Whether you're hopping on an airplane or cramming into the minivan, suitcase real estate is hard to come by. If any of it is going toward the book you're planning on reading from a hammock on the beach, you want to be sure it's actually worth the read. We asked some of the best-read members and staff at The Crossing for their favorite reads and compiled a list of books that you won't regret investing your time in (or suitcase space to) this summer.
Explore a new topic, escape into the world of fiction, or engage spiritually this summer. There's something for everyone. Happy reading!
Recommended by Tanya Willmeth, Ten Minute Bible Talks co-host and member at The Crossing
Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere
By Savannah Guthrie
I listened to this entire book on the way home from a long trip. I was both fascinated and grateful that someone in a high-profile media career would speak up about a relationship with Jesus. Guthrie is candid and eloquent about family, career, relationships, and faith, but in this memoir, she is not the main character. God is. Guthrie describes situations we've heard in the news from her own perspective. She processes life's ups and downs through the lens of faith. Her writing is sharp, often beautiful, and always genuine. This book inspired me to be more simple, consistent, and straightforward in my prayer life. I highly recommend listening to the Audible version, narrated by Guthrie.
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work
By Tim Keller
"Work is not all there is to life. You will not have a meaningful life without work, but you cannot say that your work is the meaning of your life."
The first time I read this book was with a group of college interns at The Crossing. I was well into my 40s, and they were just starting to think about their careers, but we all shared common ground in the way we wrestled with work. And it's no wonder. Our culture values performance and achievement, and we get tangled in a success-driven narrative. We undervalue and overvalue work because we have a skewed perspective on what and who we were made for. Keller draws us into a Biblical story that reveals the real purpose of work—a story that gives us freedom to work without letting it control our lives. I recommend reading this book with a group of friends. There are too many nuggets to digest without a good chat!
Lady Tan's Circle of Women: A Novel
By Lisa See
If you like historical fiction but feel like your eyes will glaze over if you read another novel about the World War II era, you must put this book on your list. Even if you don't love historical fiction, you will enjoy the narration, character development, and educational value of this book. This is one of those reads that just makes your world a little bit bigger. Lisa See expertly draws the reader into 15th-century China and writes about things you may have heard about (e.g., foot binding) but didn't really understand. It starts a little slow because there's such a long table to set, but I promise you will thank yourself for reading this book.
Recommended by Addison Hawkins, pastor at The Crossing
The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More
By Jefferson Fisher
Ever wish you could rewind a conversation and say things differently? I do—more often than I’d like to admit. Communication isn’t just part of my job, it’s central to how I build trust, lead others, and reflect God’s character. That’s why The Next Conversation hit home for me. Jefferson Fisher doesn’t sugarcoat it—improving the way we talk takes intentional effort. But the tools he offers are practical, clear, and surprisingly doable.
This book has put wind in my sails, helping me envision what God-honoring, relationship-building communication can actually look like. You’ll walk away with more actionable strategies than you’ll know what to do with—and that’s a good thing. Whether you’re leading a team, parenting, or just trying to get through a tough conversation, this book will help you turn misfires into meaningful dialogue.
The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space Between Our Beliefs and Experience with God
By Steve Cuss
“I believe God loves me... I just don’t feel it.” That tension—between what we believe and what we experience—sits at the heart of The Expectation Gap. Steve Cuss doesn’t dismiss it. He gently and wisely explores it as someone who’s walked that road himself. The book reads like a conversation with a trusted guide—someone who understands your anxieties, your inner critic, and your spiritual fatigue. What makes this book so powerful is the way it blends deep biblical truth with practical insight. It’s not just theology—it’s therapy for the soul. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of how God has uniquely wired you, a renewed desire to depend on Jesus daily, and a more grounded, resilient relationship with him. If you’ve ever felt stuck or spiritually numb, this book is a lifeline.
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
By Cal Newport
Do fewer things. Work at a more natural pace. Obsess over quality. These aren’t just catchy ideas—they’re a countercultural rebellion against burnout, and Cal Newport makes the case compellingly in Slow Productivity. In a world addicted to speed and output, this book feels like a breath of fresh, unhurried air.
Newport is a master at diagnosing the cultural undercurrents of overwork and offering sane, sustainable alternatives. This may be his most integrated and mature work yet—a kind of culmination of his lifelong study of focus, attention, and meaningful work. For those of us tempted to measure our worth by our to-do lists, this book is a timely reminder that less can actually lead to more: more depth, more joy, more enduring impact. It’s not just a productivity book—it’s a vision for a better, more faithful way of living.
Recommended by Samantha Miller, member at The Crossing and Going There co-host
The Book of Lost Names
By Kristin Harmel
Okay, this book is for the historical fiction lovers! It will quickly pull you in. The author tells the story of Eva, a young Jewish woman who becomes a forger in Nazi-occupied France, helping children escape the Nazis by giving them false identities—and secretly preserving their real names in a coded book.
The dual timeline (WWII and present day) is handled with care, and Eva’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
What stuck with me most is the reminder that every child, and every person, has a name, a story, and a purpose. Even in the darkest moments of history, this book affirms the quiet dignity of every life.
Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life
By Paul David Tripp
This is the book I wish I had had for my relationship with Jesus years ago! I was familiar with Paul David Tripp as an author for his popular marriage and parenting books, but this theology book was new to me. I read it alongside a study I did over the book of Ephesians this past year (taught by the great DeeDee Crosby!), and it has significantly shaped my faith in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Think solid theology in a digestible format that will leave you craving a reread.
This has become my new staple resource to pair alongside studying God’s word, and I’m excited to point other friends to this book as a way to clarify knowledge and understanding of the foundations of faith.
Recommended by Ryan Wampler, pastor at The Crossing
The God of All Things: Rediscovering the Sacred in an Everyday World
By Andrew Wilson
Andrew Wilson is becoming one of my favorite authors. Some of his books are more heartwarming, and others are more about ideas and history. This book is the former. Each chapter takes a physical object that God uses in scripture to notice God or to experience him in the world he’s made. It’s a wonderful summer devotional read.
What It Means to Be Protestant: The Case for an Always-Reforming Church
By Gavin Ortlund
This book was listed on many "best books of 2024," and I see why. If you wrestle at all with issues or have conversations with family or friends about why be a protestant as opposed to a Catholic, Ortlund’s logical case is convincing. I also appreciated his tone. He doesn’t demonize or straw man non-protestants. For those wanting to think more deeply on a topic like this, Ortlund’s book would be at the top of my list.
Moonbound: A Novel
By Robin Sloan
For the Science Fiction/Fantasy-minded, Robin Sloan unmakes and remakes the Arthurian tale in a future world. The book was creative, surprising, and philosophical. I found myself pondering what it means to be human from several angles. It would be a good book to discuss with others.
Recommended by Emily Patrick, member at The Crossing
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
By Justin Whitman Earley
This book is an incredibly practical look at how every aspect of your day (waking, work, play, meals, bedtime) can glorify God, especially in parenting. A great reminder that all of this is messy, and it’s so worth it to meet Jesus in the midst of the mess.
James
By Percival Everett
This is a retelling of Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of James, the slave. You don’t need to have read Huck Finn recently (or even at all) to appreciate the differing worldview as the story is told from a new perspective. It’s a great reminder that all stories have more than one side.
Upon Waking: 60 Daily Reflections to Discover Ourselves and the God We Were Made For
By Jackie Hill Perry
I love this daily devotional because Jackie’s goal is to grow our desire for God’s word, not replace it. She offers great wisdom to start or end your day well, and each devotional provides a starting point to engage with the Bible.
Recommended by Austin Conner, pastor and counselor at The Crossing
All the Colors of the Dark
By Chris Whitaker
This is a complex, compelling, heart-wrenching novel with a satisfying, heart-warming ending. I don’t often reach out to people the minute I finish and tell them to read it, but I did with this one. I loved it because it was a fantastic blend of substantive character development with a riveting plot. It's a hard read at times, but there is a payout at the end.
Incomparable: Explorations in the Character of God
By Andrew Wilson
I loved this book because its two-to-three-page devotionals are packed with accessible illustrations, deep theological reflections, and practical takeaways. Instead of speeding through it, you should slow down and marinate in it.
The End of Trauma: How the New Science of Resilience Is Changing How We Think About PTSD
By George Bonanno
Is it cliché that a counselor includes a book on trauma? Maybe. But this one is different from others I've read because the author posits an interesting theory: People are more resilient than we give them credit for, but not for the reasons you think. This (secular) book is full of common grace insights and wisdom, and if you can put your thinking cap on, it will leave you with a greater knowledge of the brain and body, along with practical ways to recover from and prepare for the difficulties and hardships that are baked into life in a fallen world.
Want even more reading recommendations? Check out Keith's favorite books from 2024. (Bonus if you can find the two repeats!)
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