My Favorite Christian Book

Besides being one of the most significant works of religious literature, John Bunyan's Christian allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress is one of the most outstanding pieces of English literature, period. The full title is more illustrative of the purpose of the book: The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come. The book is so well loved that it has been translated into over 200 languages and has not been out of print since the first publication in 1677.
Why it's a favorite. First and foremost, John Bunyan clearly struggled with all of the things that Christians so often struggle with: e.g., the temptation to seek pleasure over that which is moral, and the apathy that springs from knowing that you are and always will be a sinner. Because the author has given so much thought to these issues, the substance of the book will be poignant for any Christian of any culture and time. It is also a major source of academic study.
Second, the writing style is very interesting--almost mythological in its scope and grandeur. The allegorical character names and destinations are otherworldly, yet entirely relevant to our own lives. To give you an idea, the plot of the story is that of a man, named Christian (formerly Graceless) who is journeying to the Celestial City. Along the way, he meets Mr. Worldly Wise Man, Goodwill, Help, and Hypocrisy.
Reasons to read it. If you are a Christian and have not read this book, you really should just read it. It will substitute for any devotional, and is a great read besides. It is truly one of those books that, when read over and over again, will still elicit new concepts and interpretations. In this way, The Pilgrim's Progress is an almost-biblical parable that will enrich any Christian's walk with God.
The book is a used as a text or discussion point in many Christian colleges and universities.
For more information on John Bunyan's, The Pilgrim's Progress, check out the following resources.

• wikipedia.org - for a book with so much historical significance and material substance, wikipedia's synopsis and historical reporting is a great starting point for understanding the book.
• ntslibrary.com - this is the full-text of the book, so obviously it's a great resource for those interested in the story.