Nonfiction
Dec. 1
The No-Self Help Book: 40 Reasons to Get Over Your Self & Find Peace of Mind by Kate Gustin (New Harbinger, $16.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-68403-217-4). Clinical psychologist Gustin offers help to readers struggling with self-doubt, self-esteem questions, and self-defeating thoughts.
An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation by Martin Laird (Oxford Univ., $18.95, ISBN 978-0-19-937994-1) guides readers through the challenges of contemplative life, such as dealing with old pain, transforming the isolation of loneliness, and confronting the danger of using a spiritual practice as a strategy to acquire and control.
Dec. 3
God Is a Question, Not an Answer: Finding Common Ground in Our Uncertainty by William Irwin (Rowman & Littlefield, $24.95, ISBN 978-1-5381-1588-6) argues that since neither the existence of God nor the nonexistence of God can be proven, believers and nonbelievers can find common ground in uncertainty.
Dec. 4
Seven Sundays by Alec Penix (Howard, $26, ISBN 978-1501189852) argues for the benefits of strength training for both our spiritual and physical selves and includes a six-week program for “total transformation,” according to the publisher.
The Secret Ingredient by Gigi Butler (Howard, $24.99; ISBN 978-1-5011-7352-3). The founder of Nashville’s Gigi’s Cupcakes tells her life story, including abandoning one dream before pursuing another. 60,000-copy announced initial printing.
The God of New Beginnings: How the Power of Relationship Brings Hope and Redeems Lives by Rob Cowles and Matt Roberts (Thomas Nelson, $16.99 paper, 978-1-9786-2055-1). The authors, both ministers, collect stories of redemption to make a case for how even the most broken people can find healing through faith.
Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing by William Barber (Beacon, $18 paper, ISBN 978-0-8070-2560-4). Reverend Barber, president of the nonprofit organization Repairers of the Breach which is working to build a better moral agenda, collects his sermons and speeches on issues such as Black Lives Matter, increasing the minimum wage, the protecting of voting rights, women’s rights, and more.
Dec. 15
Christian Ethics for a Digital Society by Kate Ott (Rowman & Littlefield, $30, ISBN 978-1-4422-6737-4) examines how technology has changed life today and offers tips for managing how it’s used for development as Christians.
Dec. 18
Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple by Adam Hamilton (Abingdon, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-5018-4598-7). The senior pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kans., offers a six-week Lenten program, taking an in-depth dive into the life, faith, and character of Saint Peter.
The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary, Vol. 3 by Robert Alter (Norton, $125, ISBN 978-0-393-29249-7) Completing his volumes on the Hebrew Bible, Alter lends his scholar’s attention and poetic ear to the ancient text.
On Thomas Merton by Mary Gordon (Shambhala, $22.95, ISBN 978-1611803372). Memoirist and novelist Gordon examines the tension between Merton’s roles of monk and writer in what PW’s starred review calls an “intelligent, moving book.”
The Compassionate Kitchen by Thubten Chodron (Shambhala, $14.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-6118-0634-2) makes a case for how the preparation, offering, and consumption of food can be a spiritual practice.
Fiction
Dec. 1
The Liberty Bride by Marylu Tyndall (Barbour, $12.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-6832-2617-8). The sixth installment to the Daughters of the Mayflower series is set on a British warship and follows an American woman who must choose between her protector and a love for her country.
Searching for You by Judy Hedlund (Bethany, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-7642-3274-9). Sophie Neumann and her two young charges are in danger after witnessing a crime and must rely on the kindness of an old friend for safety.
The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen (Bethany, $15.99 paper, ISBN 978-0-7642-1817-0). The conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series reveals the fate of several residents of the idyllic village.
