The Ultimate Christian Fiction Reading Plan (Free Printable)

By Susan L. Davis

If you want Christian fiction that challenges your faith, stirs your imagination, and stays with you long after the final page, you’re in the right place. With so many authors, genres, and new releases each year, finding the right Christian novel can feel overwhelming.

That’s why I created The Ultimate Christian Fiction Reading Plan — a curated guide featuring 10 award-winning Christian book lists across historical, suspense, fantasy, contemporary, and speculative genres. Every title included has earned recognition for storytelling excellence, spiritual depth, and literary impact.

Whether you’re building a yearly reading goal, choosing your next book club pick, or looking for stories that draw you closer to God, this plan will help you choose books that matter.

⭐ What Makes This an Award-Winning Christian Fiction Reading Plan?

This isn’t just a random list of recommendations.

It is a carefully curated Christian fiction reading plan built around books that have:

• Won major Christian fiction awards
• Been recognized for spiritual and artistic excellence
• Impacted thousands of readers
• Demonstrated strong redemptive themes
• Blended imagination, truth, and biblical hope

You’re not just getting “good books.”
You’re getting the best Christian novels of the year.

📚 The 10 Award Lists Included in This Reading Plan

To create a balanced reading experience, I selected ten major Christian fiction award categories across genres. These diverse categories ensure you get a full, rich reading journey.

1️⃣ Christy Award – Book of the Year

The most prestigious honor in Christian fiction.

2️⃣ Christy Award – Historical Fiction

Deep, compelling stories rooted in real history and faith.

3️⃣ Christy Award – Contemporary Romance

Emotionally rich stories with spiritual depth and relational growth.

4️⃣ Christy Award – Contemporary Fiction

Modern, true-to-life storytelling with powerful spiritual threads.

5️⃣ Christy Award – Speculative / Visionary

Stories that blend imagination, symbolism, and biblical truth.

6️⃣ Christy Award – Mystery / Suspense / Thriller

Clean suspense grounded in faith, courage, and redemption.

7️⃣ Christy Award – First Novel

An opportunity to discover incredible new Christian voices.

8️⃣ Golden Scroll Awards – Mystery/Suspense

Recognizing ministry-driven thrillers.
🥉 My novel 63 Hours in Hell won Bronze in 2025!

9️⃣ Realm Makers Award – Book of the Year

Celebrating Christian fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction.

🔟 Readers’ Favorite – Christian Fantasy (Gold, Silver, Bronze)

Honoring bold, imaginative stories of spiritual battle and hope.
🥉 63 Hours in Hell also earned Bronze here in 2025.

📅 How to Use This Christian Fiction Reading Plan

This plan is flexible — use it however supports your reading life.

✔ Monthly Reading Challenge

Read one award-winning book per month.

✔ Genre-Based Reading

Choose based on your mood: suspense, historical, fantasy, romance, or contemporary.

✔ Faith-Building Journey

These books explore redemption, identity, calling, courage, spiritual warfare, forgiveness, and hope.

✔ Book Club or Small Group

Award-winning Christian fiction creates meaningful, discussion-worthy conversations.

You choose the pace.
Let God work through the process.

✨ Why I Created This Reading Plan

As a Christian fiction author, reader, and Bible teacher, I believe deeply in the power of Christ-centered storytelling. The right book at the right time can stir the heart toward healing, holiness, and deeper faith.

When my novel 63 Hours in Hell unexpectedly won:

🥉 Golden Scroll Award – Mystery/Suspense (2025)

🥉 Readers’ Favorite Bronze – Christian Fantasy (2025)

…I was reminded of the lasting impact Christian novels can have. Stories linger. Characters shape us. Truths sink deeper. And award-winning books have a way of staying with readers long after the final page.

That is why this reading plan exists:
to help you discover stories that matter.

📥 Download the Free Award-Winning Christian Reading Plan

This beautifully designed reading guide includes:

🔘 All 10 award categories
⭐ Built-in star ratings & checkboxes
📝 Notes + favorite quote pages
📅 Monthly reading calendar
📚 Bonus TBR list pages
📘 Completely fillable + printable design

👉 Download your FREE reading plan here

Perfect for your Bible, planner, tablet, or reading journal.

💡 What’s Inside the Printable Christian Reading Plan?

Feature Description
🏅 Award-Winning Book Lists All 10 curated award lists across top Christian genres
⭐ Checkable Star Ratings Track completed reads, ratings, and favorites
📝 Notes & Reflection Pages Capture insights, themes, Scripture tie-ins, and quotes
📅 Reading Calendar Stay organized with a goal-focused month-by-month overview
📚 Build-Your-Own TBR Pages Add recommendations, new releases, or book club picks
💻 Digital or Print Format Fill in on your device or print for your planner

This is more than a checklist — it’s a faith-filled companion for your year of reading.

💖 Final Thoughts: Why These Books Matter

Great Christian novels do more than entertain.
They transform.
They remind us who we are in Christ.
They invite us into healing, purpose, and hope.

My prayer is that this reading plan leads you to stories that strengthen your faith, stir your imagination, and bring light into every corner of your life.

So pour a cup of tea, print your checklist(or type directly onto the form), and start filling your year with stories that matter.

Happy reading.
— Susan L. Davis

The full Dan Pelzer story — including a link to his lifetime reading list from the Columbus Library archives — is included inside your free Booked & Busy Christian Reading Planner.

📚 Citation

Insight about reading legacy and intentional living is inspired by the story of Dan Pelzer, whose book log appears on page 32 of the Booked & Busy Reading Planner.