This week’s Inspired By is dedicated to Jonathan Friesen, author of Both of Me and the five books that have inspired him most as an author.

Here, he shares each book that has inspired him and why.

Leif Enger’s Peace Like a River

His story is so human. Storytelling at its absolute best. I’d put it on my list twice if I could.

      A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh

I love to explore the mental struggles of my characters. He pulled off a learning disabled bear, an anxiety-riddled piglet, a deeply depressed donkey, and a tigger with ADHD, and somehow the cast brings hope. Brilliant.

Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee 

He made racial hatred as ugly as it is, and reconciliation as beautiful as it can be.

C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

He was a fearless writer. Totally unafraid to call out good and judge evil.

Henri Nouwen’s Life of the Beloved

When I need to remember I’m loved—which is often—it’s a great place to turn.