A prison inmate's examination of how we are all behind the bars of suffering, a collection of poets' spiritual ruminations on the common fly, and the latest from two relationship experts who say God always knows your "love language" are among the religion and spirituality books publishing in July.
Nonfiction
July 1
Seeing Clearly: A Buddhist Guide to Life by Nicolas Bommarito (Oxford, $19.95, ISBN 978-0-19088-750-6). Philosopher Bommarito offers a modern interpretation of Buddhist traditions such as karma and enlightenment.
You Die at the End: Meditations on Mortality and the Human Condition by William Ferraiolo. (O-Books, $25.95 trade paper, ISBN 978-1-78904-393-8). The author takes a Stoic stand that only a sober acceptance of reality and a life of disciplined virtue can lead to contentment
July 7
9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free by Greg Smalley and Robert Paul (Tyndale, $16.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-58997-971-0). The authors, who are vice presidents for Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family, identify those lies and the truths that can salvage foundering relationships. Their book includes tests for self-assessment.
Seen. Known. Loved: 5 Truths About God and Your Love Language by Gary Chapman and R. York Moore (Moody, $9.99 paper, ISBN 978-0-8024-1990-3) Relationship expert Chapman and his writing partner Moore extend their juggernaut love languages series with this brief book on how God tailors his communication to each of us by our love language.
Leading with Feeling: Nine Strategies of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership by Cary Cherniss and Cornelia Roche. (Oxford Univ., $29.95, ISBN 978-0-19-069894-2). Cherniss, a psychology professor, and Roche, a management consultant, team up to show how 25 outstanding leaders used emotional intelligence to deal with critical challenges and opportunities.
The Shaman's Mind: Huna Wisdom to Change Your Life by Jonathon Hammond (Monkfish, $16.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-948626-21-7). Hammond, who teaches shamanism and spirituality at the Omega Institute, tells readers how to align and transform their own mind to see the world through the lens of the Indigenous healers of old.
July 8
God Speed: Walking As a Spiritual Practice by Mark Buchanan (Zondervan, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-310-36089-6). Buchanan draws on theology and history to offer a field guide to walking as a spiritual formation.
July 14
Adventuring Together: How to Create Connections and Make Lasting Memories with Your Kids by Greta Eskridge (Thomas Nelson, $18.99 paper, ISBN 978-0-7852-3136-3). Eskridge, a homeschooling mom, gives practical – and inspiring – advice on sharing meaningful experiences indoors and out.
Finding Freedom: How Death Row Broke and Opened My Heart by Jarvis Masters (Shambhala, $16.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-61180-911-4). In his second book (That Bird Has My Wings), Masters writes about what it means to be Buddhist, a Black man and an inmate in America today when, in his view, we all live in a prison of suffering.
The House that Love Built by Sarah Jackson and Scott Sawyer (Zondervan, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-310-35562-5). Jackson, executive director of an immigrant hospitality organization Casa de Paz and who opened her home to thousands in need of shelter, challenges Christians to love their immigrant neighbors.
July 21
God on the Brain: What Cognitive Science Does (and Does Not) Tell Us about Faith, Human Nature, and the Divine by Bradley L. Sickler (Crossway, $19.99, trade paper ISBN 978-1-4335-6443-7). Sickler, a philosopher and a theologian, delves into the relationships among three realms of knowledge -- cognitive science, theology, and philosophy -- to argue that knowledge of science doesn’t undercut Christian faith.
July 28
Stardust to Stardust: Reflections on Living and Dying by Erik Olin Wright (Haymarket, $26.95, hardback ISBN 978-1-64259-158-3) The late sociologist and social critic explores deep questions of the meaning of life in a posthumous memoir of his final months.
Buddhist Magic: Divination, Healing, and Enchantment through the Ages by Sam van Schaik (Shambhala, $18.95 paper, ISBN 978-1-61180-825-4). The scholar traces the earliest evidence of magic in Buddhist scripture, rituals of protection, and medicine across time and various Buddhist traditions.
The Poet and the Fly: Art, Nature, God, Mortality, and Other Elusive Mysteries by Robert Hudson. (Broadleaf, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-5064-5728-4). Hudson (Christian Writer’s Manual of Style) collects the insightful ruminations of seven poets who use the fly as a catalyst to reflect on some of life’s prominent mysteries.
Be Kind to Yourself: Releasing Frustrations and Embracing Joy by Cindy Bunch (IVP, $15 paper, ISBN 978-0-8308-4676-4) As a spiritual director, Bunch shares practices and creative exercises for reflection, celebration and learning the discipline of being kind to ourselves.
Fiction
July 1
Jane Doe by Lillian Duncan (Harbourlight, $15.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-5223-0276-6.) Suspense author Duncan (The Last Christian) features a kidnap survivor struggling with amnesia who realizes that to find safety and healing she must face her fears and trust God.
