Books can be life changing. Aside from primary religious texts, many books have shaped our beliefs and influenced our faith. Huff Post Religion asked our community to name one religious book that changed their life.

The flood of responses ranged from classic to modern. Titles ranged well-known authors to no name writers. Our collection is below. There’s C.S. Lewis. There’s Dalai Lama. There’s self-help manuals like The Four Agreements. There are novels of spiritual journeys like The Alchemist. Take a peek.
What is your favorite on this list? What books are we missing? Comment below and tell us, what religious book changed your life?


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  • The Screwtape Letters

    By C.S. Lewis Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-Proposes-Toast/dp/0060652896/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998780&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Screwtape+Letters" target="_hplink"> Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Alchemist

    By Paulo Coelho <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346098346&sr=1-1&keywords=the+alchemist" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Siddhartha

    By Hermann Hesse <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Dover-Thrift-Editions-Hermann/dp/0486406539/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346097823&sr=1-1&keywords=Hesse" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • God Has a Dream

    By Desmond Tutu Via Amazon.com

  • Man's Search for Meaning

    By Viktor E. Frankl Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998673&sr=1-1&keywords=Man's+Search+for+Meaning+by+Viktor+Frankl" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Seven Storey Mountain

    By Thomas Merton <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Storey-Mountain-Thomas-Merton/dp/0156010860/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345847121&sr=1-1&keywords=Seven+Story+Mountain----Thomas+Merton" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Powers That Be

    By Walter Wink via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Powers-That-Be-Millennium/dp/0385487525/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345842450&sr=8-1&keywords="The+Powers+That+Be"+-+Walter+Wink" target="_hplink">Amazon.com </a>

  • Don't be Sad

    by Al-Qarni via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Sad-Aaidh-Abdullah-al-Qarni/dp/B005SXYX2K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345843175&sr=1-1&keywords=Don't+be+Sad+-+By+Al-Qarni" target="_hplink">Amazon.com </a>

  • Love Wins

    by Rob Bell <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Wins-About-Heaven-Person/dp/0062049658/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345844458&sr=1-1&keywords=Love+Wins+rob+bell" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Art of Happiness

    By Dalai Lama <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Happiness-Troubled-World/dp/0767920643/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345845016&sr=1-2&keywords=Art+of+Happiness" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Prophet

    By Kahlil Gibran <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Kahlil-Gibran--Author-/dp/B004WGJ5IG/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345845268&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Prophet+~+Kahlil+Gibran" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Power of Positive Thinking

    by Norman Vincent Peale via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-If-Think/dp/0671765914/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345845536&sr=1-2&keywords=Norman+Vincent+Peale's+THE+POWER+OF+POSITIVE+THINKING" target="_hplink">Amazon.com </a>

  • The Celestine Prophecy

    by James Redfield <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celestine-Prophecy-James-Redfield/dp/0446671002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345846001&sr=1-1&keywords=Celestine+Prophecy" target="_hplink"> Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Insurrection

    by Peter Rollins <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insurrection-Believe-Human-Doubt-Divine/dp/1444703420/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345846257&sr=1-2&keywords=Insurrection+-+Peter+Rollins" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Comfortable with Uncertainty

    by Pema Chodron <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Comfortable-Uncertainty-Cultivating-Fearlessness-Compassion/dp/1590306260/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345846886&sr=1-2&keywords=Comfortable+with+Uncertainty+by+Pema+Chodron" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Love and Will

    Rollo May <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Will-Rollo-May/dp/0393330052/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345847567&sr=1-1&keywords=Love+and+Will+....Rollo+May" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Church

    Hans Kung <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Church-Hans-K%C3%BCng/dp/0860121992/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345847903&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=%26%238206%3B"Credo"+%28Hans+K%C3%BCng%29" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • Fasting and Prayer

    By Steven Brooks <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fasting-Prayer-Gods-Nuclear-Power/dp/0768441153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345850584&sr=8-1&keywords=An+Insight+into+Heaven-D.G.S.Dhinakaran" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • Free to Choose

    By Milton Friedman <a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/Free-Choose-Statement-Milton-Friedman/dp/0156334607/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345850757&sr=1-1&keywords=Free+to+choose+-+Milton+Friedman" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Reading the Bible Again The First Time

    by Marcus J. Borg <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Bible-Again-First-Time/dp/0060609192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345851055&sr=1-1&keywords=Reading+the+Bible+Again+for+the+First+Time" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Conversations With God

    By Neale Donald Walsh Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Book-Honesty-Courage/dp/157174679X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1345997086&sr=8-6&keywords=Conversations+with+God%2C+Neale+Donald+Walsch" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Four Agreements

    By Don Miguel Ruiz via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345997326&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Four+Agreements+by+Don+Miguel+Ruiz" target="_hplink">via Amazon.com </a>

  • God of Surprises

    By Gerard W Hughes Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Surprises-Gerard-W-Hughes/dp/0232527253/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345997821&sr=1-2&keywords=The+God+of+Surprises+by+Gerard+Hughes" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Myth of a Christian Nation

    By Gregory A. Boyd Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Myth-Christian-Nation-Destroying/dp/0310267307" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • With Roots in Heavon

    By Rabbi Tirzah Firestone Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/With-Roots-Heaven-Passionate-Journey/dp/B000GG4FAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345998114&sr=8-1&keywords=With+Roots+in+Heaven%2C+Rabbi+Tirzah+Firestone" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Love Medicine and Miracles

    By Bernie Siegel Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Medicine-Miracles-Self-Healing-Exceptional/dp/0060919833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998250&sr=1-1&keywords=love+medicine+and+miracles" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Courage to Be

    By Paul Tillich Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Paul-Tillich/dp/0300084714/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998376&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Courage+To+Be....Paul+Tillich" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Evoling in Monkey Town

    By Rachel Held Evans Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Monkey-Town-Answers-Questions/dp/0310293995/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998527&sr=1-1&keywords="Evolving+in+Monkey+Town"+by+Rachel+Held+Evans" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • When God Becomes a Drug

    By Father Leo Booth Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Becomes-Drug-Father-Booth/dp/0874776570/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345998901&sr=1-2&keywords=when+god+becomes+a+drug" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • A Simple Path

    By Mother Teresa Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MOTHER-TERESA-Lucinda-Compiled-Varney/dp/0783815824/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345999489&sr=1-1&keywords=Mother+Teresa+-+A+Simple+Path" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Dance of Dissident Daughter

    By Sue Monk Kidd Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Dissident-Daughter-Christian-Tradition/dp/0061144908/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345999782&sr=1-1&keywords=dance+of+the+dissident+daughter" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Living Buddha, Living Christ

    By Thich Nhat Hanh Via Amazon.com <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-10th-Anniversary/dp/159448239X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345999917&sr=1-1&keywords=Living+Buddha%2C+Living+Christ" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Searching For God Know What

    By Donald Miller

  • Heaven is for Real

    By Todd Burpo <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=heaven+is+for+real" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Everyday Zen

    By Charlotte Joko Beck <a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Zen-Love-Work-Plus/dp/0061285897/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346090283&sr=8-1&keywords=Everyday+Zen" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes

    By Glenn Clark <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Will-Lift-Up-Mine-Eyes/dp/0060613947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346090460&sr=1-1&keywords=I+Will+Lift+Up+Mine+Eyes" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • An Altar in the World

    By Barbara Brown Taylor <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Altar-World-Geography-Faith/dp/0061370479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346090644&sr=1-1&keywords=Altar+in+the+World-Barbara+Brown+Taylor" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • When Things Fall Apart

    By Pema Chodron <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Fall-Apart-Difficult/dp/1570629692/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346091170&sr=1-1&keywords=when+things+fall+apart" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • A Course in Miracles

    <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Course-Miracles-Foundation-Inner-Peace/dp/1883360269/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346091019&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Course+In+Miracles" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Righteous Mind

    By Jonathan Haidt <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307377903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346091364&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Righteous+Mind%3A+Why+Good+People+Are+Divided+by+Politics+and+Religion+by+Jonathan+Haidt." target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • Angels in My Hair

    By Lorna Byrne <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angels-My-Hair-Lorna-Byrne/dp/1858788641/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346091825&sr=1-4&keywords=Lorna+Byrne+'angels+in+my+hair'" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Atlas Shrugged

    By Ayn Rand <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0452011876/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346092016&sr=1-1&keywords=Atlas+Shrugged+by+Ayn+Rand" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Hole in Our Gospel

    By Richard Stearns <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hole-Our-Gospel-Expect-Changed/dp/0849947006/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346092344&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Hole+In+Our+Gospel" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Try Giving Yourself Away

    By David Dunn <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Yourself-Away-David-Dunn/dp/0961320338/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346092512&sr=1-1&keywords=Giving+Yourself+Away%2C+by+David+Dunn" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Praying for Strangers

    By River Jordan <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Strangers-Adventure-Spirit-Paperback/dp/B0084UPTG8/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346092644&sr=1-3&keywords=Praying+for+Strangers+by+River+Jordan" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Mere Christianity

    By C.S. Lewis <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652888/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346092852&sr=1-1&keywords=mere+christianity" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Attributes of God

    By A.W. Tozer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attributes-God-Study-Guide-Journey/dp/1600661297/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346093191&sr=1-2&keywords=Knowledge+of+the+Holy+by+AW+Tozer" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • Secrets of The Vine

    By Bruce Wilkinson <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Vine-Breaking-Abundance-Breakthrough/dp/1590524969/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346093335&sr=1-1&keywords=Secrets+of+the+Vine" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Hero With A Thousand Faces

    By Joseph Campbell <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HERO-THOUSAND-FACES-Bollingen-XVII/dp/B001AVK6HK/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346093474&sr=1-7&keywords=Hero+With+a+Thousand+Faces+-+Joseph+Campbell" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>

  • The Spiritual Emerson

    By Ralph Waldo Emerson <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Emerson-Essential-Writings-Ralph/dp/0807077194/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346093657&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Spiritual+Emerson%3A+Essential+Writings+by+Ralph+Waldo+Emerson." target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com</a>

  • The Handy Religion Answer Book

    By John Renard <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handy-Religion-Answer-Book/dp/1578593794/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346093835&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Handy+Religion+Answer+Book" target="_hplink">Via Amazon.com </a>