The Mother Artist: Portraits of Ambition, Limitation, and Creativity
"The Mother Artist" by Catherine Ricketts is a compelling exploration of motherhood’s ability to both limit and stimulate art. — Amy Pagliarella
More Stories from this Author
Trash: A Poor White Journey
"'Trash' makes the case that poverty and racism are part of the plan, not unintended by-products of the American experiment. This can be tough to hear, which is, perhaps, why it is often dismissed as misguided 'wokeness' rather than respectfully debated." — Amy Pagliarella
Somehow: Thoughts on Love
In "Somehow," Anne Lamott gives us reason to trust in the God whose love is the greatest of all.
Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure
Maggie Jackson’s celebration of uncertainty can free church leaders from defensiveness, inviting us to ponder and question — Amy Pagliarella
Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love
"'Being Here' would be a welcome addition to a small group’s gathering and closing time or stand on its own as the foundation of a daily or weekly prayer service," writes Amy Pagliarella of Pádraig Ó Tuama's latest book.
Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith
"In 'Field Notes for the Wilderness,' Bessey writes to fellow 'wanderers' who seek a way to follow Jesus that honors their doubts and questions." — Amy Pagliarella
Children’s books to celebrate Black History
For intentional caregivers who desire to instill values like diversity, courage, self-worth and compassion, books can open the door to important discussions and questions.
Grieving Room: Making Space for all the Hard Things After Death and Loss
Leanne Friesen is a “wounded healer,” writing from personal experience with enough distance to share both theological reflections and practical suggestions. — Amy Pagliarella
A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent
"While the reflection questions and content could be tailored to suit a small group, this is a particularly rich choice for individual reading for Lent this year," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community
Luther E. Smith Jr. proclaims that Hope is Here! as he invites us to practice and pursue justice in our churches and communities.
Rethinking the Police: An Officer’s Confession and the Pathway to Reform
"While Daniel Reinhardt is one of many voices in the police-reform conversation, his personal experiences, combined with a calm yet passionate tone, provide a welcome addition to a complex topic," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Cozy post-Christmas reading
Here's a short list of books appropriate for that quiet reading time after Christmas. Enjoy!
Psalms of Wonder: Poems from the Book of Songs
Carey Wallace and Khoa Le create a book that is a gift for early elementary-age children and adults alike, writes Amy Pagliarella.
The top Outlook book recommendations of 2023
Whether it's in the magazine, on the website or in our monthly book newsletter, Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella always has a reading recommendation. These are the top 10 books our readers decided to purchase in 2023.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
David Brooks pens "a deeply engaging book that reads like a guide to pastoral care, yet is equally applicable to professionals and caregivers, helping all of us bring more curiosity and compassion to our conversations," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Devotional recommendations for Lent 2024
Amy Pagliarella has devotional recommendations for individuals, small groups and Jane Austen fans.
The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire
"Karen Eber’s 'The Perfect Story' brilliantly demonstrates how to craft memorable stories that change hearts and minds," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Praying with pictures: The “Day by Day Deck”
Looking for the perfect gift for a parent, pastor or Sunday school teacher? Consider the "Day by Day Deck" — an inter-generational tool for praying with pictures.
Spiritual and moral thoughts on creating life
Creating and sustaining life can look many different ways. Here's a list of books that can help birthing people and their pastors approach topics like surrogacy and infertility.
Advent devotional and group study recommendations
There are so many Advent resources for church leaders to wade through, so we did some of the heavy lifting. Here is Amy Pagliarella's short list for 2023 Advent materials.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year
"New York Times columnist Margaret Renkl delivers a 'literary devotional' that calls us to stop ... peer ... listen ... ponder ... consider — all as she describes the holiness of creation without religious language or beliefs," writes Amy Pagliarella.
Fall devotional recommendations
Looking for a re-fresh in your devotional life this fall? Amy Pagliarella has some recommendations.
Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’s Greatest Miracle
James Martin, SJ HarperOne, 384 pages | Published Sep. 5, 2023 It’s easy to accept Come Forth’s assertion that the raising of..
Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves
Amy Pagliarella and Shani McIlwain review Chanequa Walker-Barnes' new book where she writes: "We are our bodies. There can be no spiritual life that does not engage the body.”
Recommendations for your fall programming
Looking for a book to use as a part of a class or small group this fall? Amy Pagliarella has you covered.