My to-read list is a mile long and the list of books saved for later in my amazon count is even longer. But the ones I’m reading in 2026 are mostly living on my shelf where they’ve collected with good intentions over the last few years.
These are what I like to call Becoming Books.
Books that help me become the woman I want to be. Whether that’s growing in faith, motherhood, discipline, education, or fun.
Goals are good. But they won’t happen without a plan. Better yet, a habit.
As you make your book list go ahead and be thinking about when you’re reading time will be. Do you want to take 15 minutes before bed? Or read at lunch time? Maybe have an afternoon tea at 3 (highly recommend).
Whenever it is, go ahead and carve out the time for you to implement the goal and put it somewhere you’ll see it often.
Five minutes a every day is better than thirty done once and forgotten.
Without further ado, here are my 2026 books for the year!
Faith
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer
The Lord and I have been on a radical prayer journey the last 5 or so years. I’m excited to go even deeper through this one.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
I’ve got to be honest, as a Mom of 6 the idea of less “hurry” sounds really nice. Laying a bedrock of scripture as the foundation? Sign me up!
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
An absolutely fantastic look deep into the heart of Christ.
Dancing with My Heavenly Father
Sally Clarkson has been a mentor for many years. I’m reading through this one with a book club and it’s wonderfully inspirational as well as practical.
Parenting
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life
A fantastic read for any boy Mom. There is a girl version I’ll be reading down the road, too. The author also has a fantastic podcast you can find here.
Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy
I’ve been in and out of this book since 2023 but I recently picked it up and it’s chock full of such encouragement and wisdom. I can’t wait to see it through in 2026.
Enjoyment
I was at a local bookstore and snagged a signed(!!!) copy of this. Absolutely oh so excited to dive into one of the most recommended books to me of 2025.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1
Something tells me I’m going to fly through this one. Anything set in 1800’s England!
Homeschooling
Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning
Another one of books that is most recommended to me. My hope is to channel the inner wonder in all of us this year.
I’ve perused this book on my shelf for years but now I’m going to sit down and read it cover to cover. It is rich with recommendations for soul-shaping read alouds and the why behind it.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Every year I pick a series for a family read aloud. It started with Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit then Little House on the Prairie. The last two years we’ve been deep into the world of Aerwiar with the Wingfeathers and diving down rabbit holes with the Green Ember.
But I am oh SO excited to introduce my children to the brilliant work of C.S. Lewis and his world of Narnia. We will, of course, be watching the movies once we finish and maybe even having a book party. I cannot recommend each and every one of these sets enough!
What it’s all about
Reading, for me, is no longer about keeping up or consuming as much as possible. It is about choosing books that speak slowly, truthfully, and deeply into the woman I am becoming. These pages will be read in the margins of motherhood with a cup of tea growing cold and children at my feet. Exactly how they are meant to be read.
I am not chasing a finished list this year so much as a faithful rhythm that values presence over perfection. Five minutes, done day after day, is all it takes to point you in the direction you want to go.
If you are unsure where to begin, consider this your gentle nudge to start where you are, choose what lights you up, and make space for it in your days. The habit is what will hold when motivation fades, and over time, the fruit will show. One chapter, one afternoon, one line at a time.
