Picking my top 5 influential books was hard. I am an avid reader so there have been many books in my life.
That is probably no surprise as I am also a writer and many writers love reading.
Sometimes I read just to pass the time. Sometimes I read to expand my knowledge. Often I read to grow in my spiritual journey.
While I generally enjoy all of the books I choose to read, certain books stand out above others.
As a Christian, obviously the Bible is the top of any list, but I wanted to share 5 other books that have influenced my life.
- The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel – I love the way this book brings science into alignment with scripture and gives irrefutable evidence of our God!
- When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado – One of the first books I ever read of Lucado’s and I immediately fell in love with his writing style. Scripture coupled with simple, yet impactful storytelling make for a rich experience. God cares. Over and over, Biblical and real life stories shout the truth of God’s unequaled love for us. It is hope. We all need hope.
- Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning – The language alone in this book makes it worthy of reading. Beautiful words and imagery conveyed. What makes the book an influencer for me though, is how it gets to the root of internal struggles with our humanity, our imposter and purges the secular to make room for the sacred.
- Bad Girls of the Bible series by Liz Curtis Higgs – If you have never read a Liz Curtis Higgs book, start with this series. Think God cannot use your mistakes for His glory? This series illustrates the very bad, somewhat bad and not so bad girls that God used to bring about kingdom work. Rest assured He absolutely can use you.
- God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man by Cornelia Walker Bailey – I love history. Always have. This book made me want to know more about the Native American and African American experiences as part of the larger story of U.S. history. Stories that you don’t learn in school, yet are so important. This book led me to read so many others and to cultivate a heart for people who continue to live marginalized in our “advanced” society.
