A career-spanning collection of Maggie Nelson’s essays on art is punctuated and enlivened with conversations between the author, artists, and friends. Review by Kathleen Hartsfield Spicer

Dr. Amy Marga turns to early Christian history to turn our facile notions of what it means to be a Christian mother on their heads. Review by Vienna Scott

Spufford’s latest alternative history creates a richly creative city ruled and peopled by the Native Americans our own history has so often abused and sidelined. Review by T. Wyatt Reynolds

This collection of short stories focuses on women who aren’t extraordinary—but who, it makes clear, still have stories to tell. Review by Whitney Rio-Ross

Marilynne Robinson’s book on Genesis starts simply, but delves into the thorny questions of the first book of the Bible with her characteristic flair. Review by Hayden Kvamme

Richardson’s account of resilience in the face of great loss leaves out the potential for our suffering to do us good. Review by Sarah Clark

A writer’s exploration of San Francisco—square mile by square mile—opens our eyes to the importance of really seeing the places we live. Review by Sara Holston

Animal fables may seem quaint, but they have important lessons to teach us about human nature–and can even speak into the AI discourse. Review by Drea Jenkins

A new book on #deconstruction misses the mark as apologetics, but raises interesting questions for the convinced. Review by Charlie Clark

Claude Wilkinson’s latest collection seamlessly weaves together nature, art, myth, and personal history into reflections on this life and the one to come. Review by Tessa Carman