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Search our database of more than 5,000 book and audio reviews. Remember, we only review resources we recommend for your spiritual journey.
Most Spiritual Books of:
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Book Reviews
Click here to see the S&P Awards: The Best Spiritual Books of 2011
DEVOTION
India: A Sacred Geography by Diana Eck — A spellbinding survey of India's sacred landscape and the pilgrims who frequent these places and spaces.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
India: A Sacred Geography by Diana Eck — A spellbinding survey of India's sacred landscape and the pilgrims who frequent these places and spaces.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
DEVOTION
Prayer of the Heart in Christian and Sufi Mysticism by Llewellyne Vaughan-Lee — A probe of the mystical prayers of Christians and Sufis and what they have in common.
Read the Review and an excerpt on listening.
Prayer of the Heart in Christian and Sufi Mysticism by Llewellyne Vaughan-Lee — A probe of the mystical prayers of Christians and Sufis and what they have in common.
Read the Review and an excerpt on listening.
FAITH
The Book of the Elders: Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Systematic Collection by John Wortley — An authoritative and expanded collection of sayings of the Desert Fathers.
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The Book of the Elders: Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Systematic Collection by John Wortley — An authoritative and expanded collection of sayings of the Desert Fathers.
Read the Review.
HOPE
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life by Thomas M. Sterner — A comprehensive look at the important role of the practicing mind in our everyday lives.
Read the Review and an excerpt on hope.
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life by Thomas M. Sterner — A comprehensive look at the important role of the practicing mind in our everyday lives.
Read the Review and an excerpt on hope.
IMAGINATION
The Mindful Writer: Noble Truths of the Writing Life by Dinty W. Moore — A Buddhist perspective delineating the challenges and rewards of being a writer.
Read the Review and an excerpt on you.
The Mindful Writer: Noble Truths of the Writing Life by Dinty W. Moore — A Buddhist perspective delineating the challenges and rewards of being a writer.
Read the Review and an excerpt on you.
JOY
A Unified Theory of Happiness: An East Meets West Approach to Fully Loving Your Life by Andrea F. Polard — A compelling map about the good things that can grow out of a synthesis of Western science and Eastern wisdom.
Read the Review and an excerpt on teachers.
A Unified Theory of Happiness: An East Meets West Approach to Fully Loving Your Life by Andrea F. Polard — A compelling map about the good things that can grow out of a synthesis of Western science and Eastern wisdom.
Read the Review and an excerpt on teachers.
NURTURING
Freedom from Pain: Discover Your Body's Power to Overcome Physical Pain by Peter A. Levine and Maggie Phillips — A toolbox of therapies, methods, and exercises to deal with and overcome chronic pain.
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Freedom from Pain: Discover Your Body's Power to Overcome Physical Pain by Peter A. Levine and Maggie Phillips — A toolbox of therapies, methods, and exercises to deal with and overcome chronic pain.
Read the Review.
NURTURING
Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind by Sakyong Mipham — A salute to the healthy, healing, and spiritual powers of running and meditation.
Read the Review and an excerpt on nurturing.
Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind by Sakyong Mipham — A salute to the healthy, healing, and spiritual powers of running and meditation.
Read the Review and an excerpt on nurturing.
OPENNESS
The Five Keys to Mindful Communication: Using Deep Listening and Mindful Speech to Strengthen Relationships, Heal Conflicts and Accomplish Your Goals by Susan Gillis Chapman — An examination of the essential elements of mindful communication.
Read the Review and an excerpt on silence.
The Five Keys to Mindful Communication: Using Deep Listening and Mindful Speech to Strengthen Relationships, Heal Conflicts and Accomplish Your Goals by Susan Gillis Chapman — An examination of the essential elements of mindful communication.
Read the Review and an excerpt on silence.
SHADOW
The Thing You Think You Cannot Do: Thirty Truths about Fear and Courage by Gordon Livingston — A hard-hitting and timely collection of 30 essays of cultural criticism.
Read the Review and an excerpt on meaning.
The Thing You Think You Cannot Do: Thirty Truths about Fear and Courage by Gordon Livingston — A hard-hitting and timely collection of 30 essays of cultural criticism.
Read the Review and an excerpt on meaning.
TRANSFORMATION
Unflappable: Six Steps to Staying Happy, Centered, Peaceful No Matter What by Ragini Elizabeth Michaels — The balancing of opposites as a fulfilling pathway to peace and contentment.
Read the Review and an excerpt on you.
Unflappable: Six Steps to Staying Happy, Centered, Peaceful No Matter What by Ragini Elizabeth Michaels — The balancing of opposites as a fulfilling pathway to peace and contentment.
Read the Review and an excerpt on you.
X-THE MYSTERY
Eternal Consciousness by John S. Dunne — An exploration of the vast mysteries of the Christian faith using illustrative material from a wide variety of wisdom traditions.
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Eternal Consciousness by John S. Dunne — An exploration of the vast mysteries of the Christian faith using illustrative material from a wide variety of wisdom traditions.
Read the Review.
YEARNING
Ten Poems to Say Goodbye by Roger Housden — Ten poems that touch upon the separations and departures that are part of the fragility and loss of the human adventure.
Read the Review.
Ten Poems to Say Goodbye by Roger Housden — Ten poems that touch upon the separations and departures that are part of the fragility and loss of the human adventure.
Read the Review.
YOU
When Women Were Birds: Fifty-Four Variations on Voice by Terry Tempest Williams — An astonishing memoir about Terry Tempest Williams's quest to discover her own values and visions through a creative look at her mother's legacy.
Read the Review and an excerpt on yearning.
When Women Were Birds: Fifty-Four Variations on Voice by Terry Tempest Williams — An astonishing memoir about Terry Tempest Williams's quest to discover her own values and visions through a creative look at her mother's legacy.
Read the Review and an excerpt on yearning.
See more Books & Audios Recently Reviewed
Children's Books
CONNECTIONS
Isabella's Garden by Glenda Millard — A lovely depiction of a garden and its interdependence with other elements of the natural world.
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Isabella's Garden by Glenda Millard — A lovely depiction of a garden and its interdependence with other elements of the natural world.
Read the Review.
CONNECTIONS
Moosha: A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis — An exquisitely written and illustrated children's book about ancestors, stories, and sharing.
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Moosha: A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis — An exquisitely written and illustrated children's book about ancestors, stories, and sharing.
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IMAGINATION
Look! Look! Look! at Sculpture by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace — An enchanting tale about three mice who sneak into a museum for their own private course in art appreciation.
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Look! Look! Look! at Sculpture by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace — An enchanting tale about three mice who sneak into a museum for their own private course in art appreciation.
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KINDNESS
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems — A whimsical children's book about courtesy and sharing.
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The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems — A whimsical children's book about courtesy and sharing.
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KINDNESS
Little Bird by Germano Zullo — A marvelous and captivating parable about freedom, soul singing, and joy.
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Little Bird by Germano Zullo — A marvelous and captivating parable about freedom, soul singing, and joy.
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LOVE
Chloe, Instead by Micah Player — A colorful children's book conveying a child's mixed feelings about her baby sister.
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Chloe, Instead by Micah Player — A colorful children's book conveying a child's mixed feelings about her baby sister.
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MEANING
Backseat A-B-See by Maria van Lieshout — A playful children's picture book about road signs.
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Backseat A-B-See by Maria van Lieshout — A playful children's picture book about road signs.
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MEANING
Picture My Day by Severine Cordier — A children's scapbook that engenders the spiritual practice of gratitude.
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Picture My Day by Severine Cordier — A children's scapbook that engenders the spiritual practice of gratitude.
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NURTURING
In the Garden by Elizabeth Spurr — A little boy's expression of his nurturing instinct in gardening.
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In the Garden by Elizabeth Spurr — A little boy's expression of his nurturing instinct in gardening.
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NURTURING
Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn — A heartfelt tale of a little girl who cherishes books, reading, and sharing stories.
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Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn — A heartfelt tale of a little girl who cherishes books, reading, and sharing stories.
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OPENNESS
Earth Day, Birthday! by Maureen Wright — Story about how a disagreement among animals in the jungle opens the door to a both/and view of the world and reality.
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Earth Day, Birthday! by Maureen Wright — Story about how a disagreement among animals in the jungle opens the door to a both/and view of the world and reality.
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PLAY
Let's Have a Tree Party! by David Martin — A playful celebration of party animals in a tree.
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Let's Have a Tree Party! by David Martin — A playful celebration of party animals in a tree.
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QUESTING
A Secret Keeps by Marsha Wilson Thall — A boy's quest to discover what kind of a gift his grandfather has given him.
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A Secret Keeps by Marsha Wilson Thall — A boy's quest to discover what kind of a gift his grandfather has given him.
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REVERENCE
A Leaf Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas — An earth-cherishing children's book about the wonders of tree leaves.
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A Leaf Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas — An earth-cherishing children's book about the wonders of tree leaves.
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REVERENCE
Step Gently Out by Helen Frost — A wedding of poetry and photography that take us on a stroll in the mysterious world of insects.
Read the Review.
Step Gently Out by Helen Frost — A wedding of poetry and photography that take us on a stroll in the mysterious world of insects.
Read the Review.
TRANSFORMATION
Nibbles' Garden: Another Green Tale by Charlotte Middleton — A fetching tale about the spiritual firepower of creativity and transformation.
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Nibbles' Garden: Another Green Tale by Charlotte Middleton — A fetching tale about the spiritual firepower of creativity and transformation.
Read the Review.
WONDER
My Mama Earth by Susan B. Katz — A perfect children's picture book for Earth Day.
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My Mama Earth by Susan B. Katz — A perfect children's picture book for Earth Day.
Read the Review.
Now In Paperback
After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters by N. T. Wright Bible Babel: Making Sense of the Most Talked about Book of All Time by Kristin Swenson The Compassionate Life: Walking the Path of Kindness by Marc Ian Barasch The Cosmic Dance: An Invitation to Experience Our Oneness by Joyce Rupp Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences by Jeffrey Long and Paul Perry Finding Inner Courage by Mark Nepo The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary by Angeles Arrien The Future of Faith by Harvey Cox The Green Bible: Understand the Bible's Powerful Message for the Earth The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin How to Be Compassionate: A Handbook for Creating Inner Peace and a Happier World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus by Philip Gulley Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light by Joan Chittister The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough by Wayne Muller A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith by Brian McLaren Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade -- and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone Seasons of Your Heart: Prayers and Reflections by Macrina Wiederkehr Seeking Paradise: The Spirit of the Shakers by Thomas Merton and Paul M. Pearson Simple Ways: Towards the Sacred by Gunilla Norris The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse: A Breakthrough Program for Connecting with Your Soul's Deepest Purpose by Debbie Ford The Way of Simplicity: The Cistercian Tradition by Esther De Waal What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West by Feisal Abdul Rauf
Whether you are exploring sacred texts, spiritual teachings, novels, poetry, cultural criticism, essays, or children's books, when reading exercises your faith, fires your imagination, stirs your soul, and expands your circle of compassion, it is a spiritual practice. Frederic and Mary Ann share some specific ways they deepen their reading experiences.
• Making Reading Sacred
Many of our book reviews include excerpts that illustrate a writer's insights. Every day we link one excerpt off the top of the "Updates" column on the homepage.
• See an Archive of the Spiritual Readings of the Day.
• Best Spiritual Books of 2011: Our choices of the books that most impressed and inspired us — highly recommended for your spiritual journey.
• Douglas Wood — A Voice of the Heart: A profile of the remarkable writer and his books for all ages
• Children's Books on the Unity of the Human Family: A joyful series of photographic essays
• Thanks for Everything, Bill: An Open Letter to Bill Moyers on the Occasion of His Retirement
• Jesus Books: a bibliography of titles revealing a wide spectrum of ideas about his teachings, ministry, and mission
• 100 Multifaith Resources: Resources that explore all the wonderful possibilities for broadening our understanding of both spirituality and practice in our world where people of different traditions are intentionally interacting.
• Modern Spiritual Masters Series: An outstanding collection of the essential writings of key teachers from many traditions.
• Spiritual Perspectives on September 11: Catholic, Buddhist, Anglican, and others, plus photograph collections
• Summer Reading Suggestions: Beyond the Typical Beach Reads
• The Spiritual Path of Grief: A collection of comforting words of wisdom from contemporary teachers
• A Devotional Toolkit for Times of Crisis: 50 practices from the world's religions and the resources that best describe them.
• Books That Speak to Your Condition: a special reading list put together after the 9/11 terrorist attacks — helpful for any difficult time
• The Wonder Writers: seven writers who will turn you toward the pole of wonder.
• Rich Deposits of Mystical Wisdom: a beguiling fable by Roger Housden and an amazing collection of translations by Daniel Ladinsky that are welcome resources for pilgrims on a mystical path.
• The Spiritual Dimensions of Conscious Aging: Good books, videos, and audios that signal a broadening and deepening of the way we see aging.
• Andrew Harvey on adab, the Sufi practice of courtesy and respect
• Mary Pipher on self-care, happiness, the value of Buddhist practices, and her memoir Seeking Peace: Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World
• Elizabeth Lesser on creating your best life, practices for difficult times, connecting with nature, spiritual teachers and mentors, and the role of pain in the spiritual life.
• Thomas Moore on the process of becoming a person through your experiences, obedience to one's calling, imagination, mystery, and his book A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do
• Sam Keen on wonder, reverence, and his book Sightings: Extraordinary Encounters with Ordinary Birds
• Megan McKenna on justice, following Jesus, and her book On Your Mark
• Robert Thurman on Infinite Life
• Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author of God's Paintbrush, on children's spirituality
• Phil Cousineau on The Olympic Odyssey
• The 12s: Galleries of Inspiring Quotations and Images on Spiritual Practices
• Winter: Images and Quotes for Reflecting on the Meanings and Messages of the Season
• Prayers for Our Leaders: Prayers collected for the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States
• Shoe Fleur: from photographer Michel Tcherevkoff, a gallery of shoes and purses made from flowers
• Meinhard Craighead: A Retrospective: images from the Southwestern artist's Crow Mother and the Dog God
• The Sacred Balance: A Visual Celebration of Our Place in Nature: David Suzuki and Amanda McConnell with Maria DeCambra point out connections that give meaning
• Put on a Happy Face: Pop culture images to make you smile
• Buddha: Asian statues beautifully photographed by Jon Ortner
• Talking to God: Stunning photographs of individuals talking to God in their own ways in diverse settings
• Timeless Prayers for Peace: Multiple Christian prayers for various settings
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