The unexpected success of a plus-sized biography of a World War II theologian has symbolized something of a renaissance in the category.

At more than 600 pages and nearly $30 retail, Eric Metaxas' Bonhoeffer, about German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, has seen unanticipated strong sales and rave reviews since its April release by Thomas Nelson.

Among other new titles in the resurgence category, which includes memoirs, are Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman (Revell/Baker Publishing Group, September), Majestie by David Teems (Thomas Nelson, October), The Red Scorpion by Rami Kivisalo and Marko Joensuu (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group, October) and Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic (Doubleday Religion, October).

"Publishers are putting (an) emphasis on biographies now, more than they did five years ago," said Michael Robbins, buyer for LifeWay Christian Stores.

"People are asking questions," John Haynes of the Cornerstone Christian Bookstore in Snellville, Ga., said of today's readers' contemplative mood that partially explains the increased interest. "I think the upswing is because we're putting them out there, and the reason we're putting them out there is (retailers) see they're selling."

"What we are seeing in a postmodern world is a movement away from nonfiction that delivers a bunch of platitudes and steps for changing your life," said Don Gates, vice president of marketing for trade books at Zondervan. "A postmodern generation is reading books that tell stories and share experiences."

Read the complete report in the December issue of Christian Retailing.

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