26+ Books for Moms to Read During Quiet Time

Motherhood is full of twists, turns, highs, lows, joy, sadness, companionship, and loneliness. The mix of emotions and never-ending tasks can become overwhelming at times. Every now and again it is nice to have an encouraging message from other women who have been in your shoes, especially if those women have faith in Christ. I have curated this list of books for moms who need a little encouragement (or a laugh) during their daily quiet time.

Many of these books are faith-based and filled with practical tips and inspirational word that will lift you up in your daily walk as a mother. Some of them are simply humorous books filled with anecdotes that offer solidarity in this journey.

My Favorite Quiet Time Books for Moms

Inspirational & Encouraging Books for Moms

1. Glorious Ordinary: An Invitation to Study God’s Word in Your Everyday Life- Sarah Frazer

“Don’t wait for a season of normal—look for peace today.” God’s peace can be found in the difficult, the weird, and the mundane days of our lives. This book is one that encourages mothers to live one day at a time and to make the most of every circumstance that we may face.

Check out this list of books for moms that hold beautiful messages from other women who have been in your shoes. #motherhood #hotmessmom #encouragement #mombooks #quiettime #acupfullofjoy

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2. No More Perfect Moms: Learn to Love Your Real Life- Jill Savage

Ever feel like you are striving for perfection in your motherhood or at least the illusion of perfection? This book will allow you to take a breather from that struggle. It will help to adjust your expectations in order to give yourself grace and to embrace & love your perfectly imperfect motherhood.

3. Hope Unfolding-Becky Thompson

“Hope Unfolding” is a book that not only focuses on lifting us up as mamas, but it reminds us that before we were mamas, we were wives. Our husbands need love, encouragement, a friend, and a help mate just as badly as we do, but they often take the backseat to motherhood. This book has encouraged me to remember my husband in the midst of the mess. You can see my full review of this book here.

4. Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert’s Reckless Attempt to Love Her Neighbor– Kendra Broekhuis

The commandment to “love your neighbor” can seem a little overwhelming for introverts like myself and the author of this book, Kendra Broekhuis. Kendra wrote this book to share her personal journey to love on the people she comes into contact with daily despite her introverted disposition. Her story is highly encouraging and motivating for mamas who just aren’t sure how to step out of their comfort zone.

5. Life Interrupted: Navigating the Unexpected- Priscilla Shirer

Sometimes it feels like our lives are being sabotaged. As soon as things start flowing well for us, something negative pops us and “interrupts” the good things that were going. This book is a great reminder that those annoying interruptions might actually be God moving us toward something greater than we could have found on our own.

6. A Mom After God’s Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children- Elizabeth George

Raising children with intention is a difficult task in the busy lifestyles that many of us lead today. There are influences coming in from every direction and it sometimes seems impossible to steer our kiddos in the right direction. This book gives practical and actionable ways that you can intentionally lead your children to love God as well as principles that will make your parenting more enjoyable and effective.

7. The Mom Walk: Keeping in Step with God’s Heart for Motherhood- Sally Clarkson

Motherhood is a ministry. That fact is incredibly fulfilling, but it can also be a little bit terrifying. This book encourages moms to “lean on God’s strength to prepare your children for whole, fulfilling, and Christ-centered lives”.

8. He Loves Me: Learning to Live in the Father’s Affection- Wayne Jacobson

This book isn’t written by a mother, in fact, it is written by a man. However, I found the message of this book to be extremely in my motherhood journey. It is so important to give ourselves grace and to remember that our Father loves us desperately despite our short-comings.

9. Raising Godly Tomatoes

10. Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord

11. Hot Mess to Mindful Mom: 40 Ways to Find Balance and Joy in Your Every Day

12. Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living

Humorous Books for Moms

13. I Heart My Little A-Holes: A bunch of holy-crap moments no one ever told you about parenting

14. Mom Truths by Cat & Nat

15. I Just Want to Pee Alone

16. How to Save Your Child from Ostrich Attacks, Accidental Time Travel, and Anything Else that Might Happen on an Average Tuesday

Fiction Books for Moms

17. Wonder- R.J. Palacio

Wonder is the only fictional book on this list of encouraging books for moms, but it’s spot is well deserved. The story is one of a family who faces very realistic family-life struggles, plus some extra hardships. Reading about this fictional family’s dynamic from the point of view of each family member is very eye-opening to how our words and actions affect our spouses and children.

18. Anything Written by Nicolas Sparks

and of course

19. The Shack

The Shack is a fictional book that is meant to connect grief over losing a loved one with the promise of eternity with them. It is a book that takes you through heartache and healing via the eyes of a father who lost his daughter. You will read about his borderline magical experiences with God and with Heaven.

This book has become a little bit controversial since the movie came out, but it is still one of my all-time favorites. When reading The Shack, keep in mind that it is not doctrine and it is not meant to be a theological book.

Devotionals for Moms

20. When Chocolate Isn’t Enough: An Inpirational Survival Guide for Moms- Michelle Medlock Adams

Chocolate makes everything better… especially when coupled with encouragement and inspiration from Scripture. This book is packed full of chocolatey recipes and wisdom encouragement from Scripture and from the author’s personal life.

21. Walking With Purpose: Seven Priorities that Make Life Work-Lisa Brenninkmeyer

This book was given to me by my Mother-In-Law at just the right time in my life. I felt like my motherhood was out of control and like I was spinning on a hamster wheel that was created to destroy my spirit. This book is a gentle reminder that we can find rest! We can have clarity, hope, passion, and purpose in our daily lives despite our circumstances.