7 Days of Christmas
Jen Hatmaker (Abingdon)
ISBN 978-1-5018-8827-4, $21.99
Inspired by and adapted from her breakout book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, 7 Days of Christmas takes Hatmaker’s social experiments in seven key areas—food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, stress—and turns them into thoughtful and practical generosity that captures the true spirit of Christmas. The book covers seven days during the Christmas season for readers to practice both generosity and restraint in the areas related to the book.
Fifteen Spirituals That Will Change Your Life
Henry L. Carrigan Jr. (Paraclete)
ISBN 978-1-64060-086-7, $16.99
This inspiring book is part memoir (Carrigan is both musician and music journalist), part tour of gospel music hits and artists, and part a quick history of forgotten parts of America. Carrigan explores 15 gospel songs with enduring power: each chapter includes a brief history of the song; its setting, composer, and lyrics; and illustrates its themes of comfort, healing, community, hope, and love. Among the spirituals included are “Amazing Grace” (the theme of God’s grace and salvation), “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” (comfort and healing), “Wade in the Water” (baptism, redemption, social justice), and many more.
Kahlil Gibran’s Little Book of Wisdom
Edited by Neil Douglas-Klotz (Hampton Roads)
ISBN 978-1-57174-835-5, $15.95
One of the most popular and profound inspirational writers of all time shares simple wisdom for living a happy and fulfilling life. Here are his thoughts on what it means to live in community and solitude, and what gives life meaning, along with his often prescient views on government, organized religion, wealth, and commerce. This is the essential Gibran, with 88 selections organized into five sections that elucidate answers to the questions that each of us face. This inspirational gift volume gently guides readers through life’s big issues: meaning and mortality, good and evil, and discovering an authentic spiritual path.
The Karma of Cats
Edited by Diana Ventimiglia (Sounds True)
ISBN 978-1-68364-253-4, $17.95
In this charming volume, Ventimiglia collects short essays (and one poem) that meditate on the spirituality of cat companionship. Opening with a lovely introductory essay from yoga teacher Seane Corn, the book’s thoughtful, well-crafted pieces present anecdotes and moments of communion inspired by feline companions. Most of the essays adopt a broad spiritual approach to their topic, and readers will find familiar Buddhist and yoga themes considered through a furry lens. This fun, cheerful edition will appeal to any spiritualist or cat lover.
Small Simple Ways: An Ignatian Daybook for Healthy Spiritual Living
Vinita Hampton Wright (Loyola)
ISBN 978-0-8294-4541-1, $14.95
Author, editor, and retreat leader Hampton Wright offers her trademark compassion and encouragement to lift readers and help propel them forward. This book covers 52 weeks (Monday through Sunday) structured into four-week sections focusing on a principle of spiritual growth as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola: “God in All Things,” “Spiritual Freedom,” “Imagination,” and “Reflection.” Each day connects the general focus with a specific aspect or action of healthy spiritual life such as compassion, discernment, generosity, gratitude, and integrity.
The Zen of R2-D2
Matthew Bortollin (Wisdom)
ISBN 978-1-61429-620-1, $16.95
In this fun guide, a follow-up to The Dharma of Star Wars, Bortollin, an ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Zen community, divines parallels between the way of the Jedi and Zen Buddhism. A self-described Star Wars nerd, Bortollin seamlessly weaves together the principles and practices of Zen (patience, persistence, connection to suffering) with the language of Star Wars and the wise bloops and bleeps of R2-D2 as he advises and calms down stressful situations. This delightful introduction to the tenets and traditions of Zen Buddhism will appeal to Star Wars fans.
