8 Christian Fiction Books Worth Packing This Summer | Eden.co.uk

Skip the throwaway bestsellers this summer. These 8 Christian fiction classics — all featured in 100 Books That Changed the Church — will feed your soul as well as your imagination.

Summer is a season for reading — long evenings, slower days, a little more space to breathe. But if your holiday reading pile tends to feel a bit hollow by the time you get home, perhaps this is the year to try something with a little more soul.

Every one of the books below appeared in Premier Christianity's landmark list of 100 Books That Changed the Church — which gathered expert voices, publisher data, and listener votes from across the UK church.

These aren't just great stories. They're books that have shaped lives, sparked conversions, and lingered with readers for decades. Here's why each one deserves a place in your bag this summer.

1. The Pilgrim's Progress By John Bunyan

Written in a Bedford jail in the 1670s, Bunyan's allegory of Christian's journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City remains one of the most-read books in the English language outside the Bible. Deceptively simple, endlessly rich — ideal for a long journey.

Loved by Eden Customers

“Pilgrim's Progress is rich with Scripture. I have used it in my devotions and Bible study. Everyone should read this. It will change your life.” Dolores, Eden Customer

“I can't believe this was written hundreds of years ago. An amazing book. I recommend it, not only to Christians but to everyone/anyone who may wish to understand a true Christian life.” Alan, Eden Customer

The Pilgrim's Progress

The Classic Allegory of the Christian Life

£1.203 In Stock

Add to basket

The true nature of the Christian life - one of exciting adventure beset with dangers and difficulties - is brilliantly portrayed in Bunyan's classic allegory. The author vividly portrays key features of Christian experience, such as the Slough of Despond, and familiar characters, such as Mr. Worldly Wiseman, in a way that brings encouragement, warning and correction to every believer.

In this edition, an attempt has been made to make the text as clear and readable as possible whilst retaining the original language of Bunyan's day. Explanatory notes and a short biography are also included.

"Next to the Bible, the book I value most is Pilgrim's Progress. I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times. It is a volume of which I never seem to tire; and the secret of its freshness is that it is so largely compiled from the Scriptures. It is really Biblical teaching put into the form of a simple yet very striking allegory."

- C. H. SPURGEON

2. Redeeming Love By Francine Rivers

A retelling of the book of Hosea set in the California Gold Rush, this is a novel of breath-taking grace. Angel, sold into prostitution as a child, cannot fathom why anyone — let alone God — would love her unconditionally. One of the most emotionally powerful works of Christian fiction ever written by much loved Biblical fiction writer Francine Rivers. It was also made into a blockbuster film Redeeming Love DVD if you fancy watching rather than reading.

Loved by Eden Customers

“I really enjoyed this book, it was a very good read.” Mary, Eden Customer

Redeeming Love

Bestselling Powerful Retelling of the Book of Hosea

£11.335 In Stock

Add to basket

Redeeming Love, Francine River's classic romantic novel of love amid the chaos of California's gold rush proves the perfect setting for her revealing re-enactment of the story of Hosea.

Angel, sold into prostitution as a child, survives by keeping her hatred for men alive. Then she meets Michael Hosea who loves her unconditionally. Day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance, her heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. So Angel runs...

Redeeming Love, Francine River's classic romantic novel of love amid the chaos of California's gold rush proves the perfect setting for her revealing re-enactment of the story of Hosea.

3. The Screwtape Letters By C.S. Lewis

A senior demon writes letters of advice to his nephew about how to corrupt a newly converted Christian. C.S. Lewis's satirical masterpiece turns spiritual warfare into something darkly funny and unnervingly accurate. A book you'll be quoting for years.

Loved by Eden Customers

“C. S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" stand to this day as one of the most vivid insights into the mindsets and machinations of demons -- and as such, it can be of immense practical importance to the life of a Christian in our times. His style, of course, is unique and inimitable, a testament to the beauty and creativity of the English language, and certainly not difficult to follow even for someone new to his work.” Pavlos, Eden Customer

The Screwtape Letters

Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil

£10.026 In Stock

Add to basket

On its first appearance, The Screwtape Letters was immediately recognized as a milestone in the history of popular theology. Now, in it's 70th Anniversary Year, and having sold over half a million copies, it is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil.

This profound and striking narrative takes the form of a series of letters from Screwtape, a devil high in the Infernal Civil Service, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior colleague engaged in his first mission on earth trying to secure the damnation of a young man who has just become a Christian. Although the young man initially looks to be a willing victim, he changes his ways and is 'lost' to the young devil.

Dedicated to Lewis's friend and colleague J.R.R. Tolkien, The Screwtape Letters is a timeless classic on spiritual warfare and the invisible realities which are part of our religious experience.

4. The Shack By William P. Young

A grieving father receives an invitation to return to the remote shack where his daughter was murdered — and encounters the Trinity in unexpected, extraordinary form. Controversial in some circles, profoundly moving in many more. Few novels grapple so honestly with pain, doubt, and the nature of God.

If you loved The Shack then you’ll be very excited to know the sequel Return to the Shack is due out this October 2026!

Eden Customer Reviews

“I’ve never read a book that challenges my thoughts and beliefs like this story. First try, I couldn’t get passed the first few chapters that left me grieving and angry for what happened to one of the characters. When I picked it up again, I couldn’t put it down. It provides a new way of looking at God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit that truly makes you think. But greater than that it’s the way the writer delves into the deep, dark thoughts about justice and grace, mercy and love. One of those books you never forget. And there’s a film too.”

“A great book for broadening your view of God and His characteristics (we often put him in a box!) and for anyone that has gone through circumstances that cause you to question His presence or your salvation, then this is a good one for you!”

“I really appreciated the fact that, although I didn't agree with every theological detail, this book gave me a wonderfully expanded jumping-off point for thinking about God. It actually helped me to process how I 'understand' the Trinity and God's nature. At times I had to remind myself it is a novel. Very moving. Very powerful. Very useful.”

The Shack

Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity

£9.981 In Stock

Add to basket

'The Shack', from first time novelist William Paul Young, gives you a run-away best selling novel with a surprising and unconventional explanation of The Trinity and a refreshing view of God's grace and all accepting love.

With its story of the restoration of a man torn in two by grief and guilt, The Shack has become a landmark in Christian faith based fiction. Opening up the understanding of The Trinity even to those with no deep knowledge of theology the New York Times bestseller sparked praise and controversy in equal amounts at all levels of church involvement - from new Christians to theological scholars.

Reasons to buy and give 'The Shack' by William Paul Young:

For an engaging novel of life changing divine love and grace

To discover God in a world filled with unspeakable pain

For a new and unconventional explanation of the Holy Trinity

To appreciate the all embracing comfort and acceptance of God

For a novel that introduces another to faith based fiction

To begin the process of restoration in one torn by grief and loss

---- The Shack - Where tragedy confronts eternity

The faith based novel that caused a stir in the church and in literary circles, 'The Shack' is a book people should read before making their own judgement. It is a fantastic growing phenomenon, as originally The Shack was never intended to be published and its initial production produced 14 copies that were intended for friends. That has now risen to the production and the selling of over 4 million copies worldwide and becoming a New York Times bestseller.

---- The Shack - Plot of a Deeply Spiritual Novel

The pain in this novel is that Mackenzie Allen Philips? youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.

Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, ostensibly from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgement he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare.

---- The Author - About William Paul Young

William Paul Young, known by his friends and family as Paul is a self-proclaimed 'accidental' author with 'The Shack' being originally written for his 6 children as a present. He wrote as a way to provide unique gifts to his friends and family and this was the birth of 'The Shack'. Living in Canada with his wife and children Paul was raised by missionary parents and he has lived a life where he created his shack, which he describes as a place that is filled with issues and hurt.

"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel of the order of The Shack."

- Eugene Peterson, author of The Message.

Reasons to buy and give 'The Shack' by William Paul Young:

For an engaging novel of life changing divine love and grace

To discover God in a world filled with unspeakable pain

For a new and unconventional explanation of the Holy Trinity

To appreciate the all embracing comfort and acceptance of God

For a novel that introduces another to faith based fiction

To begin the process of restoration in one torn by grief and loss

---- The Shack - Where tragedy confronts eternity

---- The Shack - Plot of a Deeply Spiritual Novel

---- The Author - About William Paul Young

"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel of the order of The Shack."

- Eugene Peterson, author of The Message.

5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe By C.S. Lewis (The Narnia Series)

Four children step through a wardrobe into a frozen world ruled by a White Witch. Aslan, the great lion, is among the most compelling Christ-figures in all of literature. Whether you're reading it for the first or the tenth time, Narnia still has the power to move you.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Chronicles of Narnia (2)

£7.531 In Stock

Add to basket

Open a door and enter a magical world.

A beautiful paperback edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, book two in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with cover and interior art by the original illustrator, Pauline Baynes.

Four adventurous siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie – step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. This is a stand-alone read, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, pick up The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Open a door and enter a magical world.

6. The Lord of the Rings By J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien himself called this "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work." Middle-earth is steeped in themes of providence, sacrifice, hope against impossible odds, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people. Block out a fortnight. It's worth it.

It was also recently voted Number 1 in The Guardian’s Reader’s Top 100 Novels of All Time list.

The Lord of the Rings

Boxed Set

£24.20Available

Free UK Delivery

Add to basket

All three parts of The Lord of the Rings in one paperback, with brand new packaging and for the first time containing the definitive edition of the text and a revised and expanded index. Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. One hundred million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors' editions become prized and valuable items of publishing. Now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first publication, the text has been fully restored with almost 400 corrections -- with the full co-operation of Christopher Tolkien -- making it the definitive version of the text, and as close as possible to the version that J.R.R. Tolkien wanted. In addition to now having the definitive version of the text, this paperback edition containing all three parts of the story features special packaging to commemorate the golden anniversary of the Nation's Big Read.

7. The Left Behind Series By Jerry B. Jenkins & Tim LaHaye

Beginning at the moment of the Rapture, the Left Behind series swept through the global church in the late 1990s and early 2000s, selling over 65 million copies. Whatever your theology of end times, these thrillers sparked serious conversations about faith, eternity, and urgency.

It was even turned into an action movie starring action legend Nicolas Cage - Left Behind DVD back in 2015.

Left Behind Vol 1

A Novel of the Earth's Last Days

£10.741 In Stock

Add to basket

An airborne Boeing 747 is headed to London when, without any warning, passengers mysteriously disappear from their seats. Terror and chaos slowly spread not only through the plane but also worldwide as unusual events continue to unfold.

For those who have been left behind, the apocalypse has just begun.

A repackage of the New York Times best-selling novel Left Behind.

8. The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, Christian Speaker, Aged 45¾ By Adrian Plass

Nobody captures the gentle absurdity of church life quite like Adrian Plass. If you've ever sat in a pew thinking am I the only one who finds this all a bit baffling?, this diary is for you. Warm, funny, and quietly profound — a perfect poolside companion.

Why This Summer Is Different

The books above aren't airport novels you'll leave behind in a holiday apartment (although you could if you were thinking evangelistically!).

They're the kind of stories that travel home with you — in your thinking, your conversations, your prayers.

Premier Christianity and Eden recognised each one as impactful in the Church. Imagine what they might do for your own faith given a few unhurried weeks this summer.

📖 Browse the full 100 collection here: https://www.eden.co.uk/premier-top-100-christian-books-list/