The most recommended books about heaven

Who picked these books? Meet our 18 experts.

18 authors created a book list connected to heaven, and here are their favorite heaven books.
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Book cover of Kingdom Come

Randy C. Dockens Author Of Rebellion in the Stones of Fire

From my list on stories about angels and heaven.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by science fiction and by Biblical Scripture. That may seem dichotomous to some, but not to me. I have a passion for science and for Scripture because both bring understanding about our world from the microcosm to the macrocosm. My writings are a mixture of science and mystery with a science fiction feel and a Christian perspective. I like stories that show how truth arises even from the dark, confusing, and ambiguity of life to help one discover something about God they may not have considered before, and at the same time enjoy a fun, fast-paced, and exciting journey as they read.

Randy's book list on stories about angels and heaven

Randy C. Dockens Why did Randy love this book?

One could say there are different stages of heaven. This book talks about how wonderful things will one day be on earth but shows that paradise is not paradise just because the devil doesn’t exist anymore. A plot develops to go against the king who has brought wonderment to the earth. It is the story of how peacefulness meets mankind at its selfish core. There are more Bible quotes that I would think would be necessary to go into a fiction story, but overall it is a good presentation to show what this future world will look like and function.

By Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kingdom Come as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The sequel to the best-selling Christian fiction series that has sold over 63 million copies!

Reunite with all your favorite characters and see how they fare in this capstone final title of the Left Behind saga.

The horrors of the Tribulation are over, and Jesus Christ has set up his perfect kingdom on earth. Believers all around the world enjoy a newly perfected relationship with their Lord, and the earth itself is transformed. Yet evil still lurks in the hearts of the unbelieving. As the Millennium draws to a close, the final generation of the unrepentant prepares to mount a…


Book cover of Heaven Knows What

Joseph Polansky Author Of A Spiritual Look at the 12 Signs: An Introduction to Spiritual Astrology

From my list on astrology for beginners.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a full-time practicing astrologer who’s been in practice for over 35 years. There’s a lot of misconceptions about this noblest and holy science and I’ve written extensively over the years to explain things to the best of my ability. I am the author of Sun Sign Success, Pendulum Power, Your Personal Horoscope (a series that is going on for 29 years now), The Magic Stone, A Spiritual View Of The 12 Signs, The Moving Universe, and numerous articles in the astrological press. I live in Florida and I deal with an international clientele.

Joseph's book list on astrology for beginners

Joseph Polansky Why did Joseph love this book?

Grant Lewi was a legendary astrologer. He was the editor of Dell’s Horoscope magazine in the 1930s and '40s. He died in 1951 and this book is most likely out of print, but you can still get it on the Internet. He was such a master that he simplified the casting and interpretation of Horoscopes to a level that beginners could understand. A great entry point into astrology. The legend is that he knew the date of his death from his horoscope and bought a large life insurance policy shortly before that! His heirs did well and he paid next to nothing.

By Grant Lewi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Heaven Knows What as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book by Lewi, Grant


Book cover of The Resurrected

Rob E. Boley Author Of That Risen Snow

From my list on for readers who are sick of zombies.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading horror books and watching horror movies since I was entirely too young to do either—thanks to my father’s collection of Stephen King books and my uncle’s love of horror movies. Now I’m a horror writer and wake early each morning to make blank pages darker. Zombies remain one of my favorite horror sub-genres. There’s something relentlessly compelling about these mindless ghouls linking inside each of us waiting for some triggering event to set them loose. Maybe it’s the resulting chaos. Maybe it’s the gruesome horror. Mostly, it’s how such tales show us the fragility of our civilization and the darkness of our own nature. 

Rob's book list on for readers who are sick of zombies

Rob E. Boley Why did Rob love this book?

Originally released in ten parts as a horror serial, The Resurrected is a real treat. For starters, the zombie virus has a unique origin. The planet is hit by a series of freak storms. In the aftermath, strange flowers bloom, spreading a virus that transmits across humanity. The shocking action that follows is told from a shifting array of characters with many of their stories intertwining. My favorite thing about this book is Hart’s visceral description. Her sensory details will transport the reader right into each moment. It’s a wicked read, and features the best zombie sex scene you’ll ever read!

By Megan Hart,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Resurrected as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Resurrected, The Compendium, includes the entire contents of the original serial, parts 1-10. Some content has been revised or updated and may differ from the original. When a series of freak storms sweep across the world, they leave behind something more than devastation. First come the swift-growing flowers, smelling like heaven and dying as quickly as they bloom. Next comes the infestation as the flowers breed and multiply inside their hosts. After that, chaos, mayhem and death. And after that...resurrection.


Book cover of Oh Heavenly Dog

Sherrie DeMorrow Author Of Flight Into Space

From Sherrie's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Housewife Cat lover History buff Sci-fi & fantasy buff

Sherrie's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Sherrie DeMorrow Why did Sherrie love this book?

I loved this book because I had it as a child, and it was never read at the time. 

I only just saw the film version and wanted to read the book. I had no trouble finding it, and got down to read it. 

It is about a detective who, upon hearing about a murder, gets called out to investigate. He becomes the next victim and dies. He goes to heaven and, in order to solve his own murder, he returns to Earth as a dog.  

It is refreshing to go back and read stuff one vaguely remembers, but the details are unclear. I had remembered something about this as a child, now more clear after seeing the book and film source

By Joe Camp,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Oh Heavenly Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Dog Heaven

Marty Rhodes Figley Author Of Emily and Carlo

From my list on dogs, poetry, and dogs in poetry.

Why am I passionate about this?

Years ago, I returned to school at Mount Holyoke College to complete my bachelor’s degree in American Studies. I took a course on Emily Dickinson at the poet’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts—what a thrill! On the first day of class I learned that for sixteen years Emily’s constant companion was Carlo, a Newfoundland dog. Having experienced a hairy, slobbery encounter with a Newf when I was twenty while wearing a white dress, I knew the myth of Emily, pristinely dressed, untouched by the more earthy emotions was wrong. A new story needed to be told. That was the beginning of Emily and Carlo.

Marty's book list on dogs, poetry, and dogs in poetry

Marty Rhodes Figley Why did Marty love this book?

I’ve had friends tell me that they don’t want to love another dog because they can’t bear it when the dog dies. It’s hard to lose a pet, no matter whether you are old or young. Dog Heaven allows us to imagine our old friends in an afterlife that’s fashioned just for them. God knows what dogs like—a place to run, dog treats in funny shapes, fluffy clouds as dog beds, and special homes where they are petted and reminded how good they are all day long. This hopeful picture book offers comfort as our Angel dogs “will be there when old friends show up. They will be there at the door.” 

By Cynthia Rylant,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dog Heaven as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A comforting and playful exploration of a beloved dog's journey after a happy life on Earth.

In Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant's classic bestseller, the author comforts readers young and old who have lost a dog. Recommended highly by pet lovers around the world, Dog Heaven not only comforts but also brings a tear to anyone who is devoted to a pet. From expansive fields where dogs can run and run to delicious biscuits no dog can resist, Rylant paints a warm and affectionate picture of the ideal place God would, of course, create for man's best friend. The first picture…


Book cover of Waybound

M.G. Herron Author Of Culture Shock

From M.G.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

M.G.'s 3 favorite reads in 2024

M.G. Herron Why did M.G. love this book?

What a way to land the plane! Will Wight does not disappoint.

Waybound is the ultimate installment of Will Wight's incredible progression fantasy series, Cradle. How he managed to tie every plot thread together into a satisfying ending, both taking us farther in unexpected ways and paying off the entire series' setup from the very beginning, I'll never figure out. The characters are phenomenal, and the action is non-stop.

An epic work of fantasy fiction that's 100% worth your time. Twelve books just flew right by!

Bonus points if you listen to audio: Travis Baldree narrates.

By Will Wight,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Waybound as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For everyone who bought paperbacks of Cradle before April 2023, this edition of Waybound will NOT match the books on your shelf. This paperback is a larger size of 6x9. Search "Waybound: 5x8 Edition" or use this link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1959001116) to find the book to complete your set.
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The final book in the Cradle series!

Years ago, Lindon left his home as a powerless Unsouled. Now, he goes to war with the most powerful beings in the world over the future of Cradle itself.

The Weeping Dragon has a grudge to settle, and Lindon intends to take out the Dreadgod…


Book cover of The Dirty Streets of Heaven

RD Meyer Author Of Akeldama

From my list on revealing unexpected conspiracies.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love stories that exist within stories. I like to delve into what we think our world is about and discover the layering underneath that reveals complex relationships and real motives behind what characters do and why. One of the most fun things about a book involving conspiracies, like any good mystery, is going back through and reading a second time to see what clues I missed. Did I see this coming in advance? Did my initial perceptions of the characters hold up, or did the twist upend them completely? Should it have been obvious to me, or was it so subtle that only a master detective could’ve picked up on it? 

RD's book list on revealing unexpected conspiracies

RD Meyer Why did RD love this book?

When I think of Heaven, I think about angels, bliss, and no more sorrow. I don’t usually think about political machinations, rivalries between angelic factions, and alliances of convenience with demons. However, in this book, I found that the afterlife isn’t what we necessarily think it is, and I loved that both Heaven and Hell have their own agendas.

Doloriel, an agent of Heaven, navigates a delicate balance of keeping his boss angel happy while not losing his own soul. This task becomes more difficult when he meets a demon consort named Casimira. I found it riveting that he and Casimira discover that their bosses have their own plans, plans that might not always match the images we know of Heaven and Hell.

Book cover of Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You

Amy Larry Author Of God Above Cancer: Faith When It's Ugly

From my list on true Christian stories to point to God.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love God stories! Sharing what God has done in my life and hearing others’ stories is a passion of mine. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to grow in my faith; however, nothing matures someone faster than going through a hard season. Mine came when I was a mom of four young children and endured cancer treatments during the Covid lockdowns. I went from feeling anxious and alone to remembering God’s love. Reading others’ stories encouraged me when the weight of life brought me down, and I want to pay it forward by giving the world my story too.

Amy's book list on true Christian stories to point to God

Amy Larry Why did Amy love this book?

Thinking about the hope of heaven kept my mental health positive while going through cancer treatments.

This book includes several near-death experiences of people all over the world who literally died for a moment and saw the afterlife. As a witness to the spiritual realm, they give us vivid descriptions of heaven and what they saw while their physical bodies were dead.

These amazing stories from people of different ages and religions point to the reality of a beautiful place that I can’t wait to experience after I die.

By John Burke,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Imagine Heaven as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It's obvious from the bookshelves and the big screen that heaven is on everyone's mind. All of us long to know what life after death will be like. Bestselling author John Burke is no exception. For decades, he has been studying accounts of people who have had near-death experiences (NDEs). While not every detail of individual NDEs correlate with Scripture, Burke shows how the common experiences shared by thousands of survivors clearly point to the God of the Bible and the exhilarating picture of heaven he promises.

Imagine Heaven is an inspirational journey through the Bible's picture of heaven, colored…


Book cover of Paradiso

Barbara Newman Author Of The Permeable Self: Five Medieval Relationships

From my list on being a person in community.

Why am I passionate about this?

In my career as a medievalist, I’ve been inspired by L. P. Hartley’s maxim that “the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” At the same time, the people who live there are humans like ourselves. So, I’ve always tried to balance the alterity with the universality of the medieval past, asking big questions that bring together a wide range of sources and genres. In my forty years of teaching at Northwestern, I’ve enjoyed watching the impact of medieval texts change with each generation of students as they discover this strange yet immensely generative world. 

Barbara's book list on being a person in community

Barbara Newman Why did Barbara love this book?

Have you ever wished you could read the mind of someone you love? Medieval theologians liked to speculate about heaven, but only Dante dared to imagine its social life. I’m especially struck by how he represents telepathy as a celestial way of life. The blessed not only see God; they also see him in one another, so their minds are completely open to each other’s thoughts.

In a realm where envy is impossible, purity of soul enables a spiritual intimacy that models what community might look like in the city of the redeemed. 

By Dante, Robert Hollander (translator), Jean Hollander (translator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Paradiso as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With his journeys through Hell and Purgatory complete, Dante is at last led by his beloved Beatrice to Paradise. Where his experiences in the Inferno and Purgatorio were arduous and harrowing, this is a journey of comfort, revelation, and, above all, love-both romantic and divine. Robert Hollander is a Dante scholar of unmatched reputation and his wife, Jean, is an accomplished poet. Their verse translation with facing-page Italian combines maximum fidelity to Dante's text with the artistry necessary to reflect the original's virtuosity. They have produced the clearest, most accurate, and most readable translation of the three books of The…


Book cover of Prosecution's Protection

Kate Berberich Author Of Picture Imperfect

From my list on unpredictable protagonists.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m going to date myself horribly here, but…I’m an old-school fan of the guy in the grey hat. Think Kerr Avon of Blake’s 7. The guy you could never quite predict. Or Han Solo until about halfway through The Empire Strikes Back. Are they going to do the right thing? Are they going to follow their heart? And it’s so satisfying when they do! Of course, it’s equally satisfying when they go right ahead and sucker punch the bad guy, ‘cuz hey—only the good guys give warnings, right?

Kate's book list on unpredictable protagonists

Kate Berberich Why did Kate love this book?

Personally, I find perfect characters perfectly boring.

Give me a protagonist with a past, whose actions you can’t predict and I’m in heaven. Prosecution’s Protection features a rich cast of characters with dark secrets in their pasts which have marked them in different ways. Desmond Graves and Remi Archer have both chosen to channel their past darkness into protecting others—they just go about it very differently.

Oh, yeah—and they can’t stand each other at first. If you enjoy tales of badass heroines protecting their men, this is for you.

By Michele Leech,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Prosecution's Protection as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

After prosecuting attorney Desmond Graves is targeted by an aggressive, violent stalker, Remi Archer is hired to keep him alive, whether he wants it or not. As tempers clash and danger escalates, Desmond and Remi start to grow closer-and so does the stalker. Falling in love among a backdrop of threats, courtroom theatrics and gunfights wasn't part of Remi's plan but Desmond is the exception to her ideas of love. Drawing each other out of their self-imposed isolation and into the eye of danger, they must work together to survive, even if it means putting the other at risk.


Book cover of Kingdom Come
Book cover of Heaven Knows What
Book cover of The Resurrected

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