Twenty-twenty five seems to be the year of the ‘wrap up.’ I have gotten more emails and app notifications lately summarizing my activity over the last year. Most are downright embarrassing—48 trips to Chipotle? Guilty. But today I’d like to do a wrap up of my own and share a record of the books I read that have shaped me over the course of 2025. Maybe you’ll find something that sparks your interest for 2026.
Above All Else
More important than any of these books, I finished my Bible reading through twice, with additional trips through Psalms and Proverbs throughout each month. Nothing can replace the richness of the wisdom found in the Word of God.
Biographies
The Life and Letters of Mrs. Emily C. Judson, A.C. Kendrick—A portrait of a thoughtful, growing Christian woman. She was the third wife of missionary Adoniram Judson and the author of the Memoir of Sarah B. Judson. Her story pulled me in as she learned to set aside personal ambitions to submit her talent to pursue the will of God.
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor—Not a dramatic secret at all, but a steady abiding in the presence of the Holy Spirit and not relying on his own strength. The trust that he learned through obedience was simple and powerful.
These Strange Ashes, Elisabeth Elliot—Centered around Elliot’s life as a missionary in Ecuador, mostly before she was married to Jim Elliot. A story of unmet expectations and learning to be yielded to God’s will and be obedient even when things are confusing.
The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom—This was always one of my mom’s favorites but I hadn’t read it since middle school. A memoir of the ten Boom family’s work hiding Jews above their watchmaking shop in Nazi-occupied Holland. Seeing how the Lord provided for Corrie and her sister Betsie in the Ravensbruck concentration camp will strengthen your own faith. Worth reading every year.
The Small Woman, Alan Burgess—A biography of Gladys Aylward, an English domestic servant with stalwart determination to serve God. She tried to take courses at the China Inland Missionary Center and failed. Being forced back into servile work, she laid her two and half pennies on her Bible, and cried, “Oh God, here’s my Bible! Here’s my money! Here’s me! Use me, Oh God!” She was so determined to get to the mission field, she chose the least expensive (though most dangerous) route to China and traveled alone across Siberia. In time, she became known for her courageous wartime rescue and care of children there in China.
The Triumph of John and Betty Stam, Mrs. Howard Taylor—Another page-turner. Published soon after their deaths, this biography examines the couple’s short ministry to China and their martyrdom. Their faith in God’s provision is met in amazing ways, and the miracle of their only infant child surviving them is a fascinating story.
Marriage to a Difficult Man: The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards, Elisabeth Dodds—One I stayed up late to finish. Though written about a couple who lived in the 1700s, it is surprisingly readable and relatable. A bit of a love story; Sarah’s steadiness and support of her husband is remarkable. Though Edwards is a giant of the faith, this biography shows a respectful look ‘behind the scenes’ of the rise of his ministry and their Puritan way of family life. The Edwards left an incredible legacy in their eleven children, an encouragement to all mothers who have sacrificed to raise their family in the nurture of the Lord.
A Chance to Die, Elliot—I listened to this audiobook biography of missionary Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary who served in India for over fifty years. She founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, a refuge for orphaned and unwanted children.
Devotional/Topical
Keep a Quiet Heart, Elisabeth Elliot—Comforting, quiet encouragement. Not a daily devotion, but over a hundred short thoughts centered around trusting God.
God’s Guidance: A Slow and Certain Light, Elliot—This is not a workbook on ‘how to find the will of God,’ but more of a guide to drawing closer and trusting Him in all decisions of life, small and great.
Kept for the Master’s Use, Frances Ridley Havergal— Structured around her hymn “Take My Life and Let it Be,” Havergal encourages complete surrender to the Lord, giving Him our hands, voice, silver and gold, our wills and our selves. Challenging and encouraging.
Prayer: Its Necessity, and Prayer: The Reality, and others by E.M. Bounds—A nice little series of books on prayer written in the 1800s that I purchased from eBay. All stress the importance of prayer, the work of faith, and putting prayer into practice.
A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis—A profound little book, it is essentially Lewis’ private journal after the death of his wife. It is raw and honest. And I think it reflects the fact that there is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a loved one.
Humility: The Beauty of Holiness, Andrew Murray—Written in 1910, a book I have read through twice. It examines the humility of Christ and challenges us to self-denial and become a vessel for God’s use. I hope to share more of this book and its challenging thoughts, but for now I will close with this quote— “Let us look upon every brother who tries or vexes us, as God’s means of grace, God’s instrument for our purification…” A tall order, to be sure.
In Closing
I did not begin 2025 with the goal of reading anything other than my Bible. In truth, I stumbled across Emily Judson’s 19th-century biography in late January and it opened the flood gate. Until now, I considered myself a fiction-only reader; it was always my husband who liked ‘boring’ non-fiction and biographies. But I have found that these stories of faithful servants—reading about those who walked difficult roads and learned to trust God—has bolstered my faith and been good companionship.
And to those of you who have been reading my reflections since I timidly began this space in April—I am grateful to have had a small part of your year and pray I have been an encouragement.
On to 2026!
