Country Singer’s Debut Ranks Top 4; Karen Kingsbury Reigns

Coming behind Shannon Bream The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak, Amir Tsarfati’s analysis of the last book of the Bible, Reveal the revelation (Harvest Prophecy), debuts on our Religion Nonfiction bestseller list at No. 2. Books on Bible prophecy are attracting more interest, says Harvest Prophecy, and the publisher promoted Reveal revelations on its website and on Benefits of Prophecy podcast.

Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences by country pop singer and songwriter Walker Hayes and Craig Cooper debuts at #4 on Religion Nonfiction. The book details how Hayes, a former atheist and alcoholic, met Cooper, a Bible teacher, and converted to Christianity. Author appearances included the Today show, while the book was also promoted at Hayes’ concerts as well as on his social media platforms. Trillia Newbell, director of acquisitions at Moody’s, attributes the strong sales to the “sincerity” of the authors. She says, “Walker is witty and warm…honest and often raw. Craig brings a pastoral tone, like a counselor you’d want to sit down with to share your deepest pain.

Mark Chase, director of sales at Moody’s, says Glad you are here sells well in the mainstream market. “Craig and Walker are unknown in the Christian world,” he says TP. “The majority of responses come from Walker’s fanbase and word of mouth.”

Ellie Holcomb, another singer-songwriter, takes #6 on our Religion Nonfiction bestseller list with Devotional Fighting Words (B&H). Featuring 100 reflections, the book offers journaling prompts and Bible passages meant to help readers explore “the power of God’s promises together and express them in the darkest corners of your soul,” according to the publisher. Proverbs 21 Ministries picked up the book for its May online Bible study, and Holcomb promoted it on its social media platforms as well as throughout its music tour.

After a months-long reign at the top of the Religion Fiction bestseller list, Stranger in the lifeboat by Mitch Albom fell to second place. By replacing it, The Baxters: A Sequel by Karen Kingsbury, is the latest entry in the popular Baxter Family series, which is getting a small-screen adaptation starring Roma Downey. Another Baxter family novel, Paris that forgivescomes in at #10 on our list after its release in paperback.