βYou canβt get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.β βC.S. Lewis
Itβs no secret: our team loves to read. We love to read the Bible, the very words of life breathed out by God himself. But we also love to read books by mentors in the faith. Reading good books like these can stir our affections for the Lord and his Word, giving us valuable insight and encouragement. In this era of information overloadβsocial media posts, tweets, news feeds, podcasts, and moreβit is a gift (and often a discipline) to sit with a book for a longer period of time and savor its message.
Our team members are in various stages of lifeβmany with young kids, or ministry commitments, or complicated schedules. We know how hard it can be to find time to read! Whether you resolve to read one new book this year or dozens, we hope this list of twelve books our team members loved in 2022 inspires you. Many of us listened to these books in the car or turned pages during naptimes or lunch breaks. Whenever and however you read in the coming year, we pray you will read well and be encouraged by wise brothers and sisters in the faith, for the glory of God.
The Well-Watered Team
Read-A-Mentor Giveaway
This year's Read-A-Mentor giveaway has closed.
12 Faithful Women, edited by Melissa Kruger and
Kristen Wetherell
Biographies have never been my go-to genre, but I resolved to read more of them after doing Well-Watered Women's Confident study. It taught me the value of looking to those who've gone before me and considering: what glimpse of God were they privileged to receive through their particular circumstances? This book is a window into the lives of women who endured persecution, loss, imprisonment, chronic pain, and more, yet remained steadfast by holding to their steadfast God. Through each testimony, different facets of God's good, unchanging character come vividly into view, and each story displays how God uses suffering to deepen our relationship with him and make us more like Christ. Itβs a beautiful compilation about women who knew what it looked like to count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and it will inspire you to do the same. βAbbey, Copy Editor + Ministry Assistant
The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set by C.S. Lewis
At the age of thirty-two, I finally read the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I read the stories of the Pevensie childrenβs adventures one by one, and God ignited my imagination and drew me closer to his heart with each page. I didnβt grow up a reader, and honestly, I felt embarrassed to admit it had taken me three decades of life to read this series. Nevertheless, youβll find me encouraging everyoneβadults and childrenβto read these books so that their faith might be invigorated through these stories.
βGretchen, Founder
The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley
I purchased this book for my husband after listening to an interview with the author. It arrived three days before his birthday, and I couldnβt help myselfβI read the introduction, then the first chapter, then the next. After my husband unwrapped it, I finished it while he worked. Earleyβs wisdom cuts through the cultural moment with humility and honesty, holding out accessible habits to form our heartsβnot conformed to the ways of this world, but transformed by prioritizing a lifestyle of purpose, of living in accordance with what we confess to believe and be in Christ. βLauren, Content Editor
Enjoying God by Tim Chester
Do you like God? This is the question Tim Chester asks, and itβs one Iβve found myself contemplating frequently since I first read those words. I know a good bit about God. I love and respect him. But do I enjoy him? Chester encourages his reader to stop thinking about our Creator as a distant and impersonal force and instead to think of him as the three persons with whom we can have a relationship. He encourages us to understand the role the Trinity plays in our lives and how each person of the Trinity helps us to experience an intimate relationship with God. If your faith feels dry or dutiful right now, this book will open your eyes to all the ways you can enjoy fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. βWhitney, President
Habits of Grace by David Mathis
For anyone who can find themselves falling into earning mode or checklist mentality when it comes to spiritual disciplines, Habits of Grace will help. David Mathis groups the spiritual disciplines into three primary categories: hearing God's voice (his Word), having his ear (prayer), and belonging to his body (fellowship). He highlights how each one is intended to draw us deeper into relationship with God. Each chapter details a different discipline and gives a simple but thorough overview, focusing more on purpose and practical application than technique or prescriptive method. Mathis' book both compels you and gives you the tools you need to regularly position yourself within the three channels through which God pours out his grace.
βAbbey, Copy Editor + Ministry Assistant
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
My world turned upside down when I read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. After being captured for hiding Jewish people during the German occupation, Corrie, her father, and her sister Betsie entered prison and later a concentration camp with only the Word to light the darkest place imaginable. At the invitation of this Dutch family, I witnessed a glimpse of God, suffering, and faith that profoundly affected my perspective and empowered my hope and my endurance. The sisters and their stories continue to be my companions in my times of trial. βLauren, Content Editor
Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord by Rebecca McLaughlin
Rebecca McLaughlin takes her readers through the Gospel accounts to demonstrate that contrary to popular opinion, Jesusβ treatment of women was radical and countercultural. More than just presenting evidence of Jesusβ high view of women, McLaughlin uses Scripture to demonstrate the depth of love and care Jesus showed for women through his interactions depicted in the Gospel accounts. If youβve ever doubted whether God truly cares for you, as a woman or just as an individual, this book will encourage your heart and leave you marveling at the great love of our Savior. βWhitney, President
Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
This fictional novel incorporates true events from the life of C.S. Lewis into the fictional story of a woman coming of age. I not only learned so much I didnβt know about C.S. Lewisβ early life and how it shaped his future writings (especially The Chronicles of Narnia), but I also felt compelled to consider my own redemption story and how God used it to prepare me for the work he has called me to do. βMaggie, Content Director
Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney
When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be trivial simply because itβs short. Despite its meager length, this book is packed with biblical wisdom and practical tips to help grow your prayer life. I often feel paralyzed in prayerβeither having too much or too little to say. Donald Whitney is both relatable and helpful, and this book helped open my eyes to the simplicity and beauty of fellowship with the Father in prayer.
βSarah, Fulfillment Specialist
Rembrandt Is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey
I read this book when I was walking through postpartum depression. Everything around me seemed to be shadowed by an abrupt end to my pregnancy, health complications, and the overwhelm that burdened my soul. My husband brought this book home for me on one of those dark days, and as I began to read, God shone a light of hope on my heart. Russ Ramsey is not only an excellent writer but also a man of wisdom. This book will surprise you as you learn about the stories behind famous painters, and it will stir your heart to know and love Christ more! βGretchen, FounderΒ
Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler
and Lois Tverberg
This book helped me understand how to view the Bible within the context of the Jewish culture in which Jesus taught. I learned so much and constantly found myself exclaiming, βI canβt believe I never knew this!β on almost every page. This book deepened my love for Godβs Word and inspired me to keep digging in daily, living as a true disciple of Christ. βTaylor, Staff WriterΒ
The Wonder-Working God by Jared Wilson
It was the introduction that immediately hooked me. Jared Wilson proposes that the miracles of Christ in the New Testament didnβt turn things upside down but rather right-side up. The many miracles he performed werenβt for the sole benefit of helping people but more for making a statement about who he is and what he has the power to do. Oftentimes I catch myself asking God for a miracle, not because it praises him but because it serves me. This book reshaped how I read the Gospels and think about miracles in my own life.
βSarah, Fulfillment Specialist
*We love sharing resource recommendations with you! However, when we recommend a resource, please keep in mind that we are not endorsing people or ministries in their entirety. We do our best to recommend solid content, but the only infallible endorsement we offer is of the Word of God!
**This article contains affiliate links.
I have enjoyed every Bible study from you. They have been so helpful in my journey with God. Thank you. I grow more every day.
I really would like the Praying the Bible. Itβs something Iβm not strong in.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes! This is amazing. Praying the Bible and Rembrandt in the Wind sound great, but so do the others! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing what others wrote to spur you on towards love and good deeds
Treasure trove of books for 2023! π
Thank you for the reviews and list! Definitely added a few to my reading list.
I really appreciated reading these mini reviews because it helped me find some more books to strengthen my walk with God!! They are all going on my wish list now !!Thank you for this opportunity for the giveaway and it would be the biggest blessing ever!!
They all sound like good reads, but habits of Grace sounds really good!
Thank you for providing this Christ-centered resources & the opportunity to win them!ππ½β€οΈ
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Excited to add these to my list of 2023 reading.
Great list! Thanks for sharing!
I look forward to this email all year long and am thankful for the Well watered women who put this list together. I love hearing about what other Christian women are reading. Merry Christmas!
So wonderful !!! Thank you ππ»β€οΈ
Wow! What a haul this will be for the winner. Just getting ready to read the Chronicles of Narnia, again, with my son. Would be nice to each have a copy.
Thank you for these book reviews!
There are a few books on here that I have been interested in for years! These reviews are so helpful π
Iβm so intrigued by several of these books! They are going on my Amazon Wish list!
Any of these would be so wonderful to win! The Hiding Place is on my list of books to read!
ALL SO SO SO GOOD!!!!! Such good readsπ₯³π₯³π₯³
Thank you for offering these, but thanks also for the recommendations and reviews.
I would like to read them all and shared them at Haven family Shelter with the ladies.
I would love to read habits of grace. I need to be better at not living my life through a checklist mentality.
I am really interested in reading Enjoying God and A Hiding Place.
Such a great variety of works presented! It is so cool to see how God uses different people and their experiences to paint a picture of what the faith and a relationship with Him looks like.
The hiding place & praying the bible. Thank you for the opportunity to win. π€π
This is a great reading list. Some good suggestions here β€οΈ
my number one goal for 2023 is to engage in things that lead me closer to the father. I enjoy reading so this would mean so much if i won the books. But Even if i dont win, i pray and hope that the winner will be blessed reading these, and that they will be drawn closer to God in the process.
What an awesome spiritual reading list for 2023. I like your disclaimer about not necessarily endorsing a ministry in its entirety. We should pray for that discernment when we read anything pertaining to the things of God. Thank you! -Donna
Thank you for sharing these recommendations. So helpful.
Reading the reviews of each book was refreshing. Knowing that these stories have deeply impacted, enlightened and refreshed each of you in some way is really encouraging. I look forward to reading these books and sharing them with others who need to be refreshed.
Why not sell the books as a bundle? Is there a well watered book club?
HOPEFUL, loved Sitting at the feet of the Rabbi!!
Wonderful selection of books!πππ»
Such an amazing giveaway!!!!
Thank you so much for offering this giveaway for us all to enter!
Good luck yβall!!
I really appreciate your commitment to Solid Biblical theology. This is a great reading list!
This is great! I am wanting to read 23 books in 2023 and would love to add these to my pile! π β
What a great giveaway!!!!
I love to read. This is a great idea. God bless you all.
Would love The Common Rule, a book Iβve been dying to read all year, and Praying the Bible, as I achieved my goal of reading through the Bible this year and my goal next year is to focus on prayer more as I do it again!
Many of these are going on my 2022 To Read List!
Do you have a printable list? I am super excited to see some of the books on your list!
Thank you for all the reviews! They are so helpful. All of these books sounds amazing and I canβt wait to read them all β€οΈ
Great choices. Thank you for sharing with us.
These sounds like great book recommendations! Thank you for this list
I am 61 years old and have never read any of these. I have put my passion for reading on the back burner for a long time. So happy to have a chance at this!
Thanks for the recommendation I love to read books that build my faith.
Adding all of these to my 2023 TBR list!
What a great selection of books – both recent and old favorites. I was able to reserve nearly all of them at my local public library. I love doing that with books of faith as it lets those who select the books know that people value and appreciate books of all types.
Thank you for sharing this list! I am excited to read each & every book!
These are some good recs, ladies! Thank you! Iβm looking forward to adding a handful to my 2023 reading list. π
[…] excellent, God-glorifying songs, start by evaluating your spiritual diet. Read your Bible. Read good books. Pray when no one is watching. Take Sabbath rest. Weed out sin. Sow into godly, enriching […]