It’s summertime, and that means extra daylight hours for fun in the sun. It also means that children and adults alike may have extra leisure time for reading. Here are a few books that have been on my reading list lately.

“The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom

This biography tells the amazing story about how one family risked it all by hiding Jews during the Nazi occupation of Holland and how God’s grace shined through even amid terrible suffering. I cannot remember a book, outside the Bible, that inspired me more.

“The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis

This classic series, which contains seven books, is a must read for children and adults alike. Whether you have read “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” before, take this summer to enter Lewis’ world of Narnia, where we sense the glory of Christ through a timeless magical fiction tale.

“100 Years of Falls Creek” by Dana Williamson

The year 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of Falls Creek. This hardbound coffee table book is a visual and storytelling feast for the soul. Journey through 10 decades of God’s blessings at the one and only Falls Creek (order a copy at www.fallscreek.org/book).

“Giving It All Away” by David Green

The founder of Hobby Lobby shares wisdom gained through life’s ups and downs and tells how people of all life stages and means can learn the joy of giving. Green also shares insight into the now famous Supreme Court case related to Hobby Lobby, and how he experienced the Lord’s blessing during that trial.

“Why We Love the Church” by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck

Written a few years back, this nonfiction book glories in the Body of Christ at a time when more young people are disillusioned with organized religion. Written in a memorable and engaged format, DeYoung and Kluck will have you standing up cheering for the church, as one review said.

“The Conservative Heart” by Arthur Brooks

Conservative Christians are sometimes criticized for not remembering the poor and disadvantaged enough. Economist Arthur Brooks tells how those who believe in free-market economic principles can do a better job of showing their heart for the poor.

“Onward: Engaging the Culture without losing the Gospel” by Russell Moore

From same-sex marriage to the transgender revolution, Christians are confronted with a myriad of issues in the culture today. The one and only Russell Moore, with his signature convictional kindness, shows us how to be salt and light amid the growing darkness in this must-read work.

“Bioethics: A Primer for Christians” by Gilbert Meilaender

This book is where I might lose you. Why would any person want to read a textbook on ethics, unless they were forced to do so for school? Yet nearly every Christian is forced to parse through some difficult life decisions, including beginning-of-life and end-of-life ones, and Meilaendar’s work offers a clear biblical guide for Christians living in this brave new world.

“Identity” by Blake Gideon

Written by an Oklahoma Baptist pastor, this new release helps you think vertically. Gideon’s short but good book will help you see yourself (and others) as God does, transforming the way we think and act.

These are just a few of the books on my summer reading list for 2017. What’s on your list?