Windows to Understanding:
Books Worth Reading
This collection isn't a definitive academic reference, but rather a growing neighborhood of ideas. These are fiction and nonfiction explorations about how we discover what's real beneath layers of assumption (Truth). Others illuminate the power of wonder and harmony in our lives (Beauty). And many reveal how small acts of compassion can transform both the giver and receiver (Goodness). As you browse these selections, I hope you'll find something that speaks to where you are on your own path. The beauty of these principles is how differently they express themselves through each person's life and understanding. Each book includes a brief note about why it matters and how it connects to the TBG philosophy, along with who recommended it. Do you have a book that's shaped your understanding of Truth, Beauty, or Goodness? We'd love to hear your recommendations. You can make submissions through the form in The Neighborhood.
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
When amnesiac astronaut Ryland Grace awakens alone on a spacecraft, he must recover his memories to fulfill his mission: save Earth from extinction. This compelling sci-fi novel balances rigorous scientific problem-solving with the unexpected joy of cross-species friendship when Grace encounters an alien scientist facing the same crisis.
This book challenges perceptions, and explores responsibility, reframing the definition of neighbor, and facing truths about ourselves.
Recommended by: Lisa
Year of Wonders
by Geraldine Brooks
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks came up as a recommendation since I had read two of her other books and left them glowing reviews. This historical novel, set during the plague in 1666, follows a small English village that chooses to quarantine itself to prevent spreading the disease. Through the eyes of a young woman named Anna, we witness both the terrible cost of this decision and the unexpected grace that emerges.
This book beautifully illustrates all three principles - Truth in facing reality without flinching, Beauty in finding meaning amid suffering, and Goodness in simple acts of care that sustain community even in the darkest times. I found myself thinking about Anna's journey long after finishing the last page, especially how ordinary people find extraordinary courage when faced with impossible choices.
Recommended by: Lisa
The Covenant of Water
by Abraham Verghese
Set in Kerala, India, spanning decades of family history, The Covenant of Water moved me so deeply that I found myself shedding tears of joy at the stories of connection, tears of compassion for the tragic lessons learned, and tears of empathy for the experiences characters endured. Verghese masterfully weaves together medical mysteries with cultural history, creating a tapestry that reveals how truth emerges gradually over time (scientific discovery), how beauty exists even in suffering (both in nature and human relationships), and how goodness manifests in acts of sacrifice and healing across generations. The novel shows how knowledge, compassion, and the healing arts can bridge divides and create meaning even through life's most difficult chapters.
Recommended by: Lisa
Till We Have Faces
by C.S. Lewis
I first read this book in my twenties and have returned to it four times at different stages of my life, each reading revealing new layers of meaning as my own experiences deepened my understanding. Lewis retells the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche through the eyes of Psyche's sister, Orual, creating a story that works both as engaging narrative and profound exploration of human nature. What makes this novel so powerful is how it explores the ways we distort Truth through our own fears and desires, how our limited perspective can blind us to Beauty right in front of us, and how what appears as Goodness can sometimes mask selfishness we don't recognize in ourselves. This book has been a faithful companion through different chapters of my life, teaching me something new each time I return to it. If you enjoy stories that work on multiple levels, this offers both immediate pleasure and lasting wisdom that grows richer with each encounter.
Recommended by: Lisa
Hope for Cynics
by Jamil Zaki
Hope For Cynics captured my attention from the very first page - I began taking notes while reading the foreword. Zaki brilliantly balances scientific research with engaging storytelling, weaving together data-driven insights with both his personal experiences and compelling stories of others that bring research findings to life. What makes this book especially powerful is how Zaki embodies his own message, demonstrating sincerity, vulnerability, and trust in his writing style rather than just talking about these qualities. The book perfectly embodies the TBG philosophy: it pursues Truth through rigorous scientific evidence about human goodness, reveals Beauty in powerful stories of connection and compassion, and promotes Goodness by offering practical ways to cultivate empathy and trust in our cynical world.
Recommended by: Lisa
The Missing Thread
by Daisy Dunn
When I first began reading this, I thought it might be too academic for me - I was looking for a lighter read at the time. But something about Dunn's detective work in uncovering lost women's voices completely drew me in, and I kept turning pages. What started as historical investigation became a profound exploration of how we understand the past. Dunn masterfully reconstructs the lives and perspectives of women from classical antiquity using the sparse fragments of writing that survived centuries of neglect. The book demonstrates Truth by revealing historical reality often hidden from view, Beauty in forgotten literary works that still speak across millennia, and Goodness in the ethical importance of honoring voices that were nearly erased. For anyone interested in women's history or how the past informs the present, this rewarding book illuminates stories that almost vanished forever.
Recommended by: Lisa
The Story of Philosophy
by Will Durant
My journey with this book began through a delightful connection with my son, who recommended it after we watched 'The Good Place' together. When I mentioned wanting to read some of the philosophical works Chidi referenced, my son suggested Durant's overview might give me better footing first—and he was absolutely right. What makes Durant special is how he brings philosophers to life as real people with fascinating stories, not just abstract thinkers with complicated ideas. He traces Truth-seeking across centuries, showing how different minds built upon or challenged each other's understanding of reality, meaning, and the good life. While some sections felt dense, the book helped me see how Truth, Beauty, and Goodness have appeared in different forms throughout human thought, giving me confidence that this framework stands on centuries of wisdom.
Recommended by: Cameron
The Power of Moments
by Chip & Dan Heath
The Power of Moments feels like taking a mini-course in creating more meaningful, impactful experiences - not only in your own life, but as a parent for your family, as a leader for your community, or as someone who's been hesitant about taking chances. The Heath brothers provide a framework for understanding what makes certain moments transformative, then show you how to intentionally design these experiences. Their examples have stayed with me long after reading, influencing how I approach celebrations, transitions, and opportunities for connection. This book illustrates beautifully the way Truth (understanding the psychology behind memorable experiences), Beauty (the architecture of meaningful moments), and Goodness (how thoughtfully designed experiences can transform relationships and communities) rely on each other to create a meaningful whole.
Recommended by: Lisa
The Urantia Book came to my attention when my son's World Religions professor recommended that anyone interested in studying religion should read it 'at least once.' This comprehensive text presents an expansive cosmology and detailed account of Jesus's life that has profoundly influenced countless readers over decades.
What draws me most is its exploration of cosmic reality (Truth), divine harmony (Beauty), and spiritual service (Goodness) - themes that align remarkably with this philosophy. The book's portrayal of Jesus emphasizes his central message of loving God completely and loving others as ourselves, principles that have become foundational to my personal spiritual understanding.
The authors acknowledge drawing from over 1,000 existing human sources while presenting concepts that extend far beyond those references. Rather than demanding acceptance, the text encourages readers to test its insights through personal spiritual experience and thoughtful reflection. For those seeking a unique perspective on spirituality and Jesus's teachings beyond traditional sources, this work offers profound material for contemplation.
The Urantia Book
by Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone
This book reads almost like a thriller with powerful personalities, intrigue, and the suppression of dangerous ideas as the printing press began breaking the stranglehold on information. The Goldstones tell the remarkable story of Michael Servetus, a brilliant 16th-century physician and theologian whose revolutionary ideas about blood circulation and religious freedom cost him his life. What fascinated me was discovering how Truth sometimes must wait centuries to be recognized - ideas that seemed heretical then became accepted science and cherished freedoms later. The story speaks to the Beauty of persistent seeking and the Goodness of those who risk everything to protect ideas they believe matter for humanity's future. I found myself deeply moved by this reminder that what we understand today often depends on the courage of those who questioned accepted wisdom long ago.
Recommended by: Lisa
Out of the Flames
by Toba Spritzer
I first heard about this book during an unexpected reunion with an old friend on a boat in Bay City. While celebrating another friend's 40th birthday, this chance encounter led to a fascinating conversation where my friend mentioned how profoundly the book had affected her Jewish father-in-law. Intrigued by his reaction, I had to discover why. Spitzer offers a refreshing approach to spirituality that honors tradition while making room for contemporary understanding. What I love about this work is how it bridges spiritual longing and rational thinking through Truth by offering metaphors that help us understand reality more fully, Beauty by helping us recognize patterns of meaning in everyday experiences, and Goodness by showing how awareness of connection naturally leads to ethical action.
Whether you identify as religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or neither, Spitzer's thoughtful exploration offers fresh language for experiencing wonder and connection.
Recommended by: Ruth
God Is Here
At the Root of this Longing moved me to tears when I first read it 25 years ago. Flinders explores how spiritual practice and feminist awareness can strengthen each other rather than compete. Through personal stories and thoughtful reflection, she shows how we can seek both deep spiritual connection and authentic equality. This book speaks to Truth by helping us see past cultural conditioning, Beauty by recognizing sacred patterns across different traditions, and Goodness by showing how spiritual growth and social justice can work together. If you've ever felt torn between spiritual longing and commitment to equality, this book feels like coming home.
Recommended by: Lisa
At the Root of this Longing