News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Pentecostal spirituality, the latest Joyce Meyer, and studying Hinduism are featured in this April edition.

The Devil within : possession & exorcism in the Christian West, by Brian P. Levack.
“In this riveting, readable study, Levack (The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe), a history professor at the University of Texas, Austin, offers readers a comprehensive view of reports of demon possession and efforts to rid victims of it. Focusing on the years leading up to and including 17th century Europe, a period the author cites as “the golden age of the demoniac,” readers come away from this book amazed at the extent to which demon possession permeated a deeply superstitious Europe. … And while the role of exorcist is sufficiently well known in Catholic circles, readers will be surprised at how common they were in Protestant societies. This is must-reading for students of history, psychology and religion.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Discovering the city of Sodom : the fascinating, true account of the discovery of the Old Testament’s most infamous city, by Steven Collins and Latayne C. Scott.
“Despite the prevailing view among scholars that Sodom and Gomorrah were mythical, Collins maintains that the cities actually existed and reports on his search for them, eventually settling on a location, Tell el-Hammam, north of the Dead Sea in present-day Jordan. Although finely argued, Collins’s work originates from an unapologetically religious point of view, and his assumption of the historicity of certain biblical tales, for instance the Exodus, will prove controversial to many scholars and skeptics. … Collins’s work will be contested in the academy. Recommended for general readers, particularly those with an interest in archaeology or biblical studies. (drawn from Library Journal, courtesy of Syndetics)

Cosmic healing : a spiritual journey with Aaron and John of God, by Barbara Brodsky and Aaron.
“With the onset of sudden profound deafness at the age of twenty-nine, Barbara Brodsky set out on a path to understand the nature of illness and healing, examining the interrelationship of mind and body and our capacity to transcend limitation. A nationally known dharma teacher who first began meditating in the ’60s, Brodsky discovered an entirely new path on her healing journey when her channeling of the spirit Aaron began in 1989. Brodsky’s personal narrative is interspersed with Buddhist teachings, channeled material from Aaron, exercises for the reader, and an account of her experiences with the healer known as John of God (João Teixeira de Faria) at his teaching center, Casa de Dom Inácio, in Brazil. …. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

The emergence of Islam : classical traditions in contemporary perspective, by Gabriel Said Reynolds.
“Gabriel Said Reynolds organizes his study in three parts, beginning with Muhammad’s early life and rise to power, showing the origins and development of the Qur’an with a distinctive, if unique, juxtaposition between the Qur’an and biblical literature, and concluding with an overview of modern and fundamentalist narratives of Islam’s origin…Includes chapter summaries, questions for review and discussion, photos, maps, suggested readings, glossary, and timeline” (drawn from the publisher’s description).

Heaven is real but so is Hell : an eyewitness account of what is to come, by Vassula Rydén.
“Internationally renowned speaker, author and mystic Vassula Ryden takes the reader into the supernatural world where she has experienced the hidden forces that affect every moment of our lives. It features her amazing encounters with both good and evil forces and reveals profoundly important messages for all humanity, largely hidden until now. Sometimes harrowing, but filled with hope, it answers many of the questions that people have been asking for thousands of years and at the same time offers a glimpse into God’s love and justice, and of what is soon to come.” –Publisher.

Cults : a reference and guide, by James R. Lewis.
“Examines the status of cults across the United States, Europe, and East Asia. Focusing on the principal controversial religions and movements that have attracted major media attention, the book also includes profiles of hundreds of minority religions, from Jesus People and Rastafarians to voodoo practitioners and the human-cloning Raelians. …Cults presents a comprehensive and authoritative reference, offering a balanced view of the controversy surrounding these new religious movements, assessing the movements themselves as well as the legal and governmental responses to them, including attempts to quantify membership.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

Christian peoples of the Spirit : a documentary history of Pentecostal spirituality from the early church to the present, edited by Stanley M. Burgess.
“In this anthology, Burgess (Regent Univ.)…, provides readers with a compelling defense of his thesis, based on documented testimony, that Pentecostalism – defined as manifestations of spiritual gifts and Pentecostal-like worship and experience – has been an ongoing phenomenon throughout church history. … This collection – organized into the ancient, medieval, early modern, and contemporary periods – includes an eclectic and provocative selection of writings that eschew strict orthodoxy while emphasizing the witness to the presence of Pentecostalism. Thus, along with Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Wesley, and Pope Paul VI, readers encounter the Cathars, Shakers, E. G. White, Joseph Smith, and snake handlers. … overall the documents enrich and broaden understanding of Pentecostal experiences ….” (drawn from Choice, courtesy of Syndetics)

Firsthand : ditching secondhand religion for a faith of your own, by Ryan & Josh Shook.
An exploration in which “the brothers tell about growing up in church only to realize that ‘how things are supposed to be’ had stopped working for them. So they set out to find what makes a young person’s Christian faith stick – or not – and in the process, asked hundreds of other people, young and old, some really hard questions, like ‘If God is real, then why do I feel empty?’”–Dust jacket flap.

Making good habits, breaking bad habits : 14 new behaviors that will energize your life, by Joyce Meyer.
“In this work the author examines the nature of habits and provides guidance for listeners seeking to break bad habits. She argues that any immediate gratification gained from bad habits is outweighed by the spiritual toll they take on an individual. Here, she introduces fourteen fulfilling habits that she suggests using to replace the bad ones. She explains that by implementing the good habits, listeners will become spiritually fulfilled and will have no use for bad habits.” (Syndetics summary)

Studying Hinduism in practice, edited by Hillary Rodrigues.
“Drawing on personal experiences of Hinduism on the ground, this book provides a reflective context within which religious practices can be understood and appreciated. It conveys the rich realities of the Hindu tradition and the academic approaches through which they are studied. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including dance, music, performance, festival traditions, temples, myth, philosophy, women ’s practices, and divine possession. …. All the entries are accompanied by photographs and suggestions for further reading.” (Syndetics summary)

Astonished : a story of evil, blessings, grace, and solace, by Beverly Donofrio.
In the middle of her vibrant Mexican town, amid good friends, margaritas at sunset, salsa, yoga, mariachis, even before the rapist arrived, a midlife crisis had been brewing. Failed relationships, worn-out dreams, and wavering religious beliefs had tinged her life with despair, flat-lined it to gray. No longer sustained by the religious practices that had nourished her for years, she missed God and had been searching on the Internet for a monastery she might join. Now, as the worst thing imaginable happened, she turned to prayer. – drawn from the cover p.[2]

New DVDs for May include the new Ken Loach, ‘The Angel’s Share’; comedies ‘Butter’ & ‘Pitch Perfect’; the new Clint Eastwood; meta literary drama ‘The Words’; an adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s cult novel ‘On the Road’; & the acclaimed account of Polio victim Mark O’Brien’s experiences with a sex surrogate in ‘The Sessions’…

The angels’ share.
“Considering Loach has a reputation for bleak, brilliant dramas, some might be surprised to see the light comic touch he’s applied to this winning mix of comedy and drama. That said, it still has a fair amount to say. The Angel’s Share initially starts on a sombre note, as it’s not long before we meet the main characters in a courtroom. Here, they’re being sentenced for a series of offences, and young father Robbie is only saved from prison by the fact that his girlfriend is shortly to give birth. But from these foundations comes a triumph of a film, as community service brings whiskey into Robbie’s life. The Angel’s Share also certainly makes a few points as it tells its story, and there’s a political subtext here. Yet Loach injects warmth and humour into the film, and his young, inexperienced cast prove really rather special, too. Tonally, The Angel’s Share shifts around a little, and it does have a change of direction that’s likely to be divisive. Yet it’s a smart, enjoyable film…” (From Amazon.co.uk review)

Butter.
“Butter is a quirky film that sort of works as a straight-up comedy, and sort of works as the satire it seems intended to be. Jennifer Garner and Ty Burrell play Iowans Laura and Bob, whose lives have centered on the very Midwestern phenomenon of butter sculpture. Bob’s been having an affair with a cheeky stripper, Brooke (Olivia Wilde), who’s dying to figure out a way to go public with her affections for Laura’s husband. Enter the annual butter-sculpting contest. Bob’s decided to retire; Laura wants to carry on his tradition; Brooke wants to show up to cause emotional carnage. Then Destiny arrives. Destiny (Yara Shahidi) is an orphaned African-American girl and the foster child of well-meaning Ethan and Julie (Rob Corddry and Alicia Silverstone) and who has an almost unbelievable gift for, you guessed it, butter sculpture. What happens at the contest and in the small Iowa suburb is both a fascinating look at people’s unusual obsessions and a satire of those obsessions…” (From Amazon.com review)

Pitch perfect.
“Set appealingly on a college campus, with charming actors and a very funny script that will entertain fans, truly, from 10 to 90. The plot in Pitch Perfect follows the character of college freshman Beca (a delightful Anna Kendrick) as she decides to join her school’s a cappella women’s singing group. (Unlike on Glee, where the glee club is populated with outcasts, college a cappella groups are prestigious–and hard to get into.) Fellow singers include Brittany Snow as Chloe and Alexis Knapp as Stacie, a student who’s hilariously slutty and innocent at the same time. The faculty coordinator is Anna Camp, so memorable in The Help, and here both earnest and a bit naive. There’s also a potential love story between Beca and Jesse (Skylar Astin), a member of the male group at the same school. And the script, by sometime 30 Rock writer Kay Cannon, is witty, wry, and just silly enough…Pitch Perfect is a surprisingly fresh and smart take on young adulthood, with a soundtrack that will have you cheering…” (From Amazon.com review)

Ages of love.
“Sexy, romantic, adventurous and very funny, AGES OF LOVE examines three different couples united in their quest for love. “Youth” tells of Roberto, a young and ambitious lawyer who is going to marry Sara. His whole life is perfectly planned out. During a expropriation which he is in charge of, he meets Micol, a gorgeous and provocative young woman from a small village in Tuscany. And this is when things start to get complicated… In “Maturity” we meet Fabio, a famous anchorman, has been the perfect husband for twenty five years. At a party one night, he meets Eliana, a femme fatale full of surprises. This one-night stand proves to be more than what he bargained for when she refuses to leave… “Beyond” introduces us to Adrian, an American art history professor who moved to Rome after his divorce. He is friends with Augusto, the building’s concierge, whose ebullient daughter Viola is about to disrupt his peaceful existence and relight his fire…” (Syndetics summary)

On the road
“Set in the late 1940s and based on the novel of the same name by Jack Kerouac, On the Road is the story of young writer Sal Paradise’s journey–a journey back and forth across America in search of freedom, self-expression, and self-discovery. Feeling lost after his father’s death, Sal (Sam Riley) is intrigued by the free-spirited Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) and impulsively joins him on a cross-country drive. With a criminal past and a hankering for independence, sex, music, drugs, and traveling the open road, Dean possesses complete disregard for the law, social niceties, the feelings of the women in his life, and anything but the present moment. Sal finds his initial trip with his new friend exciting and energizing. History repeats itself, as it is apt to do, and the friends make several more trips across the country together. But even as they revel in their unique relationship and the liberty of traveling, the inevitability of change will eventually affect Sal and Dean’s friendship as well as their relationships with their families and friends…” (From Amazon.co.uk review)

The sessions.
“In adapting the remembrances of Mark O’Brien (John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone), who spent most of his life in an iron lung, Australian filmmaker and fellow polio survivor Ben Lewin recounts his alternately sad and funny attempts to lose his virginity (O’Brien previously appeared as himself in Jessica Yu’s documentary Breathing Lessons). By 1988, the 36-year-old Berkeley writer had forged friendships with women, but romantic relationships eluded him. In discussing the matter with his therapist, she suggests Cheryl Cohen Greene (Helen Hunt), a wife, mother, and sexual surrogate. It’s a viable solution, but as a devout Catholic, Mark is uncomfortable with the idea of extramarital relations, so he shares his concerns with an open-minded priest (William H. Macy). With an absence of pity and an abundance of wit, Lewin documents Mark’s journey though this physical, emotional, and spiritual minefield, which takes a toll on Cheryl as well… If Hunt received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her performance, which involves a fair amount of nudity, the Academy failed to recognize Hawkes, a regrettable omission as this fine actor succeeds in creating a fully rounded human being…” (From Amazon.com review)

Trouble with the curve.
“The biggest surprise behind Trouble with the Curve, Eastwood’s first time in front of the camera since Gran Torino (and his first appearance in a film he hasn’t directed since 1993’s In the Line of Fire), is how resolutely unsurprising it is, telling its story with an unfashionably retro simplicity… Pulling a 180 from the methods espoused in Moneyball, Randy Brown’s script follows Gus (Eastwood), a cantankerous talent scout for the Atlanta Braves whose old-school ethics are on the outs. While on what may be his last recruiting trip, Gus is reunited with his estranged daughter (Amy Adams), an upwardly mobile attorney still smarting from her father’s distancing techniques. First-time director Robert Lorenz wisely places his actors front and center, with the sparkling Adams, Justin Timberlake, Matthew Lillard, and the great John Goodman all delivering terrifically tuned performances. Ultimately, though, Trouble with the Curve rises and falls with Eastwood, who keeps the material from drifting into cornball territory by sheer force of will…(From Amazon.com review)

Wild Bill.
“Out on parole after 8 years inside Bill Hayward returns home to find his now 11 and 15 year old sons abandoned by their mother and fending for themselves. Unwilling to play Dad, an uncaring Bill is determined to move on. Although Dean the older boy has found a job and is doing his best to be a father to his younger brother Jimmy, the arrival of Bill has brought them to the attention of social services. With the danger of being put into care looming, Dean forces his feckless Dad to stay by threatening to grass him up for dealing. If there’s one thing Bill doesn’t want it’s to go back to prison. He reluctantly agrees to stay for a week to help fool social services that the boys are being cared for. Having never really grown up himself Bill quickly connects with Jimmy and through this new bond starts to realize what he’s been missing. He has a family, a place in the world. He is a father. However, their happy family set up is short lived when Jimmy gets into trouble with Bill’s dangerous old cohorts. To sort it out would breach the terms of his license and risk sending him back to Jail…’ (From Amazon.co.uk description)

The words.
“In the framing device, bestselling author Clay Hammond (a very good Dennis Quaid) reads passages from his novel, The Words, about Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), a struggling writer whose fiancée, Dora (Zoë Saldana), sticks by him during the years he spends toiling away on his first book. Though he isn’t without ability, he can’t find a taker, so he gets a mailroom job with a publishing house. While honeymooning in Paris, Dora buys him a vintage satchel in which he finds an unsigned manuscript. After she breaks into tears at the beauty of the prose–thinking she’s finally gotten a true glimpse of his talent–he publishes The Window Tears under his own name, and it becomes a literary phenomenon, but then a shadowy figure starts following him around. The Old Man (Jeremy Irons) turns out to have ties to the text, which centers on a young American (Ben Barnes) stationed in France during World War II, who loses his heart to literature and love (Nora Arnezeder) in ways both wonderful and terrible. The three story strands…couldn’t be timelier in light of the plagiarism scandals that have been rocking the publishing world…” (From Amazon.com review)

Fresh meat.
“When the Tan gang’s prison breakout goes violently wrong, they need a hideout in a hurry. Picking the McMansion of a middle-class Maori family probably seemed like a safe bet. But how were the Tans to know that this particular family have reintroduced some very old-fashioned cuisine to their dining table? Will the Tans escape the trap, or is there gangster in the casserole tonight?…” (Syndetics summary)

A wide range of new books on film and theatre this month includes ‘A to Z Hollywood Style’ for fashion fans and a beautifully designed book on the very popular Les Misérables. Also, check out ‘theatre in Southeast Asia’ which is a rare and unique study.

A to Z of Hollywood style / compiled by Sinty Stemp.
“A to Z of Hollywood Style brings together style advice from the good, the bad and the beautiful to explore the allure of some of the world’s best-loved film stars: Alfred Hitchcock on elegance, Sophia Loren on sex appeal and Edith Head on how to make a woman more beautiful. This book includes the opinions of critics, designers and film directors, as well as the actors themselves. Including Joan Crawford’s five fashion rules and Marlene Dietrich’s tips for dressing on a budget, A to Z of Hollywood Style is packed full of stylish tips for would-be starlets, or simply those who long for a more glamorous age.”(Syndetics summary)

Les misérables : from stage to screen / Benedict Nightingale & Martyn Palmer.
“Over the last 27 years, Les Misérables has played to audiences totalling more than 60 million in 43 countries and is now a dazzling, multi-award nominated film set to bring the story to millions more. Beautifully illustrated with images from behind the scenes of both the theatre and film productions, Les Misérables: From Stage to Screen tells the story of the phenomenon that grew from a modest Paris production into an award-winning show, from the challenges of adapting Victor Hugo¹s novel, to character studies and details of those who have played them, its international incarnations and the 25th Anniversary Concert. From Stage to Screen is a unique vision of the world¹s longest running musical and the stunning new film, and a must-have for every fan.” (adapted from amazon.co.uk summary)

Alfred Hitchcock : a life in darkness and light / Patrick McGilligan.
“In a career that spanned six decades and more than sixty films, Alfred Hitchcock was the dominant figure in the first century of cinema. His films — from The 39 Steps to The Birds, from Rear Window to Vertigo, from Notorious to Psycho — set new standards for cinematic invention and storytelling Tlan. He was both visionary artist and consummate entertainer … and became the most widely recognized director who ever lived. In the decades since his death, the public image of Hitchcock has crystallized into a series of iconic images: the macabre Englishman, the sexual obsessive, the Master of Suspense. But this remarkable new biography — the first in a quarter-century — draws on prodigious new research to restore Hitchcock the man, in all his three-dimensional glory. Like the best Hitchcock films, Patrick McGilligan’s life of Hitchcock is a drama full of fresh revelation, graced by a central love story, dark humor, and cliff-hanging suspense: a definitive portrait of the most creative, and least understood, figure in film history.” (Syndetics summary)

James Bond FAQ: all that’s left to know about everyone’s favorite superspy
“A favorite of film followers for 50 years, James Bond is the hero loved by everyone: Men want to be just like him, women just want to be with him. Moviegoers around the world have spent more than $5 billion to watch his adventures across the last five decades. What’s not to enjoy about such a glorious multitude of gadgets, gals, grand locations, and grandiose schemes hatched by master villains and megalomaniacs? Now, James Bond FAQ is a book that takes on the iconic cinema franchise that’s lasted for so many years. It’s a book for the casual, as well as hardcore, James Bond fan. James Bond FAQ is filled with biographies, synopses, production stories, and images and illustrations seldom seen in print, leaving little else to be said about the world’s favorite secret agent.” (adapted from amazon.com summary)

Theatre in Southeast Asia / James R. Brandon.
“An astonishing variety of theatrical performances may be seen today in the eight countries of Southeast Asia–Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. James Brandon spent more than three years observing and interviewing troup members in these countries. He describes twenty-five of the most important theatrical forms, grouping them according to their origins as folk, court, popular, or Western theatre. He considers the theatre from four perspectives: its origins, its art, its role as a social institution, and its function as a medium of communication and propaganda. Brandon’s wide-ranging and lively discussion points out interesting similarities and differences among the countries, and many of his superb photographs are included here.” (Syndetics summary)

A variety of new books on poplar music this month includes biographies of Eminem and Tracy Thorne, intriguing studies on punk rock and boogie-woogie. What is more, fantastic books on Broadway Musicals! Enjoy!!

Whatever you say I am : the life and times of Eminem / Anthony Bozza.Whatever You Say I Am: The Life and Times of Eminem
“As his celebrity rises from infamy to superstar proportions, this is the definitive profile of Eminem as a rap artist and a key figure in the current American cultural landscape. 50 photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Bedsit disco queen : how I grew up and tried to be a pop star / Tracey Thorn.
“Tracey Thorn was one half of internationally successful group Everything But the Girl and collaborated with Paul Weller, Massive Attack and dance legend Todd Terry. This is the funny, perceptive and candid story of her 30-year pop career. There are thrills and wonders to be experienced, yes, but also moments of doubt, mistakes, violent lifestyle changes from luxury to squalor and back again, sometimes within minutes.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Mary Wells : the tumultuous life of Motown’s first superstar / Peter Benjaminson.
“Benjaminson (The Lost Supreme) delivers another excellent and fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the artists who made Motown Records a massive success in the 1960s. He sympathetically recounts the tumultuous life of singer Mary Wells, who gave the company its first #1 hit in 1964-”My Guy,” which Mary Wilson of the Supremes called “the epitome of the Motown Sound.” Relying heavily on four hours of interviews with Wells done by author Steve Bergsman between 1990 and 1992, as well as his own numerous interviews with friends, lovers, and business associates, Benjaminson describes how Wells became “a Motown goddess.” (adapted from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Punk rock : an oral history / John Robb ; edited by Oliver Craske.
“Longtime music journalist and founding member of The Membranes Robb (Death to Trad Rock) has collected the stories of over 100 eyewitnesses to the birth of British punk. From icons like John Lydon (Sex Pistols) and Mick Jones (The Clash) to lesser-known but no less outspoken musicians, managers, promoters, and fans, the interviewees bring a wide range of viewpoints to their tales of the scene’s development. With its brilliant balance of in-depth information and accessibility, this will be equally at home on academic, public, and personal library shelves. Essential for punk fans and highly recommended for readers interested in firsthand accounts of the growth of new cultural movements.” (Adapted from Library Journal,courtesy of Syndetics )

Rock chronicles : a visual history of the world’s greatest 250 rock acts / general editor, David Roberts ; foreword by Alice Cooper.
“Comprehensive, encyclopedia-style guide to 250 rock bands, including line-up history, labels, genre listings, album sales, and more.” (Syndetics summary)

The story of boogie-woogie : a left hand like God / Peter J. Silvester.
“One of the best known American musical styles, boogie woogie has a history that goes back to barrelhouses in the U.S. South at turn of the twentieth century. Silvester traces the evolution of the style from these early days, through its peak during the Second World War, and up to its current revival. Along the way, he introduces the pianists who made boogie woogie famous around the world, and discusses the influence of boogie woogie on big band swing, blues, and R&B. This authoritative volume will interest both boogie woogie aficionados and historians of U.S. popular music.” (Syndetics summary)

The book of Mormon : the testament of a Broadway musical / book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone ; text, new interviews, and annotations by Steven Suskin ; principal photography by Joan Marcus ; design by BLT Communications.
“In celebration of the making of The Book of Mormon, the authors, production team, and entire original cast recount their experiences as they grew their show from the initial idea to opening night on Broadway. With the complete book and lyrics annotated by the full creative team and cast, along with more than 700 photographs and illustrations, they share the journey that began one night in a Manhattan bar and culminated seven years later in the achievement that is The Book of Mormon.” (Syndetics summary)

Broadway musicals : show by show / by Stanley Green ; revised and updated by Kay Green.
“Kay Green, wife of the late Stanley Green, offers a long overdue update of this important title, previously authored by her and her husband. The volume features entries for newer musicals, such as The Lion King (1997) and Spamalot (2005), as well as important revivals of classic musicals, such as Annie Get Your Gun (1999). Entries focus on the New York run of each musical, listing specific information for that production including cast members, producers, opening dates, number of performances, composers, lyricists, book authors, synopsis, major songs, and other historical details. The book also includes useful indexes of directors, lyricists, major cast members, and show titles.” (Adapted from Booklist, courtesy of Syndetics)

Arguments for and against God, or same sex relationships, both feature in this month’s arrivals to the library collection.

Rastafarian children of Solomon : the legacy of the Kebra Nagast and the path to peace and understanding, by Gerald Hausman.
“Hausman came to know Jamaica from the “inside out,” developing deep friendships with an intriguing cast of Rastas, who trace their lineage to King Solomon, “the wisest man on earth.” … Rastafarian spiritual wisdom, recounted here in authentic Jamaican patois, emphasizes equality: an unwavering faith and hope in the holy spirit that lives in each human being. As followers of the Kebra Nagast-the African gospel excised from the King James version of the Bible-these Rasta “old ways” are epitomized by a statement from Jesus: “According to your faith, be it unto you.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Bible, gender, sexuality : reframing the church’s debate on same-sex relationships, by James V. Brownson.
*Starred Review in Booklist* “In an outstanding presentation of academic scholarship to general readers, Brownson, a New Testament professor, does indeed, as the subtitle avers, reframe biblical debate about same-sex relationships. … we discover the scriptures’ wisdom in the presence of new questions and points out the shortcomings of both traditional and revisionist positions on the Bible and homosexuality. …Out of rigorous inspection, then, Brownson establishes that what the Bible condemns is same-sex abuse, and that the moral logic that applies to abuse doesn’t speak to the committed, loving, consecrated same-sex relationships we see today. Demanding focused but not labored reading, this strikes to the heart of the Bible-versus-homosexuality fracas.” (drawn from Booklist courtesy of Syndetics)

Astrology and cosmology in the world’s religions, by Nicholas Campion.
“… This new volume reviews a mixed bag of world literature. Many of his sources are themselves interpretations. He touches upon texts that bear on origins, stars, climatological phenomena, navigation, and just about anything else that relates to peoples’ apprehension of the sky. Campion packs the cultures of whole continents into single chapters, juxtaposing living belief systems, such as many of those in India, in one chapter, with those of ancient Babylon in the next chapter. The book is crammed with information, occasionally punctuated by interpretation or analysis. …. Summing Up: Recommended. Public and general libraries.” (drawn from Choice, courtesy of Syndetics)

The Gospel according to Bob Dylan : the old, old story for modern times, by Michael J. Gilmour.
“Since the early 1960s, music fans have found Bob Dylan’s spirituality fascinating, and many of them have identified Dylan as a kind of spiritual guru. This book examines Dylan’s mystique, asking why audiences respond to him as a spiritual guide.” (Syndetics summary)

Kingdom of fools : the unlikely rise of the early church, by Nick Page.
“Fools. Rebels. Ignorant peasants. That’s how the Roman world saw the first Christians. Led by fishermen, tax collectors and renegade Pharisees, the first Christians shunned power and welcomed the poor and uneducated. Roman commentators mocked their upside-down values, but the apostle Paul – himself a Roman citizen, and a Pharisee to boot, affirmed that ‘God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.’ Its followers were persecuted and its leaders killed, yet this ragged collection of lowly tradesmen, women, slaves – and a smattering of turncoat high-born Jews – created a movement that changed the world. How did this happen? …” (Drawn from Synetics summary)

Understanding Taoism : origins, beliefs, practices, holy texts, sacred places, by Jennifer Oldstone-Moore.
“Understanding Shinto provides a succinct, authoritative and accessible introduction to one of the great religious traditions. The book is organize around nine key themes: Origins and Historical Development, Aspects of the Divine, Sacred Texts, Sacred Persons, Ethical Principles, Sacred Spaces Sacred Time, Death and the Afterlife, and Society and Religion. Each of these themes is supplemented by extracts from or summaries of historical texts with an author commentary that explains the significance of each piece or places it in context…” (Syndetics summary)

Finding the mind : a Buddhist view, by Robin Cooper.
“How does Buddhism view consciousness? This approachable introduction considers the nature of the mind, asking questions about the Buddhist search for the “I” that gazes out on the world and experiences it.” (Syndetics summary)

The narrow way : a memoir of coming out, getting clean and finding Buddha, by Chris Lemig.
A personal memoir of Chris Lemig who finds “sanity and healing in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and without looking back, sets off on an inspired pilgrimage to India and Nepal. The Narrow Way is the harrowing and sometimes beautiful story of a man who lost his mind only to find it again in a strange new religion, in a strange new place, halfway across the world.” (drawn from the publisher’s description)

Dreaming, by Barbara A. Holmes.
“Dreaming is an ordinary practice that weaves the mystery of consciousness into everyday life. On any given night, we can experience lucid visions, nightmares, or prophetic dreams that invite us to see the world differently. Christians are betrothed to a God who dreams. As the book of Genesis unfolds, we find God busily untangling the chaos in the cosmos. …. This book connects Christian traditions and dream stories to our everyday lives so that we might engage the mysteries of life” — Publisher description.

God : a story of revelation, by Deepak Chopra.
“In Deepak Chopra’s powerful, groundbreaking, and imaginative new work, a unique blend of storytelling and teaching, the New York Times bestselling author explores the evolution of God. By capturing the lives of ten historical prophets, saints, mystics, and martyrs who are touched by a divine power, Chopra reveals a riveting portrait of a constantly changing God. …Tearing at our hearts and uplifting our souls, “God” leads us to a profound and life-altering understanding about the nature of belief, the power of faith, and the spirit that resides within us all.” (drawn from Syndetics summary)

The God argument : the case against religion and for humanism, by A. C. Grayling.
“In his 31st book, the eminent English philosopher re-examines the arguments for and against God and falls firmly in the camp of the nonbelievers. There is not a lot of new ground covered here – Kant, Descartes, Hume and Locke all fall under the microscope, and Grayling has intelligently tackled religious belief in a long list of other books, including The Good Book (2011). … Until Grayling and other atheist writers recognize that religious believers, too, have brains that can be appealed to and must also be reached not only with emotion, his book and others like it are just more preaching to the atheist choir.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

The Pope’s last crusade : how an American Jesuit helped Pope Pius XI’s campaign to stop Hitler, by Peter Eisner.
“Draws on new archival research to examine Pope Pius XI’s effort to reject Nazism, discussing how he enlisted the assistance of John La Farge, a virtually unknown American Jesuit, to craft a papal encyclical condemning Hitler’s campaign against the Jews” (Syndetics summary) “This engrossing look behind the scenes of the Vatican at a pivotal moment in world history will appeal to history buffs.” (drawn from Library Journal, courtesy of Syndetics)

This month’s recent picks for Fitness & Sports are listed below.

One Step Beyond : how an ordinary man took on the ultimate running challenge and won / Malcolm Law.
“In November 2009, Mal set out to run New Zealand’s seven mainland ‘Great Walks’ in seven days (the equivalent of running nine mountain marathons) … what followed is an uplifting story of determination, courage, camaraderie, out-and-out hard yakka, and ultimately, triumph. We share the endorphin-fuelled ecstasy and the agony of doubts, fears, blood, sweat and tears that became Mal’s life for nine months”–Back cover.

Super Scratch Programming Adventure! : learn to program by making cool games! / the LEAD Project.
“Scratch is the wildly popular educational programming language used by millions of first-time learners in classrooms, libraries, and homes worldwide. By dragging together colorful blocks of code, kids quickly learn computer programming concepts and make cool games and animations. In Super Scratch Programming Adventure!, kids learn programming fundamentals as they make their very own playable video games. They’ll create projects inspired by classic arcade games that can be programmed (and played!) in an afternoon. The book’s patient, step-by-step explanations of the code and fun programming challenges will have kids creating their own games in no time.This full-color comic book makes programming concepts like flow control, subroutines, and data types effortless to absorb. Packed with ideas for games that kids will be proud to show off, Super Scratch Programming Adventure! is the perfect first step for the budding programmer”– Provided by publisher.

Joy of the Mountains : a climber’s life : John Harrison (1932-1966) / [John Wilson].
“No death in the mountains in the middle years of the 20th century affected the New Zealand climbing community more than the loss of John Harrison in the Mount Rolleston tragedy of June 1966. John was one of the most admired climbers of his generation. His loss was felt keenly not only because of his achievements as a mountaineer, in New Zealand and and overseas, but also because his character and personality endeared him to people of all walks of life…. This book describes not only his life and climbing career, but also sets his life and career in the broader context of the history of New Zealand mountaineering. More broadly still, it makes a contribution to our understanding of New Zealand’s social history in the middle years of the 20th century. – Publisher information

Top 10 of everything rugby / Gregor Paul.
“A journey through history of international rugby, ranking the best and worst of the game in lists that cover everything from best captains, great rivalries and acts of heroism to wasted talents, scary psychos and darkest scandals”–Back cover.

The Ordinary Acrobat : a journey into the wondrous world of the circus, past and present / Duncan Wall.
“Wall had the great fortune of realizing the archetypal childhood dream of running away to join the circus when he secured a Fulbright fellowship to do just that….Wall chronicles his year of discovery of the history and future of the circus as well as the dramatic personalities and grueling physical training in this behind-the-scenes look at the evolving art of the circus.–Bush, Vanessa Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)

The White Spider : the story of the north face of the Eiger / Heinrich Harrer ; translated from the German by Hugh Merrick ; with additional chapters by Heinrich Harrer and Kurt Maix ; with an introduction by Joe Simpson.
“The White Spider provides the classic statement of the weired and frequently misunderstood psychology of the modern rock-climber. Despite the grimness of much of what he is doing, Harrer communicates the irresistible joy of climbing.” (Book Jacket)

The Pocket Guide to Dice & Dice Games / Keith Souter ; illustrations by Laura Matine.
“This pocket guide spans the history of dice, offers clear explanations of popular dice games, and includes guidance on winning, dice control, and how to avoid being tricked bu loaded or “crooked” dice.” (Book Jacket)

The Greatest Tennis Matches of all Time / by Steve Flink ; [foreword by Chris Evert].
“To see tennis through the eyes of Steve Flink is to wander through a wonderland…. Steve captures the essence of tennis matches in graphic detail. There is no one more passionate or caring about his subject. In this absorbing book, I can relive matches that I have calls on television. Thanks for the memories, Steve.” Cliff Drysdale (EPS commentator – Book Jacket)

The Power Meter Handbook : a user’s guide for cyclists and triathletes / Joe Friel.
“The Power Meter Handbook will demystify the numbers, clarify the setup, and show you how to train with power in simple terms. Joe Friel’s power meter system will immediately improve your fitness, speed and training.” Back cover

Kill Phil : The Fast Track to Success in No Limit Hold ‘em Poker Tournaments / Blair Rodman, Lee Nelson and Steven Heston ; foreword by Phil Hellmuth.
“Thanks to television, the Internet, and the incredible popularity of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, when Kill Phil was first published in 2006, tournament poker had become the richest sport in the world. The problem was that no-limit hold ‘em was dominated by a handful of experienced and skilled professional players. Kill Phil turned the tables on the pros by introducing a strategy that allowed even an absolute novice to compete against the best players in the world.” (Books in Print)

It’s cook-off time with all your favourite celebrity chefs.

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof : recipes you can trust / Ina Garten ; photographs by Quentin Bacon.
“Already a best seller, Food Network star Garten’s latest asserts several known truths: it’s hard to get dinner on the table, entertaining is stressful, and recipes can be scary. Seeking to help home cooks bolster their cooking repertoire, Garten offers “foolproof” (i.e., tested, consistent, and clearly explained) recipes like Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons, Parmesan Fennel Gratin, and Raspberry Crumble Bars, alongside tips meant to allay fears and answer frequently asked questions.” (Library Journal)

15 Minute Meals / [Jamie Oliver].
“This is Jamie Oliver’s simplest and most straightforward book to date. It pushes the concept of fast, everyday food to a new level, without compromising on flavour. It’s designed to excite and inspire people to prepare a balanced, nutritional, no-nonsense meal every night of the week.” (Books In Print)

Tyler Florence Fresh / photographs by John Lee.
“Tyler turns ingredients into superstars in Tyler Florence Fresh, a new look at easy and sophisticated cuisine. Tyler Florence shows off his bold side with a celebration of fresh everyday foods prepared in innovative and delicious ways.” — Provided by publisher.

Manu’s French Bistro / Manu Feildel ; photography by Chris Chen.
“Have you ever wondered how the French make entertaining at home look so effortless? Join Australia’s favourite French chef, Manu Feildel, as he guides you through one hundred classic bistro recipes that will expand your dinner party repertoire and impress your guests.” (Library Catalogue)

Ruth Pretty Cooks at Home / photography by Murray Lloyd.
“From her signature lemon and basil club sandwiches to her deliciously rich and ever-popular dark chocolate marbled mousse, Ruth Pretty certainly knows how to put on a good spread. In RUTH PRETTY COOKS AT HOME, Ruth shares stylish cooking ideas, entertaining secrets and more than 100 delectable recipes so you too can cook to impress at home.” (Books In Print)

A Cook’s Life / Stephanie Alexander.
“A Cook’s Life is a very personal account of one woman’s uncompromising commitment to good food, and of how it shaped her life and changed the eating habits of a nation.”–Back flap.

Anjum’s Indian Vegetarian Feast / Anjum Anand ; photography by Emma Lee.
“In ‘Anjum’s Vegetarian Feast,’ Anjum adapts the true flavours of India, with her trademark concern for healthy eating and a good diet, to make dishes that are light, bright, modern and balanced, providing all the protein and other nutrients we all need for perfect health.” (Books In Print)

Reza’s Indian Spice : Eastern recipes for Western cooks / Reza Mahammad ; photography by Martin Poole.
“As you cook, the tanatlising, exotic aromas that drift through our This Morning kitchen will also drift through yours…..and the wonderful results will leave you enraptured.” Phillip Schofield (Book Jacket)

The Great Northern Cookbook / Sean Wilson.
“In the Great Northern Cookbook, Sean Wilson – former Coronation Street actor, now award winning cheese maker and chef – is our guide to the culinary highlights of the North. A proud Lancastrian, Sean serves up timeless recipes and reveals the history behind the foods you love.” (Book Jacket)

My Favourite Food for all Seasons / Janelle Bloom ; photography by Steve Brown.
“In this Janelle’s fourth book she presents more irresistible recipes that always satisfy. This book is divided into the seasons each chapter detailing what the best produce is to buy and cook throughout the year. With both sweet and savoury recipes that are foul proof anyone can give them a go! So whether it’s Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter you’ll never go wrong with this one!” (Books In Print)

Ching’s Fast Food : 110 quick and healthy Chinese favourites / Ching-He Huang.
“With her trademark passion, TV star chef Ching-He Huang brings a new and exciting dimension to Chinese cooking. Confidently fusing Chinese and Western cultures in over 100 quick and easy dishes bursting with flavour, Ching’s fresh and healthy take on the Chinese takeaway, without compromising on taste, has revolutionised Chinese cuisine.” (Books In Print)

Domini at Home : How I like to Cook / Domini Kemp.
“Domini’s new book is packed with practical advice for cooking at home: including lots of midweek dinners, flexible recipes and ideas for upcycling and adding value. Accompanied by stunning photography and Domini’s signature warm, friendly and approachable encouragement for the at-home cook.” (Books In Print)

Crazy Sexy Kitchen : 150 plant-empowered recipes to ignite a mouthwatering revolution / Kris Carr with Chad Sarno.
“The woman who made prevention hot is now making it delicious! This book is a veggie manifesto for plant-empowered gourmands and novices alike, and it’s filled with inspiration, education, cooking tips and over 150 nourishing, nosh-worthy recipes.” (Books In Print)

Just a few of the shiny new items that have graced my desk this month.

Hubble’s universe : greatest discoveries and latest images / Terence Dickinson.
“The Hubble Space Telescope, which prolific astronomy writer Dickinson calls a remarkable discovery machine, has been orbiting the earth since 1990, inspiring many a book showcasing its astrophotography. What makes this superbly well-produced volume unique is its presentation of 300 images that have never been made public before. Dickinson’s expert and enthusiastic commentary also makes the Hubble wondrous all over again. He explains the 2009 reboot and how astronomers use a process called drizzling to create Hubble’s astonishingly sharp images, such as a staggering two-page look at a small segment of the night sky the size of a period in this book held at arm’s length, filled with thousands of galaxies, each containing billions of stars. Dickinson elucidates Hubble’s top discoveries, from proof that supermassive black holes are common in galaxies to success in measuring the universe’s expansion rate. With images of the birth and death of stars and the marvelous shapes nebulae take, reflected in such names as Helix, Jewel Box, Loch Ness, and Cat’s Eye, any engagement with this cosmic portfolio, from picture gazing to deep reading, is grandly rewarded.–Seaman, Donna Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist) (Syndetics)

This explains everything : deep, beautiful, and elegant theories of how the world works / edited by John Brockman.
“In this latest volume of erudition from Edge.com founder John Brockman (This Will Make You Smarter), the question “What is your favorite deep, elegant, or beautiful explanation?” serves as the prompt for over a hundred concise essays. The topics cover the gamut of the sciences while also including answers from other realms including economics and the arts. Darwin and Einstein, while not the precise subject of many answers, feature prominently as do ideas of human consciousness and cognition. As with other collections of this ilk, the essays widely vary in ease of comprehension and level of profundity. While there is no structure beyond the individual essays, occasionally a few essays in close proximity will touch on similar matters, as when Nicholas Christakis’s essay on why the sky is blue is followed by Philip Campbell’s on “The Beauty in a Sunrise”, each referencing the work of Lord Rayleigh on the scattering of light. … this collection will satisfy anyone who is looking to stretch his thinking. (adapted from the Syndetics review)

How to build a habitable planet : the story of Earth from the big bang to humankind.
“Geochemist Langmuir (Harvard) and earth scientist Broecker (Columbia) attempt to squeeze all of natural history between two covers in this enlarged new edition (1st ed., 1985). They strike a nice balance with roughly an equal number of chapters devoted to life, earth, and extraterrestrial processes. After outlining their systems approach, they move rapidly from the formation of matter and galaxies through the formation of rocky planets like Earth and the appearance of human-like life. Chapter topics include the internal differentiation of the Earth, human resource exploitation, and detecting exoplanets with atmospheres like ours. What makes it work is the authors’ admirable job of focusing tightly on how the many processes they outline feed into life’s makeup or systems needed to support it. This necessitates summaries of subjects ranging from nuclear physics and organic chemistry to asteroid impacts. They turn many pieces of conventional wisdom on their heads along the way, e.g., arguing entropy helps explain the appearance of life rather than making it improbable. Their explanations are elegant but very terse, so readers not already well read in these fields may be challenged. The book includes several general readings after each chapter and a glossary but no detailed bibliography for further investigation. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. B. M. Simonson Oberlin CollegeCopyright American Library Association, used with permission.” (CHOICE) (Syndetics)

Heart of darkness : unraveling the mysteries of the invisible universe / Jeremiah P. Ostriker and Simon Mitton.
“For Conrad, it was the Congo; for Ostriker (Formation of Structure in the Universe) and Mitton (The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy), it’s deep space, dark matter, and dark energy. In this stimulating study, the Princeton astrophysics professor and University of Cambridge scholar offer a compelling insider’s take on how astronomers have worked to reveal the mystery that is our universe. After a quick review of the long history of astronomy, the duo dive headlong into the 20th century and Einstein’s paradigm-crushing work on relativity, gravity, and time, which-coupled with technological improvements-laid the foundations for a modern cosmology based on “expansion-of vision, mind-set, and of the physical universe itself.” Indeed, the Big Bang sent galaxies racing outward, and the resulting universe is a “quantum soup” riddled with ” ‘holes,’ ‘filaments,’ and ‘walls.’ “… Ostriker and Mitton’s knowledge is vast, and while they acknowledge that our understanding of the universe is far from complete, this thought-provoking presentation is as accessible as it is exciting. (adapted from the Syndetics review)

The where, the why, and the how : 75 artists illustrate wondrous mysteries of science / by Jenny Volvovski, Julia Rothman, and Matt Lamothe ; foreword by David Macaulay.
“Scientists and artists take on, answer, and illustrate some of the most intriguing and baffling questions in the sciences, a majority of which likely do not ever occur to most people, such as “What triggers reversals of earth’s polarity?” Readers may need a refresher on basic high school biology or chemistry, but that’s a good thing and, really, a minor distraction from what this book actually is: a work of art. The 75 illustrations that accompany each question are rich and stylistically diverse enough that the book can be read either as a well-written mini-textbook or a coffee table-worthy compendium. The authors set out to challenge our overly Wikipedi-ized minds less by explaining answers as by opening them to theorizing and wondering; it’s clear that the point is to pique curiosity and delight with beautiful visuals. Pop-science buffs will find the subject matter intriguing, and those who admire graphic novels or comic art will find a plethora of eye candy. To the book’s further credit, each artist’s website is listed opposite his or her artwork, allowing for further engagement each one’s work. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.” (Publisher Weekly) (Syndetics)

Into great silence : a memoir of discovery and loss among vanishing orcas / Eva Saulitis.
“This sensitively written memoir chronicles the 25 years poet and scientist Saulitis (Leaving Resurrection) spent as a field biologist in Prince William Sound, AK. She observed a specific group of transient orcas, also known as killer whales, as they traveled through the area, photographing them, observing and recording their behavior, and listening to their vocalizations. The meticulous, detailed, even tedious nature of such work is apparent, yet Saulitis conveys her deep appreciation for the whales and their surroundings. Unfortunately, the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill fouled this environment and contributed to the premature deaths of several of the orcas. A list of books about the spill, a map, a family tree of the whale population under study, and several photographs are included.” (adapted from the Syndetics review)

Wonders of life / Brian Cox & Andrew Cohen.
“This is the story of the amazing diversity and adaptability of life told through the fundamental laws that govern it. Through his voyage of discovery, Brian will explain how the astonishing inventiveness of nature came about and uncover the milestones in the epic journey from the origin of life to our own lives.”–publisher website. (Syndetics)

RHS Latin for gardeners : over 3000 plant names explained and explored / Lorraine Harrison.
“This illustrated guide unlocks the mysteries of botanical Latin, explaining what plant names mean and the descriptive clues they conceal.” (Syndetics)

The year without summer : 1816 and the volcano that darkened the world and changed history / William K. Klingaman and Nicholas P. Klingaman.
“The violent eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, almost unnoticed by the Western world when it happened, had an enormous global impact. As much as a hundred cubic kilometers of material was ejected, creating a world-girdling cloud that reflected sunlight and changed weather everywhere. Famines and food riots spread across North America and Europe. Thousands of New England farmers, ruined by snow in June, migrated west. Irish peasants starved. The end of the world was repeatedly prophesied; religious revivals multiplied; governments tottered. Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during a rainy, cold July at a Swiss resort. J.M.W. Turner painted the spectacular sunsets created by stratospheric dust. In a world unfamiliar with climate change, where news traveled at the pace of a sailing ship, the phenomena were mysterious, seemingly God-driven, portentous, and terrifying. Popular historian William K. Klingaman and meteorologist Nicholas P. Klingaman have combined scientific and social narratives to good effect.”  (adapted from the Syndetics review)

Is God happy? Why priests? What is it really like behind the scenes in the Vatican? This month’s recent arrivals ponder these topics, as well as covering an Amish childhood and life inside Scientology.

The Vatican diaries : a behind-the-scenes look at the power, personalities, and politics at the heart of the Catholic Church, by John Thavis.
“Focusing on the reigns of John Paul II and Benedict XVI (neither of whom come off well here), Thavis reveals a great deal about how the Vatican bumbles along. Each chapter focuses on a particular mishap, so readers are sure to be intrigued, whether by “Bones” – the story of how a priceless archeological find almost fell to the expansion of the Vatican’s parking spaces – or a profile of Father Reginald Foster, the Vatican’s rebellious, mouthy (and deeply gifted) chief Latinist. …. Given such insight, readers may wish that Thavis had provided his own perspective on if, and how, he kept his own faith while working in such an environment.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

The utter relief of holiness : how God’s goodness frees us from everything that plagues us, by John Eldredge.
“… For those who feel guilt or a weight of past sins, the book includes instruction about how to confess, seek forgiveness, and receive cleansing in order to live the holiness of God. The tone is at times strident and preacherly, but sincere and based in the teachings of Christ. He rails against “convenient” doubt: “Take notice just how convenient ‘doubt’ is for you…. Doubt is not a virtue. Doubt is not humility. Doubt is doubt. It is unbelief. Jesus understands doubt, and he wants us to get past it, not embrace it for heaven’s sake.” Ever full of gusto and nerve, Eldredge is as strict and orthodox a pastor as A.W. Tozer, but with hiking boots and a zipline.” (Drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

The tragedy of the Templars : the rise and fall of the Crusader states, by Michael Haag.
“In 1187, nearly a century after the victorious First Crusade, Saladin captured Jerusalem. The Templars, headquartered on the Temple Mount, were driven from the city along with the Frankish population. This book explores the rise and fall of the Templars against the backdrop of the Crusader ideal and their settlement venture in Outremer.” – Publisher’s description.

Is God happy? : selected essays, by Leszek Kolakowski.
“… Born in Poland, in 1927, he lived through the German occupation of WWII and much of the Communist totalitarian state that followed, witnessing firsthand some of the greatest evil of the twentieth century. The essays selected for inclusion here demonstrate his vast range. The collection’s title is taken from the title of an essay in which Kolakowski offers his unique analysis of the age-old problem of reconciling human suffering with a compassionate god. The same freshness and originality are found in the other essays, which address such topics as natural law, totalitarianism, truth, history, and reason, along with selections from his withering critiques of Marxism. This is philosophy at its best; namely, engaging, thoughtful, timely, challenging, and eminently readable. (drawn from Booklist, courtesy of Syndetics)

Why priests? : a failed tradition, by Garry Wills.
Garry Wills spent five years as a young man at a Jesuit seminary and nearly became a priest himself. So this is not a Protestant critique but arising within a sympathetic Catholic tradition. His main thesis is that the anonymous Letter to Hebrews (and later interpretations) elevated the view of priesthood in Christianity to a place where it did not exist. How is Jesus present at the Eucharist? This detailed discussion is likely to appeal to an ecumenical audience.

The great agnostic : Robert Ingersoll and American freethought, by Susan Jacoby.
“Journalist and atheist intellectual Jacoby (Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism) recaps the Gilded Age career of Robert Green Ingersoll, an influential lawyer and liberal Republican orator dubbed “The Great Agnostic” for his wildly popular lectures on religion, evolution, and other hot-button issues. Her brisk, lucid study makes him an apostle of irreligion in the tradition of Thomas Paine: a minister’s son steeped in Christian doctrine, Ingersoll used folksy humor, clear expositions, and conversational language to extol science and condemn religious cant. (He lampooned the notion of intelligent design by touting cancer as the capstone of God’s plan.) … Jacoby is hardly neutral in that culture war, but her stimulating study shows that rationalist skepticism is as authentic and deep-seated as America’s fabled religiosity.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Beyond belief : my secret life inside Scientology and my harrowing escape, by Jenna Miscavige Hill with Lisa Pulitzer.
“Hill’s candid memories of growing up inside the Church of Scientology are notable not just for their detail but for the light they shed on an environment that fosters isolation, powerlessness, and privacy loss. … Although most of Hill’s extended family has left Scientology, her uncle, David Miscavige, is currently head of the Church. …Those looking for a glimpse into the celebrity side of Scientology will be disappointed; Hill primarily relates how celebrities are treated differently from the rest. Some readers may have difficulty believing such insular Scientology communities can exist in this age of access, but memoirs like Hill’s cast light on their internal practices.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

My Amish childhood, by Jerry S. Eicher.
“…The tale follows his family from 1968 to 1977, when they left the rules (or “ordnung”) of Amish society in Aylmer, Ontario, to start a new community in Honduras. Eicher unveils surprise after surprise, from his father’s being robbed at gunpoint to Eicher’s keeping a pet monkey as well as the realization that the Amish were the economic elite among their Third World peers. Readers will find they can, perhaps unexpectedly, relate to the politics of the Honduran Amish community and Eicher’s own struggles with stuttering and depression. Fans of his fiction will fall in love with the characters that form the basis for his novels.” (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Love does : discover a secretly incredible life in an ordinary world, by Bob Goff.
“… In a folksy and candid style that sometimes seems to beg for editorial ministrations, the writer spins some fascinating yarns, from the winsome sit-in that won him a place in law school to a family world tour prompted by questions his children sent global leaders after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Paired with reflections on God’s purposes and faithful living, the stories are engaging and often funny. However, a reader is left satiated, questioning whether perhaps a writer with a wider-angled lens and a tauter style could have tied the various strands together in a way that truly does this eccentric and apparently eternally hopeful man the justice he probably deserves. (drawn from Publisher Weekly, courtesy of Syndetics)

Everyone will sleep soundly if you snuggle up with these books at bedtime.

Bedtime is canceled / by Cece Meng ; illustrated by Aurélie Neyret.
“”The note read ‘Bedtime is canceled.’ Maggie thought of it. Her brother wrote it.” Of course, the siblings’ parents don’t buy the ruse upon receiving the note, but a fortuitous gust of wind whisks it to the desk of a newspaper reporter who puts the “official” word on the front page, and the news spreads. As a result, kids play, snack, and watch TV all night, and adults shuffle zombielike through the next day. Meng (I Will Not Read This Book) includes several nods to today’s rapid-fire dispersal of information (”A television reporter received an urgent text about it and raced to the school”) as well as goofy non sequiturs (”tired moms and dads were so busy yawning, some of them buttered the dog’s tail instead of the toast”), ” (Publisher Weekly)

Cuddle bear / Claire Freedman ; [illustrated by] Gavin Scott.
Do you need cuddles, cheer up hugs, or snuggle times to share? Then Cuddle Bear is made for you- a lovely rhyming book with gentle illustrations about a bear who cheers up all the animals even the grumpy lion! (Staff member) 

The snuggle sandwich / Malachy Doyle ; [illustrated by] Gwen Millward.
During the morning rush no one notices when Annie’s teddy bear falls to the floor. After everyone else is gone, Annie and her mama look for the missing teddy before they are able to have a proper snuggle together. (Syndetics summary)

Sleep like a tiger / written by Mary Logue ; illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.
“”I’m not tired,” says a small girl in a red dress and a crown. “I’m just not sleepy.” Her affectionate parents-who also wear crowns-aren’t fazed. “They nodded their heads and said she didn’t have to go to sleep. But she had to put her pajamas on.” The three talk about the different ways animals sleep, taking their cue from family pets and the girl’s stuffed animals. Zagarenski’s gently surreal jewel-box paintings chart the movement of the girl’s imagination as she considers bears (”mighty sleepers,” her parents call them), snails (”They curl up like a cinnamon roll”), and tigers. “When he’s not hunting, he finds some shade, closes his eyes, and sleeps. That way he stays strong,” she says. It’s this image that holds the greatest promise of safety for the girl; as she drifts off, she imagines herself curled in the curve of the tiger’s tail, embracing a stuffed tiger as she sleeps. Zagarenski’s paintings take Logue’s story to places marvelously distant in thought and time; each spread holds treasures to find even after several readings.” (Publisher Weekly)