Every year from all the books we review on this website, we choose the Best Spiritual Books. In addition to 50 adult books, we include 10 Best Spiritual Children's Books.
These are the titles that have most impressed and inspired us during the year. 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 and spiritual paths, these books explore the quest for meaning and purpose, wholeness and healing, commitment and community, contemplation and 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.
99 Names of God by David Steindl-Rast
A beautiful volume encouraging Christian-Muslim understanding through devotion to the qualities of God/Allah.
Against the Hounds of Hell by Peter Eisenstadt
A treasury of stories and information about one of the great Black spiritual leaders and theologians of the 20th century.
The Apocryphal Gospels by Simon Gathercole (editor and translator)
Alternative versions of the story of Christ.
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
A master teacher showing the way to understand our emotions and reconnect with others and with life.
Bhagavad Gita, Commentary by Swami Mukundananda
A core scripture of Hinduism with an abundance of helpful commentary emphasizing its practicality.
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall, Douglas Adams, with Gail Hudson
A transfusion of hope and reason to fight for our future.
The Book of Tiny Prayer by Micah Bucey
A collection of prayers from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic capturing yearnings, opportunities, and collective responsibilities.
Breath Prayer by Christine Valters Paintner
A book of recipe ingredients and directions for making life rich with everyday sacredness.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
A voice for the future speaking hope and light into our current darkness.
Desmond Tutu by Michael Battle
A full look at the teachings, witness, and retirement of one of the most important Christian leaders of the 20th century.
Dimming the Day by Jennifer Grant
Spiritual practices for calming heart and mind.
Eternal Heart by Carl McColman
The wisdom of the mystics, interpreted for our time, and transformative heart practices.
Faith After Doubt by Brian D. McLaren
A bold and progressive vision of faith.
Feed the Wolf by Jon M. Sweeney
A practice-oriented exploration of living with nothing to lose, based on the teachings of St. Francis.
Freeing Jesus by Diana Butler Bass
From one of the most articulate of liberal Christian writers, a rediscovery of Jesus as a presence to transform lives and communities.
Friending Rosie by Judith Wright Favor, Rosie Alfaro
A memoir that reveals the value of building relationships with people who are behind bars.
The Garden of Flowers and Weeds by Matthew Juksan Sullivan
A generation-defining rendering of one of the great Zen Buddhist scriptures.
The God Who Gave You Birth by Cyprian Consiglio
A Camaldolese Benedictine monk's insights on the importance and process of kenosis or emptying the self.
Have Hope by Maggie Oman Shannon
A daybook of inspirational quotes matched to events and mentors who demonstrate reasons to have hope.
The Hermits of Big Sur by Paula Huston, Pico Iyer (Foreword)
A reminder that there are still holy places where people find their way.
How I Became a Tree by Sumana Roy
A reimagining of the ways of human love by looking deeply into the lives of trees.
How to Heal Our Divides by Brian Allain (editor), Adam Thomas (editor)
Keys to understanding what divides us, and how to begin healing.
How to Love Animals by Henry Mance
Stories of first-hand experiences which supply reasons to radically change the way we treat animals.
The Inner Work of Age by Connie Zweig
A toolkit of perspectives and practices for older people on re-imagining life as a purpose-filled elder.
Learning to Pray by James Martin
Practical advice for people of all traditions who desire to connect with God.
Leonard Cohen by Harry Freedman
A deep look at the motivations behind the poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter who revealed his soul to the world for six decades.
Mindfulness by Annabel Laity
A bringing together of Buddhist and Christian practice, for people who follow either tradition or double-belong.
A More Perfect Union by Adam Russell Taylor, John Lewis (foreword)
An exploration of the power of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s moral vision to heal U.S. divides today.
Mystical Courage by Cynthia Bourgeault
Explanations and instructions on previously hidden spiritual exercises of George Gurdjieff.
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo
A moving sequel to Crazy Brave by the U.S. Poet Laureate that should inspire others to discover their own stories.
Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan
Examples and advice on reading a novel as a sacred activity and spiritual practice.
Radical Loving by Wayne Dosick
A poetic vision of how our troubled world can be transformed through love.
Rescuing the Light by Martin Prechtel
Samples of the indigenous wisdom of the Mayan sacred tradition.
Return to the Root by Joyce Rupp
A highly respected Christian teacher's reminders of all people's rootedness in God’s love, wisdom, and presence.
River of Offerings by Jennifer Prugh
A beautifully written and photographed account of the importance of the sacred Ganges River in South Asian devotional life..
Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul by John Philip Newell
An offering of Celtic spirituality and intuition to heal our communities and world.
See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
A fresh approach to what love is and how it works for anyone who needs hope.
Soul Therapy by Thomas Moore
Encouragement for professional and lay therapists on providing soul care for clients, friends, family members, and the world at large.
The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice by Patrick Saint-Jean
Challenging devotions linking the experiences of Christ in his passion with those of Black victims of racial violence.
To My Beloveds by Jennifer Bailey
An eloquent Black theologian tells her story of hope and resilience.
Toni Morrison’s Spiritual Vision by Nadra Nittle
A rare look at the religious preoccupations of one of the great writers of recent memory.
The Wakeful Body by Willa Blythe Baker
Meditations that access your body's wisdom.
The Way of Mary by Camille Hamilton Adams Helminski
A gorgeous book, meticulously researched, showing how the key moments in the devotional life of Mary, mother of Jesus, can be a model for us all..
We Were Made for These Times by Kaira Jewel Lingo
A Buddhist teacher and a book of wisdom for a time of transitions.
When You Greet Me I Bow by Norman Fischer
The essential essays of one of our great interreligious teachers, reflecting a lifetime devoted to spiritual creativity.
Where Wonder Lives by Fabiana Vondevila
A map of the spiritual journey illustrated by plentiful spiritual practices.
Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans, with Jeff Chu
A lifeline for disenchanted Christians.
A Year of Pagan Prayer by Barbara Nolan
Poems, prayers, hymns, and blessings for marking holidays, milestones, and seasons of the year.
Yoke by Jessamyn Stanley
Yoga of the everyday for the rest of us.
Zen Is Right Now by David Chadwick (editor), Shunryu Suzuki
Profound teachings on being present from the influential Zen master.
Children's Books
Can I Sit with You? by Sarah Jacoby
A heartwarming story about empathy, friendship, and loyalty.
Child of the Flower-Song by Gloria Amescua
A fascinating book about a woman who helped new generations treasure native traditions.
Is Was by Deborah Freedman
A gateway between present and past that shows their intimate connection.
Keeping the City Going by Brian Floca
Resilient exceptions to pandemic stillness from a Caldecott-Medal winning author and illustrator.
Kuan Yin by Maya van der Meer
A beautifully illustrated and inspired retelling of the Kuan Yin story from the perspective of her younger sister.
The Snail with the Right Heart by Maria Popova
A story about uniqueness, gender, love, and the grandeur of the universe.
Three Lines in a Circle by Michael G. Long
How a simple and bold design representing nuclear disarmament came to inspire people around the world.
The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge
Poetry and the latest scientific research about trees' communication and cooperation.
Wishes by Muon Thi Van
A powerful yet gently restrained portrayal of a refugee family's arduous journey.
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
A luxuriant invitation to greet the outdoors with curiosity