I don’t observe Lent per se, but I do like to spend the weeks leading up to Easter reading devotional-type books on the death and resurrection of Christ. Otherwise, this season goes by too quickly without thinking of its meaning as much as I would like.

I’ve been surprised that there are far fewer books of Lenten and Easter reading than there are for Advent and Christmas. Of course, there are multitudes of books about Jesus’ death and resurrection that are not just for Easter.

Personally, I don’t want Lenten reading from a Catholic or liturgical viewpoint, which narrows down the reading selections even further: I just want to mediate on what Jesus did for us and our response. We do that often, not just this time of year. But it’s good to have a special emphasis on these things at this season.

Here are some of the books I have enjoyed for Lent and Easter, linked to my reviews:

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter compiled by Nancy Guthrie from writings as far back as Augustine and Luther through to writers as current as John Piper and John MacArthur. I think I have read this at least three times. One favorite quote from the book:

In human religions, it’s the worshipper who placates the offended deity with rituals and sacrifices and bribes. But in the gospel, it is God Himself who provides the offering.—Ray Ortland

The Women of Easter: Encounter the Savior with Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene by Liz Curtis Higgs. The book does just what the subtitle says. Liz considers Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection through the eyes of these three Marys. Liz has done extensive study in different translations and commentaries. I think I have read this twice. A favorite quote:

Worship isn’t a task. Worship is a response.

Songs of the Morning: Stories and Poems for Easter was compiled by Pat Alexander and includes excerpts from the writings of C. S. Lewis, E. B. White, Dickens and others, some (mostly poems) written by children. I don’t think I realized this book was written for children (about the age of those who would enjoy the Narnia books) when I first got it. But I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I didn’t list any quotes from this one in my review.

Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Reading from C. S. Lewis is a compilation of selections from his writings. I include this one with a bit of caution. As much as I love C. S. Lewis, I differ with him on a few points of theology. I noted in my review that some of the selections used didn’t seem to fit the theme of the book or suffered from being taken out of their context. But there were still some good nuggets here. One such quote:

Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in (p. 212, originally from Mere Christianity).

An Ocean of Grace: A Journey to Easter with Great Voices of the Past, another compilation of quotes from across the centuries, this time by Tim Chester. Chester says he updated some of the archaic language and changed some of the description into prayers or exhortations. I think he overdid the editing. But I did enjoy much from the book. One favorite quote:

May all the charms of sin be overcome by this ravishing love, from Stephen Charnock’s “A Discourse of the Knowledge of Christ Crucified”

I may have read other Easter devotional books, but these are the only ones I can remember or that I made note of here on the blog.

I own, but have not yet read, The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection by Lee Strobel. It’s not a devotional book, but I think it would be valuable reading. I enjoyed The Case for Christ by Strobel.

This year I am planning to read a couple of new-to-me books. I enjoyed The Characters of Christmas: 10 Unlikely People Caught Up in the Story of Jesus by Daniel Darling so much that, when I saw he had a similar book based on Easter, I immediately got it. It’s title is The Characters of Easter: The Villains, Heroes, Cowards, and Crooks Who Witnessed History’s Biggest Miracle. It’s not exactly a devotional, but I am using it in that way.

I’m also going to at least dip into Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter, another compilation from writings across the centuries recommended by Michele. I can tell, from the writers listed, that I am not going to agree with all of them. But there are several others that I am sure I’ll enjoy.

Do you enjoy reading that focuses on Lent and Easter?