Inspirational Fiction

The only thing more beautiful than Beyoncé is God, and God is a black woman sipping rosé and drawing a lavender bath, texting her mom, belly laughing in the therapist's office, feeling unloved, being on display, daring to survive. Morgan Parker stands at the intersections of vulnerability and performance, of desire and disgust, of tragedy and excellence. Unrelentingly feminist, tender, and ruthless, these poems are an altar to the complexities of black American womanhood in an age of non-indictments and déjà vu.

Isn't your wedding day supposed to be the happiest day of your life? Not if you're the emergency substitute bride! But how could Rylie say no when a child's life hangs in the balance? Now she's married to the man she loves, but he's still pining for her sister! Jarrett owes Rylie a huge debt. She's giving up a year of her life to help him adopt Gabe to get him the medical treatment he needs. But the more time he spends with Rylie, the more he's beginning to think he fell for the wrong twin. Rylie doesn't believe him! Will these two stubborn computer nerds ever admit their feelings?

On January 18th, 1989, Don Piper died in a car accident. Ninety minutes later, after a preacher prayed over him, Piper came back to life with an extraordinary story. He'd been to heaven. So began the phenomenon of 90 Minutes in Heaven.

Here are 21 inspirational stories about role models and counting your blessings. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive will encourage listeners to stay upbeat, because there's always a brighter way to look at life. This book continues Chicken Soup for the Soul's focus on inspiration and hope, reminding us that each day holds something to be thankful for.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past. Never stay anywhere too long. Never allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old shop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over. Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the older owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie.

Chris' wonderful anthology features famous poems, old and new, and a few surprises. Classic verses from William Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, W. B. Yeats and Christina Rossetti sit alongside poems from Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Carol Ann Duffy, Neil Gaiman and Roger McGough to create the ultimate collection brought to life by Sam West's exquisite readings.

This inspirational poetry book was created to help rewrite the dream of the planet. At this time in history, there are many scientific advancements being made. Quantum science is beginning to explain spirituality in ways that rational people can understand.

Liza, an orphan girl living on the cold streets of London in 1834, is able to rise above her squalid surroundings to bring joy to the lives of others. Although only 11, she displays amazing courage as she cares for a younger child and ekes out a bare existence through the approaching winter, guided by the wisdom embodied in letters left to her by her mother. When Liza meets a wealthy gentleman, her mysterious, almost magical manner causes him to re-examine his own life.

A rush-hour fender bender on a sweltering summer day is usually not a positive experience. But when Steve, depressed and miserable, literally runs into Len on an especially bad day, the stage is set for a life changing experience of the first magnitude - Steve has unwittingly placed himself in the hands of a master motivator and attitude adjuster. As Steve begins to improve his outlook (and his life!), he starts to see the ways in which Len has touched the lives of countless others.

My reason for writing this book of inspirational poetry, is in hope for people to be encouraged and to exalt the name of Jesus; that souls might be saved and people will know that God's word is the truth. My hope is for them to see that God answers prayers, Jesus saves, and salvation is in no other name than the name of Jesus. The need for salvation paramounts everything else in this life, because Jesus is soon to come and judgement day is nearer than ever. It's time to repent.

The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), who drew upon the teachings of Muslim, Sufis, and Hindu Bhaktas. In its purest form Sikhism is about unity, simplicity, equality, and surrender (to God) and the verses of the Sikh Gurus - most of them included in the Granth Sahib - articulate this beautifully. This elegant edition contains a selection of verses from the Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred texts like Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Vairagmayi Bani and the Dasam Granth of Guru Gobind Singh.

None of the Old Testament prophets was especially happy or confident in their calling, but Jonah was the only one who rejected it outright, disobeying direct instruction from God and literally running away. In The Book of Jonah, Luke Kennard transforms the unique and awkward position Jonah’s story occupies in scripture – part dream, part joke, part provocation – into a madcap picaresque which marries the sacred and the absurd.

Pay It Forward is a wondrous and moving story about Trevor McKinney, a 12-year-old boy in a small California town who accepts the challenge that his teacher gives his class, a chance to earn extra credit by coming up with a plan to change the world for the better - and to put that plan into action.

One of the most influential poets in Chinese history, Ai Qing is mostly unknown to American readers, but his work has shaped the nature of poetry in China for decades. Born between the fall of imperial Manchurian rule and the establishment of the Communist People’s Republic, Ai Qing was at one time an intimate of Mao Zedong. He would eventually fall out with the leader and be sentenced to hard labor during the Cultural Revolution, when he was exiled to the remote part of the country known as “Little Siberia” with his family, including his son, Ai Weiwei.

Betrayed and left for dead, a soldier in 13th-century East Africa winds up in hiding as a monk in Roha (Lalibela). He soon gets romantically entangled with a wealthy heiress as he struggles to maintain his monastic vows. However, when old enemies resurface and threaten those he has come to care for, he secretly picks up the sword again, offering salvation by day with the Bible, but secretly exacting deadly vengeance and justice by night with the sword.

North of Boston, first published in 1914, was Robert Frost's second collection of poetry. Many of the poems take the form of conversations and hence are very suitable for presentation in a dramatic format.

Nathan Andrews is now a man; his greatest wish is to be a doctor. But beyond his studies of medicine, Nathan realizes there are still things to be learned about faith, blessings, giving, and sacrifice. Lessons he will learn from a young woman with a disease that seems hopeless. But hope can exist in the darkest places, and love is always the greatest gift of all.

With loyal fans around the world and across the Internet, Tyler Knott Gregson is reinventing poetry for a new generation, using Instagram and Tumblr to reach fans where they are. Tyler's third collection includes more of his popular Typewriter Series poems (featured in his first book) as well as never-before-published scenes that paint the world as only Tyler sees and experiences it. Filled with vivid photographs and even more vivid emotions, Wildly into the Dark is a must-have for longtime fans as well as newcomers to Tyler's unique brand of words and images.

Cassie lived her life by faith every day. She knew God was in control and had reasons for everything. So, when an old high school friend, Michah Daniels, showed up at her bakery, Abundant Blessings, she knew there was a reason God brought him there.

Get ready to meet your new literary besties. Join Lydia and her gal pals as they destroy a Christmas pageant, run a 5K, sabotage a craft fair, and more. All this, as they solve the crimes that plague their cozy small town. Can they escape each villain unscathed? And can their faith survive the secrets they uncover along the way?