The 50 best religion and spirituality books
The best religion and spirituality books ranked: scripture, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and modern spiritual reading. A top 50 with where to read.
This list brings together scripture, devotional classics, introductions to the world's faiths and thoughtful books about doubt. It covers Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism, along with modern spiritual writers.
These are editorial picks, ranked for readability and lasting appeal, and nobody pays to be on the list. Not sure where to start? Try the book finder and get three picks for your mood.
Top 50 religion & spirituality books, ranked
-
The Holy Bible (NIV)
The Old and New Testaments in a widely read modern translation.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Quran (Saheeh International Translation)
The central text of Islam, in English translation.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Bhagavad Gita
The dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna on duty and the self.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Dhammapada
Sayings of the Buddha in verse.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Mere Christianity
A defence of the Christian faith.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Screwtape Letters
Letters from a senior demon to his nephew.
- Funny
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Problem of Pain
Why a good God allows suffering.
- Thoughtful
- Moving
Where to read
-
A Grief Observed
Lewis's notes after the death of his wife.
- Moving
Where to read
-
The Purpose Driven Life
What on earth am I here for?
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Case for Christ
A journalist investigates the evidence for Jesus.
- Thoughtful
- Gripping
Where to read
-
Knowing God
A classic on the Christian life.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Cost of Discipleship
What it means to follow Christ.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Confessions
An autobiography and prayer.
- Thoughtful
- Moving
Where to read
-
Summa Theologica
The great medieval work of Christian theology.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Imitation of Christ
A devotional classic.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Orthodoxy
A defence of Christian belief.
- Thoughtful
- Funny
Where to read
-
The Return of the Prodigal Son
A meditation on Rembrandt's painting.
- Moving
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Power of Now
A guide to spiritual awakening through living in the present.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Heart of Buddha's Teaching
Transforming suffering into peace, joy and liberation.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Peace Is Every Step
The path of mindfulness in everyday life.
- Thoughtful
- Cozy
Where to read
-
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Art of Happiness
A handbook for living.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Ethics for the New Millennium
A secular approach to ethics.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Book of Joy
Lasting happiness in a changing world.
- Inspiring
- Moving
Where to read
-
When Things Fall Apart
Heart advice for difficult times.
- Thoughtful
- Moving
Where to read
-
Autobiography of a Yogi
The life of an Indian yogi and his spiritual journey.
- Inspiring
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Upanishads
The ancient Sanskrit texts of Hindu philosophy.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Mahabharata
The great Sanskrit epic of the Kuru dynasty.
- Gripping
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Book of Mormon
A scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Man's Quest for God
A reflection on Jewish thought.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
God Is Not Great
How religion poisons everything.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The God Delusion
A scientist argues against religion.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Case for God
What religion really means.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
A History of God
The 4,000-year quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time
A concise biography.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Sealed Nectar
A biography of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
In the Footsteps of the Prophet
Lessons from the life of Muhammad.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Fortress of the Muslim
A collection of Islamic supplications.
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
Reclaim Your Heart
Personal reflections on life, faith and relationships.
- Thoughtful
- Moving
Where to read
-
Qasas ul Anbiya
Stories of the prophets.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Idea of the Holy
On the non-rational factor in the idea of the divine.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Varieties of Religious Experience
A study in human nature.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The World's Religions
Our great wisdom traditions.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
The Case for Faith
A journalist investigates the toughest objections.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Jesus, Interrupted
Revealing the hidden contradictions in the Bible.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Misquoting Jesus
The story behind who changed the Bible and why.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
-
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources
A widely read biography of the Prophet.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
-
The Reason for God
Belief in an age of scepticism.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
Each link opens that store’s search for the book. Availability and prices vary by store and country. We may earn a commission from some stores, which never changes the ranking.
Types of religion & spirituality books
Looking for something more specific? These are the main kinds of religion & spirituality, with the sort of story or subject each one covers.
Scripture and sacred texts
The Bible, Quran, Gita and Dhammapada.
Islamic books
Biography, supplications and reflections.
Christian classics
Lewis, Augustine and Bonhoeffer.
Buddhism and mindfulness
Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama.
Comparative religion
Histories and overviews of faiths.
Doubt and atheism
Books that question belief.
Want to write and publish your own religion & spirituality book?
Many readers of this page are also writers. The stores in the lists above are where readers find books, while Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Lulu and Draft2Digital are the tools authors use to publish and distribute a book to those stores. You can also publish to Barnes & Noble Press and Google Play Books directly.
Our free KDP calculators help with print cost, royalties and cover size, and our publishing services can take care of setup for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which book should I read to learn about different religions?
The World's Religions by Huston Smith and A History of God by Karen Armstrong are standard introductions.
Are the sacred texts translated?
Yes. Where a translation is listed, search for the translator you prefer, since English editions differ.
Where can I read or buy the best religion & spirituality books?
Each of the 50 books has links to Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble and Google Play Books. Authors who want to publish their own religion & spirituality book can start with our free guides to Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu and Draft2Digital.
Not sure what to read next?
Pick a genre and a mood and the book finder will suggest three books to try.