Publication year 1999
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Fear, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos
Tags Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, World History, Science & Nature, Philosophy, Psychology, Fantasy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality
Religion & Spirituality
In this collection we've gathered fiction and nonfiction texts that address humanity's age-old search for meaning and purpose within a higher power.
Maps of Meaning
Mary
Master and Man
Masters of Death
Matrix
Meditation 17
Meditations
Meditations on First Philosophy
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Mencius
Mere Christianity
Midnight's Children
Midnight Sun
Miracles
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Modern Man in Search of a Soul
Monkey Beach
Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran
Moses, Man of the Mountain
Mostly What God Does
Publication year 1999
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Fear, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos
Tags Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, World History, Science & Nature, Philosophy, Psychology, Fantasy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Fear, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Revenge, Femininity, Mental Health, Aging, Midlife, Death, Place, Teamwork, Community, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality
Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 1895
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Religion & Spirituality, Social Class, Economics
Tags Classic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Social Class, European History, Poverty, Russian Literature, World History, Philosophy, Philosophy
“Master and Man” is a short story, written in Russian, by Leo Tolstoy in 1895—a period of the author’s life often considered distinct from the early periods of his most famous novels. Having disowned these previous works, the 67-year-old began writing stories on ethical-religious themes. Set in post-reform Russia, when serfdom was abolished and capitalistic forms of work were redefining social life, “Master and Man” is also a commentary on the effects of the new... Read Master and Man Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Regret, Shame & Pride, Death, Future, Teamwork, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt
Tags Fantasy, Romance, Horror & Suspense, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Religion & Spirituality, Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, Femininity
Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Medieval, Gender & Feminism, World History, Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 1630
Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction
Themes Religion & Spirituality, Death
Tags Religion & Spirituality, Metaphysical
John Donne, one of the most famous English writers of the Jacobean Age, is the central figure of a group of 17th-century poets called the Metaphysical poets. These poets combined complex, unusual metaphors with philosophic and scientific allusions, their poems often focusing on metaphysical quandaries (hence the name “Metaphysical poetry”). Donne wrote “Meditation 17” in 1623 while he was deathly ill, and though it isn’t a poem, the sermon still explores the metaphysical mystery of... Read Meditation 17 Summary
Publication year 180
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Religion & Spirituality, Fate, Perseverance, Good & Evil
Tags Philosophy, Ancient Rome, Philosophy, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Biography, Self-Improvement, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Meditations is a collection of prose philosophical reflections and exercises composed in Koine Greek by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who lived from 121-180 and ruled from 161-180. Though the precise dating of his compositions is unknown and they are not believed to be presented in chronological order, at least some of the books were written while he was on military campaign in the north of Europe during his reign. Scholars are generally in consensus that... Read Meditations Summary
Publication year 1641
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Fate, Order & Chaos, Truth & Lies, Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality
Tags Philosophy, Age of Enlightenment, Religion & Spirituality, Education, Education, French Literature, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction
Meditations on First Philosophy is a philosophical treatise by René Descartes. Originally published in Latin in 1641, the text would go on to influence European and global philosophical traditions. In this work, Descartes argues for the existence of God and the immortality of the soul. Two of its major contributions to philosophy are mind/body dualism and the famous phrase “I think, therefore, I am.” The book comprises six meditations wherein Descartes seeks to doubt all... Read Meditations on First Philosophy Summary
Publication year 1989
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Memory, The Past, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Technology
Tags Philosophy, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Philosophy, World History, Psychology, Biography
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Good & Evil
Tags Asian Literature, Chinese Literature, Philosophy, Philosophy, Asian Literature, World History, Classical Period, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Mencius is a philosophical text based on the thought and teachings of fourth-century BCE Confucian Chinese philosopher Mencius, or Mengzi. According to the latest scholarship, written in the late fourth century BCE by Mencius’s disciples from notes on what Mencius said, it details conversations he had with various kings, rulers, and officials. These discussions cover a range of topics, from moral and political philosophy to human nature and selfhood. The following guide uses the translation... Read Mencius Summary
Publication year 1952
Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction
Themes Forgiveness, Shame & Pride, Religion & Spirituality, Marriage
Tags Religion & Spirituality, Christian, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction
Mere Christianity by Clive Staples Lewis (more commonly known as C. S. Lewis) was first published in 1952 as an expansion of some radio talks Lewis gave during World War II. Though Lewis is best known for his children’s fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia (particularly The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), Mere Christianity is likely Lewis’s most famous work of Christian apologetics—a genre dedicated to addressing various critiques of Christian theology. Lewis was... Read Mere Christianity Summary
Publication year 1981
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Colonialism, Family
Tags Magical Realism, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, Poverty, Social Class, World History, Religion & Spirituality, Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Indian Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
Midnight’s Children is a 1981 magical realism novel by British American novelist Salman Rushdie. The story follows Saleem, a child born at the moment of India’s independence who possesses strange powers. The novel won many awards, including the Booker of Bookers Prize, which was awarded to the best all-time winner of the Booker Prize on the award’s 40th anniversary. Midnight’s Children has been adapted for theater, radio, and film. This guide uses the 2006 Vintage... Read Midnight's Children Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Love, Death, Family
Tags Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Publication year 1947
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Appearance & Reality, Space, Art, Beauty, Religion & Spirituality
Tags Religion & Spirituality, Christian, Philosophy
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Guilt, Family
Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Jacob Portman believes he is ordinary and is fascinated with his extraordinary grandfather, Abraham Portman, during his childhood years. Grandpa Portman introduces Jacob to interesting stories about monsters and unusual pictures of peculiar children. As a child, Abraham escaped Nazi Germany to Wales, where he lived in a house with other children under the guidance of Headmistress Peregrine.The older Jacob becomes, however, the more disbelief he has toward his grandfather’s stories. Similarly, Jacob’s family thinks... Read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Summary
Publication year 1931
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Mental Health, Appearance & Reality, Art
Tags Psychology, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2014
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Grief, Memory, Community
Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Diversity, Religion & Spirituality, Grief & Death, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy
Canadian author Eden Robinson’s novel Monkey Beach (2000) is set in the village of Kitamaat in British Columbia, Canada. Kitamaat is the primary community of the Haisla nation, one of the Indigenous Canadian groups known as the First Nations. Monkey Beach tells the story of teenager Lisa Hill, whose brother Jimmy has mysteriously disappeared. In the aftermath of his disappearance, Lisa reflects on memories of her youth. The novel combines elements of mystery and the... Read Monkey Beach Summary
Publication year 2001
Genre Novella, Fiction
Themes Religion & Spirituality, Friendship, Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Race, Fathers
Tags French Literature, Grief & Death, Coming of Age, Relationships, Realistic Fiction, Parenting, Love & Sexuality, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
First published as a play in 2001, the novella Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran is part of Franco-Belgian author Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s Cycle of the Invisible series consisting of unrelated stories on the themes of human connection, the transition from childhood to adulthood, and spirituality. Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran has been performed on the stage and was adapted for the screen in 2003. This study guide refers to Marjolijn... Read Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran Summary
Publication year 1939
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Hope, Place, Family, Social Class, Colonialism, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality
Tags Education, Education, African American Literature, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality
Moses, Man of the Mountain is an allegorical novel by African-American author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. The novel reimagines the life of Moses and the biblical narrative of the Exodus from Egypt with several important changes, including the use of African American dialect, slang, and folklore. Throughout the novel, Hurston draws allegorical parallels between the enslavement of the Hebrew people in Egypt and the enslavement of people of African descent in the United States... Read Moses, Man of the Mountain Summary
Publication year 2024
Genre Biography, Nonfiction
Themes Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Religion & Spirituality
Tags Christian, Religion & Spirituality, Inspirational, Self-Improvement