What the critics say: Sarah Ditum of The Guardian writes, “(Thomas’) prose is splendidly alive, full of unexpected phrases and delicious cadences,” and Naomi Novik of The New York Times Book Review says, “Thomas makes clear that pleasure taken in this world is misguided where it is not impossible.”
There’s also a Bible-like “magical book” that promises something like redemption. Photo courtesy of Counterpoint Pressįaith factor: The story is more mystical than religious, centering on a search for magical seeds that offer the secret of enlightenment. “The Seed Collectors” by Scarlett Thomas. The author, a Brit, has a master’s degree in ethnobotany, which she puts to use here. But it offers little spiritual nourishment for the surviving members of the family, who share a passion for botany and soon set off on a search for something more. The matriarch of the Gardener family has died and left behind a yoga retreat called Namaste House. “The Seed Collectors” by Scarlett Thomas (Soft Skull Press/Counterpoint) What the critics say: Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and described it as “funny, unsettling and mysterious,” while Caitlin Youngquist of the Paris Review said, “the brevity of these stories belies their craft and gravity.” Williams is an acclaimed author, a past finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.įaith factor: This one is pretty obvious. “Ninety-Nine Stories of God” by Joy Williams (Tin House Books)Ī slim volume of fictional short stories (some only a sentence or two) in which God has a penchant for showing up in some weird places - a hot-dog-eating contest, a demolition derby, a shingles clinic. “Ninety-Nine Stories of God,” by Joy Williams, artwork by Michael Sowa, cover design by Diane Chonette.
What the critics say: Sara Nelson, former editor of Publishers Weekly, writes, “The Girls” is “surprisingly timeless and perfectly creepy” and “worth the buzz.” Dwight Garner of The New York Times says, “This promises to be a perceptive page-turner, a volume to haunt summer’s warm nights.” If it sounds like it is based on murderer Charles Manson and the women who loved him and killed for him, it is - so expect violence.įaith factor: Evie tells the story from middle age and struggles with the spiritual burden of the cult’s violent actions. The story, set in the 1960s, revolves around 14-year-old Evie, who is drawn to “the girls,” a cultlike group that gathers around a charismatic leader.
This first novel set off a bidding war among 12 publishers in 2014 before finally being snagged by Random House for a rumored seven-figure advance. Some of these books have been out for a while others will be published in the coming weeks. These are books where religion or spirituality play a role, but not necessarily a starring one. None come from standard religion publishing houses. (RNS) Summer is here with its accompanying plans for long spells of reading near some body of water, be it ocean or kiddie pool.Īnd while many publications compile lists of recommended summer reading, RNS has put together a list of eight books - four fiction and four nonfiction - that have some sort or religious or spiritual component.