Gail Godwin. Father Melancholy's Daughter. 1991.

Margaret Gower, now 21 years old and about to graduate from college, has spent the last 16 years taking care of her father, Walter Gower, a dedicated, intellectual Episcopalian Parish priest who is prone to depressions. Her mother, unable to deal with the pressures of being a rector's wife leaves on a 'vacation' with an old friend and is tragically killed in an automobile accident when Margaret is 7. The story is rich in church history, ritual and tradition. Father Gower has raised a loving and compassionate woman in Margaret and she grows in understanding of her mother and father and their relationship throughout the story. Although this Christian community in a small Virginia town is far from perfect and has its own challenges to growth and change, it is a community worth saving. Margaret decides to follow in her father's footsteps and become a priest. Her story continues in the sequel to this novel, Evensong.

Robert M. Pirsig. Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values. 1999.

This narration of a summer motorcycle trip taken by a father and son turns into a personal and philosophical odyssey concerning fundamental questions about how to live. The narrator’s relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism.

Nicholas Sparks. A Bend in the Road. 2001.

This love story also incorporates a mystery element, as Miles Ryan tries to figure out who killed his wife in a hit-and-run accident two years ago. He meets teacher Sarah Andrews, and they connect despite their recent histories of loss. While somewhat formulaic and clichéd, it's a nice story about coming to terms with unexpected events in life.

Travis Thrasher. The Watermark. 2001.

A 28-year-old, who has returned to college after a seven year absence, meets the girl of his dreams and almost loses her because he can't come to terms with his shady past.

Susan Trott. The Holy Man. 1995.

A line of pilgrims winds up a mountain to see a holy man, whose down-to-earth presence reminds them to treat everyone as a holy person. The pilgrimage helps people deal with common problems like anger, fear, grief, jealousy, and guilt.