Hi.
So I have personal experience in the struggle of trying to find wholesome and entertaining books. I have looked through so many lists of books for “Christian girls” but they are very rarely up to my standards of Christian. I’m a little (or a lot) more stricter and cautious about what I read. So I decided that it would be good to make a list of books that I have read and I enjoyed and that were clean. So here they are. Some of these books I have written reviews on, so I will link them to that post. Other than that this is literally just a list of books I really liked and I think you will too.
Keep in mind that none of these books are in any way magical, they do not have any witches or wizards. Absolutely no Fairies or trolls or anything like that. I live by Philippians 4:8 which says “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” And 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which simply says “Abstain from all APPEARANCE of evil.” I understand that different people will interpret these verses in their own ways and understanding, but to me they mean avoid ALL evil, and not just evil itself, but appearance of evil too. And another place I feel can be applied to this is the story of Joseph. He fled from Potiphars wife, which can symbolize fleeing from temptations. He not only resisted the devil, but he fled from temptation. I fell this adds to my conviction of clean reading. So here is a list of books for girls who feel the same way, or just want a good read.
On more thing I will add is that there are very few “Romance” books. There are a few, some of which the girls have boyfriends, wish to have one, or find one, but very few of them go in depth into the actual romance part of life. This is another conviction that I have in life. As a single young girl I feel it is my place as a future wife to someone, to keep myself pure in body, but beyond that I need to stay pure in mind and in heart. I call this guarding my heart. A really great book on this topic is Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Malley. If we as girls seek to please God with our whole lives, and we trust Him to be in control completely, and that He had a plan for this world, we need to apply this to our own lives. We need to focus on serving Him and not dwelling on what other have and what we don’t have, and the romance of the future. A lot of romance books give you expectations and examples that are not really possible and realistic. I know you will say “I don’t believe what these books are talking about, I just read them for fun. They are entertaining, I don’t apply these things to my life.” Well I am happy that you are aware that most of this is not real. What I will say is that you often get these things implanted into your heart, into your “world view” without your conscious acceptance. Why expose yourself to temptation, expectation, and heartbreak, when you can avoid it? A loss of entertainment is a small price to pay for a life free of a lot of confusion. Again, Phil 4:8 comes to mind, things that are true, honest, just, PURE, lovely, of good report (would you be glad to read that book out loud to Jesus?), if there is any virtue or praise, these are the things we need to be thinking about. Romance books lead us to constantly veer toward a dreamy future when that perfect guy comes knocking at your door, asking your dad for your hand, and you guys live happily ever after. We need to have our focus on Jesus, the Perfect Man who has already given His life for you, so that you can live, and so that you can live happily ever after with Him. If you do not find your need for love fulfilled in Him, your need for security, you will never be satisfied in a human. This is why I mostly avoid romance.
Never the less, there are some very fun books out there that don’t focus on this, but are something I would read again and again. So thank you for reading this. If you want to see the list here is a link.
That was a long post. I hope you read it all and it gave you something to think about.
~Libby
Wow! That was a very good post, BRB! I agree with you. My whole family is strict about what we read, and Philipians 4:8 is a very good example! I also really like what you said about “Would you read it to Jesus?” I feel like even Christians are getting a little careless of what they watch and read.
Ick!!! I defenitly hate romance stories. I am MUCH to young for that kind of stuff. Wether it’s God’s will for you to get married or not, lets let him pick the guy! Thanks for posting this, Libby! I thought it was really good.
Hey! I figured out how to comment!
I’m glad you did Lexi! Have you already read most of the books on the list?
Libby, I have not read most of those books that you recommended, but I have heard if some of those authorcs. Sorry this comment got a few days late!
-Lexah
You hit the nail on the head, B.R.B! Excellent post! If at any point you are looking for more excellent books for any age, I have plenty I could recommend that would fit within your standards. 🙂 It’s disappointing how many Christian gals lower their standards and fill their minds with things that are not pure. 🙁 I love posts that share good books! Thank you!
I’d love to hear your suggestions! I’ve practically read the entire kids section in the library, so new books are welcome! Go ahead and contact me with the list if you have time and I’ll order them at the library. I am ready for another good read!
~B.R.B.