things such as quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch, and realizing which one is your partner's primary way to receive, makes a profound difference in their sense of feeling cherished and respected. This book is a great gift for a wedding engagement or wedding day gift. Click here for more information.
8. The Remarriage Checkup, by Ron L. Deal, MMFT, and David H. Olson, PhD
When a person loses their spouse to death and experiences some healing, it's not unusual for them to decide that they don't want to remain "single again," and that they'd like to experience the beauty of being in a marriage relationship again. The same thing can happen after someone has been through a divorce. The Remarriage Checkup helps the reader to determine if there are areas of their life that should be addressed before stepping into another marriage, and offers insights into creating a marriage that lasts. Click here for more information.
9. We Will Not Be Silenced, by Erwin Lutzer
This meaty book addresses the drifting of America away from Christian values and the challenges this creates for Christians to live out what they believe. It addresses the lingering and legitimate pain of racism, sexism and poverty, offering insights into being compassionate and gentle without affirming activity and choices that are contradictory to what the Bible teaches. Click here for more information.
10. The Book of Signs, by Dr. David Jeremiah
For those who enjoy Bible prophecy and really delving into end times events, The Book of Signs addresses many of the questions people have about the signs of the end of the age. It highlights international signs involving countries such as Israel, Europe, Russia, Babylon, and America, as well as cultural signs, heavenly signs, and more. Click here for more information on this book.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LordHenriVoton
Originally published July 08, 2025.
