10 Books You Should Read in College

By Chelsy Massa

College is a time of learning. Not just learning whatever major you choose, but also about God. We asked our Resonate Staff members what books impacted them whilst in college. We hope this becomes your new TBR (To Be Read) list, allowing both modern and classic authors to impact your life towards Christ-likeness. 

The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer

This book lays out common problems and beliefs that the 20th-century and 21st-century Christian can fall into. It helps us pull out of a lukewarm and self-centered Christianity into living a life leveraged to knowing and being with God. 

“AW Tozer speaks to nominal Christianity in the ’50s, yet it feels like he is talking to me, too. I was convicted and also encouraged, being stirred with a deep desire to pursue God, really pursue Him wholeheartedly, not just in my spare time.” - Resonate Staff Member

Radical by David Platt

Fighting against the American Dream, Platt lays out the radical life Jesus calls all believers to live. To take up our cross is to die to self. Dying to self means all dreams and desires are surrendered to Jesus. All this is so that we may instead take up the desires of God Himself for true identity, satisfaction, and peace, living a life being a witness to God’s glory. 

“This book teaches you that your faith should not just be one small compartment of your American Dream life, but that it should be your life. We should be radically committed disciples, especially in our twenties.” - Resonate Staff Member

The Fuel and the Flame by Steve Shadrach

Steve Shadrach shares a vision for you to be spurred on by your relationship with God to go out and reach your campus. God wants to use students to reach other students who don’t know Jesus. The next generation is ready to be reached, waiting for salvation, even if they don’t know that’s what they need yet. Shadrach helps us to know that to reach the next generation, God will use the next generation to do so. 

“This book changed my life trajectory. This book gives you a vision for reaching the next generation and how to leverage your college years for ministry.” - Resonate Staff Member

Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

In this book, John Piper helps to lift our eyes to the real purpose that not only lasts our whole life but all eternity. The Christian person should crave the glory of God over the comfort of ourselves. This book will help you see God’s intention for a purpose-filled life forever. 

“Great book for people thinking about faith and how to find meaning and purpose in life.” - Resonate Staff Member

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

Pete Scazzero helps us to see that spiritual and emotional maturity are not separate. Our logic-loving world rejects emotions, but the Christian person should see that emotions are given by God for His purposes. Pete helps us to learn to love control of our emotions and not be ruled by emotions for the sake of spiritual growth and Christ-likeness. 

“It helped me better identify my emotions and not to view them as a bad thing, but instead view them as indicators and a gift from God.” - Resonate Staff Member

Find Your People by Jennie Allen 

Everyone is lonely these days. Jennie Allen helps us see what true community feels like in a lonely world. She provides a clear vision of what Christian fellowship should be through her own story, encouraging Christians to strive for Christ-centered, intimate community. 

“This was the best book I’ve ever read about what Godly and intimate relationships should look like. How God’s people should actually fellowship together.” - Resonate Staff Member

Take Heart by Matt Chandler

It is hard to be a Christian nowadays. We often face scoffs and derision when sharing our faith out of obedience. The constant face of ridicule overwhelms our hearts with anxiety and fear. However, Matt Chandler reminds of the words of Jesus, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In a world that feels turned off from religion, Chandler calls for Christian courage in the life, work, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

“I read this while in London for a summer, and it helped give me perspective to have courage in a society that felt so much more liberal than my own. Even in the progressive state of the UK, God showed me His faithfulness to pursue a people that originally seemed so turned off from Him. God delivers courage to us and in our courage to show us His glory.”  - Resonate Staff Member

Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry

We love to talk about God’s goodness and love, and even sometimes His wrath. However, in a world that loves to try to make everything the same, we tend to lower God to our level. Jackie Hill Perry instead reminds the Christian person that God is not the same. God is not on our level. God is HOLY and in His Holiness outside of us, outside of this world. He is so unlike us that we can’t even enter His presence without the blood and righteousness of Jesus covering us. 

“This book helps to see that all attributes stem from His holiness as it is His main attribute, helping stir deeper awe and fear of God.” - Resonate Staff Member

Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Tim Keller takes the famous parable of the prodigal son and offers insight into how Jesus illustrates two ways in which we become lost - through legalism or licentiousness. Both lead to a path separate from the Father and into a life lost in sin, yet God is willing to love and forgive both. 

“This book transformed my view of what sin is and the all-encompassing nature of God's grace. I learned that God could redeem both my “older and younger brother”’ sin.” - Resonate Staff Member

Not Yet Married by Marshall Segal

This book helps single people learn to love their stage of life, rather than waiting for marriage to be the fulfilling event in their lives. God presents both as a gift and wants both married and unmarried people to leverage their lives in their current state for His sake. This book is filled with advice and encouragement on how to live a God centered and intentional life instead of one always looking ahead to the next thing. 

“Almost everything we know about dating has been discipled into us by the world, and almost all of it is junk. If we are trying to find our way to a healthy dating relationship and (Lord willing) a healthy marriage, we are all walking around with broken compasses; this book can help you recalibrate based on a biblical perspective.” - Resonate Staff Member

Check out these resources for low prices on Christianbooks.com, in a friend’s library, or even your local campus or city library for free. May the Lord make the truth about Himself, His will, character, and love for you evident through these resources. Happy reading!