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[[Category:Spirituality and Religion|*]]__NOTOC__ <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{Frontpage|author=Frederic Seager|title= Jesus, the Man and the Myth: A Jewish Reading of the New Testament|rating=4.5|genre= Spirituality and Religion|summary= I was brought up in a family where religion played little or no part. Culturally Irish Catholic on one side and Welsh Methodist on the other, nobody really discussed religion and the adults around me ranged from lapsed to agnostic to atheist. Other than the odd church wedding or baptism or the school nativity play, I didn't think too much about faith or what people did or didn't believe.__NOTOC__|isbn=B092BWWG9Y}}{{Frontpage|author=Peter Owen Jones|title=Conversations with Nature|rating=5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary= One of the comments made when I was offered this beautiful book for review was that it's not very long. Having read the book twice over, I'm brought back inescapably to the Spanish proverb that Life may be short, but it is broad. In this case I'm brought to the idea that the length of life is not the point; the point is its depth. Peter Owen Jones dives deep.|isbn=1912992418}}{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Carol RichardsRichard Brook|title=ColumbanusUnderstanding Human Nature: PoetA User's Guide to Life|rating=4.5|genre=Lifestyle|summary= I am a firm believer that sometimes we choose books, and sometimes books choose us. In my case, this is one of the latter. Not so very long ago, Preacherif I had come across this book I'd have skimmed it, Statesmanfound some of it interesting, Saintbut it would not have 'hit home' in the way that it does now. I believe it came to me not just because I was likely to give it a favourable review [ ''full disclosure The Bookbag's 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't always turn out that way'' ] – but also because it is a book I needed to read, right now.|isbn=1800461682}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Hill_Atlas|title=The Atlas of Monsters|author=Stuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence|rating=4|genre=Children's Non-Fiction|summary=There are monsters and mysterious characters, such as trolls, leprechauns, goblins and minotaurs. They're the stuff of far too many stories to 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 bunyip. They are what you find if you take an interest in this kind of thing to the next level; even if you cannot place them all on a map you should have come across them. But there are monsters and mysterious characters, such as the dobhar-chu, the llambigyn y dwr, and the girtablili. To gain any knowledge of them you really need a book that knows its stuff. A book like this one…}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1999731506|title=Spiritual Atheist|author=Nick Seneca Jankel|rating=2|genre=Lifestyle|summary=''Spiritual Atheist'' is a new 'bible' for the spiritual not the religious, according to the tagline. This is a taboo smashing book which solves the problem of modernity and explains how to be a 'spiritual technologist' who can live and love freely in 'spiritual fullness' without relying on a belief in god. Touching on everything from 'brain science' to AI, Jankel offers a 'path to meaning', allowing us to move beyond consumerism towards an ethical life.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1789015200|title=Be Your Higher Self|author=Samesh Ramjattan

|summary=Richards is at pains to point out straight away that the reader mustnThere are a lot of self-help books about: it't confuse Columbanus with Columba s one of Iona. She informs us that the latter did not travel extensively but most thriving sections of the formeraverage bookshop, but it's not always easy to find the subject of her book, did travel throughout parts of Europeyou need. She gives her subject Samesh Ramjattan has addressed this problem in ''Be Your Higher Self'', a terrific introduction on book which allows us all to make sense of our place in the coverworld, describing him as most of us only glimpse our true potential and few people ever achieve it. Even with hard work and dedication, obstacles present themselves and it'poets difficult to understand why or how they can be overcome. Ramjattan offers us a guide to the spirit world, preacherthe chakras, statesman, saint.' And then goes into much more detail karma and reincarnation as well as information about these areas the age of his lifeAquarius and the ego.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845401905</amazonuk> It's a slim book - just 128 pages - so can it provide us with the answers we seek?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=G Willow WilsonMahnke_Lore|title=The Butterfly MosqueWorld of Lore, Volume 1: A Young Woman's Journey to Love and IslamMonstrous Creatures|author=Aaron Mahnke

|genre=AutobiographySpirituality and Religion|summary=This memoir is told in the first person so straight away there is Every country, every town, every village has a folktale – a connection with story passed down through generations that often focuses on the readerdark and unexplained. The story starts - not in Egypt - but in No matter how the USA. Willow (lovely name) says shemodern world moves on, there's ''in the market for a philosophy.'' And in this search she still a part of everyone that is extremely thoroughvulnerable to a good tale. She looks at mainstream religions - ChristianityFrom ghosts to werewolves, Buddhism to name but two by way of wendigos and puts them under elves, author Aaron Mahnke delivers the microscope, so to speak. She dismisses reader legends from all of them before settling on Islam. It appears to offer what she is after, what she is looking for, that enigmatic thing. But alsoover the world, therewhilst examining how they's some little twist which helps make her mind up. But not before she digs deep and seeks answers to complex and awkward questions. She reads and researches Islam and finds out surprising factsve become part of our collective imaginations, which she shares with still striking fear into the reader. Willow is well-read and well-educated. She seems set for a good career hearts of many of her choice on American soilus today. Why not settle for that? But she's set on travel to the Middle East come what may.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843548283</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Colin WatersSaxena_Jaya|title=A Pregnant Ghost Basic Witches|author=J Saxena and Other Sexual HauntingsJ Zimmerman|rating=54

|summary=This is a Before I started this book that does what it sets out I was expecting to do on be thrown into the tin, world of magic and does so in almost glorious fashion. The back cover blurb promises hilarity and tittilation, but this will also fit on would know how to levitate by the shelf end of any academic looking into the hornier side of the Fortean worldfirst chapter. Unsurprisingly, I was wrong. However, as well as anyone relishing what I was met by was a book that explores the most singular collection origins of ghost legends that I can remember readingwitchcraft, teaches you how to dress and act like a witch and contains spells ranging from accepting compliments to conjuring up a relaxing Netflix binge.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089902</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=A N Wilson, Nick Cave, Richard Holloway and Blake MorrisonWright_Universe|title=The Four Gospels with introductionsUniverse and Life but Not Everything|author=Anthony Christian Wright|rating=43.5

|summary=I wasn't entirely sure often wonder - usually after a moment of shaking my fist at the news on TV - what my manifesto for life and society would look like were I to expect from this bookwrite it down. I only skimmedthrough have all sorts of thoughts about these things, from the description on Amazonmetaphysics of who we are and where we come from, and understood that four modernwriters were introducing the four Gospelsright down to detailed critiques of quite insignificant government policies. What I hadn't really takenin was that the introductions are brief ve never done such an exercise - a few pages each - and thatmostly because I lack the bulk of time, the book consists of the Authorised Version (known as theKing James Version in the USA) of patience and the Gospelsdiligence required. The whole is publishedin a fairly trendy looking paperback format, with the idea ofappealing to people who are not particularly religious, but who seethe Bible as valuable ancient literatureIt seems like an enormous task.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847678351</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David Eagleman1850788332|title=SumRosie: Tales from the AfterlivesNote to Self |author=Claire Connor and G P Taylor|rating=43.5|genre=Literary General Fiction|summary=For some reason I find myself unable to start this review. So I'll mention this In the first of a five book starts deal Claire Connor, writing in partnership with GP Taylor, brings us a modern romance based loosely on the end, and see where we go story of Ruth from therethe Bible. Of courseThis is total chick-lit, that's and from the key – this book does first few pages I thought it was just that – starts with the end of our human life here on Earth (or wherever you happen going to be reading this) a very light, funny romance story. However, the story quickly takes a depressing turn and posits forty possibilities the rest of what happens thereafter, in the hereafter. It's not so book is as much 'Five People You Meet in Heaven' an exploration of grief as 'Forty Heavens you Might Meet People In'it is a romance novel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847674283</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Peter Blackstock Santiago_Returning|title=The Secret Symbol: The Original Masonic Documents Behind Dan Brown's Latest BestsellerReturning Home|author=Stephan Santiago|rating=3.5

|summary=Pop Quiz[[:Category:Stephan Santiago|Stephan Santiago]] has experienced life in a way that's led him to believe we're all on a soul journey back home – that place we inhabited before we were born. What links Scott of the Antarctic, Jim Davidson, Churchill, and Rabbie Burns? Where and when might you come This book is a cropper trying guide as to spell Boazhow we can optimise this journey for ourselves, but starting with the B? And what has three stages - unless it's thirty-three, or even ten by the York system?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683734</amazonuk>those around us and our children.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Robert CrumbWilbourne_Shepherd|title=Robert Crumb's Book Shepherd of Genesis: All 50 ChaptersAnother Flock|author=David Wilbourne|rating=4.5|genre=Graphic NovelsSpirituality and Religion|summary=In the beginning was the picture[[:Category:David Wilbourne|David Wilbourne's]] CV looks like a career path for people who are hard-of-humoured. Just think Banker, teacher of all the countless religious imagesAncient Greek, vicar, both inside and outside religious establishmentsbishop…none of these are jobs normally connected in our minds with a jovial twinkle. Yet in David's case, designed we'd be totally wrong to convey assume. The current Bishop of Llandaff takes us by the message hand to those who could not read. Art and religion have always been linked, which is probably one show us episodes from his life as vicar of the main reasons I stayed an atheist character- I hated art at school, and drawing a man on a donkey, something way beyond my skills, was not a task I appreciated, hence my dislike packed Yorkshire parish of Helmsley proving that tears of sorrow are equally shared with tears of both subjectslaughter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224078097</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Alexandra BrucePigliucci_How|title=2012: Science or SuperstitionHow to be a Stoic|author=Massimo Pigliucci

|genre=Popular ScienceSpirituality and Religion|summary=The fuss ''Stoicism is about 2012 has not started just recently. The first book developing the tools to feature deal as effectively as humanly possible with the story was from a Yale professorensuing conflicts, does not demand perfection, in 1966and does not provide specific answers. We've also had prog rock bands named after Popol Vuh' For many readers, the Maya creation myth. But as the crunch date living in an age of December 21st, 2012 - rules to make us happy and the winter solstice that year - nearsinevitable failure to stick to them, it's becoming a very big story indeedthis is an intensely reassuring sentence. Even though it sounds absurd - the end of a 5Pigliucci certainly makes Stoicism an appealing philosophy,125-year long cycle of the Maya calendarone which can sit alongside religious faith but doesn't have to, one which started on August 13thdoesn't demand Aristotelian heights of intelligence, 3114BCE - beauty or was judged riches in order to start thentruly succeed in life, when they came across this concept a couple of thousand years into that periodand one which recognises life's messy difficulties. Surely they couldn't predict the future from their 'primitive' state with such accuracy?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1934708283</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Mitch Albom Pearce_Biblical|title=Have a Little FaithA Biblical Theology Behind Music, Praise, and Worship|author=Dr Mark Pearce

|summary=One day, Mitch Albom's eighty-two year old rabbi asks him Music used in religions and worship itself goes back to write his eulogythe beginning of humankind. Thinking that he must be close to death Albom reluctantly agrees, but decides to meet with 'the Reb' to try to get to know him better In this book musician and theological academic [[:Category:Dr Mark Pearce|Dr Mark Pearce]] explores its Biblical history in a Christian context as a man first. What then develops is an eight year friendship well as Albom continues to regularly meet with the Reb, who was obviously stronger than he looked, discussing life and religion and death providing tips and love. At the same time Mitch becomes suggestions for those involved with a pastor in Detroit called Henry, a reformed drug dealer, who is preaching from an old, run-down church with no power, no heat and a hole worship in its roof. Albom relates the Reb's story, and thoughts on life, against the back drop of the struggling Henry, querying issues like forgiveness, doubt and faithpresent day.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847442919</amazonuk>

{{Frontpage|isbn=Iles_Thoughts|title=The Thoughts and Inner Journey of Dr. John Dee|author=Clair Iles|rating=3.5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=[[:Category:Clair Iles|Clair Iles]] is, in her own words, a normal person who was educated at a normal comprehensive school. However, she's a normal person who hears dead people. Yes, Clair is a spiritualist with ability to hear from those who have passed on. In the past they had generally been 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 result.}}{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Tamim Ansary Woodcock_Becoming|title=Destiny DisruptedBecoming Reverend: A History diary|author=Matt Woodcock|rating=4.5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=[[:Category:Matt Woodcock|Matt Woodcock]] is enjoying life: successful journalist, happily married and a new dream home bought and heavily mortgaged. The only cloud on the horizon is their struggle to have children but they have faith in the IVF treatment as it's early days yet. Then comes the funny turn Matt has on the way to a story one day. This takes him by surprise but the resulting clergy collar comes as a total shock. He's a normal bloke who always thought of himself as more pint than piety believing in a God who's happy for him to remain in the World Through Islamic Eyespews. Errrrm… whoops!}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Chaplin_Stone|title=The Stone Cradle|author=Patrice Chaplin

|genre=HistorySpirituality and Religion|summary=I enjoyed history at school and whilst we didn't always work our way through it chronologically I came, over time, to have 'The Stone Cradle'' is a working knowledge of remarkable book from the ancient Egyptiansauthor Patrice Chaplin. It is a biography, Greeks and Romans. I knew about the rise third in a series set in the Catalonian city of Christianity Girona. It is also an enduring love story and spoke knowledgeably about medieval Englanda journey into mystery and spirituality. The city has drawn artists, the Renaissance writers and philosophers for centuries. Rich in Kabbalistic thought through Azriel, the Reformation but was perhaps less taken by most famous student of Isaac the Industrial Revolution Blind, it has always been a home for mysticism and all that followedsecrets. I was au fait with The magnetism and resonance of the east but city has had a hold on Patrice Chaplin since she first visited it was mainly from in the perspective fifties. The series of exploration – or even exploitationbooks detail her journey and her encounters with the esoteric society that have protected its mysteries since ancient times. It was an education based on 'The Stone Cradle' also gives a new life and direction to the virtues mysteries of Rennes le Chateau, the solidsmall French village, white, English, Christian middle classes made famous by the Da Vinci Code and the Holy Blood and it completely ignored histories from The Holy Grail. Linking the two places through sacred geometry to the perspective mountain of other religionsCanigou.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1586486063</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Trevor Hamilton Vonnegut_Sun|title=Immortal Longings: F.W.H. Myers Sun Moon Star|author=Kurt Vonnegut and the Victorian Search for Life After DeathIvan Chermayeff|rating=4.5|genre=Biography Spirituality and Religion|summary=Born in 1843, Frederic Myers began In his career as a classical lecturer at Cambridge Universityown delightfully imaginative way, but disliked teaching Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of the birth of Christ in this unique and soon gave it up in favour long out of print children's book. Told from the perspective of writing poetry and essays the new born infant in literature. Although his social circle included men such as Gladstonefirst hours of birth, Ruskin, Tennyson, Browning and Prince Leopold, the most intellectual of Queen Victoriathis charming little story feels different to other children's sons, his Christmas books (which are not so well remembered today) might have been his sole claim whilst at the same time goes back to fame, had it not been for his passionate curiosity about the meaning of human life. If it had a purpose, he was convinced, it could only be discovered through basics in exploring the study true nature of human experiencesChristmas.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845401239</amazonuk>