My 2026 Q1 Reading List
2026 Book 1: The Mailman by Stephen Starring Grant
This is a must-read memoir of a corporate executive who lost his job at the beginning of the pandemic and went to work for the postal service as a mail carrier, in rural Virginia, to have medical insurance for his cancer treatment. It is hilarious, eye-opening, self-deprecating, and everything I love in a memoir.
2026 Book 2: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Houwen
Last year I shared with you Tim Keller’s book about the New Testament story of the prodigal son, which re-shaped my entire view of the Gospel message. Dear friends gave me Nouwen’s journey through the same story as shaped by a spiritual experience he had with Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” Nouwen’s vulnerability as he pictures himself as each the younger and elder brothers, as well as the father, is deeply moving. Both books are worth reading. While on the subject of spiritual experience through art, I can’t help but draw your attention to Corey’s newest novella, whose protagonist is significantly impacted by art.
2026 Book 3: How to Menopause by Tamsen Fadal
If you’re new to the whole perimenopause/menopause conversation, this is a great resource that covers all the pertinent topics.
2026 Book 4: Awake by Jen Hatmaker
Mid-life is rough on marriages and many, like Jen’s, don’t live through it. I’ve always appreciated her candor; she makes it easier for women to feel comfortable to share their stories.
2026 Book 5: Galatians for You by Timothy Keller
There are a handful of books of the Bible that I believe every human should read, regardless of religious belief, and Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians is one of them. And Keller’s study and commentary is an incredibly insightful and helpful reading companion.
2026 Book 6: What is Wrong with the World? by Timothy Keller
“If we know that Jesus succeeded on our behalf where we failed, if we grasp the grace that God has for us and that he wants nothing more than to have us and delight in us, we can handle the truth about ourselves.”
I’ve been a Bible-reading and Bible-believing person for over 45 years, but it’s only been through Keller’s teaching that I have come to see just how good the good news actually is. This is a must-read of his.
2026 Book 7: Tim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt Smethurst
If you’ve never read anything by Keller, this is a fantastic introduction to and overview of his teachings on topics like friendship, vocation, prayer, and suffering. It complements this biography of Keller quite well.
2026 Book 8: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
2026 Book 9: Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson
This year for Lent, I decided that rather than ‘give up’ something that I was going to add more prayer into my life. I have always admired Batterson’s perspective on prayer, so I used these two books, which I highly recommend, as my guides. It has been a rich time that I will be continuing.
2026 Book 10: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My aunt, a librarian at the time, gave me this book when I was in elementary school. Although I don’t remember reading it, I must have done so because parts of the story came to mind like a poem or song that you suddenly begin reciting or singing. I recently found my childhood books at the bottom of a trunk and decided that I would read through them and decide which ones should be passed on to my nieces and nephews just like my aunt did for me. This one is worth passing on.
2026 Book 11: Lamb of God by Nancy Guthrie
An in-depth study of the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
I read the study of Genesis, from the same author and series, last year.
2026 Book 12: The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
I just finished re-reading through the Chronicles of Narnia series for the first time in a few years. They are a must-read for everyone – young and old.
2026 Book 13: A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte
2026 Book 14: The War for Middle-Earth by Joseph Loconte
Fascinating deep dives into the lives of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and the role they played in each other’s writings, as well as how significantly WWI and WWII impacted them and shaped their works. Highly recommend for those with an affinity for Lewis and Tolkien.
You can always find my reading lists from previous years here.
