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[[Category:Spirituality and Religion|*]]__NOTOC__ __NOTOC__ <!--Remove INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Frederic Seager|title=Mindfulness Jesus, the Man and the Natural World|author=Claire ThompsonMyth: A Jewish Reading of the New Testament|rating=34.5|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=This book appealed to me for a couple of reasons; I have recently completed was brought up in a workshop family where religion played little or no part. Culturally Irish Catholic on mindfulness one side and have been attempting to put some of Welsh Methodist on the ideas into practice throughout my daily lifeother, nobody really discussed religion and I love nature and spending time outdoors cycling. Therefore, this seemed the perfect choice adults around me ranged from lapsed to learn more about combining the two and exploring fresh perspectives in my everyday lifeagnostic to atheist. I began reading this hardcover with high expectations, particularly as Other than the book was beautifully laid out with unique artwork and philosophical quotes included. However, although there were some insightful ideas and inspiring thoughts presented amongst odd church wedding or baptism or the five chaptersschool nativity play, overall I was a little disappointed in didn't think too much about faith or what the book had to offerpeople did or didn't believe.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782401024</amazonuk>B092BWWG9Y

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Rogerson's Book of Numbers: The culture of numbers from 1001 Nights to the Seven Wonders of the WorldPeter Owen Jones|authortitle=Barnaby RogersonConversations with Nature|rating=45

|summary=One of the comments made when I was offered this beautiful 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… Itfor review was that it's obvious from just a quick dash through the most schoolboy-friendly parts of religion that numbers are importantnot very long. This Having read the booktwice over, although counting down from multitudes I'm brought back inescapably to the Spanish proverb that late-comer zeroLife may be short, brings them all to us, with brief notes about why they all hold relevance where whichever country, civilisation or religion but it is concernedbroad. In the end, this case I'm sure it's a lot more user-friendly, interesting, and will be a lot more popular, than brought to the idea that the original Book length of Numberslife is not the point; the point is its depth. Peter Owen Jones dives deep.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781250995</amazonuk>1912992418

 {{newreview|title=Inventing the Enemy: Essays on EverythingFrontpage|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 flamboyantly, nudges you sharply in the ribs, belches and even breaks wind. His conversation contains nuggets of information but in the flow of his discourse there is a fondness for iteration and reiteration. 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''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099553945</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewRichard Brook|title=Sisters of the East End|author=Helen Batten|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Katie Crisp had never intended to become a nun. Raised by non-religious parents, her family frowned upon organised religion and when Katie started secretly going to church, they strongly disapproved. When Katie ran to the aid of a stroke victim, she had a vision that changed her life. She saw herself dressed as a nun with a large silver cross hanging from her neck. She decided to follow her calling and join the community of St John the Divine, a group of Anglican nuns dedicated to nursing and midwifery. She thus shed her old identity and became known as Sister Catherine Mary.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0091951771</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Anti-JudaismUnderstanding Human Nature: A History of a Way of Thinking|author=David NirenbergUser's Guide to Life

|genre=HistoryLifestyle|summary=Initially the choice of title seemed an odd I am a firm believer that sometimes we choose books, and sometimes books choose us. In my case, this is one on account of the more widely used termlatter. Not so very long ago, anti-Semitism. The distinction is quickly made thoughif I had come across this book I'd have skimmed it, found some of it interesting, but it would not have 'hit home' in the way that unlike the latter, anti-Judaism it does now. I believe it came to me not need real Jews just because I was likely to flourish, but is fuelled by an idea alonegive it a favourable review [ ''full disclosure The Bookbag's u.s. In fact this is a core tenet of Nirenberg’s thesisp. Throughout history the idea of ‘Judaism’ is raised as an existential spectre in societies where that people chose their own books rather than getting them randomly, so there may be no Jewish members at all. This is a chilling realitypredisposition towards expecting to like the book, and Nirenberg charts the course of how this came even if it doesn't always turn out that way'' ] – but also because it is a book I needed to beread, right now. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781851131</amazonuk>1800461682

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Carolyn MathewsHill_Atlas|title=Transforming PandoraThe Atlas of Monsters|author=Stuart Hill and Sandra Lawrence

|genre=General Children's Non-Fiction|summary=When we first meet Pandora Armstrong in There are monsters and mysterious characters, such as trolls, leprechauns, goblins and minotaurs. They're the spring stuff of 2003 she's grieving for her husbandfar 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, MikeScylla and Charybdis, who had died just 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 few weeks beforemap you should have come across them. It hadn't been his first heart attack But there are monsters and mysterious characters, such as the dobhar-chu, the llambigyn y dwr, and he had reduced his workload but this attack was fatalthe girtablili. He was only in his fifties and Pandora feels To gain any knowledge of them you really need a book that heknows 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 'd been snatched away from her as theybible'd only been married for a few yearsthe spiritual not the religious, according to the tagline. When This is a friend suggests that she goes with her to an Evening taboo smashing book which solves the problem of Clairvoyance she runs out of excuses modernity and explains how to refuse and although shebe a 's not exactly ''convincedspiritual technologist'who can live and love freely in ' by what she hears therespiritual fullness's without relying on a lingering doubtbelief in god. A spirit voice mentioned her children and Pandora was adamant that she didnTouching on everything from 't have any children - itbrain science's actually quite to AI, Jankel offers a sore point - but that wasn't true of Mikepath to meaning', allowing us to move beyond consumerism towards an ethical life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780997450</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Wm Paul Young1789015200|title=Cross RoadsBe Your Higher Self|author=Samesh Ramjattan

|summary=Wm. Paul YoungThere are a lot of self-help books about: it's one of the most thriving sections of the average bookshop, but it's debut novel not always easy to find the book you need. Samesh Ramjattan has addressed this problem in ''The ShackBe Your Higher Self'' was , a revelation book which allows us all to make sense of our place in many waysthe world, as most of us only glimpse our true potential and few people ever achieve it. Whilst many disagreed Even with his theologyhard work and dedication, obstacles present themselves and it was refreshing 's difficult to see such an overtly faith based book on the bestseller listsunderstand why or how they can be overcome. PersonallyRamjattan offers us a guide to the spirit world, the chakras, I found it a very moving story karma and reincarnation as well as information about the age of Aquarius and whilst I thought it helpful on some points, it tended to skim over othersthe ego. Now we get to see if Young It's a slim book - just 128 pages - so can repeat his success it provide us with his new novel, ''Cross Roads''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444745972</amazonuk>the answers we seek?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Danaan ElderhillMahnke_Lore|title=The Magic Book World of CookeryLore, Volume 1: Monstrous Creatures|author=Aaron Mahnke|rating=34.5

|summary=Back in Every country, every town, every village has a folktale – a story passed down through generations that often focuses on the seventeenth century in what was then dark and unexplained. No matter how the Kingdom of Bohemia modern world moves on, there was 's a still a coven part of witches. As was common at everyone that time witches were hunted and they had is vulnerable to hide their beliefsa good tale. The Friends From ghosts to werewolves, by way of Euphrosynewendigos and elves, as author Aaron Mahnke delivers the reader legends from all over the world, whilst examining how they called themselves, turned to this deity (she's one ve become part of our collective imaginations, still striking fear into the three graces and there to remind us to have fun) in their time hearts of need and developed rituals which could be assimilated into social gatherings, allowing them to hide in plain sight. Their book - The Magic Book many of Cookery - vanished along with the coven when they were discovered but Danaan Elderhill wants us to benefit from its ancient wisdom - and its funtoday.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>B0092BX6O0</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Charity Seraphina FieldsSaxena_Jaya|title=I am not a BuddhistBasic Witches|author=J Saxena and J Zimmerman|rating=3.54

|summary=''Before I am not a Buddhist'' is an individual through Buddhism and its principles seen from started this book I was expecting to be thrown into the point world 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 magic and would know how to levitate by the rich West than end of the poorer Eastfirst chapter. For FieldsUnsurprisingly, the question isn't ''Why am I suffering without all those things was wrong. However, what I want?''was met by was a book that explores the origins of witchcraft, teaches you how to dress and act like a witch and contains spells ranging from accepting compliments to conjuring up a relaxing Netflix binge. The right question is actually ''Why am I still suffering even though I have everything I want?''|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1475085664</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Eamon DuffyWright_Universe|title=Saints, Sacrilege The Universe and Sedition|rating=4|genre=History|summary=In the introduction to this book Eamon Duffy, Professor of the History of Christianity at Cambridge History, points out that all too often historians have written about the English Reformation from strongly polarised views. Taking two extreme examples, he cites one which states that the people of England, formerly happy medieval Catholics, were forced by King Henry to abandon their religion, and England was never merry again, alongside another 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 grind. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1441181172</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewLife but Not Everything|author=Timothy Radcliffe|title=Take the PlungeAnthony Christian Wright|rating=43.5

|summary=There appears to be more Christian literature around than ever before I often wonder - usually after a moment of shaking my fist at the momentnews on TV - what my manifesto for life and society would look like were I to write it down. I don't know whether this is a response to Richard Dawkins' ''The God Delusion''have all sorts of thoughts about these things, which has meant that Christian writers from the metaphysics of who we are and publishers have increased their outputswhere we come from, or right down to detailed critiques of quite insignificant government policies. I've never done such an exercise - mostly because I'm noticing it more. Timothy Radcliffe's ''Take lack the Plunge'' is taking a more or less opposite view to that of Dawkinstime, exploring the importance of baptism in everyday life patience and arguing that there is no aspect of life that cannot be touched if you are baptised and therefore living with faiththe diligence required. It seems like an enormous task.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1441118489</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Youssef Ziedan and Jonathan Wright (translator)1850788332|title=AzazeelRosie: Note to Self |author=Claire Connor and G P Taylor|rating=3.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=An archaeologist In the first of a five book deal Claire Connor, writing in partnership with GP Taylor, brings us a time and place close to that of modern troubled Syria discovers thirty scrolls. These are romance based loosely on the writings story of a Coptic Christian monk born into Roman dominated Egypt in AD391Ruth from the Bible. A door thus opens into an ancient world This is total chick-lit, and the emerging vista stretches from the present into the distant pastfirst few pages I thought it was just going to be a very light, as if eliciting an omnipresent dimension to realityfunny romance story. The fluent evocative prose flows like However, the story quickly takes a meandering river or a ribbon connecting continuously depressing turn and the present moment with rest of the ancient worldbook is as much an exploration of grief as it is a romance novel. A panorama emerges dominated by Rome and Constantinople and extends to Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848874278</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Roger ScrutonSantiago_Returning|title=The Face of God: The Gifford LecturesReturning Home|author=Stephan Santiago

|summary=Atheist culture [[:Category:Stephan Santiago|Stephan Santiago]] has recently become more mainstream, thanks experienced life in part a way that's led him to the success of Richard Dawkins' book, ''The God Delusion'believe we're all on a soul journey back home – that place we inhabited before we were born. However, religion does still have This book is a part guide as to playhow we can optimise this journey for ourselves, with Prince Charles urging the United Kingdom to be more tolerant towards faiths other than the Church of England he was raised as part of those around us and even the Prime Minister talking about faith issuesour children. Since 1888, the Gifford Lectures have been given to 'promote and diffuse...the knowledge of God'.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847065244</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen FrenchWilbourne_Shepherd|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 Shepherd 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>}} {{newreviewAnother Flock|author=Grace McCleen|title=The Land of DecorationDavid Wilbourne

|summary=Whilst I[[:Category:David Wilbourne|David Wilbourne've long been s]] CV looks like a Christiancareer path for people who are hard-of-humoured. Banker, teacher of Ancient Greek, vicar, I've never considered myself an anarchistbishop…none of these are jobs normally connected in our minds with a jovial twinkle. My thinking is that anarchy is something youYet in David's case, we're more likely d be totally wrong to see on the news than on 'Songs of Praise'assume. However, there is a school The current Bishop of Llandaff takes us by the hand to show us episodes from his life as vicar of thought that suggests that Jesus' teachings were so counterthe character-cultural and so against Roman law packed Yorkshire parish of Helmsley proving that it constitutes anarchismtears of sorrow are equally shared with tears of laughter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845402472</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen ArmstrongPigliucci_How|title=In the Beginning: A New Interpretation of GenesisHow to be a Stoic|author=Massimo Pigliucci|rating=43.5

|summary=Armstrong's background (there's a page right at Stoicism is about developing the tools to deal as effectively as humanly possible with the beginning) is certainly diverse ensuing conflicts, does not demand perfection, and does not provide specific answers.'' For many readers, living in an age of rules to make us happy and interesting so I was looking forward the inevitable failure to reading what she had stick to saythem, this is an intensely reassuring sentence. And thankfullyPigliucci certainly makes Stoicism an appealing philosophy, I didnone which can sit alongside religious faith but doesn't have to rummage around looking for my own copy , one which doesn't demand Aristotelian heights of the bible (I've now located it) as Armstrong obligingly provides Genesis (intelligence, beauty or riches in order to truly succeed in beautifullife, old-fashioned typeface) here. So roughly two thirds is given over to her investigative prose and the remaining third is the actual book of Genesis, for handy referenceone which recognises life's messy difficulties.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099555476</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=Pearce_Biblical|authortitle=Yangzom Brauen A Biblical Theology Behind Music, Praise, and Katy DarbyshireWorship|titleauthor=Across Many Mountains: Three Daughters of TibetDr Mark Pearce

|summary=One group of people that were convinced Music used in religions and worship itself goes back to the Chilean miners, Los 33, would be relieved beginning of their ordeal, were numerologistshumankind. For hundreds of years, it seems, they have held the number thirty-three In this book musician and theological academic [[:Category:Dr Mark Pearce|Dr Mark Pearce]] explores its Biblical history in good stead. It represents a lot of expression of the ego, or the soul, or Christian context as well as providing tips and suggestions for those involved in worship in the transformation of the spirit from one world to another. It doesn't boil down to just the 33 years Christ was supposed to have held His human incarnation, but refers to many ethereal, magical, alchemical transformations from state to statepresent day. And who can deny the Chilean mine was 2010's most vivid embodiment of hell - and that the 33 were reborn in coming back to life on earth?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1905570260</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Robert Leon DavisIles_Thoughts|title=Running Scared: For 22 Years He Was a Fugitive - The Corrupt Cop Busted by GodThoughts and Inner Journey of Dr. John Dee|author=Clair Iles

|summary=Richards [[:Category:Clair Iles|Clair Iles]] is , in her own words, a normal person who was educated at pains to point out straight away that the reader mustn't confuse Columbanus with Columba of Ionaa normal comprehensive school. She informs us that the latter did not travel extensively but the formerHowever, the subject of her book, did travel throughout parts of Europeshe's a normal person who hears dead people. She gives her subject Yes, Clair is a terrific introduction spiritualist with ability to hear from those who have passed on . In the coverpast they had generally been relatives or everyday folk. Imagine, describing him as 'poetthen, preacher, statesman, sainther surprise when she felt she was hearing from Elizabethan court polymath John Dee.' And then goes into much more detail about these areas Over a period of time she could feel his lifedictated thoughts and ideas in her mind and this book of the channelled words is the result.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1845401905</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=G Willow WilsonWoodcock_Becoming|title=The Butterfly MosqueBecoming Reverend: A Young Woman's Journey to Love and Islamdiary|author=Matt Woodcock

|genre=AutobiographySpirituality and Religion|summary=This memoir is told in the first person so straight away there [[:Category:Matt Woodcock|Matt Woodcock]] is enjoying life: successful journalist, happily married and a connection with the readernew dream home bought and heavily mortgaged. The story starts - not in Egypt - only cloud on the horizon is their struggle to have children but they have faith in the USAIVF treatment as it's early days yet. Willow (lovely name) says she's ''in Then comes the funny turn Matt has on the market for way to a philosophystory one day.'' And in this search she is extremely thorough. She looks at mainstream religions - Christianity, Buddhism to name This takes him by surprise but two and puts them under the microscope, so to speakresulting clergy collar comes as a total shock. She dismisses all of them before settling on Islam. It appears to offer what she is after, what she is looking for, that enigmatic thing. But also, thereHe'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 the reader. Willow is well-read and well-educated. She seems set for a good career normal bloke who always thought of her choice on American soil. Why not settle for that? But shehimself as more pint than piety believing in a God who's set on travel happy for him to remain in the Middle East come what maypews.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843548283</amazonuk> Errrrm… whoops!

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Colin WatersChaplin_Stone|title=A Pregnant Ghost and Other Sexual HauntingsThe Stone Cradle|author=Patrice Chaplin

|summary=This ''The Stone Cradle'' is a remarkable book that does what it sets out to do on from the tinauthor Patrice Chaplin. It is a biography, the third in a series set in the Catalonian city of Girona. It is also an enduring love story and a journey into mystery and does so in almost glorious fashionspirituality. The back cover blurb promises hilarity city has drawn artists, writers and tittilationphilosophers for centuries. Rich in Kabbalistic thought through Azriel, but this will also fit on the shelf most famous student of any academic looking into Isaac the hornier side Blind, it has always been a home for mysticism and secrets. The magnetism and resonance of the Fortean world, as well as anyone relishing city has had a hold on Patrice Chaplin since she first visited it in the most singular collection fifties. The series of ghost legends that I can remember reading.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089902</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=A N Wilson, Nick Cave, Richard Holloway books detail her journey and Blake Morrison|title=The Four Gospels her encounters with introductions|rating=4|genre=Spirituality and Religion|summary=I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book. I only skimmedthrough the description on Amazon, and understood esoteric society that four modernwriters were introducing the four Gospelshave protected its mysteries since ancient times. What I hadn't really takenin was that the introductions are brief - The Stone Cradle' also gives a few pages each - new life and thatdirection to the bulk mysteries of Rennes le Chateau, the book consists of small French village, made famous by the Authorised Version (known as Da Vinci Code and theKing James Version in the USA) of the GospelsHoly Blood and The Holy Grail. The whole is publishedin a fairly trendy looking paperback format, with Linking the idea ofappealing two places through sacred geometry to people who are not particularly religious, but who seethe Bible as valuable ancient literaturemountain of Canigou.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847678351</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David EaglemanVonnegut_Sun|title=Sum: Tales from the AfterlivesSun Moon Star|author=Kurt Vonnegut and Ivan Chermayeff

|summary=Pop QuizIn his own delightfully imaginative way, Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of the birth of Christ in this unique and long out of print children's book. What links Scott Told from the perspective of the Antarcticnew born infant in his first hours of birth, Jim Davidson, Churchill, and Rabbie Burns? Where and when might you come a cropper trying this charming little story feels different to spell Boaz, but starting with the B? And what has three stages - unless itother children's thirty-three, or even ten by Christmas books whilst at the same time goes back to the basics in exploring the York system?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846683734</amazonuk>true nature of Christmas.

{{newreview|author=Robert Crumb|title=Robert Crumb's Book of Genesis: All 50 Chapters|rating=4.5|genre=Graphic Novels|summary=In the beginning was the picture. Just think of all the countless religious images, both inside and outside religious establishments, designed Move to convey the message to those who could not read. Art and religion have always been linked, which is probably one of the main reasons I stayed an atheist - 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 of both subjects.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224078097</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Alexandra Bruce|title=2012: Science or Superstition|rating=3.5|genre=Popular Science|summary=The fuss about 2012 has not started just recently. The first book to feature the story was from a Yale professor, in 1966. We've also had prog rock bands named after Popol Vuh, the Maya creation myth. But as the crunch date of December 21st, 2012 - the winter solstice that year - nears, it's becoming a very big story indeed. Even though it sounds absurd - the end of a 5,125-year long cycle of the Maya calendar, which started on August 13th, 3114BCE - or was judged to start then, when they came across this concept a couple of thousand years into that period. Surely they couldn't predict the future from their 'primitive' state with such accuracy?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1934708283</amazonuk>}}[[Newest Sport Reviews]]