a non-denominational resource on peace, reconciliation and forgiveness
Books
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.
Weaver-Zercher, David, Steven M. Nolt, and Donald B. Kraybill. Herald Press., 2007.
Ask Again, Yes. Mary Beth Keane. Scribner. 2022
Atonement. Ian McEwan, Jonathan Cape, 2001.
Because of Mr. Terupt. Rob Buyea, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2010
The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World. Desmond Tutu and Mpho Andrea Tutu, HarperOne, 2014
Caring Enough To Forgive, Caring Enough Not To Forgive. David W. Augsburger, Herald Press, 1992.
The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas (1844): This adventure novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès, a young man who is falsely imprisoned for 14 years. After escaping from prison, Dantès becomes the Count of Monte Cristo and seeks revenge on those who wronged him. However, he eventually learns that forgiveness is more powerful than revenge.
Desmond And the Very Mean Word. Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Published by Penguin Random House Canada in 2013.
Dimensions of Forgiveness: Psychological Research and Theological Perspectives. Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Templeton Foundation Press, 2013.
The Dutch House. Ann Patchett. Harper, 2019
Empathy: A History. Susan Lanzoni. Yale University Press, 2018.
Enemy Pie. Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King. Published by Henry Holt and Company Books for Young Readers in 2000.
Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better. Myisha Cherry, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023
The Fine Line: Making Distinctions in Everyday Life. Eviatar Zerubavel, University of Chicago Press, 1991.
Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? Timothy Keller. Published by Viking, Penguin Random House in 2022.
Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve. Lewis B. Smedes Published by HarperOne in 1984.
Forgive and Forget: Searching for a Way to Peace. Donald McCullough Published by HarperCollins in 2001.
Forgive For Yourself: The Journey to Forgiveness and Self-Compassion. Kristin Neff HarperOne, 2011. Neff draws on research in psychology and neuroscience to explain the negative impacts of self-criticism and the importance of self-acceptance.
Forgiveness: Breaking the Chain of Hate. Michael Henderson. Michael Henderson HarperOne, 2002. Henderson profiles individuals and groups who have found forgiveness in the face of unimaginable suffering, and he offers guidance on how to practice forgiveness in our own lives.
Forgivess In A Wounded World: Jonah's Dilemma. Janet Howe Gaines. Brill Academic Pub, 2003. This book explores the concept of forgiveness through the lens of the biblical story of Jonah. Gaines argues that forgiveness is not about condoning wrongdoing, but rather about releasing ourselves from the burden of anger and resentment.
Forgiveness: Theory, Research, and Practice. Edited by Michael E. McCullough, Kenneth I. Pargament, and Carl E. Thoresen. Guilford Press, 2000.
Heart of the Matter. Emily Giffin. St. Martin's Press, 2010. Giffin explores the complexities of love, forgiveness, and second chances. The story revolves around Tessa Connover, a successful but troubled woman who is forced to confront her past when she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Alex Powell.
The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom. Corrie Ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1947. Tells the true story of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who became a hero of the Dutch Resistance during World War II.
Horrible Bear! Ame Dyckman and Zachariah Ohor. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016. (Picture book). A little girl labels a bear as "horrible" after he accidentally breaks her kite. However, she soon realizes that the bear is not as horrible as she thought, and they work together to fix the kite and become friends.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Jamie Ford, Random House, 2009. Set in Seattle during World War II, this novel tells the story of Henry Lee, a young Chinese-American boy, and Keiko Okabe, a Japanese-American girl, who form an unlikely friendship despite the prejudice and racism of the time.
The Hurricane: A Book on Forgiveness, Love, and Grace. Leon H. Morris, P & R Publishing, 1985. Morris explores the themes of forgiveness, love, and grace through the lens of the Bible. He draws on biblical stories and teachings to illustrate how these powerful concepts can transform our lives.
The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini, Riverhead Books, 2003. Set against the backdrop of tumultuous 20th-century Afghanistan, The Kite Runner is a tale of friendship, betrayal, and redemption.
The Language of Flowers. Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Ballantine Books, 2011. Explores the symbolism of flowers and the power of human connection. The story follows Victoria Jones, a young woman who spent her childhood in foster care and has always felt isolated from others.
The Last Song. Nicholas Sparks, Grand Central Publishing, 2009. Tells the story of a troubled teenager who is sent to spend the summer with her estranged father in a North Carolina beach town. As she reconnects with her father and the community of Wrightsville Beach, she begins to heal from the emotional wounds of her past and discovers the power of music and love.
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. Immaculée Ilibagiza, Hay House, 2006. A powerful and inspiring memoir about Immaculée Ilibagiza's experiences during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, in which she survived by hiding with seven other women in the tiny bathroom of a pastor's home
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (1862): This epic novel tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former convict who is paroled after 19 years in prison. Valjean struggles to find redemption and forgiveness for his past sins, but he eventually finds a new life and learns to love and be loved.
The Light Between Oceans. M.L. Stedman, Random House Australia, 2012. A Film Adaptation of the Same Name Starring Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender Was Released on September 2, 2016.
Lily's Purple Plastic Purse: A Celebration of Self-Esteem and Individuality by Kevin Henkes, Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Corporation, 1996. It is a children's picture book that tells the story of Lily, a young girl who takes pride in her unique possessions and individuality.
Little Bee, Chris Cleave. Fourth Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2008. It is a novel that tells the story of Little Bee, a Nigerian refugee girl who escapes a devastating attack on her village, and Sarah, a British woman who is haunted by a secret from her past.
Man's Search for Meaning. Viktor Frankl, orig. 1946, Beacon Press, 1959. It is a memoir by Austrian neurologist Viktor E. Frankl, who survived the Holocaust. He describes his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and outlines his theory of logotherapy, which suggests that the human spirit can find meaning in even the most tragic circumstances.
The New Psychology of Forgiveness: Resilience, Compassion, and Hope. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Basic Books, 2003. Explores the nature of forgiveness and its role in human flourishing. He argues that forgiveness is not about condoning wrongdoing, but rather about releasing oneself from the burden of anger and resentment. He draws on a wide range of research from psychology, philosophy, and religion to support his argument.
Night Road. Kristin Hannah, St. Martin's Press, 2010. In the small town of Destiny, Washington, a young woman named Lexi Baill arrives with her troubled past and becomes quickly entangled in the lives of Jude Kealey and her two children, Mia and Zach. As their lives intertwine, they must confront the dark secrets that haunt them and find the courage to forgive the ones they love.
No Future Without Forgiveness. Desmond Tutu, Random House, 1999. A memoir by Desmond Tutu, the first black Archbishop of Cape Town, who reflects on his role as chairman of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tasked with investigating apartheid-era crimes.
Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption. Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Ronald Cotton, and Erin Torneo Publisher: Harmony/Rodale, 2009. An inspiring story of an unlikely friendship forged between a woman who wrongly accused a man of rape and the man who spent 11 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.
Potato Pants! Laurie Keller, Macmillan Publishers, 2018. A humorous tale of a potato who is searching for the perfect pair of pants. Along the way, he learns about friendship, forgiveness, and the importance of self-acceptance.
Redeeming Love. Francine Rivers, Multnomah Books, 1991. A historical romance novel set in the California Gold Rush of the 1850s. The story is inspired by the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer from the Old Testament. The novel follows Angel, a young woman who has been abused and sold into prostitution.
A Reliable Wife. Robert Goolrick, Counterpoint Press, 2001. A businessman places a newspaper ad seeking "a reliable wife." Catherine Land, a mysterious and alluring woman from Chicago, answers his call. As their relationship deepens, Ralph uncovers Catherine's dark past.
Reminders of Him, Colleen Hoover, Montlake Romance, 2022. After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. As she struggles to find her place in a world that has moved on without her, Kenna finds solace in the company of Ledger Ward, a local tattoo artist.
The Shack.
The Storyteller.
The Sunflower.
Things You Save In A Fire.
To Forgive Is Human: How to Put Your Past in the Past.
Total Forgiveness.
Touching Spirit Bear.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.
The Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry.
The Wednesday Letters.
Short Stories
"The Kugelmass Episode" by Woody Allen: Uses satire to explore human follies and the desire for forgiveness and redemption in a lighthearted manner.
"Babette's Feast" by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen): A beautiful portrayal of generosity and redemption, indirectly addressing the theme of forgiveness through acts of kindness.
"The Gentleman from San Francisco" by Ivan Bunin: Subtly deals with moral and existential themes, including the notion of forgiveness in the context of life’s fleeting nature.
"The Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote: Although not directly about forgiveness, deals with themes of love and understanding, which are often prerequisites for forgiveness.
"A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver: Navigates through tragedy and misunderstanding to a profound conclusion about shared humanity and potential for forgiveness.
"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver: While not explicitly about forgiveness, this story explores themes of understanding and acceptance, integral to the process of forgiveness.
"Reunion" by John Cheever: Touches on themes of regret and the yearning for forgiveness within the context of a strained father-son relationship.
"A Forgiving Woman" by J.M. Coetzee: Explores the complexities of forgiveness in personal relationships, exploring the protagonist’s struggle to forgive.
"The Ledge" by Lawrence Sargent Hall: Touches on themes of redemption and forgiveness in the face of a tragic accident.
"Grace" by James Joyce: Revolves around themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, highlighting the Catholic Church's role in the process of forgiveness.
"The Forgiving Husband" by Bernard Malamud: A tale about a married couple, where the husband's forgiveness plays a central role in their complex relationship.
"The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield: Explores the social class divide and subtly raises questions about forgiveness and understanding across these divides.
"The Fly" by Katherine Mansfield: Primarily dealing with grief and loss, the story also touches on the theme of self-forgiveness amidst personal tragedy.
"Family Furnishings" by Alice Munro: Subtly explores the nuances of family relationships and the complexities of forgiving and being forgiven.
"Forgiveness in Families" by Alice Munro: Delves into family dynamics and the challenges of forgiving and being forgiven.
"The Forgiveness Machine" by Yoko Ogawa: Explores the concept of forgiveness through a unique and fantastical lens.
"Two Kinds" by Amy Tan: Looks at a mother-daughter relationship and touches on themes of understanding and forgiveness.
"The Prodigal Son" by Leo Tolstoy: A retelling of the Biblical parable, emphasizing repentance and unconditional familial forgiveness.
"The Selfish Giant" by Oscar Wilde: A fairy tale that touches on themes of redemption and the transformative power of forgiveness and love.
"The Use of Force" by William Carlos Williams: Indirectly addresses the concept of forgiveness in the context of authority and vulnerability.
Essays, Letters, and First-Person Accounts
"Goodbye to All That" by Joan Didion: A narrative about leaving New York City, touching on themes of self-forgiveness and letting go.
"An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth" by Mahatma Gandhi: Contains passages where Gandhi discusses his philosophy of forgiveness and nonviolence.
"On Forgiveness" by C.S. Lewis: Examines the Christian doctrine of forgiveness, emphasizing its difficulty and necessity.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.: Discusses the power of nonviolent resistance and forgiveness in the face of racial injustice.
"A Testament of Hope" by Martin Luther King Jr.: A collection of King's writings, including several pieces on forgiveness in the context of civil rights.
"Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher: Explores the Amish community's forgiveness following the 2006 school shooting.
"Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela: Mandela's autobiography with reflections on forgiveness and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa.
"Forgiveness" by Friedrich Nietzsche: Nietzsche's texts offer complex views on forgiveness, critiquing traditional Christian conceptions.
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien: Includes essays reflecting on the Vietnam War, guilt, and the complexities of forgiveness.
"The Power of Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu: Tutu discusses forgiveness, especially in the context of apartheid and South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"No Future Without Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu: Explores the role of forgiveness in healing a nation's wounds, focusing on post-apartheid South Africa.
"The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness" by Simon Wiesenthal: A narrative with reflections, questioning the limits of forgiveness post-Holocaust.
"This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace: In his commencement speech, Wallace includes insights into understanding and forgiving others.
"The Weakness of Strength Theory" by Scott Russell Sanders: Explores how forgiveness and understanding can be more powerful than traditional concepts of strength.
"Regarding the Pain of Others" by Susan Sontag: Deals indirectly with themes of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness in the context of photography and war.