Book recommendations for a new Christian!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310266300/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/

I love CS Lewis, but depending on her reading preferences he might be a bit old-fashioned and British for her taste. If you do go with him, I'd suggest The Screwtape Letters as a first one (not counting Narnia, of course. She does have Narnia, right?) It's short, and it has a fun concept (older, more experienced demon writes advice to a junior one about how to lead humans astray) and I remember it as being kind of satirically funny while still getting its point across. Anne Lamott is a good choice. The Year of Living Biblically is not really religious, per se, but it is a thoughtful and funny book about religion and how it affects people that I think both religious and non-religious people could appreciate. It's a very finding-common-ground type of book. From a fictional point of view, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's book Good Omens , despite its religious theme, is not really what I'd consider a religious book, but under the (very funny, very good) plot there is a lot of serious thinkiness about things like the nature of evil and the role of free will. I've always thought that Les Miserables was one of the best fictional explorations of the concepts of grace and redemption out there. Again, depending on her taste the book might be a bit much for her, but there have been several movie adaptations plus the musical, so you might find something that works.

Thanks all for your suggestions - I'm busy searching them on Amazon! For those suggesting a Bible - I'm pretty sure she has one already that the church gave her. Pseudonick - good point about reading it first, I might try to do that. I guess then it will seem more like a book given with a recommendation rather than OMG you're a Christian now you should read this! Thanks again - and other suggestions are welcome if there are any more to come!

The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley if she's a heady type. One Minute Wisdom by Anthony DeMello for an easy intro to general spritiual mysticism. Just about any recent title by Kathleen Norris. Poetry by Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, or Doanld Miller. And, despite the fact that he reads like the Faith Popcorn of Christianity, I have a guilty fondness for Leonard Sweet's non-denominational hipster postmodern titles like SoulSalsa and Gospel According to Starbucks. He skates about on the surface without much depth, but he does pretty amazing double-axels while he's doing it. And of course The Shack is a popular choice at the moment with an engaging story and some downright deep theological reflection.

Possibly "The Prophet" by the Christian Lebanese writer/poet Khalil Gibran? It's not religious so much as "inspirational" and I read it first when I was 16 and found it enormously moving and beautiful. It might not be exactly what you're looking for but thought I'd throw that in the mix anyway.

I'd recommend Donald Miller's "Through Painted Deserts." It's a story about a roadtrip he and a friend went on; I think it's more fun and less pointed than Blue Like Jazz. Still spiritual and meaningful and whatever - and Miller is a talented writer - and hey, what 19 year old doesn't like road trips? I personally think CS Lewis is a bit heavy-handed for what you're wanting. Maybe his sci-fi "Out of the Silent Planet" would be okay, if she's into Tolkienesque scifi. Actually, if she's into scifi at all, go with "Flatland." Classic, that.

Seconding psuedonick, I'm a big fan of Donald Miller and Blue Like Jazz. His work is very good and shows that Christianity does not just reside inside a church or is limited to the old folks.

After the Bible, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is the best book on Christianity. After that, something less dry and more fun is http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060688246/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/, by Sheldon Vanauken. It reads like a novel and is a GREAT introduction to Christianity as well as C.S. Lewis. I should also recommend http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Kreeft/e/B000APBQD0/ref=sr_tc_2_0. He is a philosopher and a Christian whose books are at once profound yet very accessible. (His book, Prayer for Beginners, is the best modern book on prayer.)

Came to suggest C. S. Lewis, but it's pretty heavy duty and doesn't sound like what you're looking for. I think Anne Lamott fits your criteria perfectly - her writing consists of first person stories about her life and faith. She is very candid about her struggles, life, and her relationship with God.