The Top 100 Inspirational Books: 20 - 11

20 - Wild at Heart

I don’t completely agree with everything author John Eldredge advocates in this book, but when I first read it as a junior in college it truly changed my life. In the book, Eldgredge wrestles with the church’s predominant view of masculinity (that men should be quiet, meek, tame, and all around ‘good guys’) and instead advocates for a wilder, more passionate approach to manhood. As someone who was just coming to grips with what “being a man” actually meant, and discovering that I did not really understand the concept at all, the book was eye opening. It encouraged me to look deeper at beliefs I had always held to be true, and continue to strive towards becoming a full, whole man of God.

~ Evan Derrick

Purchase "Wild at Heart" here.

17 - The Shack

A somewhat controversial, yet highly inspirational story, The Shack was written by Canadian hotel night clerk William P. Young. Unable to find a publisher, he self-published the novel, which sold spectacularly although it had no marketing or advertising. Purely on word-of-mouth, it catapulted to the top of the USA Today bestseller list, then the New York Times bestsellers list – seemingly impossible for a book without any backing. The story deals with a bereaved father who sinks deep into depression after he is powerless to prevent the brutal death of his youngest daughter. In the lean-to shack where she was killed, he meets three mystical manifestations of the Trinity. God the Father takes the form of an African American woman named Elouisa, Jesus Christ is a Middle Eastern carpenter and the Holy Spirit physically manifests itself as an Asian woman named Sarayu. In their presence, the shack is transformed into a wonderful place – in the same way that our fallen world is changed only through the power of the Almighty.

~ Rob Kerby

Purchase "The Shack" here.

15 - The BFG

On the surface The BFG is a book about child-eating giants, whizzpops, frobbscottle, and snozzcumbers, but it is actually so much more. The story of orphan Sophie, told brilliantly by Roald Dahl, is one of triumph over obstacles, dreaming big dreams, and, yes, meeting the Queen of England. It might all sound a little crazy, but you know what – life is crazy. To me, The BFG is a book about how to live life to the fullest. The BFG was a book that took my rampant imagination and blew it out of the water. It was more than a book to me – it was a world that I could come back to again and again. Believe it or not, I still go there today. No matter what is happening in life the big friendly giant is always there drinking frobbscottle, riding oliphants, and making me smile over and over again. I read a lot of books as a child, but this is the one that I’ve never been able to outgrow… and I hope I never do.

~ Stephen Russ

Purchase "The BFG" here.

14 - Born Free

Born Free is the 1960 bestselling story of Joy Adamson's love for an orphaned lion cub named Elsa – and how that love is returned unexpectedly. Joy and husband George, a Kenyan game warden, adopt three orphaned lion kittens, bottle-feed them and raise them to young lionhood. All the time, they know that it is temporary – since grown lions are too dangerous to be household pets. The two largest are sent off to Rotterdam Zoo in Holland. However, little Elsa, the runt of the litter, is allowed to remain with Joy and a deep bond is formed. However, when the enthusiastic prankster Elsa is blamed for stampeding a herd of elephants through a village, George's boss gives Joy three months to either rehabilitate Elsa to the wild, or send her to a zoo. The book describes in loving detail how Joy spends those months, teaching Elsa to hunt by dragging carcasses behind a Land Rover, then introducing her to a pride of lions in a distant game reserve. At last, Joy succeeds, and with mixed feelings and a breaking heart, she returns Elsa to the wild. A year later, the Adamsons return for a visit, hoping to find Elsa – and are stunned by their reception. An inspiring story of tough love and undying friendship.

~ Rob Kerby

Purchase "Born Free" here.

13 - Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

Of all the incredible, inspirational books that Dr. Seuss wrote, this may seem like a strange choice to be so high on our list. It certainly isn’t as well known as many of his other classics. But the simple morality tales are both entertaining and powerful. Having read them to my own daughter, I can attest to their power: “Yertle the Turtle” is the story that taught my 4 year old daughter about tyranny and justice; “Gertrude McFuzz” is the story that taught my daughter about vanity; and “The Big Brag” taught my daughter what the word ‘brag’ meant. I can still remember her eyes getting large when she learned what the word meant, looked up at me, and said, "I've been bragging myself, haven't I daddy?"

Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories isn’t just a wonderful book, it’s an indispensable parenting tool that needs to be on every family’s bookshelf.

~ Evan Derrick

Purchase "Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories" here.

12 - Through Gates of Splendor

In 1956, five missionaries, all men with wives and children, were brutally murdered by a stone-age tribe of South American natives whom they were attempting to make contact with. And if that was the end of the story, this book certainly wouldn’t be on our list. However, some of the surviving family members made the dangerous journey into the jungles and chose to live with the very men who had killed their husbands and fathers. In time, the tribe’s violent nature was overcome by the kindness and forgiveness of the missionaries. This book, written by Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of one of the slain men, chronicles that incredible story.

I had the privilege to work with Steve Saint, the son of one of the murdered missionaries, for over two years. And I remember the day he introduced me to Mincaye, the very Indian who thrust a spear into his father’s heart. As I took a hold of the small man’s calloused hand, a grin the size of the Grand Canyon spread across his warm face, and I thought to myself, This man killed Steve’s father, and here they are, laughing and joking with one another. I have never seen, nor do I ever expect to see, such a vivid and beautiful picture of God’s grace. That such a relationship exists is a testament to the reality of the gospel and the power of true forgiveness.

~ Evan Derrick

Purchase "Through Gates of Splendor" here.

11 - Pilgrim's Progress

Christian allegories are common today, but in the 1600s they were a rarity. In four hundred years, none have been able to top the Pilgrim’s Progress. The book, an undisputed part of Christianity, follows it’s “everyman” character Christian through his life of trials, burdens, and choices. It is an endearing walk through Bunyan’s theological beliefs, culminating in a gleeful, yet poignant, conclusion. While the book is a feat of inspiration, the story behind it is just as much so. Bunyan wrote the tale while in prison for hosting a then-illegal church services outside of the Church of England. He wrote until he was free the end result has gone on to inspire millions.

~ Evan Derrick

Purchase "Pilgrim's Progress" here.