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.

Elsewhere

by Gabrielle Zevin

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Grief

Tags Magical Realism, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Religion & Spirituality

Elsewhere is a coming-of-age story and work of magical realism—a genre in which fantastical elements (e.g. talking animals) are woven into an otherwise ordinary setting. First published in 2005, it was writer Gabrielle Zevin’s first novel for a YA audience, and was a 2006 Bank Street Best Children’s Book; it is also an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book. All page numbers in this guide refer to the Farrar, Straus, and Giroux edition. Plot SummaryElsewhere begins... Read Elsewhere Summary

End of Watch

by Stephen King

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Good & Evil, Justice, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read End of Watch Summary

Equus

by Peter Shaffer

Publication year 1973

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Fathers, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality

Tags British Literature, Psychology, Drama, Love & Sexuality, Mental Illness, Religion & Spirituality

Equus is a psychological drama that delves into the complex mind of Alan Strang, a 17-year-old boy who blinds six horses in a fit of passion. The play unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist who attempts to understand Alan’s actions, leading to a profound exploration of religion, sexuality, and the nature of mental and emotional wellness. It was inspired by a true story of religious mutilation of horses near Suffolk. It... Read Equus Summary

Escaping Salem

by Richard Godbeer

Publication year 2004

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags US History, Science Fiction, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Religion & Spirituality

Escaping Salem, written by Richard Godbeer and published in 2004, is the true story, based on historical records, of a second, lesser-known set of witch trials that took place in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1692, the same year as the more famous Salem witch trials. The author’s aim is, in part, to undermine the commonly-held conception of New Englanders at the time as feverish, irrational witch hunters, which is based on the mass panic of the... Read Escaping Salem Summary

Everlost

by Neal Shusterman

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Friendship, Siblings, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction, Grief & Death, Religion & Spirituality

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Neal Shusterman published the fantasy novel Everlost in 2006. It is the first novel in the young adult Skinjacker trilogy, which also includes Everwild (2009) and Everfound (2011). Everlost explores what might lie between life and death and incorporates a rich cast of characters, all of whom are children. The novel has won multiple awards and distinctions, including being included among the 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award nominees and the... Read Everlost Summary

Everybody

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Publication year 2018

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Fear, Love, Death, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos, Good & Evil

Tags Drama, Symbolic Narrative, Grief & Death, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature, Dramatic Literature, Education, Education

Everybody, a one-act play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, premiered Off-Broadway in 2017 at the Signature Theatre and was first published in 2018. It is a modern retelling of Everyman, the most well-known and anthologized example of a medieval morality play, which was adapted from a Dutch play by an anonymous 15th century English writer. Morality plays first appeared in the 12th century, evolving from the Catholic Church’s cycle plays and liturgical dramas, which reenacted biblical scenes... Read Everybody Summary

Every Day

by David Levithan

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, LGBTQ+, Religion & Spirituality

Every Day is the 2012 young adult novel by David Levithan (Two Boys Kissing, Will Grayson, Will Grayson). The protagonist of this teen fantasy, who is referred to as “A,” is a 16-year old with a very strange life. Every day “he” wakes up in the body of a new person. One of the only things that remains consistent is that A is always A, no matter the body. A has their own thoughts and... Read Every Day Summary

Everyman

by Anonymous

Publication year 1485

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Death, Forgiveness, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Medieval, Religion & Spirituality, Christian

... Read Everyman Summary

Exodus

by Leon Uris

Publication year 1958

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nation, Perseverance, Race, Immigration, War

Tags Historical Fiction, Jewish Literature, Military & War, World War II, World History, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

Exodus (1958) is a historical novel by the Jewish American author Leon Uris. The novel follows the multigenerational story of a Jewish family in Palestine, giving the sweep of Jewish history from the First Aliyah in the 1880s to the modern state of Israel’s establishment in 1948. It focuses its greatest attention on the years from 1946 to 1948, following a group of Jewish agents and refugees as they first attempt to transport immigrants to... Read Exodus Summary

Fall on your Knees

by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Shame & Pride, Truth & Lies, Religion & Spirituality, Music, Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Fathers, Childhood & Youth, Sexual Identity, Race, Fear

Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Magical Realism, Coming of Age, Trauma & Abuse, Love & Sexuality, Music, Religion & Spirituality, Race & Racism, World History, Canadian Literature

Fall on Your Knees (1996), first-time novelist Ann-Marie MacDonald’s ambitious multigenerational family saga set in the early decades of the 20th century, moves from the bleak coastal towns of Canada’s Cape Breton Island to the bustling New York City of the Jazz Era. Recalling both the psychological richness of William Faulkner’s family sagas set in Yoknapatawpha County and the dark passions in the Gothic tales of Flannery O’Connor, Fall on Your Knees follows three very... Read Fall on your Knees Summary

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Publication year 1933

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Family, Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Agriculture, Animals, US History, Parenting, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Coming of Age, World History

... Read Farmer Boy Summary

Fear And Trembling

by Søren Kierkegaard

Publication year 1843

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Love, Fear, Perseverance, Conflict, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Good & Evil

Tags Existentialism, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Fear and Trembling is an 1843 Christian philosophical tract written by the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and published under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio (John of the Silence). The title refers to a passage from the Bible, which demands that “salvation” be worked out “with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Most of Fear and Trembling focuses on the biblical story of Abraham, whom God told to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham’s actions (despite his fear... Read Fear And Trembling Summary