Religion and spirituality books coming out in November include former NFL player and bestselling author Tony Evans’ take on difficult moments, seven biblical scholars and theologians’ conclusion that guns are incompatible with Christianity in God and Guns, and a new exploration of Jesus’ radical teachings in The Rebel Christ.

Nov. 1

How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship by Judith Valente and Paul Quenon (Hampton Roads, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-64297-034-0). Quenon, a Trappist monk, and Valente, a journalist, present their conversation on how ancient prayer practices of monasticism can bring a sense of contemplation to scattered modern living.

Rest, Girl: A Journey from Exhausted and Stressed to Entirely Blessed by Jami Amerine (Barbour, $14.99 paper, ISBN 978-1-63609-066-5). Amerine, a blogger, explores how to move from restrictions and unrealistic expectations into a fulfilled life through seeking God’s love.

Nov. 2

After Jesus, Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott, and Hal Taussig (HarperOne, $29.99, ISBN 978-0-06-306215-3). Three scholars connected to the Jesus Seminar inquiry into the historical Jesus look at the roots of Christianity, arguing there were multiple Jesus movements rather than a singular one.

Introduction to the Spiritual Life: Walking the Path of Prayer with Jesus by Brant Pitre (Image, $27, ISBN 978-0-525-57276-3). Pitre, a professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute, draws on biblical scripture and the writings of Christian mystics to explore forms of prayer and Jesus’s contemplative practices.

Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural, and Practical Perspectives, edited by Ronald W. Pierce, Cynthia Long Westfall, and Christa L. McKirland (IVP Academic, $45 paper, ISBN 978-0-8308-5479-0), presents a positive defense of gender equality, bringing together opposing positions to consider how norms are changing or continue to remain unequal.

God and Guns: The Bible Against American Gun Culture, edited by C.L. Crouch and Christopher B. Hays (Westminster John Knox, $25 paper, ISBN 978-0-664-26682-0), collects essays from seven biblical scholars and theologians centered on gun violence in America, arguing that guns are incompatible with God’s love.

The Journey Toward Wholeness: Enneagram Wisdom for Stress, Balance, and Transformation (IVP, $24, ISBN 978-1-5140-0116-5) and its companion The Journey Toward Wholeness Study Guide (IVP, $10, paper, ISBN 978-1-5140-0214-8). Suzanne Stabile, master Enneagram teacher, author, and editor, aims this book and study guide toward people who want to dive deeper into enneagram wisdom and learn how to manage their centers of intelligence —thinking, feeling, and doing.

Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans (HarperOne, $26.99; ISBN 978-0-06-289447-2) features a collection of writings by the late author on belief, belonging, and a vision for the future of the Christian church.

Nov. 9

When Everything’s on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes (IVP, $22, ISBN 978-1-5140-0333-6). Pastor Brian Zahnd makes the case for renovating faith in an age of secularism, skepticism, and cynicism.

Fierce Love by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis (Harmony, $27; ISBN 978-0-593-23386-3). Lewis, the first female and first Black minister at the progressive, multi-cultural Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, explores how love can heal the profound discord she sees in the world.

Revived & Renovated: Real Life Conversations on the Intersection of Home, Faith, and Everything in Between by Victoria Duerstock and Paige Rien (End Game, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-63797-008-9). Blogger Duerstock and Rien, an interior designer for HGTV, look at the roles of revival and renovation in one’s spiritual journey, including faith-filled DIY home projects.

Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart by Tony Evans et al. (Thomas Nelson, $24.99, ISBN 978-0-7852-4114-0). Pastor Evans, a former NFL player, presents a conversation with his four children on how God uses difficult moments to draw believers into a deeper faith and relationship with God.

Nov. 16

The Book of All Books by Roberto Calasso, trans. by Tim Parks (FSG, $30, ISBN 978-0-374-60189-8). Italian scholar Calasso retells stories of the Old Testament, with additional commentary on the historical roots of biblical events and on the storytelling techniques that make the lessons effective.

The Rebel Christ by Michael Coren (Dundurn, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-4597-4851-4). Toronto Star columnist Coren seeks to correct misconceptions about Christ by returning to Jesus’s original words, exploring how notions of care for the poor and equal treatment of others were radical.

Mary Magdalene: Women, the Church, and the Great Deception by Adriana Valerio, trans. by Wendy Wheatley (Europa Compass, $18, ISBN 978-1-60945-705-1). Valerio, an Italian historian of religion, looks at history, art, and literature to explore how centuries of misinterpretation and willful distortion have stripped Mary Magdalene of her complexity as a historical figure.

The Spirit of Soul Food: Race, Faith, and Food Justice by Christopher Carter (Univ. of Illinois, $24.95, paper, ISBN 978-0-252-08617-5). Blending a history of Black American food with a Christian ethical response to food injustice, Carter, a professor of religious studies at the University of San Diego, argues that racism and colonialism have guided the development of U.S. food policy

On Living Well: Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus by Eugene H. Peterson (Waterbrook, $20, ISBN 978-1-60142-979-7). A collection of essays by the late pastor about faith meeting the rigor of daily life, including his thoughts on generosity, community, relationships, worship, and inner peace.

Nov. 23

Love Is: A Yearlong Experiment of Living Out 1 Corinthians 13 Love by Kim Sorrelle (Kregel, $17.99 paper, ISBN 978-0-8254-4674-0). Sorrelle, executive director of nonprofit Rays of Hope International, details changes in her perspective while living out the biblical passage, “Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude."