Fiction: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
I may have been a latecomer to this book, but I usually avoid novels on the Bible because of their wild inaccuracy, both culturally and theologically. This book is spot on, recognizing the acceptance of middle eastern paganism by the early patriarchs and the separate cultural worlds of men and women. The characters are breathtaking and fascinating. A wonderful fresh reading of Genesis, unlike any I have read.
Non-fiction: The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
I am a big fan of thoughtful books on ethics, and this is one of the few that gave me something to think about, as well as explaining some of the moral arguments used in religion and politics. A great find for me, but it's my cup of tea.
Book I haven't finished yet: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Great science writing on the brain. There's a lot there and I can't seem to finish it in the three weeks I have from the library. But every time I pick it up I learn something fascinating and new.