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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.
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Book Reviews
IMAGINATION
We Live Inside a Story by Megan McKenna — Celebrates the good medicine of stories in the Christian tradition.
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We Live Inside a Story by Megan McKenna — Celebrates the good medicine of stories in the Christian tradition.
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KINDNESS
The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society by Frans de Waal — Studies of the social behaviors of animals that demonstrate humans are preprogrammed to be empathetic and kind to each other.
Read the Review and an excerpt on compassion.
The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society by Frans de Waal — Studies of the social behaviors of animals that demonstrate humans are preprogrammed to be empathetic and kind to each other.
Read the Review and an excerpt on compassion.
MEANING
We Feel Fine: An Almanac of Human Emotion by Sep Kanvar and Jonathan Harris —A playful and sometime profound look at the soulscape of emotions in the lives of ordinary people in this age of the Internet, blogs, and social networking.
Read the Review and an excerpt on meanng.
We Feel Fine: An Almanac of Human Emotion by Sep Kanvar and Jonathan Harris —A playful and sometime profound look at the soulscape of emotions in the lives of ordinary people in this age of the Internet, blogs, and social networking.
Read the Review and an excerpt on meanng.
LOVE
Etty Hillesum: Essential Writings edited by Annemarie S. Kidder — The ecumenical mysticism of Holocaust victim Etty Hilessum whose diaries charted her spiritual course.
Read the Review and an excerpt on shadow.
Etty Hillesum: Essential Writings edited by Annemarie S. Kidder — The ecumenical mysticism of Holocaust victim Etty Hilessum whose diaries charted her spiritual course.
Read the Review and an excerpt on shadow.
MEANING
How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most by Marietta McCarty — Makes philosophy relevant to everyday life with a probe of 10 important subjects and a rich add-on of suggested resources from many different mediums.
Read the Review and an excerpt on joy.
How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most by Marietta McCarty — Makes philosophy relevant to everyday life with a probe of 10 important subjects and a rich add-on of suggested resources from many different mediums.
Read the Review and an excerpt on joy.
MEANING
Reading Jesus: A Writer's Encounter with the Gospels by Mary Gordon — A refreshing batch of commentaries on the Gospels from a gifted fiction writer.
Read the Review and an excerpt on teachers.
Reading Jesus: A Writer's Encounter with the Gospels by Mary Gordon — A refreshing batch of commentaries on the Gospels from a gifted fiction writer.
Read the Review and an excerpt on teachers.
NURTURING
The Return of the Feminine and the World Soul by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee — A clarion call to acknowledge and honor the Sacred Feminine and to draw out the divine light and energy of the World Soul.
Read the Review and an excerpt on connections.
The Return of the Feminine and the World Soul by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee — A clarion call to acknowledge and honor the Sacred Feminine and to draw out the divine light and energy of the World Soul.
Read the Review and an excerpt on connections.
Peace
Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortensen — An extraordinary account of promoting peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan through education and community service.
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Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortensen — An extraordinary account of promoting peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan through education and community service.
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QUESTING
A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith by Brian McLaren — A bold and imaginative set of questions that show the way into a hopeful and holy future for seekers of all stripes attracted to a new kind of Christianity.
Read the Review and an excerpt on shadow.
A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith by Brian McLaren — A bold and imaginative set of questions that show the way into a hopeful and holy future for seekers of all stripes attracted to a new kind of Christianity.
Read the Review and an excerpt on shadow.
QUESTING
What Is God? by Jacob Needleman — A recommendation that we stop fighting reality and heed the call to become our true selves and all we were meant to be.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
What Is God? by Jacob Needleman — A recommendation that we stop fighting reality and heed the call to become our true selves and all we were meant to be.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
TRANSFORMATION
Be the Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World by Ed and Deb Shapiro — Excerpts from more than 100 meditation practitioners about its benefits and transformative value.
Read the Review and an excerpt on forgiveness.
Be the Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World by Ed and Deb Shapiro — Excerpts from more than 100 meditation practitioners about its benefits and transformative value.
Read the Review and an excerpt on forgiveness.
TRANSFORMATION
Emotional Wisdom: Daily Tools for Transforming Anger, Depression, and Fear by Mantak Chia and Dena Saxer — Taoist healing practices for body, mind, and soul.
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Emotional Wisdom: Daily Tools for Transforming Anger, Depression, and Fear by Mantak Chia and Dena Saxer — Taoist healing practices for body, mind, and soul.
Read the Review.
TRANSFORMATION
If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus by Philip Gulley — An imaginative vision of what the church might look like if it truly incarnated what Jesus taught and how he lived.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus by Philip Gulley — An imaginative vision of what the church might look like if it truly incarnated what Jesus taught and how he lived.
Read the Review and an excerpt on questing.
TRANSFORMATION
Jesus Freak: Feeding Healing Raising the Dead by Sara Miles — Lessons learned from running a church food pantry about being Jesus in a world of hunger, pain, yearning and loss.
Read the Review and an excerpt on transformation.
Jesus Freak: Feeding Healing Raising the Dead by Sara Miles — Lessons learned from running a church food pantry about being Jesus in a world of hunger, pain, yearning and loss.
Read the Review and an excerpt on transformation.
TRANSFORMATION
Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism by Erica Brown — How wonder is an energy source and spiritual power that can provide an antidote to the widespread malaise of boredom.
Read the Review and an excerpt on wonder.
Spiritual Boredom: Rediscovering the Wonder of Judaism by Erica Brown — How wonder is an energy source and spiritual power that can provide an antidote to the widespread malaise of boredom.
Read the Review and an excerpt on wonder.
YOU
101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit by Bernie S. Siegel — Spiritual practices to try in everyday life as part of a soul fitness program.
Read the Review and an excerpt on kindness.
101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit by Bernie S. Siegel — Spiritual practices to try in everyday life as part of a soul fitness program.
Read the Review and an excerpt on kindness.
Children's Books
DEVOTION
Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth — Helps children get in touch with their inner artist and connect with God and others through prayer.
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Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth — Helps children get in touch with their inner artist and connect with God and others through prayer.
Read the Review.
IMAGINATION
The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman and Nick Schon — A delightful and playful children's book about a creative monkey who entertains himself at the expense of the other jungle animals.
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The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman and Nick Schon — A delightful and playful children's book about a creative monkey who entertains himself at the expense of the other jungle animals.
Read the Review.
KINDNESS
The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen and Elaine Greenstein — A touching story about a lonely old woman who acts from the heart in love and generosity by knitting mittens for children who need them.
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The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen and Elaine Greenstein — A touching story about a lonely old woman who acts from the heart in love and generosity by knitting mittens for children who need them.
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LOVE
Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland — A wonderful contemporary fable about the importance of expressing your affection.
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Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland — A wonderful contemporary fable about the importance of expressing your affection.
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LOVE
Piglet and Granny by Margaret Wild — A sprightly story that reveals the rewards of patience and the bounty of the ties of love between grandparents and grandchildren.
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Piglet and Granny by Margaret Wild — A sprightly story that reveals the rewards of patience and the bounty of the ties of love between grandparents and grandchildren.
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LOVE
A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom — A delightful read-aloud book for very small children about friendship.
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A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom — A delightful read-aloud book for very small children about friendship.
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MEANING
If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States by David J. Smith — A thought-provoking overview of America's diversity and contrasts.
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If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States by David J. Smith — A thought-provoking overview of America's diversity and contrasts.
Read the Review.
MEANING
My Name Is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed — Salutes the importance of ethnic and cultural tradition to immigrants in America.
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My Name Is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed — Salutes the importance of ethnic and cultural tradition to immigrants in America.
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QUESTING
Mama, Will It Snow Tonight? by Nancy White Carlstrom and Paul Tong — Celebrates the joys of nature, the connections between animals and humans, and the wisdom of mothers.
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Mama, Will It Snow Tonight? by Nancy White Carlstrom and Paul Tong — Celebrates the joys of nature, the connections between animals and humans, and the wisdom of mothers.
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SHADOW
There's No Such Thing as Monsters! by Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler — An enticing tale about the fears that create monsters in our minds and keep us from sleeping peacefully.
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There's No Such Thing as Monsters! by Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler — An enticing tale about the fears that create monsters in our minds and keep us from sleeping peacefully.
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WONDER
June and August by Vivian Walsh — A playful celebration of diversity and delight in the sharing of friendship.
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June and August by Vivian Walsh — A playful celebration of diversity and delight in the sharing of friendship.
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WONDER
Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder by Thomas Locker and Joseph Bruchac — The inspiring story of Rachel Carson and the book she wrote that changed the way we see the natural world.
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Rachel Carson: Preserving a Sense of Wonder by Thomas Locker and Joseph Bruchac — The inspiring story of Rachel Carson and the book she wrote that changed the way we see the natural world.
Read the Review.
YOU
Wanda's Freckles by Barbara Azore — A gem of a children's book about self-esteem and the resilience to fend of attacks on our individuality.
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See more reviews of Children's Books
Wanda's Freckles by Barbara Azore — A gem of a children's book about self-esteem and the resilience to fend of attacks on our individuality.
Read the Review.
See more reviews of Children's Books
Now In Paperback
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas Buddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living by Lama Surya Das The Chocolate Cake Sutra: Ingredients for a Sweet Life by Geri Larkin Christ in the Margins by Robert Lentz and Edwina Gateley Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness by Pema Chodron Entering the Castle: Finding the Inner Path to God And Your Soul's Purpose by Caroline Myss The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition by Seyyed Hossein Nasr The Gnostic Bile: Revised Edition by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer The God of Intimacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice by Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott The Happiness Myth: Why What We Think Is Right Is Wrong, A History of What Really Makes Us Happy by Jennifer Michael Hecht The History of Last Night's Dream: Discovering the Hidden Path to the Soul by Rodger Kamenetz I'd Rather Teach Peace by Colman McCarthy It's Not About the Money: Unlock Your Money Type to Achieve Spiritual and Financial Abundance by Brent Kessel Jake Fades: A Novel of Impermanence by David Guy Jesus for the Non-Religious by John Shelby Spong Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary by Marcus J. Borg Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv The Love of Impermanent Things: A Threshold Ecology by Mary Rose O'Reilley The Monk Upstairs: A Novel by Tim Farrington One Hundred Days of Solitude: Losing Myself and Finding Grace on a Zen Retreat by Jane Dobisz Praying with Icons: Revised, Expanded Edition by Jim Forest Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters - and How to Talk About It by Krista Tippett Swimming in a Sea of Death: A Son's Memoir by David Rieff A Truthful Heart: Buddhist Practices for Connecting With Others by Jeffrey Hopkins Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World by Jean Shinoda Bolen Why Can't We Be Good? by Jacob Needleman Why Good People Do Bad Things: How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy by Debbie Ford
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 2008: Our choices of the books that most impressed and inspired us — highly recommended for your spiritual journey.
• Jesus Books: a bibliography of titles revealing a wide spectrum of ideas about his teachings, ministry, and mission
• The Best Spiritual Books of 2007:
• 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.
• 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
• 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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