Pack this stack for an inspiring summer!

(Or, buy the easier-to-pack Kindle versions.)

With these authors, you’ll find the fuel for a wonderfully meaningful journey

AS SUMMER STARTS THIS YEAR, millions of Americans are planning to travel—from nearby lakeshore getaways to lengthy road trips to see friends, relatives, national parks and countless other destinations. This week, if you visit Amazon, you can easily pack along these books that are guaranteed to beam rays of inspiring sunshine as you travel.

1. Here’s our top choice for ‘Travelers‘—

In March 2026, we were pleased to announce that Doug’s book won the prestigious “Award of Excellence” by the Religious Communicators Council. So, this recommendation is echoed by our peers in national media.

2. Then, tuck a little Lincoln in your luggage

One of our most-talked-about books this year is Duncan Newcomer’s 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln. This is a great choice if you’ll be on the road a while and want “a short, inspiring chapter to read each day.” That’s how Duncan organized this book and it’s why it has endured as a great choice for daily reading.

Plus, if you have been following our weekly columns, then you already know that Duncan is crisscrossing the nation, speaking about Lincoln’s wisdom with men and women from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. He calls these “cottage meetings” and the idea continues to spread into the summer of 2026.

Care to learn more? Here’s a column from April 2026 in which Duncan answers the question: “What was Abraham Lincoln’s spiritual vision?“

3. Do you enjoy ‘daily readings’ to lift your spirit?

Millions of Americans shop for books that are designed for daily spiritual reading. And, we’ve got a wonderful choice, especially if you’re interested in learning more about what the Bible actually teaches us about daily living.

For three decades, the Rev. Dr. George Mason’s weekly messages inspired those who attended Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas—as well as many more people across the country who streamed his messages. Now, this unique multimedia book collects 80 of George’s most memorable and thought-provoking sermons (along with links to videos of many of them). That makes The Word Made Fresh an especially valuable choice for summer travels. Simply pull out your smartphone and “click” on one of those QR codes in this book to “see” that day’s reading come to life!

This collection covers timely themes ranging from the welcoming love of God and the basics of the Christian faith to such vital issues as the stewardship of our planet, the importance of interfaith relationships, the need to include the most vulnerable in our community life, and the importance of peacemaking.

The best-selling Christian author Greg Garrett writes in his preface, “George Mason is one of the Christian world’s most accomplished preachers and pastors. A writer, teacher, activist, and media figure, during 30-plus years as senior pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, he modeled a Christian love of and advocacy for the marginalized, the disdained, the set aside, that feels absolutely like the Jesus I know, love, and serve.”

In these pages “you’ll see a master at work, a preacher weaving together some teaching, some storytelling, some pushing the limits to make us think,” writes Amy Butler, founder of Invested Faith and author of Beautiful and Terrible Things. 

This summary may sound like George is “retired”—but far from it! In 2026, he’s back in the national news. Our latest coverage was in May 2026, when George published a public litany for those mourning the ongoing use of the death penalty, especially in Texas.

4. Looking for inspiration to take action in ‘a time such as this’?

Then, you’ll definitely want to read international peace trainer Daniel Buttry’s collection of true stories, Blessed Are the Peacemakers. 

For many years, Dan and his wife Sharon circled the globe on behalf of American Baptist Churches, helping train community leaders for peaceful solutions to conflicts on several continents. During that time, Dan published a series of books to inspire readers to follow suit. This particular book is his magnum opus that includes true stories from around the world.

In 2026, Dan is back in national news for his creation of a free-to-download Bible study (in English and Spanish) for “Resisting Authoritarianism—for a time such as this.”

5. Who hasn’t enjoyed ‘Telling Stories in the Dark‘ on a summer trip?

In addition to his work as an editor, educator, inspiring speaker and event organizer—Jeffrey Munroe also is an author. His latest book, Telling Stories in the Dark, has been enthusiastically snapped up by readers nationwide. Even the cover evokes summertime experiences we’ve all enjoyed, watching a vivid sunset and talking honestly with friends about our lives—sometimes exploring those dark corners where sorrow and even trauma reside.

The inspiring good news of Jeffrey’s book lies in the transformative power of sharing these experiences with others. Within the pages of this compilation, you will encounter the stories of ordinary individuals who, when confronted with profound adversity, chose to do something extraordinary: They transformed their pain into hope and healing.

When we tell our stories, and when we listen well to each other’s stories, we discover much about what it means to be human. We discover there are others like us. We discover our feelings aren’t unusual. We discover we aren’t alone.

And sometimes we discover God in the midst of those true stories we share with others.

6. ROOTED

Christy Berghoef’s vocation as an author, photographer, journalist and educator includes global travels—like the autumn 2026 pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland, which she and her husband Bryan have been developing over the past year.

Similarly, her popular new book Rooted is a true story of both outward and inward journeys. Christy’s wise and welcoming memoir is a warm invitation for anyone who has left home, then wonders if they can return. Christy challenges conventional faith while affirming deep spiritual truths.

This true story of soul, soil and spiritual awakening follows Christy on a life-changing journey from a conservative Christian upbringing in rural Michigan to the halls of Washington, D.C., and back again. Along the way, she confronts the unraveling of her childhood faith, the complexities of parenting and ministry, and the spiritual power of rediscovering home.

Rooted in the sacred ground of her family’s 40-acre farm, Christy explores themes of spiritual transformation, social justice, motherhood, the healing wisdom of the land, and the meaning of belonging. Rooted is a story of exploring the world, coming home, and learning to “bloom where we are planted.”

7. and 8. And who doesn’t love curling up with a cozy mystery?

That brings us to Nos. 7 and 8 in our Summer 2026 reading list! 

Obviously, “All” was not “Lost” in the debut volume of the Island Mystery series, called All Is Now Lost. We now know that because the most beloved characters in that novel survived and have returned in Book 2 of the series: A Special Kind of Heartache. 

This series is set on “Mongin Island,” the South Carolina Lowcountry home of Carr Jepson and her cozy Books & Brew bookstore, where tourists and long-time residents mingle over bestsellers, hot tea, and the latest island gossip. It’s a fictionalized version of the historic Daufuskie Island, where Laura is among the many community leaders trying to preserve island resources and encourage visitors to come discover the island’s beauty.

So, if you do choose to read this cozy series, you could even pay a visit to this fascinating location—where Laura assures readers there won’t be any real-life danger!

And remember: It’s even more fun if friends are “reading along” with you. Use the social-media sharing buttons with this column to send these recommendations to folks you know will enjoy these books.