Recent political trends reveal how business interests and religion are intersecting in America today, and publishers are taking notice. This season also features books that apply novel interpretive techniques to well-known texts and traditions.
Bible Nation: The United States of Hobby Lobby
Candida R. Moss and Joel S. Baden. Princeton Univ., Oct. 3
Biblical scholars Moss and Baden unpack how the billionaire owners of Hobby Lobby are changing the American conversation around the Bible through purchasing antiquities, pushing for Biblical curriculums in public schools, and establishing a $500 million Museum of the Bible.
Choosing Donald Trump: God, Anger, Hope, and Why Christian Conservatives Supported Him
Stephen Mansfield. Baker, Oct. 3
Popular religious author Mansfield explains how a reality TV star and cutthroat business tycoon secured the majority of the religious conservative vote on his way to the presidency.
Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey Through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace
Kim Phuc Phan Thi, with Ashley Wiersma. Tyndale Momentum, Oct. 3
Phan Thi received international attention after the picture of her naked, burned body came to represent the horrors of the Vietnam War in the U.S. Here she relates her story of suffering, survival, and finding wholeness in the love of Jesus Christ.
God: The Human Quest to Make Sense of the Divine
Reza Aslan. Random House, Nov. 7
Aslan, the bestselling author of Zealot and No God but God, considers the human fascination with the divine and explains how conceptions of God have changed over millennia.
In This Moment
Karen Kingsbury. S&S/Howard, Nov. 7
In the latest entry in her popular Baxter Family series, Kingsbury tells the story of a well-meaning high school principal who begins a Bible study group that creates a national controversy.
Jewish Comedy: A Serious History
Jeremy Dauber. Norton, Oct. 31
Daubner tells the story of Jewish humor: its nature, its development, and its vital role in Jewish history.
The New Testament: A Translation
David Bentley Hart. Yale Univ., Oct. 24
This translation of the New Testament will surely be controversial among Bible scholars, as Hart presents the text in its original fragmentary form.
Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight out of This Wild and Glorious Life
Jen Hatmaker. Thomas Nelson, Aug. 8
Hatmaker, the star of My Big Family Renovation on HGTV, reassures women that they have all the moxie they need to live grace-filled lives.
Soar! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up
T.D. Jakes. FaithWords, Oct. 10
The host of the ministry program The Potter’s Touch argues that dreams can unleash each person’s unique qualities and help realize God’s singular vision for the world.
What the Qur’an Meant
Garry Wills. Viking, Oct. 3
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and journalist Wills presents the Qur’an to lay readers by explaining opaque and frequently misunderstood passages.
Religion & Spirituality Listings
Fiction
Barbour
The Second Chance Brides Collection: Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love by Lauralee Bliss et al. (Aug. 1, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-68322-246-0). Meet nine women from 1776 to 1944 who feel the sting of having lost out on love.
Bethany House
Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson (Sept. 5, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-7642-1329-8). Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart’s cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory.
The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin (Aug. 8, trade paper, $13.99, ISBN 978-0-7642-1738-8). After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God—until she meets former police officer Jake Tanner.
Kregel
If We Make It Home: A Novel of Faith and Survival in the Oregon Wilderness by Christina Suzann Nelson (Sept. 26, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4495-1). Three women embark on a wilderness adventure and must work together to make it out alive.
A Song of Home: A Novel of the Swing Era by Susie Finkbeiner (Nov. 28, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4482-1). The final volume in a trilogy, this novel follows young Pearl Spence in 1930s Michigan.
Lion Fiction
The Death Beat (Poppy Denby Investigates) by Fiona Veitch Smith (Oct. 20, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-247-3). Poppy has been given the death beat: obituaries. But nothing will stop her from investigating the death of a European prince.
Love Inspired
Second Chance Amish Bride by Marta Perry (Aug. 20, mass market, $5.99, ISBN 978-0-373-62296-2). Widower Caleb King is set on raising his two small children without assistance from anyone. But when Caleb is injured, Jessie Miller is just as determined to help her late cousin’s family.
Secret Christmas Twins by Lee Tobin McClean (Oct. 17, mass market, $5.99, ISBN 978-0-373-62308-2). Erica Lindholm’s Christmas gift is becoming guardian to twin babies, but fulfilling her promise to keep their parentage a secret becomes increasingly difficult when her holiday plans mean spending time with their uncle on the family farm.
Mandala
Queen of the Elements: An Illustrated Series Based on the Ramayana by Vrinda Sheth, illus. by Anna Johansson (Aug. 29, hardcover, $35, ISBN 978-1-60887-660-0). The darkness in the kingdom of Ayodhya continues to spread as prince Rama is cast out of the city after an unthinkable betrayal. Facing a 14-year exile, Rama embarks upon a journey that will spark a legend.
Paraclete
Can You See Anything Now? by Kate James (Sept. 26, trade paper, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-61261-931-6). This debut novel follows complex-yet-lovable characters over the course of a year in the small town of Trinity, where tragedy reveals residents’ motivations and desires.
Rainbow Ridge
Syllables of Rain by D.S. Lliteras (Oct. 25, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-937907-52-5). Cookie is trapped by his own memories. His friend Llewellen is doing his best to help, but is himself tormented by memories of Jansen, a Zen master who, many years ago, left Llewellen with more questions than answers about life.
Revell
Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon (Oct. 3, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8007-2767-3). Det. Colin Flynn investigates a tragic death that’s been linked to a grieving woman with apparent memory loss. But there is more to the case than meets the eye.
Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason (Jan. 2, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8007-2721-5). When police officer Isabelle St. John’s partner is murdered, she must work with Det. Ryan Marshall to solve a case that may force her to choose between family and justice.
Shiloh Run
The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips (Nov. 1, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-68322-316-0). Successful William shattered Hanna’s heart in front of a national audience six months ago on a reality dating show. Now he is back on Hanna’s home turf in Minnesota and wants her to give him another chance.
Simon & Schuster/Howard
In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury (Nov. 7, hardcover, $23.99, ISBN 978-1-4516-8762-0). A new Baxter Family novel from the bestselling author features a popular high school principal who gains national focus after a controversial lawsuit erupts involving a Bible study program he started to help improve the lives of his struggling students.
Skyhorse
Christmas Lights by Christine Pisera Naman (Oct. 3, trade paper, $12.99, ISBN 978-1-5107-2556-0) offers stories of seven women, each wishing for her very own Christmas miracle.
Thomas Nelson
Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander (Oct. 3, trade paper, $12.99, ISBN 978-0-310-29324-8). A wounded Confederate soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas.
A Place at Our Table by Amy Clipston (Nov. 14, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-310-34903-7). In this first book in the Amish Homestead series, Kayla must get over a past trauma to let volunteer firefighter Jamie into her heart.
Tyndale
Under a Cloudless Sky by Chris Fabry (Jan. 9, hardcover, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-2828-8) relates the story of a renowned coal-mining town—and the good people who live there—in danger of being destroyed for the sake of profit.
Until We Find Home by Cathy Gohlke (Jan. 9, hardcover, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-2830-1). For American Claire Stewart, an aspiring novelist, joining the French Resistance sounds romantic. But danger is ratcheted up when she is stranded in England with five French Jewish children she’s smuggled across the English Channel.
WaterBrook
Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Sept. 5, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7352-9003-7) is the gripping saga of a little girl who goes missing in 1943 and her sister who is forced to live with the consequences of the event for the next 70 years.
Isaiah’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews (Jan. 16, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7352-9025-9). Focusing on a young woman being raised by the prophet Isaiah, this novel brings to life verses in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah concerning the troubled kingdoms that followed Solomon’s reign.
Whitaker House
Their Daring Hearts (Forever Freedom Series #2) by Sharlene MacLaren (Jan. 9, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-62911-930-4). A Quaker abolitionist sergeant and a destitute recruit disguised as a boy earn each other’s respect on the Union battlefield.
Zondervan
To Wager Her Heart (A Belle Meade Plantation Novel) by Tamera Alexander (Aug. 8, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-310-29108-4). With fates bound by shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern belle bent on breaking free from society’s expectations must work together to achieve their dreams.
Nonfiction
Abingdon
A Woman Overwhelmed: Finding God in the Messes of Life by Hayley DiMarco (Aug. 15, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-5018-4070-8). The author of more than 40 books shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of an overwhelmed life while encouraging readers to discover the depths of God’s love.
Atria
Conversations with Mary: Messages of Love, Healing, Hope, and Unity for Everyone by Anna Raimondi (Oct. 17, hardcover, $22, ISBN 978-1-5011-5635-9). The woman who claims to have first channeled and received messages from Mary when she was five years old unveils a modern Mary who encourages meditation and enlightenment in this prescriptive guide.
Ave Maria
Why I Am Catholic (and You Should Be Too) by Brandon Vogt (Oct. 1, hardcover, $20, ISBN 978-1-59471-767-3) traces Vogt’s spiritual journey, making a 21st-century case for the faith and answering questions asked by the nonreligious.
B&H
If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free by Jamie Ivey (Jan. 30, hardcover, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-4627-4972-0). The host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey helps Christian readers strip away the inner and outward hypocrisy that cripples freedom and shows how courageous confidence in God leads to wholeness.
Baker
Choosing Donald Trump: God, Anger, Hope, and Why Christian Conservatives Supported Him by Stephen Mansfield (Oct. 3, hardcover, $21.99, ISBN 978-0-8010-0733-0). Historian and speaker Mansfield uncovers Trump’s spiritual influences and explains why Christian conservatives were attracted to this unlikely candidate.
Baker Academic
Faith Formation in a Secular Age by Andrew Root (Aug. 22, trade paper, $22.99, ISBN 978-0-8010-9846-8). Theologian Root offers an alternative take on the issue of youth drifting away from the church and articulates how faith can be formed in a secular age.
Barbour
Journey into Grace: 150 Encouraging Devotions for Women by Darlene Sala, Bonnie Sala, and Luisa Reyes-Ampil (Sept. 1, trade paper, $12.99, ISBN 978-1-68322-285-9). International speaker and teacher Darlene Sala co-writes with her daughter Bonnie in this heartfelt women’s devotional exploring fear, forgiveness, learning, loving, prayer, and relationships.
Bloomsbury
World Without End by Thomas Keating, Lucette Verboven, and Joseph Boyle (Sept. 5, trade paper, $15, ISBN 978-1-4729-4248-7). In these conversations with filmmaker and writer Verboven, Keating—bestselling author, Trappist monk, and founder of the Centering Prayer movement—looks back on his long life and spiritual development; also contains an interview with Boyle, an abbot.
Brazos
Practices of Love by Kyle David Bennett (Aug. 22, trade paper, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-58743-403-7) argues that spiritual discipline was originally intended to influence our “horizontal” relationships—with neighbors, strangers, enemies, friends, family, animals, and even the Earth.
Chalice
The Execution of God: Encountering the Death Penalty by Jeff Hood (Sept. 5, trade paper, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-8272-0851-3). The Dallas activist and pastor explores the spiritual implications of the death penalty in this blend of memoir, biblical interpretation, and theology.
Columbia Univ.
Eating Ethically: Religion and Science for a Better Diet by Jonathan Crane (Dec. 19, hardcover, $35, ISBN 978-0-231-17344-5). Drawing on religion, medicine, philosophy, cognitive science, art, and ethics, Crane, a scholar at the Emory University Center for Ethics, provides evidence and arguments for more adaptive eating practices.
Concordia
Myth of the Millennial: Connecting Generations in the Church by Chelsey and Ted Doering (Sept. 26, trade paper, $11.99, ISBN 978-0-7586-5826-5). The husband and wife writing team dig into millennials’ changing relationship to the church.
Convergent
7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life by Mary C. Neal (Sept. 19, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-451-49542-6). In this follow-up to her bestselling To Heaven and Back, Neal shares untold stories about her encounters with Jesus and powerful insights about how to live each day with joy.
Crossway
Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community by Brett McCracken (Sept. 30, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-4335-5425-4). Journalist McCracken makes the case that following Jesus and being in his church are not cool and comfortable. He calls readers to embrace the more difficult aspects of Christianity in the context of the local church.
David C. Cook
Come and See by Todd Wagner, with John Driver (Oct. 1, hardcover, $22.99, ISBN 978-0-7814-1488-3). Wagner, founding pastor of Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Tex., invites readers to participate in God’s vision for life outside of weekly congregations. He stresses cultivating vibrant, authentic relationships and opening up to the power of transformation.
Duke Univ.
Passionate and Pious: Religious Media and Black Women’s Sexuality by Monique Moultrie (Dec. 8, trade paper, $23.95, ISBN 978-0-8223-7004-8). The professor of religious studies at Georgia State University explores the impact of faith-based sexual ministries on black women’s sexual agency to trace how these women navigate sexuality, spirituality, and religious authority.
Eerdmans
Adopted: The Sacrament of Belonging in a Fractured World by Kelley Nikondeha (Aug. 17, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-8028-7425-2). Drawing on her own story as both an adopted child and an adoptive mother, Nikondeha explains how the Christian concept of adoption into God’s family can broaden our sense of belonging in this biblically grounded consideration of adoption.
FaithWords
Soar! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes (Oct. 10, hardcover, $25, ISBN 978-1-4555-5390-7). Blending his practical business acumen and spiritual fervor, Jakes, a pastor, aims to show readers how to transform latent dreams into specific actions in line with God’s vision for the world.
Flatiron
Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul by Naomi Levy (Sept. 5, hardcover, $27.99, ISBN 978-1-250-05726-6). Chronicling a years-long journey researching the origins and circumstances of an Einstein letter concerning spirituality, Levy probes into what the soul is, how it guides us, and how connection to our true souls can help us to live richer, bigger, more connected lives.
Focus on the Family
Real Families, Real Needs: A Compassionate Guide for Families Living with Disability by Joni and friends (Sept. 19, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-58997-925-3). Divided into five sections written specifically for every member of the family, this book also offers encouragement, scriptures to lean on, and practical ideas about living with a disability, from the Christian ministry in the disability community.
Fortress
Cross Vision: How the Crucifixion of Jesus Makes Sense of Old Testament Violence by Gregory A. Boyd (Aug. 1, hardcover, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-5064-2073-8). Theologian Boyd proposes the “cruciform hermeneutic,” a way to read the Old Testament portraits of God through the lens of Jesus’ crucifixion, and shows how the death and resurrection of Jesus can reframe the troubling violence of the Old Testament.
Franciscan Media
The Franciscan Saints by Robert Ellsberg (Sept. 27, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-63253-194-0) profiles 101 holy spiritual trailblazers spanning the centuries with representatives from every walk of life and corner of the world.
Hampton Roads
The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Mysticism: The Essential Teachings by Renuka Singh and the Dalai Lama (Sept. 1, trade paper, $12.95, ISBN 978-1-57174-780-8) brings together the Dalai Lama’s thoughts on the nature and meaning of mysticism, including how readers can live lives infused with mystical experience and how mysticism can result in both personal and social change.
Harper
Fatal Discord: Erasmus, Luther, and the Rupture of Europe by Michael Massing (Jan. 23, hardcover, $40, ISBN 978-0-06-051760-1). Journalist Massing seeks to restore Erasmus to his proper place in the Western tradition, arguing that the conflict between Erasmus and Martin Luther forms a fault line in Western thinking.
HarperOne
The Hollywood Commandments: A Spiritual Guide to Secular Success by DeVon Franklin (Sept. 26, hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-06-268425-7). A prominent Hollywood producer, preacher, and motivational speaker reveals 10 life-changing lessons picked up from his more than 20-year career in the entertainment business.
Harvard Univ.
The Dawn of Christianity: People and Gods in a Time of Magic and Miracles by Robert Knapp (Aug. 14, hardcover, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-674-97646-7). Exploring everyday life from 200 B.C.E. to the end of the first century C.E., Knapp considers the spiritual nature of antiquity and shows that Jews and polytheists lived with the gods in very similar ways.
Harvest House
Simple Gatherings by Melissa Michaels (Oct. 1, hardcover, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7369-6313-8) aids readers to host get-togethers with 50 affordable and inspired ideas, including tips on everything from party prepping to creating fun activities that will inspire deeper connection.
Hay House
Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Joe Dispenza (Oct. 31, hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-1-4019-5309-6). Chiropractor Dispenza, who publishes frequently about the connections between chemistry, neurophysiology, and biology, marries scientific information with ancient wisdom to show how people can experience a more mystical life.
Herald
Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World by Osheta Moore (Oct. 3, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-5138-0149-0). Blogger and podcaster Moore shares what she learned by challenging herself to study peace in the Bible for 40 days.
Holt/Metropolitan
The Wall and the Gate: Israel, Palestine, and the Legal Battle for Human Rights by Michael Sfard (Oct. 24, hardcover, $35, ISBN 978-1-250-12270-4). The human rights lawyer chronicles the struggles of a farmer from a village in the occupied West Bank who’s cut off from his olive groves by the construction of Israel’s controversial separation wall; in the process, he engages the core principles of human rights legal ethics.
Image
To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age by Robert Barron and John L. Allen (Nov. 7, hardcover, $27, ISBN 978-1-5247-5950-6) consists of exchanges between Catholic bishop Barron and Vatican journalist Allen covering a wide range of topics including Jesus in the 21st century, prayer, spiritual life, the fate of Catholicism in modern times, and sexual abuse scandals.
Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Into the Mystic: The Visionary and Ecstatic Roots of 1960s Rock and Roll by Christopher Hill (Sept. 19, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-62055-642-9) explores the visionary, mystical, and ecstatic traditions that influenced the music of the 1960s and examines the mythic narratives that underscored the work of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and more.
InterVarsity
The Magnificent Story: Uncovering a Gospel of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth by James Bryan Smith (Aug. 8, hardcover, $22, ISBN 978-0-8308-4636-8) provides a resource meant to help both individuals and groups understand the role of Christ’s story in their lives, including spiritual practices at the end of each chapter and a group discussion guide.
Jewish Lights
Why Judaism Matters: Letters of a Liberal Rabbi to His Children and the Millennial Generation by John Rosove (Sept. 26, trade paper, $18.99, ISBN 978-1-68336-705-5). Writing in the form of letters from a rabbi to his sons, Rosove compiles commonsense guidance and a road map for a new generation of young men and women who find Jewish orthodoxy, tradition, issues, and beliefs inscrutable in 21st-century society.
Jewish Publication Society
The Heart of Torah, Vol. 1: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion; Genesis and Exodus by Shai Held (Sept. 1, trade paper, $24.95, ISBN 978-0-8276-1271-6). Rabbi Held’s Torah essays open new horizons in Jewish biblical commentary. Part one of a two-volume set.
Judson
From Fragmentation to Wholeness: Race, Ethnicity, and Communion by Neville Callam (Aug. 15, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-0-8170-1788-0). The pastor, theological educator, and ecumenist reflects on the untapped power of Holy Communion as a force for reconciliation, healing, and restored wholeness in our fragmented churches and communities.
Koren/Menorah
#Parasha: Weekly Insights from a Leading Israeli Journalist by Sivan Rahav Meir (Sept. 5, hardcover, $24.95, ISBN 978-1-59264-480-3). Translated from Hebrew and based on her popular social media posts, these brief reflections on a weekly Torah portion are infused with inspiring lessons for the entire family.
Kregel
Does Biology Have a Purpose? The Cost of Existence and the God of Love by Denis Alexander (Nov. 28, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-714-1). The former chair of the molecular immunology programme at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, U.K., searches for common ground between the world of biological science and the world of faith.
Liguori
A Bad Catholic’s Essays on What’s Wrong with the World by Marc Barnes (Oct. 1, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7648-2709-9). Essays from a young blogger on various topics in Catholicism and pop culture.
Liturgical
Finding Jesus Among Muslims: How Loving Islam Made Me a Better Catholic by Jordan Denari Duffner (Dec. 15, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-0-8146-4592-5). A research fellow at Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative explains why Catholics and all Christians should participate in interreligious dialogue, especially with Muslims.
Llewellyn
The Awakened Dreamer: How to Remember & Interpret Your Dreams by Kala Ambrose (Dec. 8, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-7387-5311-9). A spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and practical intuitive coach helps readers combine daydreams with powerful visualizations that can be channeled into nightly dreams in order to strengthen the connection between the conscious and unconscious self.
Loyola
Ignatian Spirituality A–Z by Jim Manney (Sept. 8, trade paper, $15, ISBN 978-0-8294-4598-5) is a concise and informative guide to key concepts of Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit culture.
Moody
Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life by Arlene Pellicane (Sept. 5, trade paper, $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8024-9613-3) walks readers through a five-step plan for centering one’s life around Jesus, reminding readers of ways to foster love for others by decluttering screen time and truly connecting.
Multnomah
Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful by Katie Davis Majors (Oct. 3, hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-0-7352-9051-8). The founder of Amazima Ministries (an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda) shares her ongoing experiences in Uganda as the adoptive mother to 13 girls, and how she’s wrestled through the darkness of disappointment to find the answer to whether God truly is good.
National Geographic
In the Footsteps of Jesus, 2nd ed.: A Chronicle of His Life and the Origins of Christianity by Jean-Pierre Isbouts (Oct. 24, trade paper, $30, ISBN 978-1-4262-1913-9). In this revised and updated biography of Jesus of Nazareth, historian and filmmaker Isbouts examines the man behind the legend by marrying biblical accounts with archeological and historical documentation.
NavPress
Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges (Oct. 3, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-63146-864-3). The product of more than 10 years of Bible study, Bridges’s book aims to show readers just how inexhaustible and generous God’s grace really is through discussion of God’s gift of grace.
New World Library
Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart by Scott Stabile (Sept. 15, hardcover, $24.95, ISBN 978-1-60868-493-9). When the author was 14, his parents were murdered, then his brother died of a heroin overdose. He later joined a cult that dominated his life. In this uplifting memoir, Stabile shares his experience of living and loving big through all the hardships.
New York Univ.
Langston’s Salvation: American Religion and the Bard of Harlem by Wallace D. Best (Nov. 7, hardcover, $35, ISBN 978-1-4798-3489-1). A professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University demonstrates that Hughes’s religious writing helps to situate him and other black writers as important participants in a broader national discussion about race and religion in America.
Northern Illinois Univ.
The Dangerous God: Christianity and the Soviet Experiment, edited by Dominic Erdozain (Oct. 15, trade paper, $39, ISBN 978-0-87580-770-6). This collection of essays sheds light on the dynamic and subversive capacities of religious faith in a context of brutal oppression.
Norton
Jewish Comedy: A Serious History by Jeremy Dauber (Oct. 31, hardcover, $28.95, ISBN 978-0-393-24787-9). In this erudite and funny work of scholarship, Dauber, professor of Yiddish language, literature and culture at Columbia University, traces the origins of Jewish comedy and its development from biblical times to the age of Twitter.
OneWorld
Shariah Law: Questions and Answers by Mohammad Hashim Kamali (Aug. 8, trade paper, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-78607-150-7). The founding CEO of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies at the International Islamic University, Malaysia connects the theoretical aspects of Shariah law with how it is applied in the world today.
Orbis
Faith and Resistance in the Age of Trump, edited by Miguel A. De La Torre (Sept. 14, trade paper, $22, ISBN 978-1-62698-247-5), features reflections by religious scholars, ministers, and activists that address the rise of Donald Trump. Chapters treat issues of gender, race, disability, LGBTQ justice, immigration, the environment, peace, and poverty.
Oxford Univ.
A World Ablaze: The Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation by Craig Harline (Oct. 2, hardcover, $27.95, ISBN 978-0-19-027518-1). A professor of history at Brigham Young University introduces readers to the flesh-and-blood Martin Luther, telling the story of the first crucial years of the accidental crusade Luther launched in 1517.
Paraclete
This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Being in a Secular World by Sophfronia Scott and Tain Gregory (Dec. 14, trade paper, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-61261-925-5). This mother-son writing team share stories, experiences, and ideas to help parents get to the heart of the question: how do you help a child have faith in the challenging world we live in today?
Parallax
A Fierce Heart: Finding Strength, Wisdom, and Courage in Any Moment by Spring Washam (Nov. 7, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-937006-76-1). Founder of the East Bay Meditation Center, Washam shares her contemporary interpretation of the Buddha’s 2,500-year-old teachings with short chapters that get to the heart of mindfulness, wisdom, loving kindness, and compassion.
Paulist
Miracle in Motion: Living a Purposeful Life by Antonio Martinez Jr., with David Warden (Sept. 5, trade paper, $18.95, ISBN 978-0-8091-0647-9 ) is a guidebook to success for high school and college students with a broader message for all about how to live a purposeful life.
Penguin/TarcherPerigee
Life Lessons: 125 Prayers and Lessons by Julia Cameron (Aug. 15, hardcover, $15, ISBN 978-0-14-313049-9). This approachable compilation of prayers by internationally bestselling author Cameron provides divine expressions suited for every situation.
Plough
The Last Christians: Stories of Persecution, Flight, and Resilience in the Middle East by Andreas Knapp (Sept. 1, trade paper, $18, ISBN 978-0-87486-062-7). A priest who works with refugees in Germany, Knapp visits camps for displaced people in northern Iraq where he finds Christians who still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. The uprooted remnant of ancient churches, they doggedly continue to practice their faith despite the odds.
Princeton Univ.
Bible Nation: The United States of Hobby Lobby by Candida R. Moss and Joel S. Baden (Oct. 3, hardcover, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-691-17735-9). Professors Moss (New Testament at the University of Notre Dame) and Baden (Hebrew Bible at the Yale Divinity School) provide the first in-depth investigative account of the sweeping Bible projects of the Green family, which controls the Hobby Lobby company
Prometheus Books
The Illusion of Certainty: How the Flawed Beliefs of Religion Harm Our Culture by James T. Houk (Dec. 5, trade paper, $19, ISBN 978-1-63388-323-9). In this examination of religion’s influence on society, anthropologist Houk critiques fundamentalism and all mindsets based on rigid cultural certainties, arguing that the future can only be safeguarded by a global humanistic outlook.
Rainbow Ridge
Awakening from the 3D World: How We Enter the Next Life by Frank DeMarco (Sept. 22, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-937907-53-2). In the world that is not 3-D, death is not the end of the story, but an awakening to new possibilities. Psychic DeMarco presents readers with what that awakening looks like, as described by one who has purportedly been through it.
Random House
God: The Human Quest to Make Sense of the Divine by Reza Aslan (Nov. 7, hardcover, $28, ISBN 978-0-553-39472-6). Historian Aslan explores how different ideas of god have united, divided, and propelled humanity forward for millennia, taking readers through the history of a particular view of God and, in the process, reflecting on how intense belief has shaped humanity’s history.
Random/Spiegel & Grau
Mother of the Unseen World: The Mystery of Mother Meera by Mark Matousek (Nov. 28, hardcover, $26, ISBN 978-0-8129-9725-5). Mother Meera is an Indian-born “avatar”—she is believed to be an incarnation of the divine in female form. Meera has granted journalist and longtime follower Matousek remarkable access in order to craft this in-depth book.
Regnery
Speak the Truth: How to Bring God Back into Every Conversation by Carmen LaBerge (Sept. 25, hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-1-62157-634-1). The host of the daily Christian talk radio show The Reconnect argues that the Christian viewpoint is desperately needed in the cultural conversations of our day. LaBerge aims to get Christians off the sidelines and back in the conversation.
Revell
Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely by Holley Gerth (Oct. 3, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8007-2289-0). Bestselling author Gerth inspires readers to become the stronger, braver, truer women they long to be by sharing personal stories of her own struggles and victories.
Rowman & Littlefield
In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran by Paul-Gordon Chandler (Sept. 1, hardcover, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-5381-0427-9) offers a journey through the spiritual life of Kahlil Gibran, author of the bestselling book The Prophet.
Let’s Eat: Jewish Food and Faith by Lori Stein and Ronald H. Isaacs (Nov. 16, hardcover, $36, ISBN 978-1-4422-7103-6) introduces readers to the connection between Jewish food and the values and traditions of Judaism.
Schocken
Bewilderments: Reflections on the Book of Numbers by Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg (Sept. 5, trade paper, $20, ISBN 978-0-8052-1251-8). Through literary, scholarly, and psychological analysis of the text, Zornberg, Torah scholar and lecturer, tackles the enduring puzzlement of the book of Numbers.
Shadow Mountain/Ensign Peak
Even This: Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God with Anything by Emily Belle Freeman (Sept. 5, trade paper, $12.99, ISBN 978-1-62972-338-9). Blogger and speaker Freeman invites readers to make room for personal experiences with God by chronicling her quest to find God in everyday moments.
Shambhala
I Ching: The Book of Change, trans. by Thomas Cleary (Dec. 12, trade paper, $12.95, ISBN 978-1-61180-500-0). This translation of the well-known ancient Chinese oracle and sourcebook of Asian wisdom, considered the oldest of the Chinese classics, draws on ancient Confucian commentary that emphasizes applying practical wisdom in everyday affairs.
Shiloh Run
Your Dream. God’s Plan: Are You Longing for Something More? by Tiffany Smiling and Margot Starbuck (Nov. 1, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-68322-359-7). Weeks after serving on her high school’s homecoming court, Smiling suffered a paralyzing stroke and writes about how she accepted God’s challenge to experience true contentment by trading in comparison, discontent, and fears of inadequacy for a satisfaction that lasts.
Simon & Schuster
Own The Moment by Carl Lentz (Oct. 31, hardcover, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-5011-7700-2). This inspirational book by the popular pastor of New York City’s Hillsong megachurch guides readers toward a more engaged, spiritually grounded, and fulfilled life.
Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright (Aug. 8, hardcover, $27, ISBN 978-1-4391-9545-1) is a journey through psychology, philosophy, and meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness, by a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
S&S/Howard
Proof of God: The Shocking True Answer to the World’s Most Important Question by Ptolemy Tompkins and Bernard Haisch (Sept. 26, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-5011-6154-4). Tompkins, collaborator on the bestselling Proof of Heaven, teams up with astrophysicist Haisch to prove God’s existence and show that His work is evident in the world around us.
Sensing the Rhythm: Finding My Voice in a World Without Sound by Mandy Harvey (Sept. 5, hardcover, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-5011-7225-0). The inspiring true story of Mandy Harvey, a young woman who became deaf at age 19 while pursuing a degree in music, recounts how she overcame adversity and found the courage to live out her dreams.
SkyLight Paths
Gospel—The Book of Luke by Thomas Moore (Oct. 24, hardcover, $21.99, ISBN 978-1-59473-638-4). In this fresh translation of the Gospels (including commentary) psychotherapist and former monk Moore strips the Gospel of Luke of a theological agenda and reclaims the Gospels as a fundamentally new way of imagining human life.
Smithsonian
The Simple Faith of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Religion’s Role in the FDR Presidency by Christine Wicker (Oct. 10, hardcover, $24.95, ISBN 978-1-58834-524-0). Religion journalist Wicker establishes that faith was at the heart of everything Roosevelt wanted for the American people.
Sounds True
Holy Rascals: Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries by Rami Shapiro (Dec. 1, trade paper, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-62203-746-9). A rabbi and professor of religious studies at Middle Tennessee State University describes the making of a holy rascal and the great task of “freeing religion from the parochial and for the perennial.”
St. Martin’s
The Burning Time: Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, and the Protestant Martyrs of London by Virginia Rounding (Oct. 31, hardcover, $29.99, ISBN 978-1-250-04064-0). The author’s vivid account of Protestant martyrs burned at the stake in Tudor England centers on two very different characters: Richard Rich, Thomas Cromwell’s protégé, and John Deane, rector of St. Bartholomew’s.
State Univ. of New York
Unruly Catholic Nuns: Sisters’ Stories, edited by Jeana DelRosso, Leigh Eicke, and Ana Kothe (Oct. 1, trade paper, $19.95, ISBN 978-1-4384-6648-4). Through autobiography, fiction, poetry, and prose, Sisters and former nuns write about their lived experiences with Catholicism, both in accordance and in conflict with the institutional Church.
Thomas Nelson
Love That Lasts: How We Discovered God’s Better Way for Love, Dating, Marriage, and Sex by Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke (Oct. 10, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-7180-3918-9). Writer Jefferson Bethke and his wife, Alyssa, reveal how American culture’s slanted views on love, sex, dating, and marriage infected their own lives and share how to form a healthier and more fulfilling relationship in God’s way.
Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker (Aug. 8, hardcover, $22.99, ISBN 978-0-7180-3184-8). Bestselling author Hatmaker playfully assures readers that they have all the pluck they need for vibrant, courageous, grace-filled lives.
Tyndale
Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight with All That’s in You for Your Family and Your Faith by Heidi St. John (Sept. 19, hardcover, $24.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-1265-2). Through encouragement, practical prayers, and authentic moments, Christian speaker, radio personality, and blogger St. John teachers readers how to train children to hear God’s voice and walk in truth.
Tyndale Momentum
Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey Through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace by Kim Phuc Phan Thi, with Ashley Wiersma (Oct. 3, hardcover, $25.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-2429-7). The photo of nine-year-old Phan Thi fleeing raining napalm has come to define the horror and violence of the Vietnam War. This story of horror, hope, and resilience explores her spiritual path as she comes to believe in the power of God’s mercy and love.
Univ. of Illinois
Lost Legacy by Irene M. Bates and E. Gary Smith (Dec. 15, trade paper, $29.95, ISBN 978-0-252-08309-9). Historians Bates and Smith update their prize-winning history of the office of presiding patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the hereditary office first occupied by Joseph Smith’s father and abolished in 1979. Includes new material by E. Gary Smith.
Univ. of North Carolina
Religious Freedom: The Contested History of an American Ideal by Tisa Wenger (Oct. 2, hardcover, $34.95, ISBN 978-1-4696-3462-3). A professor of American religious history at Yale fights against the thinking that religious freedom is a timeless American ideal and inalienable right, contending instead that American ideas about religious freedom are continually reinvented.
Univ. of Notre Dame
Orthodox Christian Perspectives on War, edited by Perry T. Hamalis and Valerie A. Karras (Dec. 15, hardcover, $55, ISBN 978-0-268-10277-7). Through essays by prominent Orthodox scholars across many fields, this collection presents and examines the Orthodox tradition’s nuanced and unique insights on the meaning and challenges of war with an eye toward their contemporary relevance.
Univ. of Pennsylvania
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: Family Trouble in the Infancy Gospels by Christopher A. Frilingos (Oct. 2, hardcover, $39.95, ISBN 978-0-8122-4950-7). Ancient Christians, wanting to know more about the household of Joseph, Mary, and little Jesus, would turn to the texts we know as the “Infancy Gospels.” Frilingos investigates the Gospels’ origins and contends that these accounts are best viewed as meditations on family, depicting acts of love and courage meant to teach early Christian readers the worth of human relationships.
Viking
God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Book of Proverbs by Timothy Keller, with Kathy Keller (Oct. 17, hardcover, $20, ISBN 978-0-7352-2209-0). Pastor and bestselling author Keller provides fresh, inspiring lessons based on different passages in the Book of Proverbs with knowledge and clarity.
What the Qur’an Meant: And Why It Matters by Garry Wills (Oct. 3, hardcover, $25, ISBN 978-1-101-98102-3). The Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and religious scholar introduces lay readers to the Qur’an with a measured, powerful reading of the ancient text in this reconsideration of the Qur’an that leads readers through perplexing passages.
WaterBrook
The Alphabet of Grief: Words to Help in Times of Sorrow by Andrea Raynor (Sept. 5, hardcover, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7352-9029-7). Minister, chaplain, and spiritual counselor Raynor offers simple but thoughtful reflections to ease the isolation and loneliness of grief.
The Last Arrow: Save Nothing for the Next Life by Erwin Raphael McManus (Sept. 5, hardcover, $22.99, ISBN 978-1-60142-953-7). By examining the account of Elisha and the King of Israel, speaker and pastor McManus demonstrates why it is best to follow God into battle with an empty quiver.
Watkins
Become the Force: 9 Lessons on How to Live as a Jediist Master by Daniel M. Jones (Nov. 14, trade paper, $14.95, ISBN 978-1-78678-090-4). The founder of the Church of Jediism (now with more than 500,000 members) outlines the Jediist perspective and provides practical tools for anyone interested in unleashing their inner Luke Skywalker and gaining a deeper understanding of how to use the Force in everyday life.
Weiser
Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic by Diana L. Paxson (Sept. 1, trade paper, $22.95, ISBN 978-1-57863-610-5) explores the Norse god Odin’s origins: his appearances in sagas, old magic spells, and the Poetic Edda, and his influence on modern media, such as Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Westminster John Knox
Still Christian: Following Jesus Out of American Evangelicalism by David P. Gushee (Sept. 15, trade paper, $16, ISBN 978-0-664-26337-9). In this tell-all, Gushee, professor of Christian ethics, and director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University, gives an insider’s look at the frictions and schisms of evangelical Christianity.
Whitaker House
Divine Encounter with the Holy Spirit by Guillermo Maldonado (Oct. 3, trade paper, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-62911-898-7). The founder of one of the fastest-growing multicultural churches in America describes the nature and role of the “third person of the Trinity,” providing stories of people whose lives have been transformed by encounters with God’s Spirit.
Wisdom
Approaching the Buddhist Path by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron (Aug. 15, hardcover, $29.95, ISBN 978-1-61429-441-2). This series collects the Dalai Lama’s presentations of the steps on the path to enlightenment, compiled and coauthored by one of his chief Western disciples, American nun Chodron.
Unsubscribe: Opt Out of Delusion, Tune in to Truth by Josh Korda (Nov. 21, trade paper, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-61429-282-1). Korda, a dharma teacher who blends Buddhist wisdom, modern neuroscience, and a punk-rock attitude, helps readers lead a more authentic, fulfilling life.
Worthy
Earth’s Last Empire: The Final Game of the Thrones by John Hagee (Nov. 14, trade paper, $15.99, ISBN 978-1-68397-029-3). Bible prophecy reveals that immediately before the rapture of the Church, four powerful kings will race onto the stage of world history. In this book Hagee, founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Tex., reveals who they are, where they come from, and what they signify.
Worthy Inspired
Angels Among Us: Extraordinary Encounters with Heavenly Beings by Wanda Rosseland (Sept. 19, hardcover, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-68397-051-4) collects stories of everyday people—little children, old women, young men, and more—who had their lives stopped for a moment and redirected with a little help from above. .
Yale Univ.
The New Testament: A Translation by David Bentley Hart (Oct. 24, hardcover, $35, ISBN 978-0-300-18609-3). Historian Hart undertakes this translation in the spirit of “etsi doctrina non daretur,” “as if doctrine is not given,” reproducing the texts’ often fragmentary formulations without augmentation or correction.
Zondervan
Fierce Faith: A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety by Alli Worthington (Jan. 23, trade paper, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-310-34225-0). By sharing stories from her own life with humor and honesty, Worthington reminds readers that Jesus’ call to “fear not” can seem like the hardest instruction to follow, but it is the path to serenity and a happier life.
Children’s/YA
360 Degrees
Festivals and Celebrations by Sandra Lawrence, illus. by Jane Newland (Sept. 1, hardcover, $12.99, ISBN 978-1-944530-10-5) examines ancient, traditional, and modern festivals around the world. Ages 8–up.
Barbour
How God Grows a Girl of Grace: A Devotional by JoAnne Simmons (Nov. 1, trade paper, $4.99, ISBN 978-1-68322-322-1). Featuring 180 devotional readings complemented by easy-to-understand scripture selections and prayers, this collection offers a powerful blend of inspiration, encouragement, and godly guidance just for girls. Ages 8–12.
NavPress
Good Night Tales: A Family Treasury of Read-Aloud Stories by C.S. Fritz (Oct. 1, hardcover, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-63146-556-7) leads children on a vivid and imaginative adventure through scriptural truths, bringing a forest to life through animal kings, trolls, plum-loving giants, and fiddle-playing crickets. Ages 5–12.
Paulist
Noel: An Unforgettable Night! by Claire Dumont (Sept. 5, hardcover, $14.95, ISBN 978-0-8091-6780-7) reimagines the familiar story of Jesus’s birth as if it occurred in the snowy Canadian Arctic, among the Inuit people.
Schiffer
Have You Heard? A Child’s Introduction to the Ten Commandments by Jeff Glickman, illus. by Eric Krakow (Sept. 28, hardcover, $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7643-5395-6). Rabbi Glickman frames the Ten Commandments in a way children can understand, introducing them to religious ethics. Ages 5–8.
Shiloh Kidz
365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, illus. by Alessia Girasole (Nov. 1, hardcover, $19.99, ISBN 978-1-63058-380-4), brings 365 readaloud classic Bible stories to life for young children, beginning with the creation story, “God Creates the Earth,” and ending with “In Eternity with God.” Ages up to 3.
Simon & Schuster/Wiseman
A Child’s Book of Prayers and Blessings: From Faiths and Cultures Around the World by Deloris Jordan, illus. by Shadra Strickland (Oct. 10, hardcover, $17.99, ISBN 978-1-4169-9550-0). From cultures and countries near and far, this collection of more than 20 poems and prayers, selected especially to share with children, affirms the wonder and beauty of all things great and small in our world. Ages 4–8.
Sparkhouse Family
Adriana’s Angels by Ruth Goring, illus. by Erika Meza (Sept. 12, hardcover, $16.99, ISBN 978-1-5064-1832-2). Two guardian angels watch over a little girl through difficult transitions (fleeing Colombia for the United States), as well as the ordinary moments of childhood. Ages 4–8.
Tyndale House
God Made the World by Sarah Jean Collins (Oct. 3, board book, $7.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-2648-2). Author and artist Collins brings a fresh approach to her illustrations using geometric designs to create bright and exciting pictures for preschoolers. Ages 3–6.
Just Sayin’ by Dandi Daley Mackall (Aug. 8, hardcover, $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4964-2316-0). Told through a series of letters, this is the story of a blended family that almost falls apart before it even begins. Ages 10–14.
WaterBrook
God Gave Us Family by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illus. by David Hohn (Oct. 17, hardcover, $10.99, ISBN 978-1-60142-876-9 ). With immersive illustrations and meaningful text, this heartwarming book teaches kids what it means to be in families of all kinds. Ages 3–7.
Shaken: The Young Reader’s Edition: Fighting to Stand Strong No Matter What Comes Your Way by Tim Tebow (Sept. 19, hardcover, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-7352-8996-3). Heisman Trophy–winner Tebow shares a vision for young Christians still forming their identity and finding their God-given purpose—even when life doesn’t go as planned. Ages 10–up.
WorthyKids/Ideals
Love You Always by Eileen Spinelli, illus. by Gillian Flint (Sept. 19, hardcover, $15.99, ISBN 978-0-8249-5686-8). A child receives assurances of love and support from an expansive network of family and friends. Ages 4–7.
Maverick and Me by Katherine Schwarzenegger, illus. by Phyllis Harris (Sept. 5, hardcover, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-8249-5687-5). Animal advocate Schwarzenegger introduces children to the concept of pet adoption in this story. Ages 4–7.
Zondervan/Zonderkidz
God’s Great Love for You by Rick Warren, illus. by Chris Saunders (Oct. 3, hardcover, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-310-75247-9), takes children on a whimsical journey to places far and near that lets them know God’s love is with them wherever they go. Ages 4–8.
Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist, illus. by Elena Selivanova (Oct. 3, hardcover, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-310-74553-2), echoes the familiar language and rhythm of Clement Moore’s beloved poem, but focuses on baby Jesus. Ages 4–8.