10 Empowering Books Every Woman Should Read

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In a world filled with noise and adversity, literature has the power to uplift, calm, and inspire. For women seeking strength and encouragement, books can be invaluable companions on the journey to empowerment. In 10 Empowering Books Every Woman Should Read we’ve curated ten exceptional titles that embody virtue and resilience, offering insights of faith & morality that resonate deeply. From timeless classics to present day gems, these reads celebrate our divine role in womanhood and encourage us to embrace the power of Christ.

“Books must survive.” – Corrie Ten Boom

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Autobiographies

1. Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose

“When I took my eyes off the circumstances that were overwhelming me, over which I had no control, and looked up, my Lord was there… Deep in my heart, He whispered, “I’m here even when you don’t see me. Never for a moment are you out of my sight.” -Darlene Deibler Rose

This gripping autobiography deserves to touch the faithful hearts of every woman, young and old. Rose’s awe-inspiring story of courage to survive the terrifying Japanese prison camps of World War II is a testament that true reliance and unshakable faith in Jesus can carry you through the most impossible adversity. Her life and words weaved of harrowing tragedy and invaluable hope are an awe-inspiring example to every woman that ‘Christ is within her’ and with Him first in our lives, ‘we shall not fall.”

Get your copy of Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II HERE!

2. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

“Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning—and he will be there until [the end.]” – Joanna Gaines

“It was such a blessing to find myself thriving in the middle of the pain. Unless you find a way to do that, there’s always going to be this fake illusion that once you get there–wherever “there” is for you–you’ll be happy. But that’s just not life. If you can’t find happiness in the ugliness, you’re not going to find it in beauty, either.” – Joanna Gaines

Whether you’ve heard of Chip and Joanna Gaines from their star HGTV show, Fixer Upper, or haven’t heard of them at all, their co-authored book is worth the delightful read! I didn’t realize how much their story could relate to mine as a fourteen year-old teenager, when I was gifted a hardcopy for my birthday, nor that it would offer such valuable Christian inspiration as they crossed experiences in every progressing stage of their lives, but as I read this novel, I was both so touched and humored to “take a walk by the silos” with both Chip & Joanna in every step of their God-authored story. This book is full of encouraging messages of perseverance for both teens and women alike, searching for a sweet, humorous read of inspiration that empowers all to found their call and purpose with Christ.

Get your copy of The Magnolia Story HERE!

3. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still” – Corrie Ten Boom

The Hiding Place is so spiritually gripping. Even before I got my hands on her renowned book, Corrie Ten Boom remains a constant inspiration in my life. But The Hiding Place made her even more of a heroine of Jesus to me, and I have been ever touched by her story of survival in the pages of her autobiography. Corrie’s book is one I recommend to all ages of women, because of Corrie’s enriching testimony throughout that can nurture and sustain both growing teen girls and seeking women. Corrie’s brilliant story of faith and surrender to Jesus no matter the cost will bless you in all seasons of life.

Get your copy of The Hiding Place HERE.

4. Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis Majors

“God reminded me how beautiful we all are to Him, after all, we were created in His own image, and He looks at me, at you, in all our sweat and dirt and brokenness, and says, ‘I choose you. You are beautiful.‘” – Katie Davis Majors

“It may take place in a foreign land or it may take place in your backyard, but I believe that we were each created to change the world for someone. To serve someone. To love someone the way Christ first loved us, to spread His light. This is the dream, and it is possible.” – Katie Davis Majors

Katie’s book pierced my heart when I first read her story at age thirteen, and it still does to this day, even when I’m just holding the cover. My mom and I lent our first copy of Katie’s book to so many of our friends over the past eight years that just a month ago we had to buy a new one because of how worn and tattered our first copy had become! Katie’s divine service in Christ – enough to heed God’s call and move to Uganda just out of high school alone FOR HIM – is something that inspired me so much in my own teen years to turn my own life over to my Jesus. Her story moved me enough to light the spark in my heart to give my whole life to Christ, and to “change the world” in a beautiful way.

Get your copy of Kisses From Katie HERE!

5. The Story of the Trapp Family Singers: The Story that Inspired the Sound of Music by Maria Augusta Trapp

“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand…. In looking back over the years we can discover how a red thread goes through the pattern of our life: the Will of God.” – Maria Augusta Von Trapp

I imagine you’ve either heard the beloved music, acted as a part in the delightsome play, or seen the remarkable scenes from Rogers & Hammersteins: The Sound of Music with renowned Julie Andrews, but have you read the book? This book was given to me by one of my homeschool friends, and I was so surprised that I’d never heard of Maria’s stunning book. The story of Maria and her romance with the baron both during World War II, and their life in America weaves the most empowering experiences of faith and surrender to Christ with the majesty of womanhood and the sustaining power of music. How I wish I knew of this spiritually-gripping autobiography sooner.

Get your copy of The Story of the Trapp Family Singers: The Story that Inspired the Sound of Music HERE.

6. We Were Not Alone by Karola Hilbert Reece

“I could see the protection of my Heavenly Father constantly. Of course we were living in a time and place where we needed his constant care. Keeping our lives in tune with the Spirit was essential. We knew if we always remembered the Lord, He would always remember us and spare us.” – Karola Hilbert Reece

This book really is inspirational, based again in World War II about a mother and her daughters who lived through all the horrors of war without their husband, father, or brothers, who were fighting the war. We Were Not Alone by Karola Hilbert Reece is another must-read, based on the exemplary faithfulness and virtue of a young teenage girl during the Second World War, who – like Corrie and Darlene – defied the impossible with Jesus. Some of my most favorite passages of empowerment come from this beloved book. Karola’s life amidst World War II is a testament that we, truly, are never alone.

Get your copy of We Were Not Alone HERE!

7. Fighting For Life by Lila Rose

“The world needs you to stand up for what is right. It needs your voice, your gifts, your heart. It needs what you uniquely have to offer. Your efforts won’t be perfect, but they will be worth it. And by having the courage to stand up , you will inspire others to do the same. You may feel like an imposter when you begin your mission, but you aren’t. …You’re a brave soul who is willing to stand up even when others won’t and give the best of what you have. Don’t buy into the creeping doubts telling you that you can’t stand up, that you shouldn’t speak, that you won’t make a difference. Your cause is waiting. You can do this.” – Lila Rose

I read Lila’s book in just a few hours – so gripped by her story, I couldn’t put it down. Fighting for Life is a gift of virtue and courage to this unrested world; an empowering inspiration for every woman. As founder of Live Action, Lila shares her story beginning in her living room at age fifteen to stand for the precious lives of the unborn and resurrect hope for all of God’s precious daughters. In her testimony through every eloquent page, she shares how her life transformed as she surrendered her cause to Jesus and gave her broken heart to Him. I was held by every chapter and gripped in every word. How I wish more teen girls could get their hands on this work of hope!

Get your copy of Fighting For Life HERE!

Listen to Lila’s empowering PODCAST, SPEECHES, and SUPPORT Live Action’s pro-life movement!

8. This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness by Sarah Clarkson

“My deep belief is that beauty has a story to tell, one that was meant by God to speak to us of his character and reality, meant to grip our failing hands with hope. We know God when we behold his beauty, when his goodness invades the secret rooms of our hearts. To believe the truth that beauty tells: this is our great struggle from the depths of our grief. To trust the hope it teaches us to hunger toward: this is our fierce battle. To craft the world it helps us to imagine: this is our creative, death-defying work.”

Clarkson’s book is a beauty of immaculate grace, which portrays and describes exactly what beauty is. Beauty is of God, and beauty exists even in shattering darkness. I opened this significant memoir just after my one year anniversary of my traumatic brain injury fall, and I had yet to discover how the beauty of Clarkson’s words would shape the way I hold hope amidst the terror of my current grief and psychosis. Her story of rising from the tragedy of severe OCD, into the unveiled magnificence to behold God’s goodness transformed my own view of my hurt, and opened a way for me to see the miracles Jesus still had in play for me. This book is radiant with light that every woman – especially those who deeply struggle in brokenness – needs to read to touch the hem of hope. Clarkson encourages us to “break the spell of doubt” and find reverent holiness no matter our place. And that alone is empowering.

Get your copy of This Beautiful Truth: How God’s Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness HERE.

And don’t forget to add Sarah’s NEW empowering book “Reclaiming Quiet” to your cart: HERE!

Classic Historical Fiction

9. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter

“To the extent of my brainpower I realize Your Presence and all it is in me to comprehend Your power. Help me to learn, even this late, the lessons of Your wonderful creations. Help me to unshackle and expand my soul to the fullest realization of Your wonders. Almighty God, make me bigger, make me broader….” – Gene Stratton Porter

It was A Girl of the Limberlost that first introduced me to the enchanting writing of Gene Stratton Porter, one of my favorite writers. The fictional story of Elnora – an impoverished girl who lives with her neglected, widowed mother in the heart of the Limberlost Swamp in Indiana – whisked my heart away into Porter’s exquisite world where hardship meets hope, suffering meets sweetness, and heartbreak meets love. A Girl of the Limberlost reminds every woman along the way how relationships are mended, beauty and nature unearthed, love immersed, and gifts fruited from invaluable efforts. By the end, your heart will have breathed the majestic air of the Limberlost swamp with all the flittering butterflies and moths abound. The way you view our Almighty’s creatures, bonds, and miracles will never be quite the same.

Get your copy of The Girl of the Limberlost HERE. OR buy the prequel together HERE.

10. Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery

This brilliant novel by L.M. Montgomery is at the top of my romance book list, with such a beautifully tender story that will unlock the doors of every woman heart. If you have read Montgomery’s renowned series, Anne of Green Gables, you know how beloved her work of words are, filled with values and depth. Kilmeny of the Orchard is its own enchanting read about a college student, Eric Marshall, who fills the place of his friend to substitute at a school for the remainder of the year in Prince Edwards Island. There he meets Kilmeny, an innocent young woman who lives in an old orchard. Not only does she have a tragic history, but is gripped with two stunning disabilities that followed with it. She is unable to speak and feels entirely unworthy of ever finding love. This morally empowering tale is one that has been tucked so tenderly in my heart since the first time I opened the cover. Every woman young and old must read this whimsical work of enchanting love and healing and discover the story of hope in love that promises virtue no matter our wounds.

Get your copy of Kilmeny of the Orchard HERE.

Closing

At last, we’ve reached all 10 of the “10 Empowering Books Every Woman Should Read.” I hope each of these books will open windows in your library to empowering virtue and goodness. I believe each book we read as women should serve as a beacon, inspiring us to embrace our divine strength from Christ and cultivate our righteous dreams. By diving into these magnificent stories, written both in the past and present, we can find the encouragement needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purity.

Please comment below with your favorite empowering stories and books that have blessed your life and opened your library windows. And please share this post with any women you know who would benefit or find hope in this list.

happy reading!