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.

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings

Tags Religion / Spirituality, Classic Fiction, Ancient Greece, Mythology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classical Period, History: World, Fantasy

“Works and Days” is a didactic poem by Hesiod dating to approximately the eighth century BCE. Hesiod begins the poem with the traditional invocation to the muses, but he deviates slightly from this tradition by including personal information; the poem is an explanation of a dispute between Hesiod and his brother Perses over a family inheritance. The poem’s thematic concerns, which Hesiod explores by arguing how harmful his brother’s actions are not only to himself... Read Works and Days Summary


Publication year 2014

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Self Help, Psychology, Health / Medicine, Religion / Spirituality, Science / Nature


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Romance, Magical Realism, Drama / Tragedy, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Race, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction


Publication year 1961

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: The Past

Tags Allegory / Fable / Parable, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Education, Education


Publication year 1974

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Philosophy, Action / Adventure, Modern Classic Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Self Help, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Travel Literature, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was published in 1974. Told through the frame of a long motorcycle trip across America, the book explores life and how to best live it. The world of ideas takes center stage, providing both the conflict and resolution for living such a balanced approach to life. Perspectives from Eastern and Western philosophy and religion are referenced, highlighted, and explored, and through this exploration, the narrator addresses the pivotal... Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Summary


Publication year 1966

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Jewish Literature, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Religion / Spirituality, Animals, Holidays & Occasions, Relationships, Science / Nature, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction