The Best Christian Books Everyone Should Read

C.S. Lewis was famous for more than the always-iconic Chronicles of Narnia. The famed British author was also known for his deep interest in religion, and Mere Christianity, adapted from Lewis' BBC radio talks, is a truly fascinating read — even for people who aren't necessarily believers.

Knowing God has sold over a million copies for a reason. The immensely popular book by theologian J.I. Packer encourages the reader to understand God on a deeper level, and — above all else — love Him and His word.

If you're looking to learn from the women of the Bible, this book compiles their stories into one place.

This is a great book for kids (or, ahem, adults who love projects). It highlights lessons from the Bible using real-life science experiments. Yes, please!

If you're interested in praying with your significant other, this is the book you've been looking for. There are 31 prayers (one for every day of the month), and they cover a range of subjects that are super relatable for married couples.

This book has more than 7,000 reviews and an average rating of 5 stars, so you know it's going to be a good read if you're looking for Christian literature.

Even the most devout Christian has moments in which they question their faith. And (aside from The Bible, of course) this is the book you'll want to turn to if you're having doubts.

The plot of The Shack is pretty intense, so prepare yourself: Four years after his daughter is abducted and killed, Mack gets a note from God telling him to go back to the scene of the crime. With the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, he's guided through his grief and comes to terms with his past.

If you love the Jennifer Garner movie, great news: the book is even better! Miracles from Heaven tells the story of a young girl with a rare illness who takes a nasty and near-fatal fall from a tree. After visiting heaven, she survives the fall — and her illness is miraculously cured.

For those curious about heaven or the afterlife, this bestselling book by John Burke would possibly provide some Christian-focused insight and lessons.

Love coloring? Love Jesus? Behold, the perfect book. There's something super calming about coloring (no, it's not just for kids!) and reflecting on inspirational quotes makes the experience even more poignant.

Important update: If you really love this whole coloring thing, this is another solid option — full of pretty florals and lovely quotes.

You're going to love this book, about a woman who — after finding out that her husband cheated on her — walks away with millions from a divorce settlement. But instead of spending the money on herself, she devotes her time to helping others and finding a new purpose.

All you really need to know is that this book won the Pulitzer Prize. But if you're looking for a little more info, Gilead is an absolute classic in Christian literature, a sweeping multi-generational tale about spirituality in America. It's complex, nuanced, and, simply put, a casual work of genius.

In the Bleak Midwinter is a novel that follows newly-ordained Claire, the first female priest in a tiny upstate New York town. Unsurprisingly, some members of Claire's congregation aren't sure how to handle having a woman priest, but she proves herself when the town is rattled by an unexpected murder.

Max Lucado is one of the most famous Christian authors, and this book about getting through the hardships of life (with God's help) is a must-read for everyone.

This romantic period drama is about a teacher from the frontier who heads to the east coast, and finds the experience not without its challenges. There are clear overtones of faith and Christianity running through the story — which earned it the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

This isn't necessarily an overtly Christian book (it's about so many things!), but the story does revolve around an adventurous woman in England who finds herself falling for a married priest. As you can guess, drama and tension ensue.

Bible study doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be!) a chore. And this faith journal is a fun way to read scripture and document your thoughts, feelings, and emotions along the way.

Same idea, but with an even more stylish cover. This "Creative Christian Workbook" has enough daily journaling pages for three months of Bible study. Each page includes a section for "Scripture," one for "Notes & Reflection," and another for "Prayer & Praise."

If you find yourself wondering what your purpose in life is (who doesn't?!), famed pastor Rick Warren is here with some very helpful answers, and plenty of guidance.

There's some truly beautiful and inspiring Christian poetry out there, and The Christian Book of Mystical Verse is a great place to get started.

This book might not be for everyone thanks to its pretty traditional definition of masculinity, but it's certainly an introspective read about the spiritual inner life of men.

Written by the late Rachel Held Evans, this book is written for anyone who has struggled with their faith or has doubts about their own relationship with God, but still wants to prioritize and examine their own spirituality.

Some of the most famous pieces of art in the world were inspired by the life of Jesus, including the works of Rembrandt. Consider this the ultimate Christian coffee table book.