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[[Category:Spirituality and Religion|*]]__NOTOC__ <!--Remove INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Kurt Vonnegut and Ivan ChermayeffFrederic Seager|title= Sun Moon StarJesus, the Man and the Myth: A Jewish Reading of the New Testament|rating= 4.5|genre= For SharingSpirituality and Religion|summary= In his own delightfully imaginative way Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of the birth of Christ I was brought up in this unique a family where religion played little or no part. Culturally Irish Catholic on one side and long out of print children's book. Told from Welsh Methodist on the perspective of other, nobody really discussed religion and the new born infant in his first hours of birth, this charming little story feels different adults around me ranged from lapsed to other children's Christmas books whilst at the same time goes back agnostic to atheist. Other than the basics in exploring odd church wedding or baptism or the true nature of Christmasschool nativity play, I didn't think too much about faith or what people did or didn't believe.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1609807243</amazonuk>B092BWWG9Y

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jabulani MidziPeter Owen Jones|title=The Forbidden Tree: History or Folklore?Conversations with Nature|rating=3.5

|summary=This is indeed a good question One of the comments made when I was offered this beautiful book for review was that it's not even Christians can agree onvery long. The spectrum goes from Having read the right wing Evangelical literalists who believe right down book twice over, I'm brought back inescapably to the creation's 7 days being just Spanish proverb thatLife may be short, all the way over to the left wing Anglo Catholic liberals, some of whom take issue with the virgin birth and the crucifixionbut it is broad. Staking my colours to the mast, In this case I'm in brought to the middle, believing idea that the Bible should be taken in historical context, that it does contain Old Testament myths and some accounts clearly written in a one-sided way but I firmly believe in Jesus, length of life is not the point; the miracles etcpoint is its depth. Peter Owen Jones dives deep.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1524661910</amazonuk>1912992418

{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Bhakti MathurRichard Brook|title=Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!Understanding Human Nature: A User's Guide to Life|rating=4.5|genre=For SharingLifestyle|summary=Klaka had celebrated Diwali and it had been great fun - I am a wonderfulfirm believer that sometimes we choose books, beautiful day and tonight the city sometimes books choose us. In my case, this is lit up by thousands and thousands one of lightsthe latter. Amma and daddy Not so very long ago, if I had given many gifts to their boy and Klaka and his brother had lit the earthen oil lamps known as diyas. They didncome across this book I't just eat and d have a good time - they also offered their prayers for good fortuneskimmed it, prosperity and health to Ganesha, the God found some of new beginnings and to Lakshmiit interesting, but it would not have 'hit home' in the Goddess of wealthway that it does now. But Klaka I believe it came to me not just because I was curious: likely to give it a favourable review [ ''Ammafull disclosure The Bookbag'' he saids u.s.p. is that people chose their own books rather than getting them randomly, so there is a predisposition towards expecting to like the book, even if it doesn''tell me about Diwalit always turn out that way''] – but also because it is a book I needed to read, right now.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>9881502888</amazonuk>1800461682

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn= Cees Nooteboom and Laura Watkinson (Translator)Hill_Atlas|title= Letters to Poseidon|rating= 4|genre= Travel|summary= A serviette, a glass of champagne taken outside a fish restaurant in the open-air Viktualienmarkt in Munich, all taken to celebrate the first day of spring, prompt Cees Nooteboom into Proustian reverie. Upon the paper napkin is written in blue capitals the word POSEIDON, the Greek god who has preoccupied Nooteboom's thoughts for several summers. The blue colour reminds him of the sea viewed from Mediterranean garden of his villa in Menorca. Taking this prompting as a moment Atlas of benign synchronicity, he later begins a correspondence with this sea-deity. He seeks to inquire how this somewhat unreliable ancient Greek Olympian sees aeons of time and sends him letters and legenda; meditations and stories to be read, both poetic and tragic, from the arts and the contemporary world. He is not expecting a reply.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782066209</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewMonsters|author=Alison Pick|title=Between GodsStuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence

|genre=AutobiographyChildren's Non-Fiction|summary= Alison PickThere are monsters and mysterious characters, such as trolls, leprechauns, goblins and minotaurs. They's paternal grandparents escaped Czechoslovakia just before re the Holocaust by bribing the Nazis for visas stuff of far too many stories to Canada; remain mysterious, and every schoolchild should know all about them. There are monsters and mysterious characters, such as Gog and Magog, Scylla and Charybdis, and the rest bunyip. They are what you find if you take an interest in this kind of thing to the family died in Auschwitznext level; even if you cannot place them all on a map you should have come across them. They spent their whole lives trying to pass But there are monsters and mysterious characters, such as Christiansthe dobhar-chu, the llambigyn y dwr, and Pick's father, too, was reluctant to have anything to do with Judaismthe girtablili. Pick only learned he was Jewish through To gain any knowledge of them you really need a conversation overheard when she was 11book that knows its stuff.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472225090</amazonuk>A book like this one…

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Christopher Dell1999731506|title=Mythology: An Illustrated Journey Into Our Imagined WorldsSpiritual Atheist|author=Nick Seneca Jankel|rating=4.52|genre=Spirituality and ReligionLifestyle|summary=What does ''Spiritual Atheist'' is a rainbow mean to you? How would you explain new 'bible' for the creation of spiritual not the world if you had no science as suchreligious, or according to the changing of tagline. This is a taboo smashing book which solves the seasons? What other kinds problem of natures – chaotic trickery, evil personae or even the characteristics of goats – people your world? And why is it that the answers man modernity and woman have collectively formed explains how to such questions have been so similar across the oceans be a 'spiritual technologist' who can live and across the centuries? This highly pictorial volume looks at the mythologies that formed those answers, and locks love freely in 'spiritual fullness' without relying on a belief in god. Touching on everything from 'brain science' to AI, Jankel offers a multitude of subjects – blood'path to meaning', music, godly activity – allowing us to show us what has followedmove beyond consumerism towards an ethical life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0500291519</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Femi Bolaji1789015200|title=God Tells the Sun to Shine: An Amazing Story of Love and ForgivenessBe Your Higher Self|author=Samesh Ramjattan

|summary=Jacob was There are a lot of self-help books about: it's one of the second born most thriving sections of twin boys and resented the privileges that would come to Esau who was, after all only a few minutes older than himaverage bookshop, but would get twice it's not always easy to find the inheritance from their fatherbook you need. Samesh Ramjattan has addressed this problem in ''Be Your Higher Self'', Isaac, than that a book which would come allows us all to Jacobmake sense of our place in the world, as most of us only glimpse our true potential and few people ever achieve it. Even in his teens Jacob plotted with hard work and dedication, obstacles present themselves and it's difficult to usurp Esau’s positionunderstand why or how they can be overcome. What would happen if Esau died? But Esau was fit Ramjattan offers us a guide to the spirit world, the chakras, karma and a born hunter. Jacob thought reincarnation as well as information about killing him, but the stories age of what had happened to Cain Aquarius and Abel came to mind and he was determined that he would not make the mistakes which Cain had made, so he developed an alternative plan and took advantage of Esau’s well-known greed: he was always desperate for something to eatego. Esau is It's a slim book - just 128 pages - so can it provide us with the man who sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1482802120</amazonuk>answers we seek?

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rowan WilliamsMahnke_Lore|title=The Edge World of WordsLore, Volume 1: God and the Habits of LanguageMonstrous Creatures|author=Aaron Mahnke|rating=4.5

|summary=ThisEvery country, Rowan Williams' first book since standing down as Archbishop of Canterburyevery town, is based on every village has a folktale – a series of lectures story passed down through generations that he delivered as Gifford Lectures in Edinburgh in 2013often focuses on the dark and unexplained. Gifford Lectures are famous for their examination of developments in natural theology; No matter how the modern world moves on, there's a still a branch part of theology everyone that argues the existence of God based on reason and natureis vulnerable to a good tale. In these lectures Rowan sort From ghosts to examine how we as human beings develop use werewolves, by way of wendigos and process languageelves, particularly when it comes to author Aaron Mahnke delivers the reader legends from all over the use world, whilst examining how they've become part of language around faith and our perception and understanding collective imaginations, still striking fear into the hearts of many of Godus today.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472910435</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=Saxena_Jaya|title=Like a Tramp, Like A Pilgrim: On Foot, Across Europe to RomeBasic Witches|author=Harry BucknallJ Saxena and J Zimmerman

|summary=Before I can’t imagine it’s that easy started this book I was expecting to be a Muslim in most areas thrown into the world of magic and would know how to levitate by the end of the USAfirst chapter. Even if you don’t ‘look like’ Unsurprisingly, I was wrong. However, what I was met by was a Muslimbook that explores the origins of witchcraft, even if teaches you don’t drop how to your knees in the direction of Mecca 5 times dress and act like a day, even if you give your kids arguably Jewish names. And being openly Muslim cannot have got any easier in the wake of 9/11. This book examines one Muslim-American family’s life witch and the constant challenges they face contains spells ranging from friends, neighbours and teachersaccepting compliments to conjuring up a relaxing Netflix binge.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230341845</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=Wright_Universe|title=The Atheist's PrayerUniverse and Life but Not Everything|author=Amy R BiddleAnthony Christian Wright

|summary=This book appealed to me for a couple of reasons; I have recently completed often wonder - usually after a workshop on mindfulness and have been attempting to put some moment of shaking my fist at the ideas into practice throughout news on TV - what my daily manifesto for life, and society would look like were I love nature and spending time outdoors cycling. Therefore, this seemed the perfect choice to learn more about combining the two and exploring fresh perspectives in my everyday lifewrite it down. I began reading this hardcover with high expectations, particularly as the book was beautifully laid out with unique artwork and philosophical quotes included. However, although there were some insightful ideas and inspiring have all sorts of thoughts presented amongst the five chaptersabout these things, overall I was a little disappointed in what the book had to offer.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1782401024</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=Rogerson's Book of Numbers: The culture of numbers from 1001 Nights to the Seven Wonders metaphysics of the World|author=Barnaby Rogerson|rating=4|genre=Spirituality who we are and Religion|summary=One book, split into two testaments, regarding a holy trinity, the principal part known from four writers, in a world abutting another where five pillars are important, up against a world where a six-pointed star holds so many meanings… It's obvious we come from just a quick dash through the most schoolboy-friendly parts of religion that numbers are important. This book, although counting right down from multitudes to that late-comer zero, brings them all to us, with brief notes about why they all hold relevance where whichever country, civilisation or religion is concerneddetailed critiques of quite insignificant government policies. In the end, I'm sure it's a lot more userve never done such an exercise -friendly, interesting, and will be a lot more popular, than mostly because I lack the original Book of Numbers.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781250995</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=Inventing the Enemy: Essays on Everything|author=Umberto Eco|rating=4|genre=History|summary=Imagine a sumptuous Italian feast in the sunlit-bathed ancient countryside near Milan. Next to you a gentleman talks and eats with furious energy. He tells of Dante, Cicero, and St Augustine and quotes a multitude of obscure troubadours from the Middle Ages. He repeats himself, gestures flamboyantlytime, nudges you sharply in the ribs, belches patience and even breaks wind. His conversation contains nuggets of information but in the flow of his discourse there is a fondness for iteration and reiterationdiligence required. He throws bones over his shoulder and when he reaches the cheese course - definitely too much information on the mouldy bacteria! When you finally get up things the elderly gentleman has said prompt your imagination. You are better informed, intrigued and prodded to examine his discourse again and again, even if only to challenge what you have heard. Such are the effects of reading Eco’s essays in ''Inventing the Enemy''It seems like an enormous task.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099553945</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1850788332|title=Sisters of the East EndRosie: Note to Self |author=Helen BattenClaire Connor and G P Taylor

|summary=When we In the first meet Pandora Armstrong in the spring of 2003 she's grieving for her husbanda five book deal Claire Connor, Mikewriting in partnership with GP Taylor, who had died just brings us a few weeks beforemodern romance based loosely on the story of Ruth from the Bible. It hadn't been his This is total chick-lit, and from the first heart attack and he had reduced his workload but this attack few pages I thought it was fataljust going to be a very light, funny romance story. He was only in his fifties However, the story quickly takes a depressing turn and Pandora feels that he'd been snatched away from her the rest of the book is as they'd only been married for a few years. When a friend suggests that she goes with her to much an Evening exploration of Clairvoyance she runs out of excuses to refuse and although she's not exactly ''convinced'' by what she hears there's a lingering doubt. A spirit voice mentioned her children and Pandora was adamant that she didn't have any children - grief as it's actually quite is a sore point - but that wasn't true of Mikeromance novel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780997450</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Wm Paul YoungSantiago_Returning|title=Cross RoadsReturning Home|author=Stephan Santiago|rating=43.5

|summary=Wm. Paul Young[[:Category:Stephan Santiago|Stephan Santiago]] has experienced life in a way that's debut novel led him to believe we''The Shack'' was re all on a revelation in many wayssoul journey back home – that place we inhabited before we were born. Whilst many disagreed with his theology, it was refreshing to see such an overtly faith based This book on the bestseller lists. Personally, I found it is a very moving story and whilst I thought it helpful on some points, it tended guide as to skim over others. Now how we get to see if Young can repeat his success with his new noveloptimise this journey for ourselves, ''Cross Roads''those around us and our children.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444745972</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Danaan ElderhillWilbourne_Shepherd|title=The Magic Book Shepherd of CookeryAnother Flock|author=David Wilbourne|rating=3.5

|summary=Back in the seventeenth century in what was then the Kingdom of Bohemia there was [[:Category:David Wilbourne|David Wilbourne's]] CV looks like a coven career path for people who are hard-of witches-humoured. As was common at that time witches were hunted and they had to hide their beliefs. The Friends Banker, teacher of EuphrosyneAncient Greek, as they called themselvesvicar, turned to this deity (shebishop…none of these are jobs normally connected in our minds with a jovial twinkle. Yet in David's one of the three graces and there to remind us to have fun) in their time of need and developed rituals which could case, we'd be assimilated into social gatherings, allowing them totally wrong to hide in plain sightassume. Their book - The Magic Book current Bishop of Cookery - vanished along with Llandaff takes us by the coven when they were discovered but Danaan Elderhill wants hand to show us to benefit episodes from its ancient wisdom his life as vicar of the character- and its funpacked Yorkshire parish of Helmsley proving that tears of sorrow are equally shared with tears of laughter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>B0092BX6O0</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Charity Seraphina FieldsPigliucci_How|title=I am not How to be a BuddhistStoic|author=Massimo Pigliucci

|summary=''I am not a Buddhist'' Stoicism is an individual through Buddhism and its principles seen from about developing the point of view of one on the path. Charity Seraphina Fields attempts - through her own musings on this ancient Eastern philosophy - to explain why Buddhism is better suited tools to deal as effectively as humanly possible with the rich West than the poorer East. For Fieldsensuing conflicts, does not demand perfection, the question isn't ''Why am I suffering without all those things I want?''and does not provide specific answers. The right question is actually ''Why am I still suffering even though I have everything I want?''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1475085664</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Eamon Duffy|title=SaintsFor many readers, Sacrilege living in an age of rules to make us happy and Sedition|rating=4|genre=History|summary=In the introduction inevitable failure to stick to them, this book Eamon Duffyis an intensely reassuring sentence. Pigliucci certainly makes Stoicism an appealing philosophy, Professor of the History of Christianity at Cambridge History, points out that all too often historians one which can sit alongside religious faith but doesn't have written about the English Reformation from strongly polarised views. Taking two extreme examplesto, he cites one which states that the people doesn't demand Aristotelian heights of Englandintelligence, formerly happy medieval Catholics, were forced by King Henry beauty or riches in order to abandon their religiontruly succeed in life, and England was never merry again, alongside another one which speaks of the English being oppressed by corrupt churchmen until King Henry gave them the Protestant nation for which they longed. On the following page, he suggests that it had long been an axiom of historical writing that the success of the Reformation in England was an inevitable consequence of the dysfunction and unpopularity of late medieval Catholicism. Such remarks were evidently made by writers with an axe to grindrecognises life's messy difficulties. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1441181172</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Timothy RadcliffePearce_Biblical|title=Take the PlungeA Biblical Theology Behind Music, Praise, and Worship|author=Dr Mark Pearce

|summary=There appears Music used in religions and worship itself goes back to be more Christian literature around than ever before at the momentbeginning of humankind. I don't know whether In this is a response to Richard Dawkins' ''The God Delusion'', which has meant that Christian writers and publishers have increased their outputs, or because I'm noticing it more. Timothy Radcliffe's ''Take the Plunge'' is taking a more or less opposite view to that of Dawkins, exploring the importance of baptism in everyday life and arguing that there is no aspect of life that cannot be touched if you are baptised and therefore living with faith.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1441118489</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Youssef Ziedan book musician and Jonathan Wright (translator)|title=Azazeeltheological academic [[:Category:Dr Mark Pearce|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=An archaeologist Dr Mark Pearce]] explores its Biblical history in a time Christian context as well as providing tips and place close to that of modern troubled Syria discovers thirty scrolls. These are the writings of a Coptic Christian monk born into Roman dominated Egypt suggestions for those involved in worship in AD391. A door thus opens into an ancient world and the emerging vista stretches from the present into the distant past, as if eliciting an omnipresent dimension to realityday. The fluent evocative prose flows like a meandering river or a ribbon connecting continuously the present moment with the ancient world. A panorama emerges dominated by Rome and Constantinople and extends to Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848874278</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Roger ScrutonIles_Thoughts|title=The Face Thoughts and Inner Journey of God: The Gifford LecturesDr. John Dee|author=Clair Iles

|summary=Atheist culture has recently become more mainstream[[:Category:Clair Iles|Clair Iles]] is, thanks in part to the success of Richard Dawkins' bookher own words, ''The God Delusion''a normal person who was educated at a normal comprehensive school. However, religion does still have she's a part to playnormal person who hears dead people. Yes, Clair is a spiritualist with Prince Charles urging the United Kingdom ability to be more tolerant towards faiths other than the Church of England he was raised as part of and even the Prime Minister talking about faith issueshear from those who have passed on. Since 1888, In the Gifford Lectures have past they had generally been given to 'promote and diffuse.relatives or everyday folk. Imagine, then, her surprise when she felt she was hearing from Elizabethan court polymath John Dee. Over a period of time she could feel his dictated thoughts and ideas in her mind and this book of the channelled words is the knowledge of God'result.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847065244</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen FrenchWoodcock_Becoming|title=The Hidden Geometry of LifeBecoming Reverend: A diary|author=Matt Woodcock|rating=24.5

|summary=''[[:Category:Matt Woodcock|Matt Woodcock]] is enjoying life: successful journalist, happily married and a new dream home bought and heavily mortgaged. The Hidden Geometry of Life'' aims only cloud on the horizon is their struggle to explore have children but they have faith in the esoteric and often mystical meanings contained in IVF treatment as it''shapes and patterns [that] represent ideas and distil s early days yet. Then comes the funny turn Matt has on the essence of reality''way to a story one day. This mystical angle was takes him by surprise but the resulting clergy collar comes as a little bit of a unpleasant surprise for this readertotal shock. I should have had He's a normal bloke who always thought of himself as more pint than piety believing in a better look at Karen FrenchGod who's Amazon pages and previous work, but I was attracted by an exciting-sounding title, attractive cover and and references happy for him to author's artremain in the pews.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780281080</amazonuk> Errrrm… whoops!

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Grace McCleenChaplin_Stone|title=The Land of DecorationStone Cradle|author=Patrice Chaplin

|genre=Literary FictionSpirituality and Religion|summary=Grace McCleen's debut novel, ''The Land of DecorationStone Cradle'' paints is a remarkable book from the author Patrice Chaplin. It is a biography, the third in a series set in the Catalonian city of Girona. It is also an original, unsettlingenduring love story and a journey into mystery and spirituality. The city has drawn artists, sometimes dark writers and generally rather wonderful picturephilosophers for centuries. Narrated by ten year old JudithRich in Kabbalistic thought through Azriel, raised by her father who is a fundamental religious follower of the end most famous student of Isaac the world is nigh varietyBlind, it looks at bullying, both at school has always been a home for mysticism and secrets. The magnetism and resonance of the city has had a hold on Patrice Chaplin since she first visited it in more general the fifties. The series of books detail her journey and her encounters with the esoteric societythat have protected its mysteries since ancient times. 'The Stone Cradle' also gives a new life and direction to the mysteries of Rennes le Chateau, the small French village, faith made famous by the Da Vinci Code and the possible rejection thereof Holy Blood and The Holy Grail. Linking the two places through sacred geometry to the strength mountain of childhood imaginationCanigou.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>070118681X</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Roman KrznaricVonnegut_Sun|title=The Wonderbox: Curious Histories of How to LiveSun Moon Star|author=Kurt Vonnegut and Ivan Chermayeff|rating=4.5|genre=HistorySpirituality and Religion|summary='How should we live?' asks author Roman Krznaric. To answer this ancient questionIn his own delightfully imaginative way, he looks to history. 'I believe that Kurt Vonnegut tells the future story of the art birth of living can be found by gazing into the past', he says. Creating a book which is as full of curiosities as a Renaissance 'Wunderkammer', he has a stab at the big questions: love, belief, money, family, death. The result is a pot-pourri of delights which left Christ in this particular reader stimulated unique and invigorated.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683939</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=David Malouf|title=The Happy Life: The Search for Contentment in the Modern World|rating=4|genre=Popular Science|summary=There's something quite uplifting about the physical brevity long out of David Maloufprint children's 'The Happy Life' which is subtitled 'The Search for Contentment in the Modern World'book. It suggests that it is easy to find, when of course, Told from the whole point perspective of the book is that despite, or perhaps because new born infant in his first hours ofbirth, scientific and technological advances that have taken away many of this charming little story feels different to other children's Christmas books whilst at the causes of true unhappiness in the world, it remains elusive for most. Who can say that they are truly happy? The book runs same time goes back to less than 100 pages if you take out the Notes section, and basics in exploring the typeface is large. It is, by any reckoning a slim offeringtrue nature of Christmas.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0701187115</amazonuk>