News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Thinking about planning an overseas adventure? Whether you’re imagining mint tea in Morocco or touring modern art museums in Buenos Aires, our travel guides can help you get started. Here’s a selection of our most recent additions in September:

Morocco / written and researched by James Bainbridge … [et al.].
“Morocco exudes Maghrebi mystique, with medina lands leading to souqs and riads, camels disappearing into the Sahara and Berber villages perched in the High Atlas. Grab a mint tea and enjoy the show.” James Bainbridge, Lonely Planet Writer.
“Inside This Book; 4 authors; 137 days of on-the-road research; 103 maps; 411 cups of mint tea; Inspirational photos; Clear, easy-to-use maps; Pull-out city map; Trekking feature; Comprehensive planning tools; In-depth background.” (Syndetics)

Sicily / [contributors: Fabrizio Ardito, Cristina Gambaro ; additional tourist information by Marco Scapagnini].
“This fully updated and expanded Sicily guide provides comprehensive guidance on the best things to do in Sicily, from exploring the imposing ancient temples and fortresses left by waves of occupiers to the colorful markets of the chaotic Sicilian cities. This guide caters to any budget, with dozens of reviews and recommendations for Sicilian hotels, restaurants and entertainment, and even tips for shopping. The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sicily provides all the insider tips every visitor to Sicily needs.” (Syndetics)

Frommer’s Europe by rail / [editor, Naomi P. Kraus].
“The official guidebook of Rail Europe, “Frommer’s Europe by Rail” gives you the lowdown on everything you need to make your European rail vacation a success, including extensive information on train reservations, scenic routes, and discount railpasses. Our authors, experts in European train travel, hit all the highlights, from the scenic trains of Switzerland to the historic railways of Greece to the high-speed lines of France and Germany. They outline the best way to see the continent by rail and offer authoritative, candid reviews that will help you find hotel and dining choices that suit your tastes and budget. You’ll also get coverage of shopping and nightlife; detailed attraction reviews; accurate maps; advice on planning a successful European rail vacation; and an entire chapter of special rail itineraries. “Frommer’s Europe by Rail” also includes a color fold-out map.” (Syndetics summary)

South Africa / main contributors, Michael Brett … [et al.].
“This fully updated and expanded South Africa guide provides comprehensive guidance on the best things to do in South Africa, from exploring the Palace of the Lost City and Kruger National Park to experiencing the multifaceted culture of a country with 11 official languages! The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa provides all the insider tips every visitor needs, with dozens of reviews for hotels, recommendations for South African restaurants and entertainment, and tips for shopping, for any budget.” (Syndetics)

The rough guide to Buenos Aires / written and researched by Andrew Benson and Rosalba O’Brien.
The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires is the ultimate travel guide to the sophisticated and enchanting capital of Argentina, with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the city’s best attractions. Discover Buenos Aires’ highlights with stunning photography and information on everything from the city’s magnificent palaces, modern art museums and trendy nightclubs, to the old, cobbled quarter of San Telmo with its antique stores and tango haunts. Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Buenos Aires, relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels, bars, clubs, shops and restaurants for all budgets. The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires also includes full-colour sections on two of Buenos Aires’ greatest attractions; tango and architecture. Explore every corner of this charming city with easy-to-use maps that help make sure you don’t miss the unmissable.” (Syndetics)

Frommer’s Philadelphia & the Amish Country / by Lauren McCutcheon & Carrie Havranek.
“Frommer’s Philadelphia, 16th edition is written by local experts who share their insider tips on the best of Philadelphia and beyond.You’ll get Philly’s best museums, recreational activities for families, where to spot “Ben Franklin” off duty, the best historic walks and tours, the best spots for theater and comedy, the hippest bars, the Gayborhood, and more. Covers exciting developments in Philadelphia’s dining scene, including new restaurants from the city’s top chefs–plus “The Ultimate Cheesesteak Taste Test.” Lists all the best places to eat, drink, and even bathe in chocolate in the town of Hershey. This guide also covers side trips to Bucks County, Valley Forge, and the Brandywine Valley—plus complete coverage of Lancaster County, home of the Amish.” (Syndetics summary)

Edna O’Brien was recently announced winner of the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award for 2011 with her new collection of short stories, titled Saints and Sinners. Chosen from six shortlisted collections that included works by Colm Toibin and previous winner Yiyun Li, Irish author Edna O’Brien receives €35, 000. Her first novel The Country Girls was published in 1960 and she has since published 20 other works of fiction, drama and biography. Previous winners include Jhumpa Lahiri, Miranda July and Haruki Murakami.

We’re two weeks into Rugby World Cup 2011 and we know that New Zealand is hosting an amazing tournament. We’ve seen a couple of upsets already, most notably Ireland’s win over Australia. What has been evident so far has been the high level of rugby some of the so called ‘minnows’ are playing. There haven’t been as many of the cricket scores you might usually see at a World Cup and in some cases teams like Georgia and Canada have been playing more eye-catching rugby than their more fancied oppostition.

So New Zealand is hosting a truly global tournament that’s so far been a great success, but what does the rest of the world think about it? At the library we have a database called PressDisplay where you can log in online and see daily editions of newspapers from all over the world. We also list some free online newspapers on our (Newspapers Popular Topic), where you’ll be able to read articles like the ones below:

• Rugby World Cup: Whole new ball game for Ireland (Belfast Telegraph)
• Manu Goes Down After Epic Battle (Samoa News)
• Fans flock to support Boks (IOL Sport)

Enjoy the rest of the games!

From the early years of Darwin’s scientific career, to rainforests, tropical plants, and what makes New Zealand tick (geologically speaking!). Have a browse of some of our picks of the new science books this month:

Charles Darwin, geologist / Sandra Herbert.
“Most people associate Charles Darwin solely with evolution. Yet Darwin worked in a variety of other scientific areas and considered himself first and foremost a geologist. In 1859, in fact, the Geological Society of London awarded him its highest honor, the Wollaston Medal, for his contributions to the field; eight months later, The Origin of Species was published, and Darwin’s work in geology was relegated to the background. Herbert (history, Univ. of Maryland Baltimore Cty.; ed., The Red Notebook of Charles Darwin) documents Darwin’s interest in geology from age nine or ten, when he first began collecting stones. With the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, Britain sealed its claim as the most powerful nation, particularly on the sea. This newfound stature, along with his family’s wealth, enabled Darwin to pursue a life of scientific inquiry and embark on expeditions that provided him with the ingredients necessary to formulate his theories.” (Library Journal)

Among giants : a life with whales / Charles “Flip” Nicklin with K.M. Kostyal ; foreword by James Darling.
“Flip Nicklin is National Geographic’s whale guy. Any time the magazine runs a story on whales, Nicklin is the photographer sent to illustrate the story. It all began in 1963, when the author’s father was running a dive ship in San Diego. When the father and a couple of buddies discovered a Bryde’s whale tangled in a gill net, they photographed the whale and then freed it. Inspired by both photography and diving, Nicklin bummed around until he got a chance to work as an assistant with humpback whale research in Maui. There he got an iconic photograph of a male whale head down in the water, singing, and he was on his way. Nicklin has created an exciting tale combining the adventure (and drudgery) of field research and the discovery of what whales do and why. Humpbacks in Hawaii, narwhals and belugas in the Arctic, killer whales in Canada, sperm whales in Sri Lanka, and dolphins in Galveston Bay all tell their stories in Nicklin’s marvelous images.–Bent, Nanc. Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)

Engineering animals : how life works / Mark Denny, Alan McFadzean.
“Incorporating their knowledge of systems engineering into the study of how animals navigate their environment, authors Denny, a retired aerospace engineer who specialized in radar and sonar system, and McFadzean, an oil and gas consultant, have written a fascinating study sure to delight naturalists, hunters, and communications specialists. The two apply their technical expertise to a range of problems taken from the animal kingdom: how animals target their prey, the population dynamics underlying predator-prey relationships, how bird migratory patterns depend upon sense perception, global solar energy flows, and more. Hunters, science buffs, and techies alike will especially be fascinated by discussions of target acquisition and tracking. The authors provide a wide overview combined with convincing details, while emphasizing the wide gap between our ability to model the behavior of living beings and create robotic devices and the power and precision of nature. After reading this book a walk through the woods will never be the same. 100 line illustrations, 18 halftones. (May) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.” (Publisher Weekly)

Rainforest safari / James Parry.
“Rainforests are special places. Strung around the globe across five continents, they are natural cathedrals on the grandest scale, their lush, humid precincts not only places of great beauty but also home to more than fifty per cent of the world’s known wildlife species. This is biodiversity at its most dramatic: a bewildering variety of plants, birds, mammals and invertebrates depend on the rainforest environment, with the total number of species continuing to grow almost daily as scientists make constant new discoveries. Yet, while we still have so much more to learn about rainforests, they are disappearing – cleared and burned, thanks to human greed for land and demand for timber and other forest resources.In “Rainforest Safari”, James Parry explores these extraordinary landscapes with reference to 25 sites, and reveals the fascinating range of wildlife they support. The book looks at the various types of rainforest, at their different ecosystems and at the diverse features that make them such exciting places to visit.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Science and the akashic field : an integral theory of everything / Ervin Laszlo.
“Mystics and sages have long maintained that there exists an interconnecting cosmic field at the roots of reality that conserves and conveys information, a field known as the Akashic record. Recent discoveries in vacuum physics show that this Akashic Field is real and has its equivalent in science’s zero-point field that underlies space itself. This field consists of a subtle sea of fluctuating energies from which all things arise: atoms and galaxies, stars and planets, living beings, and even consciousness. This zero-point Akashic Field is the constant and enduring memory of the universe. It holds the record of all that has happened on Earth and in the cosmos and relates it to all that is yet to happen.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Encyclopedia of tropical plants : identification and cultivation of over 3000 tropical plants / Ahmed Fayaz.
“Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants brings together over 3,000 species of tropical plants selected to reflect the major plant groups in the tropics all over the world. It uses the most up-to-date nomenclature and systematics and arranges the species in family order, rather than by the usual alphabetical genus name, which makes identification and comparison of similar plants easier. Species descriptions include the plant’s leaves, flowers, stems and fruit, as well as its native habitat, distribution, blooming season and zone. Full-color photographs illustrate the major features of the plants described.”
(Amazon.com)

A continent on the move : New Zealand geoscience into the 21st century / chief editor, Ian J. Graham.
“Adrift in the South Pacific Ocean, separated from the rest of the world by vast distances and blessed with some of the most varied and spectacular natural landscapes on Earth, New Zealand is rather special. Generations of geoscientists have developed an increasing understanding of what makes New Zealand geologically unique and why. Highlights of this research, including many discoveries of global significance, are presented in this book. A Continent on the Move explains what makes New Zealand tick geologically, and illustrates the ways that geoscience research can make this country a better place in which to live.”
(Amazon.co.uk)

Biological diversity : exploiters and exploited / Paul Hatcher and Nick Battey.
“Biological Diversity takes a fresh, innovative approach to the teaching of biodiversity. Rather than detailing and cataloguing the major taxa and their evolutionary relationships, the authors have selected 18 groups of organisms and used these as a framework in which to discuss the species and their interactions with man and each other.”

Cars, rabbits and wolves - some quirky and fun reads to share with your kids!

My first car was red / Peter Schössow. ; translated by Sally-Ann Spencer.
“Grandpa brought me a surprise.
‘For you’ he said.
It was rusty. Really rusty.
But you could tell what it was -  a little car!
Exactly my size.
‘Diesel or gas?’ I asked Grandpa.
‘Sweat’ he said.
Your first car is always the best.
And your first trip is unforgettable – even when it doesn’t go exactly to plan.” (Book  jacket) A great new book from Gecko Press perfect for 3years and up.

A day with the animal Doctors / by Sharon Rentta.
“Terence is going to be a doctor today – just like his mummy. Well, sort of. Terence’s mummy is a proper doctor at the animal hospital. Terence is just a mischievous little tapir who causes an awful lot of chaos – in the nicest possible way.” (www.justimaginestorycentre.co.uk)

Good little wolf / Nadia Shireen.
“For her debut, Shireen borrows some familiar characters-the toothy wolf, the home-owning pig, the sweet-tempered grandmother-making her story a bit like a party where you already know most of the guests. Wide-eyed Rolf, the good little wolf of the title, eats his vegetables and is always nice to his friends, but he can’t howl properly or blow his friend Little Pig’s house down. When a Big Bad Wolf threatens his elderly friend Mrs. Boggins (who looks like she just wandered in from South Park), “something quite strange came over Rolf. He felt an unfamiliar, wild feeling growing inside him.” In a droll parody of the classic werewolf transformation, wide-eyed, stumpy Rolf becomes a monster with fangs and claws, foiling the Big Bad Wolf in a particularly satisfying way. Ages 4-8″ (Publisher Weekly)

Squish rabbit / Katherine Battersby.
“A little rabbit who got his name because he lives in fear of being squished has other problems, too. No one notices him, wonderful things pass him by, and he is lonely. He creates a pretend friend in the form of a toy rabbit, but that doesn’t satisfy his longing. Then Squish tries to play with trees, which is equally unfulfilling. In the midst of a tantrum, he is befriended by a squirrel. This new object of his attention happens to be just the right size-his size-and makes him feel both bigger and happier. Children will sympathize with Squish, relate to his struggles, and celebrate the joy he takes in his newfound friend. Minimal, effective text and spare, mixed-media illustrations blend wonderfully to tell this appealing tale.” (School LibraryJournal)

What if everything had legs? / Scott Menchin.
“A young girl trudging home with her mom on an urban sidewalk complains of fatigue and wishes their house had legs and could walk to them. So begins a mother/daughter “what if” game in which they imagine apples, rakes, rocks, toys, and other inanimate objects all growing legs and enjoying their new mobility. …” (School Library Journal)

New film and television books for September. Highlights include: ‘Mad Men’, plus Jim Henson. Have a browse:

Mad men : the illustrated world / written & illustrated by Dyna Moe.
“By turns fun, sophisticated, and celebratory, this eye-popping tie-in to the hit AMC series “Mad Men” is inspired by the artistic styles that defined the 1960s, and explores such topics as the office culture and the cocktail craze. Includes a Joan Holloway paper doll.” (Syndetics summary)

New Zealand film : an illustrated history / edited by Diane Pivac with Frank Stark and Lawrence McDonald.
The age of cinema began in Paris in 1895. Within a year New Zealanders saw their first films and in fewer than five they were making their own. In the years since, New Zealand has produced almost every conceivable type of film, from home movies to arthouse flicks to Oscar-winning wide-screen epics, building a rich and varied screen culture and launching the careers of hundreds of directors, actors and behind-the-scenes professionals. New Zealand Film: An Illustrated History is the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of New Zealand film and film making from the very beginning. (Syndetics summary)

It’s not easy being green : and other things to consider / Jim Henson, the Muppets, and friends ; with drawings by Jim Henson ; edited by Cheryl Henson.
“Culled from the Jim Henson Company archives, program transcripts, personal letters, and interviews, along with some of Henson’s never-before-published writings, “It’s Not Easy Being Green” offers a testament on life, friendship, individuality, and creativity from Henson and his characters.” (Syndetics summary)

Kardashian konfidential / by Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé Kardashian ; exclusive new photography for this book by Nick Saglimbeni.
“Confessions of life as a Kardashian sister–stuffed with family stories, advice, beauty tips, and exclusive gorgeous full-color photos, personal snapshots, and the inside scoop on their life growing up into the gorgeous Dash Dolls. As glamorous, fun and fashionable as the girls themselves, this is the perfect buy-one-for-me-buy-three-for-friends fan’s book.” (Syndetics summary)

Infamous players : a tale of movies, the mob (and sex) / Peter Bart.
Former Paramount v-p and Variety editor-in-chief Bart (Shoot Out) takes readers on a wild ride through the years he spent at the struggling film studio from 1967 to 1975. He came aboard at the behest of Paramount’s new chief of production, Robert “the kid stays in the picture” Evans, leaving behind a promising journalism career and moving to Los Angeles. Paramount had recently been acquired by an eccentric man named Charles Bluhdorn, whose taste in films was questionable and whose temper was legendary. With anecdotes about well-known stars mixed with the ins and outs of trying to keep a film studio afloat, this memoir is perfect for cinephiles yearning for a behind-the-scenes view. (Publisher Weekly)

Stories are meant to be told. From Louis Armstrong to Jay-Z, here are some new music biographies that do a wonderful job in the telling:

Satchmo : the wonderful world and art of Louis Armstrong / Steven Brower ; [foreword by Hilton Als].
A biography in the form of an art book, “Satchmo” tells the story of Louis Armstrong’s life through his writings, scrapbooks, and artworks, many of which have never been published before.(Syndetics summary)

Death cab for cutie / by Autumn de Wilde.
Over the course of six albums, from celebrated indie releases to #1 on the “Billboard” charts, Death Cab for Cutie’s open-hearted pop has earned a large and devoted audience. This text collects 200 of the author’s candid and compelling images and conversations with and personal ephemera from the band.(Syndetics summary)

Won’t get fooled again : the Who from Lifehouse to Quadrophenia / Richie Unterberger.
In the early 70s, The Who undertook an amazing journey in which they struggled to follow up Tommy with a yet bigger and better rock opera. This book documents this intriguing period drawing on many interviews, rare archive sources and recordings, and a vast knowledge of the music of the times.(Syndetics summary)

Paradoxical undressing / Kristin Hersh.
Kristin Hersh was a preternaturally bright teenager, starting university at fifteen and with her band, Throwing Muses, playing rock clubs she was too young to frequent. By the age of seventeen she was living in her car, unable to sleep for the torment of strange songs swimming around her head – the songs for which she is now known. But just as her band was taking off, Hersh was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Paradoxical Undressing chronicles the unraveling of a young woman’s personality, culminating in a suicide attempt; and then her arduous yet inspiring recovery.(Syndetics summary)

Decoded / Jay-Z.
Rapper/mogul Jay-Z presents the lyrics to 36 of his songs, and provides their fuller autobiographical and cultural context. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.(Library Journal)

Spring is here! Take a fresh look at positive emotions, connections and belonging, well-being, and the journey of the soul – with a dash of intuition along the way…

True belonging : mindful practices to help you overcome loneliness, connect with others & cultivate happiness / Jeffrey Brantley, Wendy Millstine.
“When was the last time you experienced authentic connections with others, truly felt that you belonged, and were surrounded by people who really understood you? Even though many of us experience the power of deep connection much less often than we would like, this sense of true belonging is always available to us, regardless of our outside circumstances. True Belonging offers over thirty reflective practices that will help you explore your interdependence with all living things, treat yourself more kindly, and create richer connections with others.” (From the book cover)

Well-being : the five essential elements / Tom Rath, Jim Harter.
“When striving to improve our lives, we’re quick to buy into programs that promise to help us make money, lose weight, or strengthen our relationships. While it might be easier to treat these critical areas in our lives as if they are independent, they’re not. Gallup’s comprehensive study of people in more than 150 countries revealed five universal interconnected elements that shape our lives: Career Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing, Financial Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, and Community Wellbeing. ‘Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements’ provides you with a holistic view of what contributes to your wellbeing over a lifetime. Written in a conversational style by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tom Rath and bestselling author Jim Harter, Ph.D., this book is filled with fascinating research and innovative ideas for boosting your wellbeing in each of these five areas.” (From the book cover)

Intuition : keys to unlocking your inner wisdom / Paul Fenton-Smith ; design by Cristina Re.
“Well developed intuition can help you to achieve success in love, career and in your social life. Discover the closely guarded secrets of a professional clairvoyant through games and exercises as you learn these powerful psychic techniques. At any moment in life, you stand between your footprints and your future. Look back closely at where you have been, as your steps have led you here. Glance ahead with confidence that in the end, your life journey is both a gift and a puzzle. Strengthening your intuition helps you to understand this puzzle, which then allows you to enjoy your gift. This beautifully presented guide combines effective techniques with riveting examples from life to help you enjoy your unique journey towards improved intuition.” (From the book cover)

The survival of the soul : do you want to know everything?/ Lisa Williams.
“Many of us have questions about the passage of life and often wonder what happens when we die. In this amazingly insightful book by medium/clairvoyant Lisa Williams, evidence of the afterlife is explored. Through various channels such as meditation, psychic readings, communication with her Spirit Guide and a personal near-death experience, Lisa delves into the journey of the soul, discusses the different stages of the afterlife, and reveals what life is really like on the other side. This book addresses the myriad questions many of us have surrounding this subject, especially if we’ve gone through the painful experience of having lost loved ones. Lisa provides a reassuring glimpse into this fascinating topic by exploring the pathway to the afterlife and then to reincarnation; with the realisation that death is not final, but rather a transition into the world beyond – a place that should be honoured, not feared.” (courtesy of Syndetics)

Positivity : groundbreaking research to release your inner optimist and thrive / Barbara Frederickson.
“Drawing on more than twenty years of scientific research into positive emotions, world renowned researcher Dr Barbara Fredrickson shows us that attaining positivity is not about striving to be an annoyingly and unnaturally cheerful ‘Pollyanna’. Rather, it is about putting into practice the ‘3-to-1 ratio’ of positive to negative emotions, the crucial tipping point that will enable you to embark on an ‘upward spiral’ towards a healthier, more vibrant, and flourishing life.” (Global Books in Print)

Yet another debarcle with the knitting (first the hat was to small and now it is too big). I have decided to go back to stiching for a spell. At least if I get something wrong I can just add more stitches!
For your crafting pleasure, a selection of our new craft books……

Beautiful botanicals : 45 appliqué flowers & 14 quilt projects / Deborah Kemball.
“Plant an indoor garden with a bounty of lyrical applique designs. All the project patterns are interchangeable for creating endless combinations of flowers and leaves. See how color-saturated cottons, vibrant silks, and tone-on-tone chintzes breathe new life into botanical applique.” (Syndetics summary)

The knitted home : hand-knitted projects room by room / Sian Brown ; [photography by Tim Clinch].
This is a beautiful book of 30 knitted and crocheted projects for the home. It uses a variety of wools, silk, cotton and bamboo to make tactile and inviting, effortlessly stylish pieces.

Knitting with Peruvian yarns : 25 soft sweaters and accessories in alpaca, llama, merino and silk / Jane Ellison.
“Knitters of all skill levels can create luxurious garments using sumptuous yarns derived from the llama and alpaca herds of the Peruvian highlands with this project book. … The naturally hued, environmentally friendly merino wool, baby alpaca, and pima cotton called for in these patterns lend a palette of plums, blues, browns, ochers, and creams that instill an earthy sensuality to the attractive apparel. ….” (Syndetics summary)

Oilcloth inspirations / Sophie Bester ; with photographs by Fabrice Besse.
“Oilcloth Inspirations features over 25 stylish, practical projects to be made with oilcloth – the ultimate in durable, easy-clean fabric. Readers will learn all essential techniques, including sticking with glue, sewing and maintaining perfect finishes as they discover the fun of working with this inexpensive, yet fashionable fabric. The easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by simple patterns, ….” (Syndetics summary)

Here are the latest beliefs and religion books which are now available for you to reserve online or pick up from the library.

Buddhism and Islam on the Silk Road, by Johan Elverskog.
“Elverskog (Southern Methodist Univ.) thoroughly examines encounters between Buddhists and Muslims in Inner and East Asia from the 8th to the late 19th centuries, focusing on ways in which members of these traditions understood (and misunderstood) each other, underwent periods of both peaceful coexistence and conflict, and engaged in material, intellectual, and artistic exchange. … The book is packed with information and footnotes that will benefit students and scholars of Eurasian history and culture, but it remains fairly accessible to nonexperts. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. (drawn from Choice review, courtesy of Syndetics)

The Qur’an : modern Muslim interpretations, by Massimo Campanini ; translated by Caroline Higgitt.
Offers a guide to how Muslims have read the Qur’an in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It explores the radical ideas of Sayyid Qurb and his followers, a significant part of what is known as political Islamism, and investigates the idea of exegesis as a liberation theology, through the work of Esack and Wadud. Students taking courses on the interpretation of the Qur’an will find this an invaluable aid to their study, and it is essential reading for all those interested in how Muslims have understood the Qur’an in the contemporary period. (drawn from the book jacket)

The signs and symbols bible : the definitive guide to the world of symbols, by Madonna Gauding.
While some symbols such as the lotus flower may be familiar, where this book adds value is in explaining the significance and fascinating origin of the signs. Some symbol meanings may have been misused, misunderstood or simply forgotten. This reveals the key ideas and concepts lying behind over 500 signs and symbols, from ancient religions. A fascinating exploration where nothing is as straightforward as it seems.

Contemplating reality : a practitioner’s guide to the view in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, by Andy Karr.
“This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. … The book is structured as a guide for the reader’ s journey.” (Syndetics summary)

Being Muslim, by Haroon Siddiqui.
“In the wake of 9/11, Islam-bashing bears all the symptoms of racism as it holds up the relatively few fanatics as representative of all 1.3 billion Muslims. That’s the argument of award-winning Canadian journalist Siddiqui …. drawing on his travels and interviews in Muslim countries, he shows that the extremists are being challenged by a new generation of Muslims. Varying branches of Islam are analyzed and their history outlined. Aimed at young adults, the book offers invaluable insight to readers of all ages, cultures, and religious traditions.

Know God more, by Anne Laidlaw.
Anne Laidlaw examines 44 characteristics of God to help readers grow closer to Him and see their lives transformed by this more intimate knowledge of the Father. Relying on Scripture, biblical scholars, and with insightful questions for personal reflection, each chapter this is suitable for individuals or small groups seeking to delve deeper into the God’s character. (based on the publisher’s description).

The Devil’s delusion : atheism and its scientific pretensions, by David Berlinski.
“A secular Jew, Berlinski nonetheless delivers a biting defense of religious thought. This incisive book explores the limits of science and the pretensions of those who insist it can be – indeed must be – the ultimate touchstone for understanding the world.” (Syndetics summary)

Good and bad religion, by Peter Vardy.
Are all forms of religion are necessarily good for those who adhere to them and for others? Peter Vardy, one of the leading moral educators in the UK, seeks to provide criteria to separate good and bad manifestations of religion. Central to his discussion are United Nations declarations on rights and the broad agreement, found in the Western and Eastern philosophical conditions, that there is a single human nature which all human beings share. (drawn from the Syndetics summary)

Introduction to Sufi doctrine, by Titus Burckhardt ; foreword by William C. Chittick.
This masterpiece by Titus Burkhardt examines the essence of Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, presenting its central doctrines and methods to a Western audience in an intelligible form.