The days are getting longer. The temperatures are getting warmer. Summer is almost here.

So while you’re ending the school year, I know it might seem bit odd to talk about reading more books. “We’re finishing school up. Why would you want to read more during the summer?”

Here’s why: these books aren’t required. Sounding better already isn’t it? I thought so ;).

Summer is a fun time, but for many teenagers, some days are filled with little to do, so you binge watch shows on Netfilx or scroll through your feeds all day. So in an effort to combat this, I wanted to share six books that I will be reading this summer.

They are all for teenage girls and I hope that some of them will interest you and that you’ll pick up at least one to read this summer. So here we go!

*The links to the books are Amazon Affiliate links. This means if you purchase the book through our link we get a small commission that helps us pay for things on the site and the site itself…and at no cost to you!)

BOOK 1:

Unashamed: Overcoming the Sins No Girl Wants to Talk About (Life, Love & God)

Not going to lie, I actually already read this one. (What can I say? I like reading.)
I devoured this book in a day and a half. The author does a great job at making this book relatable to the audience and does not shy away from hard topics that most people are uncomfortable discussing.

Here’s more from the book description: “Are you living in silent shame, hiding a “secret sin”? Maybe you numb life’s pain with a bottle, razor blade, or sex. Maybe you “binge and purge” or act on feelings for other girls. Whatever your “secret”―shocking or not―if you’re trapped by it, you’re trapped by it. And chances are you’re not getting help because you’re too scared of what people would think if they found out.”

BOOK 2:

 Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot

Susan really liked this book and passed it along to me.

Here is the book description: “Sex. In a world overwhelmingly obsessed with it, why is the church so silent about it? While our secular culture twists, perverts, cheapens, and idolizes sex, there are gaping holes in the church’s guidance of young people. The result is generations of sexually illiterate people drowning in the repercussions of overwhelming sin struggles.

Enough is enough, says Mo Isom. With raw vulnerability and a bold spirit, she shares her own sexual testimony, opening up the conversation about misguided rule-following, virginity, temptation, porn, promiscuity, false sex-pectations, sex in marriage, and more and calling readers back to God’s original design for sex–a way to worship and glorify him. This book is for the young person tangled up in an addiction to pornography, for the girlfriend feeling pressured to go further, for the “good girl” who followed the rules and saved herself for marriage and then was confused and disappointed, for the married couple who use sex as a bargaining tool, for every person who casually watches sex play out in TV and movies and wonders why they’re dissatisfied with the real thing, and for every confused or hurting person in-between. ”

BOOK 3:

 Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion, and Purpose

Sadie Robertson’s new book debuted this year, and I am excited to delve into it. The reviews are fantastic and I believe it will live up to the hype.

Here’s the information: “Sadie Robertson, bestselling author and star of Dancing with the Stars, has an important message for her generation: you don’t have to be held back by fear, anxiety, or loneliness anymore. In Live Fearless, Sadie takes you on a thrilling personal journey toward power, passion, and purpose as you live at the center of who God created you to be!”

Book 4:

Go Bravely: Becoming the Woman You Were Created to Be

I discovered Emily’s YouTube channel about a year ago and she is relatable, sweet, and someone I feel like I could be friends with. I hope I enjoy this book as much as I think I will :).

Here’s the description: Emily Wilson Hussem used to feel the same way. In Go Bravely, the Catholic musician and speaker offers twenty bits of advice that will equip you to tackle your deepest concerns about relationships, self-esteem, and dating while strengthening your faith at the same time.

“Sometimes even the smallest acts of living out faith require great bravery.”

In Go Bravely, Wilson Hussem offers readers warm and friendly encouragement as she shares her experiences with other young women as their youth minister as well as her own struggles with insecurity, relationships, loving and forgiving herself, and living her faith. You’ll feel right at home as she challenges you to be a light in the world while simultaneously offering you easy-to-digest advice on your most pressing questions.

Fresh off figuring out who she is as a daughter of God, how to cultivate healthy friendships, how to save sex for marriage, and how to develop a prayer life, Wilson Hussem gives you advice about what she learned in the midst of becoming a young woman. Aware of the information overload that young people face today, she shares simple wisdom for bravely living your faith, such as:

• Always be kind to other women.
• Work hard at what you love.
• Recognize God’s plan for your life.
• Remember that nobody is perfect.
• Cultivate authentic friendships.

These are basic ideas, Wilson Hussem says, but taking care of yourself and loving others are easy tenets of our faith to forget. A book that can be read in short snippets or in one sitting, Go Bravely offers you the encouragement and tools you need to live out your Christian faith with purpose and zeal.

BOOK 5:

Love Defined: Embracing God’s Vision for Lasting Love and Satisfying Relationships

The newest book from Kristen Clark & Bethany Baird of Girl Defined ministries. In this book they discuss God’s vision for relationships. We write on similiar topics and I am interested to see if I discover anything new.

Here’s the book description: “Our culture is obsessed with love and romance–so why are so few women experiencing satisfying, long-term love?

In this insightful and encouraging book, sisters Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird help single women of all ages discover a radically better approach to navigating their love lives. Covering topics such as true love, romance, purposeful relationships, purity, boundaries, singleness, and glorifying God in every stage of our relationships, Love Defined unpacks God’s original design for romance, showing modern women how to experience God’s best for them in their relationships. Full of biblical truths and step-by-step application of concepts discussed, the book also includes a chapter-by-chapter study guide to be used individually or in small groups, as well as four letters from godly women who have been married for 30, 40, and 50+ years, offering priceless, hard-won advice to single women.”

BOOK 6:

So, You Think You’re Ready to Date?: The Complete Must Read Guide to Teenage Dating

OK, OK, shameless plug here. This is the book I (Sarah) wrote and published last year. It sets the foundation for dating relationships from a biblical perspective and I am so proud of it. I hope that you’ll add it to your list.

Here’s the description: “Teenage dating proves a new and exciting experience, yet can tragically bring pain and emotional damage if teens try to figure it out as they go. This book lays the groundwork for modern dating from a Biblical perspective.

Its quizzes, questionnaires, stories, Biblical truth, and real life anecdotes answer questions many teen girls have about dating and discuss topics such as: their goals for the future, the needs of every teenage girl, cultural v. Biblical views on sex and relationships, physical and emotional boundaries, lies girls tell themselves when they date, how to spot a bad boy, the Cycle of Violence, characteristics of a good guy, how to know if a guys is interested, what a proper first date looks like, and so much more!”

In Closing

I hope you will choose a few (or all!) of these books to read over the summer. Each one is unique and designed to help you as you grow in your faith.

Please share this post with anyone you think would be interested!

You can also check out all of the books we recommend by clicking here.

Happy reading,

-Sarah

More about our ministry:

At Transformed4More, our goal is to help those who want to grow in their relationship with God, and we do this in two main ways:

• The first is by providing resources. We have our own and ones we recommend. Click here or the graphic below to see them.

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