Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice
Ragan Sutterfield
Broadleaf Books, 219 pages | Published March 17, 2026
The reverence with which Episcopal priest Ragan Sutterfield approaches birdwatching is, he says, similar to ancient spiritual practices such as praying before an icon. Turning pages to study colorful sketches of birds, listening attentively for birdsong, noticing a rare bird that invites undivided attention – all part of birding – can become spiritual practices to draw us into the created world, and to the Creator.
Watch and Wonder is a contemplative journey through a single year, in which Sutterfield experiences unexpected gifts: the “muscle memory” of picking up binoculars and quickly spotting a hidden bird, lingering in nature, creating hospitable spaces to attract birds to the yard, and, of course, the watching and waiting, which becomes a kind of prayer. While his accessible writing and poetic prose may inspire an occasional reader to search for a Fork-tailed Flycatcher, it will likely encourage all readers to slow down and find their own ways to encounter their Creator.
What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience
Tish Harrison Warren
Convergent Books, 192 pages | Published May 12, 2026
We all have dry spells, as does, it seems, New York Times columnist
and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren. Eager for a “direct experience of God’s constant presence,” Warren eventually learns to simply sit with the wearying seasons, first observing where God shows up and then going deep, “looking with unflinching honesty at the truth of things,” as she accepts God’s invitation to spiritual growth.
What Grows in Weary Lands draws on the Desert Fathers and Mothers and other traditions to offer habits and practices that sustain a faith vibrant enough to carry us through the “slog” of ordinary life. Warren deftly brings these ancient stories into conversation with her own; her insights around the biblical image of the “weaned child” stem from an “aha” moment of late night snuggles with her own little one — so poignant. She celebrates the perseverance and resilience of those who grew in faith while staying put, encouraging us to deepen relationships with God by committing to our communities and trusting God to bring about new growth.
The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness
Arthur C. Brooks
Portfolio, 304 pages | Published March 31, 2026
Social scientist Arthur Brooks sees an “explosion in unhappiness,” particularly among young people, who often enjoy their activities and even take satisfaction in accomplishments, yet confess their lives lack meaning. Brooks offers a kind of “blueprint” to help “strivers” (as he encouragingly calls his readers) find their purpose.
The Meaning of Your Life is both empathetic, acknowledging that modern devices are explicitly created to hold our attention, and urgent, as Brooks insists on our capacity to unlearn bad habits and build new skills that will lead to flourishing. He then guides us through questions to ask ourselves, drawing on his Christian faith and examples from the lives of others, including Leo Tolstoy, Koko (a gorilla) and Rainn Wilson (TV’s Dwight Schrute)! While this accessible book is appropriate for all ages, it’s particularly compelling for young adults and/or small groups.
The Power in Your Hands: Liberate Yourself from Attachment to Technology
Shannon Algeo
Broadleaf, 332 pages | Published June 2, 2026
Psychotherapist Shannon Algeo practices what he preaches: he fundamentally changed his relationship with technology and now helps others do the same. He writes with compassion (we’re addicts! It’s not our fault!) and wisdom, offering compelling strategies to help us separate from our smartphones.
The Power in Your Hands helps readers identify their attachment response style and determine whether it’s anxiety or avoidance that leads them to reach for their phones. He suggests rituals to set boundaries with our devices and describes the delicious ways to spend that free time, IRL. When we do so, Algeo believes we move from distraction toward wholeness; a church community eager to support each other in spiritual practices of presence will appreciate his work.
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