Spirituality and Religion
May 2025
Recent Releases
Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln's Union
by Richard Carwardine

For readers interested in the entanglement of faith and politics, this exploration of the Civil War reframes the conflict through the lens of religious nationalism. Drawing on Lincoln’s own spiritual conception of the war, it highlights how competing religious visions shaped the nation -- and still echo in church–state debates today.
Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious
by Ross Douthat

Thoughtful skeptics and questioning believers alike may find resonance in this blueprint for rediscovering faith through reason. Tackling science, consciousness, and spiritual longing, it offers a rigorous, empathetic case for belief in a world that often favors doubt.
Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus
by Elaine Pagels

Elaine Pagels investigates how stories of Jesus’s miracles shaped the movement that followed him -- and why they still resonate today. With historical precision and narrative flair, she unpacks the tension between fact and faith, inviting spiritually curious readers to rethink the power of sacred storytelling.
The life of the Qur'an : from eternal roots to enduring legacy
by Mohamad Jebara

Based on extensive scholarship, an innovative biography of the central text of Islam Over a billion copies of the Qur`an exist, yet it remains an enigma. Its classical Arabic language resists simple translation, and its non-linear style of abstract musings defies categorization. Moreover, those who champion its sanctity and compete to claim its mantle offer widely diverging interpretations of its core message at times with explosive results. Building on his intimate portrait of the Qur`an's prophet in Muhammad the World-Changer, Mohamad Jebara returns with a vivid profile of the book itself. While viewed in retrospect as the grand scripture of triumphant empires, Jebara reveals how the Qur`an unfolded over 22 years amidst intense persecution, suffering, and loneliness. The Life of the Qur`an recounts this vivid drama as a biography examining the book's obscured heritage, complex revelation, and contested legacy. The Qur`an re-emerges with clarity as a dynamic life force that seeks to inspire human beingsto unleash their dormant potential despite often-overwhelming odds, in order to transform themselves and the world
The Jewish Way to a Good Life: Find Happiness, Build Community, and Embrace...
by Rabbi Shira Stutman

For readers curious about applying spiritual tradition to modern life, this accessible guide explores Jewish values as tools for self-understanding and connection. With warmth and clarity, Rabbi Shira Stutman blends ancient teachings with practical insight into relationships, generosity, and the everyday ethics of living well.
People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations
by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

Many who have struggled with approval-seeking will find kinship and encouragement in this candid spiritual memoir. Reflecting on her own journey, Jinger Vuolo offers a faith-centered path to self-worth -- inviting readers to trade performance for presence and rediscover their identity in the eyes of God.
Contact your librarian for more great books!