Fewer F--Bombs, More Hope! My Top Reads of 2025

All links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

As a Christian reader, I have learned to filter out certain words and phrases when I read a book not from the Christian genre. I’ve learned to replace the Lord’s name used in vain with “Aw, man!” and F-bombs with something along the lines of “dingy dang dog-gone heck to phooey!”¹

While I will employ these skills to read a riveting, well-crafted story, I have found that I often close even these books with a sense of despair, feeling that time has been wasted on something that left me temporarily entertained yet empty. When discussing books, my sister and I refer to this as the “No Hope of Jesus” summary (NHOJ).

This year I’ve been a little more selective about my reading, especially fiction. I love an engaging story, but even more so when it is infused with the hope of Christ. I don’t just want to see someone fall in love; I want to see them fall in love with Jesus. I want to see characters who live out their faith and walk out their Christian worldview, even through hard times, and who come away closer to, or completely transformed by, Christ. With delight, these books are labeled as having the “Hope of Jesus!" (HOJ!)

As of this writing, I'm on track to read 111 books this year, eight more than in 2024! I’ve read 68 fiction titles and 36 non-fiction titles thus far. These numbers include books I read aloud to our daughter Courtney, Bible Studies, devotionals, and audiobooks.

If you're looking for more hope and fewer F-bombs, here are my favorite reads from this year, in no particular order, with some honorable mentions at the end.

Fiction:

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns (audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner)

The one thing you can depend on in Cold Sassy, Georgia, is that word gets around—fast. When Grandpa E. Rucker Blakeslee announces one July morning in 1906 that he's aiming to marry the young and freckledy milliner, Miss Love Simpson—a bare three weeks after Granny Blakeslee has gone to her reward—the news is served up all over town with that afternoon's dinner. And young Will Tweedy suddenly finds himself eyewitness to a major scandal. Boggled by the sheer audacity of it all, and not a little jealous of his grandpa's new wife, Will nevertheless approves of this May-December match and follows its progress with just a smidgen of youthful prurience. As the newlyweds' chaperone, conspirator, and confidant, Will is privy to his one-armed, renegade grandfather's second adolescence; meanwhile, he does some growing up of his own.

This is a must-listen. Grover Gardner’s reading enlivens every character of this turn-of-the-century tale with a pragmatic yet hilarious personality. You will both love and hate Grandpa Blakeslee and wonder, like the rest of the town, just who Miss Love Simpson thinks she is. Everything is told from the point of view of young Will Tweedy, who becomes part of every crazy scheme of Grandpa’s, whether he wants to or not. Note: You will enjoy this book, but don’t bother with the sequel, “Leaving Cold Sassy.” The author passed away before she finished it, and her estate cobbled together her notes and some biographical history of her life that, unfortunately, does not a good sequel make.  (NHOJ)

Barefoot: A Story of Surrender to God and

An Extra Mile: A Story of Embracing God’s Call

(Books 3 and 4 in The Sensible Shoes series) by Sharon Garlough Brown

(Description of Book One: Sensible Shoes) Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey of spiritual formation: Hannah, a pastor who doesn't realize how exhausted she is. Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past. Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage. Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right.

You're invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support, and personal revelation.

Looking back in my old reading journals, I discovered I read the first book of this series in 2021, the second in 2023. For some reason, they must have fallen off my radar—until I picked up book three at a second-hand bookstore last winter. It was like catching up with long-lost friends! Watching them grow in their own spiritual journeys as they drew near to God and to each other was relatable and encouraging. The women are realistic characters, ranging in age, personality, and familiar, real-life problems. By the time I reached the end, I was bawling my eyes out, yet I was filled with immense hope. You know it’s a great book when that happens! (HOJ!)

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered. It’s a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.

You will fall in love with Theo and his wise, generous heart. He is an elderly man tying up loose ends in his life, bringing the interesting people of Golden together along the way. It's a refreshing, uplifting read, and I recommend looking up Allen Levi and listening to his story; he is a gentle man who loves Jesus. He has written a memoir called “The Last Sweet Mile” about walking with his brother through cancer, which I also recommend. (HOJ!)

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

It is midnight on the morning of Halloween, and Jen anxiously waits up for her 18-year-old son, Todd, to return home. But worries about his broken curfew transform into something much more dangerous when Todd finally emerges from the darkness. As Jen watches through the window, she sees her funny, seemingly happy teenage son stab a total stranger.

After her son is taken into custody, Jen falls asleep in despair. But when she wakes up…it is yesterday. The murder has not happened yet—and there may be a chance to stop it.  

This is one I endured way too many F-bombs for, just because the storyline is super intriguing and creative. I was glued to the book and HAD to see how it ended—it did not disappoint. Put your creative replacement words to use, and you will enjoy a thrilling read! (NHOJ)

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sarah Brunsvold

Chloe Vance, dreamer of the family, needs to tell her pragmatic mom, Edie, that she has accepted a low-paying art instructor role at a Christian school in Prague. Her older sister, Lauren—the "responsible one"—is doing all she can to hide the fact she's been fired for a foolish mistake and is desperately seeking her next career move. Meanwhile, Edie, estranged from her own sister following their mother's recent death, is frankly in no mood for anything else to change.

As the three women embark on a nine-day road trip to visit significant literary sites throughout America's heartland, they hope to find inspiration through the works and lives of literary greats. As they experience firsthand the adventure and wonder of the classics, they'll discover the value of being honest with themselves—and their family—about their losses and failures. Only then can they come to terms with their own needs and desires and find support from the most important women in their lives—each other.

The clearly defined personalities of each woman, down to the way they speak, their mannerisms, and thought processes, make this a delightful read; it made me laugh out loud in some spots. I found the road trip designed around famous writers a very interesting facet of the story, and the author uses it cleverly to weave in the heart changes that take place in each character. There is sweet resolution at the end, and the journey there is both compelling and entertaining. (HOJ!)

Non-Fiction:

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek

Norman Geisler and Frank Turek argue that Christianity is not only more reasonable than all other belief systems, but is indeed more rational than unbelief itself. With conviction and clear thinking, Geisler and Turek guide readers through some of the traditional, tested arguments for the existence of a creator God. They move into an examination of the source of morality and the reliability of the New Testament accounts concerning Jesus. The final section of the book deals with a detailed investigation of the claims of Christ. This volume will be an interesting read for those skeptical about Christianity, as well as a helpful resource for Christians seeking to articulate a more sophisticated defense of their faith.

Our son, Levi, is still devouring books that are growing his new faith. He passed this one on to his dad, and then I picked it up; though I'd heard of it, I had never read it. Well-written and easy to read, not to mention humorous in some places, the authors’ evidence is fascinating—things I’ve believed but didn’t always know why. I only wish I could defend my faith so clearly and confidently. It left me amazed at the amount of faith required to be an atheist! (HOJ!)

Known & Loved by Glenna Marshall

We hear that God is love and that He loves us, but what does that mean? And can this truth sink into our hearts in such a way that we are changed?

In Known and Loved, Glenna Marshall reflects on Psalm 139, exploring the transformational truth that we are fully known and loved by the Triune God of the universe. This book, overflowing with truth and encouragement, combats the myths and lies that we are unlovable, alone, or unseen. God sets His love on us in spite of our failings and even when we feel unlovable.

Psalm 139 has always had a special place in my heart; it’s where I turn when I know I have drifted away from God and want to remember that he is near. It’s what I pray when I’m overwhelmed with concern for my kids, inserting their names into every verse. Reading this book alongside the Scriptures is like wrapping yourself in a warm quilt. In an age where self-love is preached yet often comes up empty, you will find comfort in immersing yourself in the true love of God—the one who knew you before you were born and loves you no matter what. (HOJ!)

This Homeward Ache by Amy Baik Lee

That sudden yearning you feel when you see a sunset. That pang of longing you sense deep in your bones when you attend a funeral or even gaze at a poignant piece of art. Those experiences that sting you to attention in moments of beauty, peace, or sorrow—the ones you can sense are offering you a twinkling, piercing hint of heaven: Are these meant to do more than point you to eternity? What if they could enable you to live more fully on the way there?

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going in this world while holding on to the hope of the world to come, "This Homeward Ache" offers you courage, companionship, and a stirring sense of the scope of our journey home to Christ.

In his book Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis describes joy as containing a “stab, a pang, an inconsolable longing,” a feeling he referred to as Sehnsucht, and that “to have it again is a supreme and only important object of desire.” Amy Baik Lee dives deep into this longing, this innate desire we have for something better, something we know is available somewhere. In lovely prose, she shares how she has learned to live within that longing in everyday life, appreciating glimpses given in ordinary moments. While anticipating the joy of Home, she leads the reader to understand our longing is not actually for a place, but for a Person. (HOJ!)

Witness by Whittaker Chambers

First published in 1952, Witness is the true story of Soviet spies in America and the trial that captivated a nation. Part literary effort, part philosophical treatise, this intriguing autobiography recounts the famous Alger Hiss case and reveals much more. Chambers' worldview and his belief that "man without mysticism is a monster" went on to help make political conservatism a national force.

I love to read real-life, biographical accounts of history, especially when major events coincide or conflict with faith. Trevin Wax recommended this book in his newsletter, and so I committed to reading the 718-page tome; I’m glad I did. It’s not reading that everyone will enjoy, but Chambers' writing is excellent, and his story is of a life drawn to the existence and goodness of God, despite his activities within Communist Circles of the 1930s and 40s. I found it fascinating, and though I don’t remember him specifically mentioning Jesus Christ or the gospel (he was a Quaker), there is a definite sense of “rightness” that led him all the way through the Alger Hiss trials of 1948.

On The Incarnation by Saint Athanasius

C.S. Lewis wrote the introduction for this 1951 version, in which he includes a thoughtful suggestion: "It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between." It's good advice that I hope to put into practice as I head into a new year of reading!

Originally titled "On the Incarnation of the Word," this is a small book, around 40 pages. It is foundational to the Christian faith, as St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th Century, passionately describes the necessity and the gift of the Word become flesh. You will come away marveling anew at the immensity of God's love for the world.

"Thus it happened that two opposite marvels took place at once: the death of all was consummated in the Lord's body; yet, because the Word was in it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished." -page 17

Honorable Mentions:

Code of Silence series by Tim Shoemaker (Christian YA Fiction)

I’m hardly young, but I am an adult, so I fit halfway into this category! I highly recommend these for middle and high school readers who want action and suspense, yet their parents want a clean, trustworthy message. I LOVED these; each of the three books was gripping and could be read as a stand-alone, but the last book does tie all three together satisfactorily. (HOJ!)

Dear Henry, Love Edith and Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer (Christian Fiction Romance)

I don't typically read a lot of romance, but these are light, clean, and very funny. (HOJ!)

New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp (Daily Devotional)

I can’t say enough about this humble, grace-filled book of encouragement. It carried me through every day of 2025 with gentle reminders of how God’s grace continues to rescue me—from me! This would make a thoughtful Christmas gift for yourself or for a loved one; there is also a version for teens. (HOJ!)

Better: A Study of Hebrews by Jen Wilkin (Bible Study)

The “perfect” Bible study for a perfectionistic, list-checking, rule-following Christian. Hebrews is a rich book that tells of the sufficiency of Christ, a powerful explanation of what “once for all” truly means. I enjoy Jen Wilkin’s style of reading through the entire book, then taking one verse at a time to draw out the valuable truths found in each one. This study can be done individually or with a group, and there are audio/video links available to access Jen's teachings on each chapter. (HOJ!)

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." -Hebrews 10:14

Have you read any of these books? What were your favorite reads this year? Let me know in the comments below!

(If you are super-bookwormish and would like to see every book I read this year, here is a list. No links, no commentary, just a list. You're welcome.) 😉

1. I borrowed this phrase from a “Baby Blues” comic strip by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott