I had a random thought just now. Maybe I’d list some of the books I’ve read that challenged and changed me the most. It’s nowhere near a comprehensive list because I’ll think of one or two more that I should have added at 2 or 3 am.

But here is a list coming straight off the top of my head (including some series):

1. The Valley of Vision – a collection of Puritan Prayers
2. Hinds’ Feet on High Places – Hannah Hurnard
3. The Normal Christian Life – Watchman Nee
4. The Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard
5. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
6. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
7. My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers
8. 1000 Gifts – Ann Voskamp
9. The Chronicles of Narnia – C. S. Lewis
10. The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien
11. The Space Trilogy – C. S. Lewis
12. The Book of Common Prayer
13. The Calvary Road – Roy Hession
14. Any of the Mitford books by Jan Karon
15. Foxes’ Book of Martyrs
16. The Mark of a Man – Elisabeth Elliott
17. Evidence not Seen – Darlene Deibler Rose
18. Morning and Evening – Charles Spurgeon
19. Telling the Truth – Frederick Beuchner
20. The Princess & the Goblin/The Princess & Curdie – George MacDonald
21. The Hiding Place – Corrie ten Boom
22. Gold by Moonlight – Amy Carmichael
23. Imitation of Christ – Thomas a Kempis
24. The Return of the Prodigal – Henri Nouwen
25. Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning
26. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire- Jim Cymbala

If I tried really hard (and really wanted to), I could have made this list ten times as long. I could probably name at least twice as many books that altered the course of my life and forever changed the way I think. But one that I left out on purpose but see as the ultimate #1 book is the Bible. Every other book influences me by how it restates and translates biblical themes in a new and fresh way.

Maybe one day, I’ll do another list. Or maybe I’ll list all the music and movies that influenced me. I’d love to hear some of the books that changed you for the better. I’m always looking for a new read, so maybe I’ll add your suggestions to my ever-growing list of books to read.