Every year from the more than 200 books we review on this website, we choose the Best Spiritual Books. In addition to 50 adult books, we also include 20 Best Spiritual Children's Books.
These are titles that have most impressed and inspired us. Since we only review books that we want to recommend to you for your spiritual journey, this selection actually represents the best of the best. Through diverse approaches, drawing upon the wisdom and practices of the world's religions, these titles explore the quest for meaning and purpose, wholeness and healing, commitment and community, contemplation and social activism.
We congratulate the authors and publishers of these exceptional contributions to today's spiritual renaissance. Click on the title link to read the full review.
America for Americans by Erica Lee
A thorough and shocking history of Americans' fear of strangers.
Animal Sutras by Stephen Levine
A wise and wonderful celebration of animals.
The Art of Is by Stephen Nachmanovitch
An inspiring case for improvisation in daily life with plenty of great examples.
The Art of Mindful Reading by Ella Berthoud
A delightful celebration of reading with practices for expanding and enriching the experience.
The Book of Ichigo Richie by Hector Garcia, Francese Miralles
A top-drawer resource on a Japanese practice for being present in every moment and opportunity.
The Big Book of Less by Irene Smit, Astrid Van Der Hulst
Ways to add pleasure and play into our lives without adding more stuff.
Breathing as Spiritual Practice By Will Johnson
Instructions for a breathing practice that can be adapted by people of all spiritual traditions.
Can I Get a Witness by Charles Marsh, Shea Tuttle, Daniel P. Rhodes
Profiles of men and women whose activism continues to inspire us.
Crafting Love by Maggie Oman Shannon
A marvelous collection of craft projects to express your love for people, places, animals, and things.
Deep Hope by Diane Eshin Rizzetto
A wonderful reading and interpretation of the Buddhist paramitas.
Ecodharma by David R. Loy
Essays calling us to do what we can to bring healing to the tormented earth.
Energize by Jo Salter
An overview of the role of our energy in shaping our lives.
Erosion by Terry Tempest Williams
A collection of essays about losses in land, home, self, the body, and the body politic.
The Flowing Grace of Now by Macrina Wiederkehr
A year-long spiritual journey with a wide variety of teachers.
Forest Bathing by Cyndi Gilbert
A naturopathic physician's recommendations for a revitalizing nature practice.
The Galapagos Islands by Brian D. McLaren
A spiritual writer's transformation during a visit to the famous islands.
The Great Democracy by Ganesh Sitaraman
An idea-packed vision for what could follow the flaws of neoliberalism in the United States politics.
Holy Grounds by Tim Schenck
A spiffy paperback meditation on the rich spiritual connections between religion and coffee.
Holy Thirst by Editors of Paraclete Press, Adam Bucko
A well-chosen and arranged collection of writings from key figures of the Carmelite path.
Kahlil Gibran's Little Book of Love by Neil Douglas-Klotz
Poems and words of wisdom from the renowned author on the many manifestations of love.
The Karma of Cats by Diana Ventimiglia, Various Authors
Spiritual teachers on their appreciation of cats' roles in their lives.
The Last Unknowns by John Brockman
A book of questions to get you thinking about what you want to know.
Life is God’s Best Gift by Sam Chege
A top-notch collection of 300 African proverbs.
Living a Loved Life by Dawna Markova
Plentiful examples of how stories can be carriers of insight and wisdom in our lives.
Losing Reality by Robert Jay Lifton
An analysis of the far-reaching effects of leaders who lust after control of others.
Mama’s last Hug by Frans de Waal
A convincing research-based summary of the emotional life of animals.
Meister Eckhart's Book of Secrets by Mark S. Burrows, Jon M. Sweeney
Samples from Meister Eckhart's writings on the marvelous and manifold mysteries of the Holy One.
The Most Important Point by Edward Espe Brown, Danny S. Parker, editor
A remarkable collection of 60 dharma talks by a Zen master and cook.
Our Wild Calling by Richard Louv
A fascinating book packed with stories about humans connecting with animals with respect and reverence.
The Practice of Finding by Holly W. Whitcomb
An exceptional spiritual work with plenty of practices for discovering the blessings in our lives.
Re-creating a Life by Diane M. Millis
A guide to personal storytelling, packed with prompts, for sharing with a community.
The Robots Are Coming! by Andres Oppenheimer
A wake-up call about the changes underway in the work arena.
The Second Mountain by David Brooks
A brilliant and persuasive toolkit of ideals, goals, and aspirations for a relational way of life.
A Season on the Wind by Kenn Kaufman
An account of awe at the feathered parade in the sky.
Slavery's Long Shadow by James L. Gorman, Jeff W. Childers, Mark W. Hamilton
A sobering examination of lingering racial hatred and violence in the United States.
The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison
Wise observations on contemporary American life and the history that created it.
St. Francis of Assisi by Jon M. Sweeney
An essential resource on the way of life advanced by the most popular of the Christian saints.
The Tao of Ordinariness by Robert J. Wicks
An exploration of the many values and virtues in everyday life.
The Time Is Now by Joan Chittister
A watershed work that succeeds in its noble goal of drawing out the prophet in us.
Triggers by David Richo
A tour-de-force resource on how to respond rather than react to triggers of all types.
The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr
A contemplative Christian's reconceptualizing of the Christ Mystery.
Unteachable Lessons by Carl McColman
A generous probing of the stages of the spiritual journey from a deeply personal perspective.
The Way of Effortless Mindfulness by Loch Kelly
Explanations and instructions for opening to a naturally compassionate way of being.
The Way of Forgiveness by Michael Leach, James T. Keane, Doris Goodnough
An inspiring collection of essays on forgiving self and others and receiving God's forgiveness.
The Way of Heart & Beauty by Deng Ming-Dao
An impressive collection of Taoist wisdom drenched in mystery.
Ways to Go Beyond and Why They Work by Rupert Sheldrake
A pioneering examination of seven spiritual practices and their impact in our times.
We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer
Startling statistics and facts that make the case for more imagination in confronting the climate crisis.
Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr
One of those rare, authentic, and enthralling spiritual books that speaks to the issues of the day with mystical power and incredible timeliness.
The World Comes to You By Michael Stone
Examples from a Buddhist practitioner of how attitudes and practices can be reframed.
The World Could Be Otherwise by Norman Fischer
A Buddhist teacher's suggestions for practicing the paramitas.
Children's Books
Big Breath by William Meyer
Endearing watercolor illustrations and gentle instructions for breathing in spaciousness and light.
A Friend Like Iggy by Kathryn Cole
Introduction to an accredited facilitator dog providing support to kids who disclose abuse.
Good Night, Wind by Linda Elovitz Marshall
A Yiddish folktale about the wind needing to rest after a long winter.
How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky
A fascinating history about a highly capable woman.
If I Was the Sunshine by Julie Fogliano and Loren Long
Poetic reflections on nature, connections, and love.
Luca's Bridge (El puente de Luca) by Mariana Lllanos
A salute to the power of imagination and music to drive away sadness — even for those forced to emigrate.
Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell
A celebration of the power of patient friendship to lessen our sorrows.
My Shoes and I (Mis Zapatos Y Yo) by Rene Colato Lainez
A bilingual picture book about the rugged journey a boy and his shoes make from El Salvador to the United States.
Noah Builds an Ark by Kate Banks
An urban child's take-off on the traditional Bible story, with an emphasis on ecological stewardship.
Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki
How a girl's love of her grandfather's Zen garden becomes the touchstone of her creative response to grief.
A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith
A story of restored hope in a family where individual preferences matter.
Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe
A young frog's adventures with driving her parents nuts and musically rousing an entire forest full of animals.
River Rescue by Jennifer Keats Curtis and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc.
The true story of the Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research team's efforts to save wildlife after oil spills.
Rosie and Rasmus by Serena Geddes
A heartening tale about a girl and a dragon whose friendship helps them break through loneliness.
Stonewall by Rob Sanders
A crucial moment in the history of LGBTQ+ rights told from the perspective of the Stonewall Inn.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
A magical tale of learning to be at home in one's skin.
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
An ode to the resilience and accomplishments of African Americans.
When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniam
A multigenerational story about overcoming differences and discovering love.
You Are Home by Evan Turk
A poetic immersion in the sights, smells, and sounds of these cherished lands.
You Are Never Alone by Elin Kelsey
A joyously loving book about the myriad of natural connections that support and sustain us.