Spirituality and Religion
 
March 2026

Recent Releases
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging by Angela Buchdahl
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging
by Angela Buchdahl

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A story that begs to be told. . . engrossing. --The Washington Post From the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi, a stirring account of one woman's journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming one of the most admired religious leaders in the world Angela Buchdahl was born in Seoul, the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and Jewish American father. Profoundly spiritual from a young age, by sixteen she felt the first stirrings to become a rabbi. Despite the naysayers and periods of self-doubt--Would a mixed-race woman ever be seen as authentically Jewish or chosen to lead a congregation?--she stayed the course, which took her first to Yale, then to rabbinical school, and finally to the pulpit of one of the largest, most influential congregations in the world. Today, Angela Buchdahl inspires Jews and non-Jews alike with her invigorating, joyful approach to worship and her belief in the power of faith, gratitude, and responsibility for one another, regardless of religion. She does not shy away from difficult topics, from racism within the Jewish community and the sexism she confronted when she aspired to the top job to rising antisemitism today. Buchdahl teaches how these challenges, which can make one feel like a stranger, can ultimately be the source of our greatest empathy and strength. Angela Buchdahl has gone from outsider to officiant, from feeling estranged to feeling embraced--and she's emerged with a deep conviction that we are all bound to a larger whole and mission. She has written a book that is both memoir and spiritual guide for everyday living, which is exactly what so many of us crave right now.
Awakening: The Path to Freedom and Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
Awakening: The Path to Freedom and Enlightenment
by Deepak Chopra

In this ... guide to spiritual and personal wellness, Deepak Chopra unveils profound discoveries on how we can connect with our true self and construct a life free from fear. Building on decades of spiritual teachings, Chopra illustrates through enlightening sutras how to move from a state of simply surviving to leading an awakened life that unlocks the dormant potential within each of us. He also offers a Wellbeing Index by which we can track our progress on this journey towards awakening, helping increase intuition, access to insight, and a growing sense of ourselves as constantly changing beings which are part of a larger whole. Awakening offers the power to free you from the limitations of ego into a life marked by inner and outer peace, purpose, and boundless possibility. Featuring mental exercises, meditations, and personal stories from his own spiritual journey, Chopra shakes us from the nightmare of a limited self, where worry and anxiety reign--
Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself--And to God--When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering by Chuck Degroat
Healing What's Within: Coming Home to Yourself--And to God--When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering
by Chuck Degroat

If you're like many of us, you carry a weight of buried pain. Despite looking put together on the outside, you feel secretly fractured within. While you appear strong and resilient on the outside, inside a storm brews of all the ways you've been hurt or harmed. There's a constant churn of unprocessed feelings of shame, anger, grief, or loneliness. And your body tells the story of its struggles in a myriad of aches and ailments. Little by little, you find yourself becoming disconnected from who you truly are. Not knowing what to do with your suffering and fearing you'll be hurt again, you've learned to cope, to numb and suppress the ache within.--
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds by John Fugelsang
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
by John Fugelsang

For more than two centuries, the United States Constitution has given us the right to a society where church and state exist independently. But Christianity has been hijacked by far-right groups and politicians who seek to impose their narrow views on government, often to justify oppressive and unequal policies. The extremists who weaponize the Bible for earthly power aren't actually on the side of Jesus--and historically they never have been. How do we fight back against those acting--literally--in bad faith? Comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang ... offers the answers. In this ... book, [he] takes readers through common fundamentalist arguments on abortion, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and more--exposing their hypocrisy and inaccuracy through scripture, common sense, and deeply inappropriate humor. It offers practical tips on how to debate your loved one, coworker, or neighbor on the issues that divide us using that Bible they claim to follow--
The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith by Craig Groeschel
The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith
by Craig Groeschel

In The Benefit of Doubt, bestselling author and pastor Craig Groeschel shows us that doubt is not the enemy of faith but often an invitation to deeper faith. With his trademark humor, warmth, and lay-it-all-on-the-table style, Groeschel shows how asking questions, seeking answers, and wrestling with doubt can lead to a deeper relationship with God.
The History of Jerusalem: An Illustrated Story of 4,000 Years by Vincent Lemire
The History of Jerusalem: An Illustrated Story of 4,000 Years
by Vincent Lemire

The 4,000-year history of the city of Jerusalem unfolds in an exceptional graphic narrative that touches on the birth of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, as well as famous conquerors and mighty empires, and more. Readers will meet Abraham, King Herod, Empress Helena (the mother of Constantine I), Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, Saladin, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, General Edmund Allenby, Palestinian nationalist Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, former Mayor Teddy Kollek, and many other famous people who have helped build the story of Jerusalem--
Uncluttered Faith Inspired By The Teachings of Joshua Becker: Simplify Your Life, Deepen Your Love, And Create Real Impact by Daniel Mercer
Uncluttered Faith Inspired By The Teachings of Joshua Becker: Simplify Your Life, Deepen Your Love, And Create Real Impact
by Daniel Mercer

Have you ever felt like your life is overflowing with distractions, leaving little room for what truly matters?Imagine waking up each day with clarity, purpose, and peace-confident that your life is aligned with your deepest values and faith. Uncluttered Faith invites you into that reality.Inspired by the powerful teachings of Joshua Becker, this book offers a simple yet profound path to intentional living. You'll discover how to declutter not just your physical space, but also your heart, mind, and priorities-making room for deeper relationships, stronger faith, and a more meaningful life.Many people believe that simplicity means loss or sacrifice. Uncluttered Faith teaches the opposite. By letting go of what distracts and overwhelms you, you gain freedom-the freedom to focus on what truly matters and to live in alignment with your values without drastic or overwhelming changes.Through small, consistent steps, this book will guide you toward lasting transformation in how you live, love, and lead.In this book, you'll learn how to: Find clarity and direction by simplifying your life and focusing on what truly mattersStrengthen your relationships by removing distractions and becoming more presentCreate lasting impact by embracing a life rooted in purpose and intentionalityExperience true peace by freeing yourself from mental and emotional clutterDeepen your faith by creating space for spiritual growth and devotionAnd so much more.Uncluttered Faith is your invitation to break free from overwhelm and step into a life that is focused, intentional, and deeply fulfilling. This book equips you with practical tools and spiritual insight to help you live with meaning, peace, and purpose-one intentional choice at a time.Are you ready to clear the clutter and create a life that truly matters?Order your copy of Uncluttered Faith today and begin your journey toward a simpler, more purposeful life.
Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year by Christine Valters Paintner
Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year
by Christine Valters Paintner

Rooted in the ancient monastic tradition, this contemplative book invites readers to choose a sacred word as a spiritual companion for the year ahead. Blending reflection, creativity, and gentle prompts, it’s a soulful resource for those yearning for mindfulness and meaning in daily life.
Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church by L. Michelle Smith
Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church
by L. Michelle Smith

Call & Response: 10 Leadership Lessons From The Black Church is a captivating exploration of why so many high-performing Black business leaders attribute their transformational leadership qualities to their experiences growing up in the Black Church and how we can foster that in a future with waning and morphing church attendance-- Provided by publisher.
Blazing Eye Sees All: Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age by Leah Sottile
Blazing Eye Sees All: Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age
by Leah Sottile

Journalist Leah Sottile turns her investigative eye toward American New Age culture. Today, tarot cards, astrology, and crystals are everywhere--from Instagram and TikTok, sold at upscale boutiques and pricey wellness retreats. Sottile investigates how the recent surge of interest in New Age ideas speaks to a culture that is woven into the very fabric of America, and how self-professed gurus like Love Has Won's Mother God and the mysterious channeler Ramtha have built devout followings because of it. For more than a century, this pastel-colored world of love, light, and enlightenment has been built upon a foundation of conspiracies, antisemitism, nationalism, and a rejection of science. In [her book], Sottile seeks to understand the quest for New Age spirituality in an era of fear that has made us open to anything that claims to bring relief--
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Round Rock Public Library
200 E. Liberty Avenue Round Rock, Texas 78664
512-218-7000

www.roundrocktexas.gov/library