Introduction
I have a vast collection of PDF books and articles here which include saints lives, spiritual teachings and many other things.
Note there are excellent material available online, through videos, sermons, podcasts, PDFs and online articles, instead of plowing through long hard copy books.
Ascetics & martyrs
You might be able to find some of these in a bookstore of a local Coptic Church. If you live in Sydney Australia, good bookstores are found at St Mark’s church, St Abu-Seifein, St Shenouda’s monastery and St Mary and St MIna’s church. Check over there if you want any of these.
> Books 1 – 6 of the Coptic nun Mother Erene (2006) which you might be able to order online from here
> The life and saying of Elder Mettaous the Syrian (2008) available for order here.
> The life of the Coptic nun Mother Kereya Iskander (1980) available for order here or here.
> A Spring in Sinai: Hieromartyr Mina Abood: His Life, Miracles, and Martyrdom in Post-Revolution Egypt: by Anthony Marcos
> Faithful unto death – contemporary stories from Egypt: mainly about modern day martyrs
> A Silent Patriarch: Kyrillos VI, Life and Legacy: the most riveting, detailed and most excellent study about the most loved and revered Coptic Patriarch of recent times, widely known for his uncountable miracles. Authored by the talented Fr Daniel Fanous
> All That I Have Is Yours: 100 Meditations with St. Pope Kyrillos VI on the Spiritual Life (Spirituality Series): authored by Fr Kyrillos Ibrahim. A book of daily spiritual meditations that beautifully interweaves together 100 stories of encounters with St. Pope Kyrillos VI, along with 100 unique and penetrating meditations on the spiritual life. Each chapter begins with a verse from the Psalms following the daily order and structure of the Coptic Orthodox Book of Hours (Agpeya). Hence, the readings begin with prayer and guide the reader to a greater appreciation and use of the Psalter.
> A Prodigal Saint: Father John of Kronstadt and the Russian People (Penn State Series in Lived Religious Experience) by Nadieszda Kizenko can be found on amazon here or otherwise google it. This is a very very thorough historical study done on St John of Kronstadt, in my opinion, the greatest Russian saint who ever lived.
> Blessed John the Wonderworker: A Preliminary Account of the Life and Miracles of Archbishop John Maximovitch by Fr Seraphim Rose: Check amazon here or google it.
> Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works: amazon link
Spiritual instructions
> The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life by St Ignatius Brianchanninov: it has been said this book is one of the best introductory books about Orthodox asceticism/spirituality. You can get it on kindle, order a hardcopy or probably find it in an Eastern Orthodox bookstore. Google it.
> The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox anthology by Igumen Chariton: mainly uses the superb writings of St Theophan the Recluse to teach us about prayer and the Jesus Prayer. Read it ages ago, it’s really helped me. You can get it on kindle, order a hardcopy or probably find it in an Eastern Orthodox bookstore. Google it.
The Art of Orthodoxy 