Friday, April 23, 2010

Kasey's Five Favorite Spiritual Memoirs by Women

Things Seen and Unseen by Nora Gallagher (Vintage, $13.95)
Lyrical and beautifully written, this memoir is organized using the Christian liturgical calendar and chronicles the author's life as a member of a liberal-activist church in California. Nora Gallagher writes so movingly about the ways her faith impacts all of her life: her work, her sometimes-difficult-but-also-loving marriage, and her volunteer job at her church's soup kitchen.

Girl Meets God by Lauren F. Winner (Random House, $15.00)
A smart, thoughtful, and often surprisingly funny book about the author's conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity. Lauren Winner is deeply honest about her struggles and confusions as well as her joys; her journey is unique and surprising, but she also makes it clear that what's at the heart of her book--trusting yourself, leading a true and honest life--are universal desires and possible for everyone.

The Barn at the End of the World by Mary Rose O'Reilley
(Milkweed Editions, $15.95)
One of my all-time favorite books, a memoir that blends Quaker and Buddhist spiritual practice with the author's two very different occupations: tending sheep and teaching English literature at a Midwestern university. Mary Rose O'Reilley is wise and funny and her writing invites you to read this book over and over (which I have actually done).

Easter Everywhere by Darcey Steinke (Bloomsbury, $14.95)

Meeting Faith by Faith Adiele (Norton, $14.95)

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