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[[Category:Spirituality and Religion|*]]__NOTOC__ __NOTOC__<!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Danaan ElderhillFrederic Seager|title=The Magic Book Jesus, the Man and the Myth: A Jewish Reading of Cookerythe New Testament|rating=34.5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=Back in the seventeenth century I was brought up in what was then the Kingdom of Bohemia there was a coven of witchesfamily where religion played little or no part. As was common at that time witches were hunted Culturally Irish Catholic on one side and they had to hide their beliefs. The Friends of EuphrosyneWelsh Methodist on the other, as they called themselves, turned to this deity (she's one of nobody really discussed religion and the three graces and there to remind us adults around me ranged from lapsed to have fun) in their time of need and developed rituals which could be assimilated into social gatherings, allowing them agnostic to hide in plain sightatheist. Their book - The Magic Book of Cookery - vanished along with Other than the odd church wedding or baptism or the coven when they were discovered but Danaan Elderhill wants us to benefit from its ancient wisdom - and its funschool nativity play, I didn't think too much about faith or what people did or didn't believe.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>B0092BX6O0</amazonuk>B092BWWG9Y

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Charity Seraphina FieldsPeter Owen Jones|title=I am not a BuddhistConversations with Nature|rating=3.5

|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 am not a Buddhist'' m brought back inescapably to the Spanish proverb that Life may be short, but it is an individual through Buddhism and its principles seen from the point of view of one on the pathbroad. Charity Seraphina Fields attempts - through her own musings on In this ancient Eastern philosophy - case I'm brought to explain why Buddhism the idea that the length of life is better suited to not the rich West than point; the poorer Eastpoint is its depth. For Fields, the question isn't ''Why am I suffering without all those things I want?'' Peter Owen Jones dives deep. The right question is actually ''Why am I still suffering even though I have everything I want?''|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1475085664</amazonuk>1912992418

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Eamon DuffyRichard Brook|title=Saints, Sacrilege and SeditionUnderstanding Human Nature: A User's Guide to Life|rating=4.5|genre=HistoryLifestyle|summary=I am a firm believer that sometimes we choose books, and sometimes books choose us. In my case, this is one of the introduction to latter. Not so very long ago, if I had come across this book Eamon DuffyI'd have skimmed it, Professor found some of the History of Christianity at Cambridge Historyit interesting, points out that all too often historians but it would not have written about 'hit home' in the English Reformation from strongly polarised viewsway that it does now. Taking two extreme examples, he cites one which states 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 the people of England, formerly happy medieval Catholicschose their own books rather than getting them randomly, were forced by King Henry so there is a predisposition towards expecting to abandon their religion, and England was never merry again, alongside another which speaks of like the English being oppressed by corrupt churchmen until King Henry gave them the Protestant nation for which they longed. On the following pagebook, he suggests even if it doesn't always turn out that way'' ] – but also because 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 is a book I needed to grindread, right now. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1441181172</amazonuk>1800461682

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Timothy RadcliffeHill_Atlas|title=Take the PlungeThe Atlas of Monsters|author=Stuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence

|genre=Spirituality and ReligionChildren's Non-Fiction|summary=There appears to be more Christian literature around than ever before at the momentare monsters and mysterious characters, such as trolls, leprechauns, goblins and minotaurs. I donThey't re the stuff of far too many stories to remain mysterious, and every schoolchild should know whether this is a response to Richard Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''all about them. There are monsters and mysterious characters, such as Gog and Magog, which has meant that Christian writers Scylla and publishers have increased their outputsCharybdis, or because I'm noticing it moreand the bunyip. Timothy Radcliffe's ''Take They are what you find if you take an interest in this kind of thing to the Plunge'' is taking next level; even if you cannot place them all on a more or less opposite view to that of Dawkinsmap you should have come across them. But there are monsters and mysterious characters, such as the dobhar-chu, exploring the importance of baptism in everyday life llambigyn y dwr, and arguing that there is no aspect the girtablili. To gain any knowledge of life them you really need a book that cannot be touched if you are baptised and therefore living with faithknows its stuff.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1441118489</amazonuk>A book like this one…

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Youssef Ziedan and Jonathan Wright (translator)1999731506|title=AzazeelSpiritual Atheist|author=Nick Seneca Jankel|rating=52|genre=Historical FictionLifestyle|summary=An archaeologist in ''Spiritual Atheist'' is a time and place close new 'bible' for the spiritual not the religious, according to that of modern troubled Syria discovers thirty scrollsthe tagline. These are This is a taboo smashing book which solves the writings problem of modernity and explains how to be a Coptic Christian monk born into Roman dominated Egypt 'spiritual technologist' who can live and love freely in AD391'spiritual fullness' without relying on a belief in god. A door thus opens into an ancient world and the emerging vista stretches Touching on everything from the present into the distant past'brain science' to AI, as if eliciting an omnipresent dimension to reality. The fluent evocative prose flows like Jankel offers 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 'path to Alexandriameaning', Jerusalem and Antiochallowing us to move beyond consumerism towards an ethical life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848874278</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Roger Scruton1789015200|title=The Face of God: The Gifford LecturesBe Your Higher Self|author=Samesh Ramjattan|rating=3.54

|summary=Atheist culture has recently become more mainstreamThere are a lot of self-help books about: it's one of the most thriving sections of the average bookshop, thanks in part but it's not always easy to find the success of Richard Dawkins' book, you need. Samesh Ramjattan has addressed this problem in ''The God DelusionBe Your Higher Self''. However, religion does still have a part book which allows us all to playmake sense of our place in the world, as most of us only glimpse our true potential and few people ever achieve it. Even with Prince Charles urging the United Kingdom hard work and dedication, obstacles present themselves and it's difficult to understand why or how they can be more tolerant towards faiths other than overcome. Ramjattan offers us a guide to the Church of England he was raised spirit world, the chakras, karma and reincarnation as well as part information about the age of Aquarius and even the Prime Minister talking about faith issuesego. Since 1888, the Gifford Lectures have been given to It'promote and diffuse...s a slim book - just 128 pages - so can it provide us with the knowledge of God'.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847065244</amazonuk>answers we seek?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen FrenchMahnke_Lore|title=The Hidden Geometry of Life|rating=2.5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=''The Hidden Geometry of Life'' aims to explore the esoteric and often mystical meanings contained in ''shapes and patterns [that] represent ideas and distil the essence of reality''. This mystical angle was a little bit of a unpleasant surprise for this reader. I should have had a better look at Karen French's Amazon pages and previous work, but I was attracted by an exciting-sounding title, attractive cover and and references to author's art.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780281080</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Grace McCleen|title=The Land of Decoration|rating=5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Grace McCleen's debut novel, ''The Land of Decoration'' paints an original, unsettling, sometimes dark and generally rather wonderful picture. Narrated by ten year old Judith, raised by her father who is a fundamental religious follower of the end of the world is nigh variety, it looks at bullying, both at school and in more general society, faith and the possible rejection thereof and the strength of childhood imagination.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>070118681X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Roman Krznaric|title=The Wonderbox: Curious Histories of How to Live|rating=5|genre=History|summary='How should we live?' asks author Roman Krznaric. To answer this ancient question, he looks to history. 'I believe that the future of the art of living can be found by gazing into the past', he says. Creating a book which is as full World of curiosities as a Renaissance 'Wunderkammer', he has a stab at the big questions: love, belief, money, familyLore, death. The result is a pot-pourri of delights which left this particular reader stimulated and invigorated.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683939</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=David Malouf|title=The Happy LifeVolume 1: The Search for Contentment in the Modern World|rating=4|genre=Popular Science|summary=There's something quite uplifting about the physical brevity of David Malouf's 'The Happy Life' which is subtitled 'The Search for Contentment in the Modern World'. It suggests that it is easy to find, when of course, the whole point of the book is that despite, or perhaps because of, scientific and technological advances that have taken away many of the causes of true unhappiness in the world, it remains elusive for most. Who can say that they are truly happy? The book runs to less than 100 pages if you take out the Notes section, and the typeface is large. It is, by any reckoning a slim offering.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0701187115</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Christina Goodings and Annabel Hudson|title=My Look and Point Bible|rating=4.5|genre=For Sharing|summary=This version of the bible for toddlers has been cleverly retold to engage little ones, with lots of illustrations, pictures to point at and words to learn. It includes stories from both the old and new testaments, from the creation and Noah through to the birth of Jesus as well as some of his parables and the crucifixion.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0745962068</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewMonstrous Creatures|author=Alexandre Christoyannopoulos|title=Christian Anarchism: A Political Commentary on the GospelAaron Mahnke

|summary=Whilst I've long been Every country, every town, every village has a folktale – a Christianstory passed down through generations that often focuses on the dark and unexplained. No matter how the modern world moves on, Ithere've never considered myself an anarchist. My thinking is s a still a part of everyone that anarchy is something you're more likely vulnerable to a good tale. From ghosts to see on werewolves, by way of wendigos and elves, author Aaron Mahnke delivers the reader legends from all over the news than on world, whilst examining how they'Songs ve become part of Praise'. Howeverour collective imaginations, there is a school still striking fear into the hearts of many of thought that suggests that Jesus' teachings were so counter-cultural and so against Roman law that it constitutes anarchismus today.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845402472</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen ArmstrongSaxena_Jaya|title=In the Beginning: A New Interpretation of GenesisBasic Witches|author=J Saxena and J Zimmerman

|summary=Armstrong's background (there's a page right at Before I started this book I was expecting to be thrown into the beginning) is certainly diverse world of magic and interesting so would know how to levitate by the end of the first chapter. Unsurprisingly, I was looking forward to reading what she had to saywrong. And thankfullyHowever, what I didn't have to rummage around looking for my own copy was met by was a book that explores the origins of the bible (I've now located it) as Armstrong obligingly provides Genesis (in beautifulwitchcraft, old-fashioned typeface) here. So roughly two thirds is given over teaches you how to her investigative prose dress and the remaining third is the actual book of Genesis, for handy referenceact like a witch and contains spells ranging from accepting compliments to conjuring up a relaxing Netflix binge.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099555476</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Yangzom Brauen and Katy DarbyshireWright_Universe|title=Across Many Mountains: Three Daughters of Tibet|rating=4|genre=Biography|summary=Fleeing your home can never be easy The Universe and Life but when you are six, your only shoes are roughly hand-sewn and stuffed with hay, and your route is over the world's highest mountain range then it must be particularly challenging. This was the journey that Yangzom Brauen's mother took with her parents when they fled Tibet after the Chinese invasion of 1959. They were leaving behind all that they knew and travelling to India in the hope that they could find sanctuary in the country where the Dalai Lama was in exile. 'Across Many Mountains' is their story.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184655344X</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewNot Everything|author=David Ovason|title=Shakespeare's Secret Booke: Deciphering Magical and Rosicrucian CodesAnthony Christian Wright|rating=3.5

|summary=One group I often wonder - usually after a moment of people that were convinced shaking my fist at the Chilean miners, Los 33, news on TV - what my manifesto for life and society would be relieved of their ordeal, look like were numerologistsI to write it down. For hundreds of years, it seems, they I have held the number thirty-three in good stead. It represents a lot of expression all sorts of the egothoughts about these things, or from the soul, or the transformation metaphysics of the spirit who we are and where we come from one world , right down to anotherdetailed critiques of quite insignificant government policies. It doesnI't boil down to just ve never done such an exercise - mostly because I lack the 33 years Christ was supposed to have held His human incarnationtime, but refers to many ethereal, magical, alchemical transformations from state to state. And who can deny the Chilean mine was 2010's most vivid embodiment of hell - patience and that the 33 were reborn in coming back to life on earth?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1905570260</amazonuk>diligence required. It seems like an enormous task.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Robert Leon Davis1850788332|title=Running ScaredRosie: For 22 Years He Was a Fugitive - The Corrupt Cop Busted by GodNote to Self |author=Claire Connor and G P Taylor

|genre=AutobiographyGeneral Fiction|summary=Robert Davis was In the eldest first of nine children all living a five book deal Claire Connor, writing in partnership with their grandmother in New Orleans – GP Taylor, brings us a modern romance based loosely on welfarethe story of Ruth from the Bible. His grandmother was a goodThis is total chick-lit, honest woman and Davis loved and respected her, but money from the first few pages I thought it was so tight that he resorted just going to thieving to bring some extra food in for the family. He knew that she would be deeply upset about ita very light, but hunger is hungerfunny romance story. In your heart you can't blame him and it seems that all is coming good when Davis becomes a respected police officer in However, the mid nineteen-seventies. He's living with story quickly takes a good, decent woman depressing turn and looks set to have a good career. Great, you think, sometimes life ''the rest of the book is'' fair and as much an exploration of grief as it works outis a romance novel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1854249932</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Carol RichardsSantiago_Returning|title=Columbanus: Poet, Preacher, Statesman, SaintReturning Home|author=Stephan Santiago|rating=43.5

|summary=Richards is at pains [[:Category:Stephan Santiago|Stephan Santiago]] has experienced life in a way that's led him to point out straight away believe we're all on a soul journey back home – that the reader mustn't confuse Columbanus with Columba of Ionaplace we inhabited before we were born. She informs us that the latter did not travel extensively but the former, the subject of her This book, did travel throughout parts of Europe. She gives her subject is a terrific introduction on the cover, describing him guide as 'poetto how we can optimise this journey for ourselves, preacher, statesman, saintthose around us and our children.' And then goes into much more detail about these areas of his life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845401905</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=G Willow WilsonWilbourne_Shepherd|title=The Butterfly Mosque: A Young Woman's Journey to Love and IslamShepherd of Another Flock|author=David Wilbourne|rating=4.5|genre=AutobiographySpirituality and Religion|summary=This memoir is told in the first person so straight away there is [[:Category:David Wilbourne|David Wilbourne's]] CV looks like a connection with the reader. The story starts career path for people who are hard- not in Egypt of- but in the USAhumoured. Willow (lovely name) says she's ''Banker, teacher of Ancient Greek, vicar, bishop…none of these are jobs normally connected in the market for our minds with a philosophyjovial twinkle.'' And Yet in this search she is extremely thorough. She looks at mainstream religions - ChristianityDavid's case, Buddhism we'd be totally wrong to name but two and puts them under the microscope, so to speakassume. She dismisses all The current Bishop of them before settling on Islam. It appears Llandaff takes us by the hand to offer what she is after, what she is looking for, that enigmatic thing. But also, there'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 facts, which she shares with show us episodes from his life as vicar of the reader. Willow is wellcharacter-read and well-educated. She seems set for a good career packed Yorkshire parish of her choice on American soil. Why not settle for Helmsley proving that? But she's set on travel to the Middle East come what maytears of sorrow are equally shared with tears of laughter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843548283</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Colin WatersPigliucci_How|title=A Pregnant Ghost and Other Sexual HauntingsHow to be a Stoic|author=Massimo Pigliucci|rating=3.5

|summary=This ''Stoicism is a book that does what it sets out about developing the tools to do on deal as effectively as humanly possible with the tinensuing conflicts, does not demand perfection, and does so not provide specific answers.'' For many readers, living in almost glorious fashionan age of rules to make us happy and the inevitable failure to stick to them, this is an intensely reassuring sentence. The back cover blurb promises hilarity and tittilationPigliucci certainly makes Stoicism an appealing philosophy, one which can sit alongside religious faith but this will also fit on the shelf doesn't have to, one which doesn't demand Aristotelian heights of any academic looking into the hornier side of the Fortean worldintelligence, beauty or riches in order to truly succeed in life, as well as anyone relishing the most singular collection of ghost legends that I can remember readingand one which recognises life's messy difficulties.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089902</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=Pearce_Biblical|authortitle=A N WilsonBiblical Theology Behind Music, Nick CavePraise, Richard Holloway and Blake MorrisonWorship|titleauthor=The Four Gospels with introductionsDr Mark Pearce

|summary=I wasn't entirely sure what Music used in religions and worship itself goes back to expect from the beginning of humankind. In this book. I only skimmedthrough the description on Amazon, musician and understood that four modernwriters were introducing the four Gospels. What I hadn't really takentheological academic [[:Category:Dr Mark Pearce|Dr Mark Pearce]] explores its Biblical history in was that the introductions are brief - a few pages each - Christian context as well as providing tips and thatthe bulk of the book consists of the Authorised Version (known as theKing James Version suggestions for those involved in the USA) of the Gospels. The whole is publishedworship in a fairly trendy looking paperback format, with the idea ofappealing to people who are not particularly religious, but who seethe Bible as valuable ancient literaturepresent day.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847678351</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David EaglemanIles_Thoughts|title=Sum: Tales from the Afterlives|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=For some reason I find myself unable to start this review. So I'll mention this book starts with the end, The Thoughts and see where we go from there. Of course, that's the key – this book does just that – starts with the end Inner Journey of our human life here on Earth (or wherever you happen to be reading this) and posits forty possibilities of what happens thereafter, in the hereafter. It's not so much 'Five People You Meet in Heaven' as 'Forty Heavens you Might Meet People In'Dr.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847674283</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewJohn Dee|author=Peter Blackstock |title=The Secret Symbol: The Original Masonic Documents Behind Dan Brown's Latest BestsellerClair Iles|rating=3.5

|summary=Pop Quiz[[:Category:Clair Iles|Clair Iles]] is, in her own words, a normal person who was educated at a normal comprehensive school. What links Scott of the AntarcticHowever, Jim Davidsonshe's a normal person who hears dead people. Yes, Churchill, and Rabbie Burns? Where and when might you come Clair is a cropper trying spiritualist with ability to spell Boaz, but starting with hear from those who have passed on. In the B? past they had generally been relatives or everyday folk. And what has three stages - unless it's thirty-threeImagine, then, or even ten by 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 York system?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683734</amazonuk>result.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Robert CrumbWoodcock_Becoming|title=Robert Crumb's Book of GenesisBecoming Reverend: All 50 ChaptersA diary|author=Matt Woodcock

|summary=One day[[:Category:Matt Woodcock|Matt Woodcock]] is enjoying life: successful journalist, Mitch Albom's eighty-two year old rabbi asks him to write his eulogyhappily married and a new dream home bought and heavily mortgaged. Thinking that he must be close The only cloud on the horizon is their struggle to death Albom reluctantly agrees, have children but decides to meet with they have faith in the IVF treatment as it's early days yet. Then comes the Reb' funny turn Matt has on the way to try to get to know a story one day. This takes him better by surprise but the resulting clergy collar comes as a man firsttotal shock. What then develops is an eight year friendship He's a normal bloke who always thought of himself as Albom continues to regularly meet with the Reb, who was obviously stronger more pint than he looked, discussing life and religion and death and love. At the same time Mitch becomes involved with a pastor piety believing in Detroit called Henry, a reformed drug dealer, God who is preaching from an old, run-down church with no power, no heat and a hole in its roof. Albom relates the Reb's story, and thoughts on life, against happy for him to remain in the back drop of the struggling Henry, querying issues like forgiveness, doubt and faithpews.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847442919</amazonuk> Errrrm… whoops!

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Tamim Ansary Chaplin_Stone|title=Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic EyesThe 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>