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The article presents an examination into contemporary 21st-century Mormonism in the United States. introductory details are given noting the rise in popular and political culture references to the Church of Latter Day Saints since the 2000s decade due to the publicity of figures such as presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Discussion is offered evaluating the extent to which Mormon theology is changing to become more mainstream to U.S. Christian religious culture.

Features various spiritual retreat services in New England. Bethany Retreat House at the Community of Jesus in Orleans, Massachusetts; Wisdom House in Litchfield, Connecticut; Anglican refuge at Emery House in West Newbury, Massachusetts; Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Reports on the increasing popularity of Christian novels in U.S. publishing. Number of copies of the book 'This Present Darkness,' by Frank Peretti which were sold by 2001; Categories of Christian fiction; Information on the move of novelists to larger Christian houses; Discussion on finding new authors. INSET: Literary Faith Fiction Gains Ground.

This article discusses the efforts of many Christian publishers to penetrate the young adult (YA) book market in the U.S. It highlights some of the challenges facing publishers to obtain success in the market, including the need for skilled acquisition, a knowledge of the reader and a long-term investment. It also explores the challenge of selling electronic books and printed YA books online.

The article reports on the growing interest in film and television adaptations of religious novels in the U.S. Most major Christian publishing houses have at least one novel that has been optioned for film. Director Michael Landon produced and directed two theatrical releases for 2007, including Francine Rivers' "The Last Sin Eater" and Beverly Lewis' "The Redemption of Sarah Cain." Nelson Fiction has three of its original novels being adapted for release.

The article profiles Wall Street Journal reporter and editor Paul Barrett. Barrett began researching a series of four in-depth newspaper profiles of Muslims in the U.S. His book American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion is one of the first to examine some of the specific tensions surrounding Islam in the U.S., including issues of racial diversity, the importation of Wahhabism, the growth of a fledgling Muslim feminism and political divisions over American foreign policy.

The article profiles author Stephen Prothero. Prothero thinks that Americans are suffering from religious amnesia. His forthcoming book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know aims to rekindle the smoldering remains of religious knowledge in the U.S. Moreover, he blames Christians themselves for the absence of any teaching about religion in the public schools.

Highlights the CBA Advance, the annual winter show of the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) held on February 2-5, 2004 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Comments from Bill Anderson, CBA president; Changes in the show; Decline in the number of its total attendees; Challenges facing Christian retailers.

Profiles Stephanie Wellen Levine, a teacher at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Outcome of her quest for religious understanding; Plot of her book "Mystics, Mavericks and Merrymakers: An Intimate Journey Among Hasidic Girls"; Efforts of Levine in publicizing her book.

Reports on the 54th Christian Booksellers Association International Convention on July 12-17, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. Topics discussed; Speculation about the future of CBA Expo; Decline in the number of participating publishers; Reason for the decrease in the number of exhibitors.

Highlights the 12th annual Religious Booksellers Exhibit in Chicago, Illinois from May 27 to 30, 2003. Target participants of the exhibit; Analysis of the attendance at the exhibit; Reports of publishers on profits; Programs on publishing launched at the exhibit.

Focuses on the 2002 Christian Booksellers Association International Convention in Anaheim, California. Activities at the convention; Awards given at the convention; Information on the acquisition of iBelieve.com by Jabez Networks.

Focuses on CBA Expo, the Christian Booksellers Association's winter convention in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 30-February 1, 2002. Drop in its attendance record; Total number of its exhibitors; Comments from Bill Anderson, CBA president on the attendance drop; Issues facing the industry.

Presents information on the 52nd annual Christian Booksellers Association international convention in Atlanta, Georgia in July 2001. Status of book sales during the convention; Number of exhibitors and representatives that attended the event; Book titles featured; List of publishing companies awarded.

The article discusses an increase in academic publishing about the religion Islam. Topics include books regarding Islam in the U.S. such as "Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the Americas" by Sylviane A. Diouf, a global interest in Qur'anic studies and related books such as "Qur'an in Conversation" by Michael L. Birkel, and the assessment of Islam's global impact through books such as "Reasoning with God: Reclaiming Shari'ah in the Modern Age" by Khaled Abou El Fadl.

The article discusses the declining market for Christian literary fiction in the U.S. as of March 8, 2010. It mentions the backlist titles "The Screwtape Letters," by C. S. Lewis and "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho as the best sellers in the category of faith fiction. The issue of number of sold copies is discussed. The possible reasons for the market decline are cited.

The article reports that beginning in 2008, the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) will hold separate congresses. AAR congress will be in Chicago, Illinois while SBL will be in Boston, Massachusetts. Both groups have commitments for separate meetings through 2012.

Interviews author Timothy Beal regarding his book about kitschy religious sites in the U.S. Sites that surprised Beal during his travels including the Precious Moments Chapel in Missouri; Effects of his travels on his personality; Opinion on people who create offbeat spiritual destinations.

Discusses the outcome of the trade show conducted by the Christian Booksellers Association from June 26 to July 1, 2004 in the U.S. Participation of bishop T. D. Jakes in the event; Number of people who attended the event; Percentage of increase in revenue of book publisher Warner Faith.

Focuses on the religious graphic novels featured at the Book Expo America in Chicago, Illinois. Examples of graphic novels that deal with spiritual issues and generic religion; Books about faith, journeys and struggles; Information on the religious graphic novels created by children's religion publishers.

Reports on the result of the Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (RBTE) in Saint Charles, Illinois from June 1-4, 2004, to serve Catholic, Episcopal and other liturgical bookstores. Statement from Jeremy Langford, director of religious studies at Rowman & Littlefield about the RBTE; Background on Episcopal Church's publishing house CPI; Religious book titles offered at the exhibit.

Highlights the annual joint meeting held by the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature in Atlanta, Georgia from November 22 to 25, 2003. Number of authors and publishers who have participated in the event; Topics tackled at the event; Overview of the financial performance of the religious publishing industry.

Interviews U.S. authors Jeff Sharlet and Peter Manseau about their book "Killing the Buddha." Subject and theme of the book; Origin of the title of the book; Background on their friendship; Personal information on the authors.

Interviews author Forrest Church on faith. Reason of Church for writing the book 'The American Creed'; Views on religious pluralism in the U.S.; Insights on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.