Festival 2026: Recommended Reading

May 8

Written By The Calvin Center for Faith & Writing

To enrich your Festival experience, we’ve curated a vibrant collection of works by our 2026 speakers. From enchanting stories to reflective essays and soul-stirring poems, these selections invite you to into deeper thought, wonder, and discovery - perfect companions for the journey of curious and thoughtful readers.

This list serves merely as an introduction to our speakers and their work. As you learn more about each author, we encourage you to explore beyond the titles that appear here.

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay

The Convert's Heart is Good to Eat by Melody S. Gee

We Carry Smoke and Paper by Melody S. Gee

The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Won't You Be My Neighbor? by Nicholas Ma

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride

Following Jesus in a Warming World by Kyle Meyaard-Schaap

Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration

A Hole in the World by Amanda Held Opelt

A Bundle of Careful Compromises by Jacob Schepers

Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor

Enemies in the Orchard by Dana Vanderlugt

Printable versions of this list can be found at the two links below:

List with book covers

Text-only list

The Calvin Center for Faith & Writing

The Calvin Center for Faith & Writing endeavors to create spaces where people from many faith traditions are welcomed warmly, listened to with respect and generosity, and inspired to deeper engagement with the common good.

Festival 2026: Recommended Reading

This World is Made for Joy