12 Books That Could Change Your LIfe

In our fast-paced, modern world, it can be difficult to develop the discipline to slow down long enough to read a book. We like our information in bite-sized, on-demand, tweet-able lengths, but real wisdom doesn’t happen in a microwave; it happens in a crock pot! It takes time. There’s no substitute for a good book.

There have been hundreds of books that have shaped my life, and I’m not going to try to make this a “Top Twelve” list, because at different seasons of my life, my list of most important books would change. Instead, I’m going to share some books I’ve read recently that have impacted me deeply. I believe these books could have a profound impact in your life as well. I’m also giving special preference to books you might never have heard of before (even though many of these are bestsellers). I find great satisfaction in introducing someone to a hidden gem they might have never found otherwise.

If you read one of these books each month, in twelve months you will have completed the list and I believe your life could be better by this time next year. Seriously.

As a quick disclaimer, I’m not including the Bible on this list, because the Bible is in its own category. Read it daily!

So, without further ado, here are twelve books that could change your life .

By: Dave Willis

1. "Abba's Child" By Brennan Manning

This is one of the few books I’ve ever read and then re-read. I’m usually lucky to get all the way through a book the first time! This book was different. Manning’s raw, unfiltered, authentic style combined with the important topics covered in the book were transformational for me. “Abba” is the intimate expression for “Dad” or “Papa” that Jesus used when talking to God the Father and He invites us to approach Him with that same level of intimacy. This book helped me rediscover my identity as a child of God and removed so much clutter and stress that comes from building our identity on anything or anyone else.

2. "Ghost Boy" By Martin Pistorius

I love biographies and autobiographies, and this is unlike any other true story I’ve read. Martin Pistorius slipped into a coma as a child and was misdiagnosed as being virtually brain dead, but he was aware and alert through it all. A miraculous set of circumstances helped him emerge from his catatonic state years later and he wrote his journey in his own words. I laughed and I cried multiple times in just the first few pages. It’s one of the most powerful and profound stories of faith and perseverance I’ve ever read.

3. "Extreme Ownership" By Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

This is a book I’m currently in the process of reading, but it’s already having such a profound impact on my thinking that I had to include it on this list. It’s written by two Navy SEALS and it includes harrowing tales of heroism plus some very practical application to how their SEAL training can apply to every aspect of life. The foundation of the book is to take “extreme ownership” meaning we should stop making excuses and blaming circumstances and embrace the accountability and responsibility for our own circumstances. It’s inspiring, entertaining and it’s challenging me to rethink my approach to some things from work to goals to relationships.

4. "The Great Divorce" By C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is my all-time favorite author. Everything from his epic "Chronicles of Narnia" to his works on explaining the faith like "Mere Christianity" have been foundational to me. I recommend everything he’s ever written. I chose “The Great Divorce” for this list, because it’s arguably one of his lesser-known titles but it’s profoundly brilliant. It’s an epic allegory about a bus ride that goes from hell to heaven. It’s a short book with an immensely entertaining and creative plot and a powerful message about heaven and hell and the ways both realities can be birthed in our lives long before we actually die.

5. "Unbroken" By Laura Hillenbrand

Okay, with this one I’m breaking my rule about books being lesser known because "Unbroken" is one of the most popular books of the past decade. Still, I had to include it on this list, because few books in my lifetime have moved me as deeply as the true story of Louis Zamperini as told through Hillenbrand’s masterful writing style. I saw the movie after reading the book, and while the movie was decent, the book is life-changing. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I completed it.

6. "The Kindness Challenge" By Shaunti Feldhahn

Shaunti is a dear friend of mine and she actually wrote the foreward to one of my books. She’s had some huge bestsellers including "For Women Only" and "For Men Only" among others. Her cutting-edge relationship research has been cited and quoted in nearly every popular relationship book in the last decade. "The Kindness Challenge" is one of her newest books and while it’s isn’t as well known as some of the others, I believe it’s one of the best books on the market. Her research and true stories about the power of kindness combined with the “challenge” of how to implement kindness as a lifestyle has the power to potentially change your outlook on life and transform the climate of your relationships.

7. "Talking About God" By Steve and Cheri Saccone

This book is brand new and the authors are my friends, but I was able to read an advance copy and it blew me away. The book is a series of six conversations with real people about issues covering every imaginable aspect of faith and friendship. The book reads like the best page-turning fiction, but it’s true and the message is powerful and profound. It’s very entertaining; but it is much more than that. It’s powerful. It challenged me to be a better follower of Christ and a better friend to the people He has placed in my life.

8. "Marriage On The Rock" By Jimmy Evans

As a marriage writer and speaker, you probably already knew there was going to be at least one marriage book on this list! There are many I could have chosen, but I picked "Marriage on the Rock" for several reasons. First of all, Jimmy and Karen Evans have modeled out these timeless principles in their own lives and have taught countless others to do the same. This isn’t just a book but a lifestyle for them. Secondly, this book is a clear and practical guide for what it means to truly build a marriage on the “Rock” of God’s word. A marriage built on the Rock can weather any storm.

9. "The Prodigal God" By Timothy Keller

Tim Keller is one of my favorite authors. He’s a modern day C.S. Lewis with a beautiful blend of academic brilliance and down-to-earth common sense. In this short-but-powerful volume, he unpacks Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son recorded in Luke chapter 15. It’s a story I’ve heard hundreds of time, but Keller’s telling of it made it brand new for me and helped me get a beautiful glimpse of God’s grace like few books I’ve ever read. Whether you’re a Bible scholar or completely clueless about Christianity, this short book could change your life.

10. "Wreck My Life" By Mo Isom Aiken

I had the privilege to traveling to Israel with Mo, her husband, Jeremiah, and a team of young influencers from all walks of life and it was a life-changing experience for me. On the flight to Israel, I read Mo’s book and it was incredible. She was a soccer star at LSU and using her phenomenal athletic career as a backdrop for the narrative, she shares powerful life lessons about relationships, faith, eating disorders, identity and many other hard-hitting issues. She has a unique blend of toughness and tenderness. Her stories show in both moments of great victories and great vulnerability. I was inspired as I read it and you will be too!

11. "The Noticer" By Andy Andrews

Once I started this book, I’m not sure if I put it down! It’s written in a unique style blending fiction with powerful life lessons. In many ways, it’s a modern-day parable with profound wisdom infused onto every page. You’ll read it quickly, but it’s life-changing lessons will stay with you for a long time! I’m so glad I read this one.

12. "Jesus Prom" By Jon Weece

"Jesus Prom" is numerically “last” on the list, but it is certainly not least. I loved this book! Jon is the real deal and the true stories in "Jesus Prom" made me laugh, made me cry and challenged me to love people with the extravagant love and grace of Jesus. This book will help you cast aside religious rigidity and embrace the full, abundant and fun life that faith in Jesus should bring!