Graduation season is upon us!

For students, this is an exciting time of transition and possibility. You are looking forward to college, careers, and the newfound freedom of (almost?) adulthood. For parents, this is often stressful, scary, and sorrowful while also being fun, exciting, and relieving (among a whole host of other sentiments). You have, by God’s grace, managed to get your child through school and are about to send them out into a world full of possibility and peril.

In the midst of all of the activity surrounding graduation, I wanted to take a moment to suggest some helpful books for Graduates as you make your transition from High School into College or from College into adulting (to use a modern term). Of course, you likely won’t have time to read all of these this summer before you go off to college, trade school, or enter the work force. But they can be books that you read over the next couple of years to help you build and maintain a solid foundation in the Christian faith.

I have tried to cover a variety of topics such as spiritual disciplines, apologetics, theology, decision making, vocation, marriage, and others. I have also focused mainly on modern books with a few classics thrown in. There are many more great books that every person should read, but if you will give these a try, I think you will find them helpful.

As with any recommendation list, a recommendation isn’t always a complete endorsement of every point and every conclusion. As always, read with discernment. Most of all, read the Bible!

1. Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung

2. The Reason for God by Tim Keller

3. Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey

4. Knowing God by J. I. Packer

5. 18 Words by J. I. Packer

6. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney or Habits of Grace by David Mathis

7. Holiness by J. C. Ryle

8. Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen

9. A Praying Life by Paul Miller

10. The Valley of Vision (a collection of Puritan prayers)

11. How To Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski

12. More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

13. Thriving at College: Make Great Friends, Keep Your Faith, and Get Ready for the Real World! by Alex Chediak

14. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

15. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

16. Discovering God’s Will by Sinclair Ferguson

17. What is the Meaning of Sex? by Denny Burk

18. Sex, Dating, and Relationships by Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas

19. This Momentary Marriage by John Piper

20. When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey

21. In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair Ferguson

22. The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan

23. Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

24. What’s Best Next by Matt Perman

25. Managing God’s Money by Randy Alcorn