100 books like The Black Prism

J.R.R. Tolkien's masterful storytelling is unmatched, and The Lord of the Rings weaves together moral dilemmas and profound philosophical ideas seamlessly, encouraging me to contemplate the nature of power, the importance of preserving the natural world, and the significance of individual choices.

The book's themes of heroism, friendship, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil resonate deeply. In addition, each of his characters feels like an aspect of oneself; the introspection it inspires is brilliant!

The Lord of the Rings instills a sense of wonder, ignites the imagination, and imparts timeless wisdom, which heavily transformed my perspective on life, my values, and my understanding of the human condition.

Andy Bannister has written this book in response to popular one-liners by new atheists, particularly Dawkins. Tired retorts comparing God to Santa Claus and the tooth fairy are hilariously dealt with by the author's dry British humour. I had a good couple of chuckles in this book. I particularly loved his imaginary friend who claimed he stole the Venus di Milo's arm, and also how he sarcastically puts trademark symbols on the words 'Science' and 'Reason'. Still, I think he does a good job of preventing his teasing from becoming a poo-flinging contest. Such a talented writer - loved this book!

This is a book aimed at Christians and regards arguments that sceptics tend to raise.  This was a great book. It wasn’t an easy read, or particularly well ordered, but it had a lot of meat and a few amazing nuggets.

Manhattan pastor Tim Keller is used to handling the toughest questions from the brightest people. This book compiles his answers to some of those, from “How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?” to the church’s responsibility for so much injustice. Keller reads widely and well, and he writes with a respectful seriousness without being ponderous or preachy.

The AMP (Amplified Bible) is a word-for-word translation with additional information in brackets to help clarify the meaning of ambiguous words and difficult passages. This is also an incredibly useful study Bible, and is more convenient than cross-referencing Strong’s numbers.

The premise of a fussy angel and a fast-living demon positions the book with humor, which I absolutely loved. As the plot unfolds, we discover that these two figures have been living on Earth for thousands of years and enjoying it. So when the demon receives word that the Apocalypse is upon them, they conspire together to subvert the ancient prophecy that predicts the world's end. LOL

The ingenuity and cleverness of these authors are top-notch, starting with the character names: The demon character is Crawley. If you recall, Satan was made a snake in the Garden of Eden after tempting Adam and Eve. But it doesn’t stop there. Crawley creates a motorway that emanates evil, with all of the issues associated with that. LOL.

What I enjoyed most about these books was the pure entertainment, blending moments of tension, thrilling suspense, and poignant emotions that resonated deeply. Loved the way it blended the occult with your classic detective novels.

I also really enjoy the character of Harry Dresden and the rich supernatural world crafted by Butcher, where Dresden operates as a supernatural detective (or wizard for hire). Plus, the writing is very similar to the detective noir styles of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, which brings unique vibes.

I was pleasantly surprised that this book became one of my favorite reads. As a psychologist, a particular quote from the book resonated deeply with me: “It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”

This fantasy novel immerses you in the journey of Kvothe, a gifted young man with a tragic past and extraordinary talents. Rothfuss masterfully weaves a tale of magic, music, and mystery that captivated me for hours.

Unlike the fleeting distractions of social media, this book offered a rich and immersive experience. While it may not be as hefty as “War and Peace,” its depth and escapism set it apart.

I enjoyed the clever world-building and its realistic yet fantastical elements. The magic system intertwines beautifully with the world.

I found myself feeling for the characters and wondering about their connection with the world and its magic. As I learned about the plot, I kept trying to predict the big pay-off and was still surprised when I learned the truth!

The book is full of clever twists and turns, and I loved how it kept me guessing. I still get shivers thinking about some of the fight scenes. 

I’m basically a big kid at heart. The story of an ordinary boy being told on his eleventh birthday he is actually a wizard, is brilliant! Hogwarts is probably the only school every kid would love to attend. Hermione is a brilliant witch if a tad bossy. But the boys would have been a bit lost without her.

It’s a story kids can relate to—as they have to go through the usual youth challenges such as new friendships, exams, and young love, albeit with a magical twist—and gain inspiration from.

As a mother of four daughters, I love stories that empower girls (and children in general), help them believe in themselves, and encourage them to reach for the stars! The value of loyal friends is a great message throughout the books as well.