This column will now appear twice a year, in the February 1st and July issues, surveying recent and forthcoming spiritual reading. This season features plain talk from Tomas Halik on contemporary Christianity, Jeffrey Burton Russell refuting falsehoods about the Gospels, and a collection of aphoristic sayings from Nelson Mandela. Notable too are new books by Phyllis Tickle on the Emergent Church, Jeff Foster on the acceptance of life, and Erica Brown on the acceptance of death. Rowan Williams’s treatment of the Narnia novels is sure to intrigue many, as will Philip Zaleski’s superb annual anthology.
Lamott, Anne. Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Riverhead. 2012. 112p. ISBN 9781594631290. $17.95; ebk. ISBN9781101607732. REL
The very popular Lamott (Bird by Bird ) claims here that prayer boils down to the three exclamations of the title—it seems like a reductive claim, but Lamott, an unusually hip, demotic, urbane kind of Christian, is a naturally expansive and chatty writer. These blog-like reflections exhibit the author’s usual fluency and charm. VERDICT A worthy successor to her prior works, this brief book will delight Lamott’s regular readers, and likely draw new readers to her writing and to the ideas behind prayer.
Brown, Erica. Happier Endings: A Meditation on Life and Death. S & S. Apr. 2013. 416p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781451649222. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781451649246. REL
Brown ( Inspired Jewish Leadership ) addresses this painful subject with eloquence, honesty, and clarity; we can reckon with death, she avers, to change the lives we have now, to live fully and sincerely in the present moment, whatever we feel might happen afterward. VERDICT By no means limited in its appeal to a Jewish readership, this well-presented volume should speak to readers of all spiritualities as well as to those who identify as not spiritual.
Foster, Jeff. The Deepest Acceptance: Radical Awakening in Ordinary Life. Sounds True. 2012. 304p. ISBN 9781604078558. $24.95; ebk. ISBN 9781604079142. REL
This book arrives with little fanfare, but has something important to say. Foster, an English-born student of astrophysics, shares his difficult journey toward acceptance of the mess, the variegated experiences, of life itself: “Our deepest fear…is the fear of life.” Foster writes clearly and sincerely, addressing issues like suffering, addictions, and love. VERDICT Nonsectarian, unassuming, and accessible, Foster’s book achieves substantial commonsense wisdom; highly recommended for the general reader.
For all the latest reviews in this subject area and more, check out our new Book Verdict site! Book Verdict is fully accessible to all users, though certain content and functionality are only available to subscribers.To log in to your account, click here. To view the new subscription options, Get Started With Book Verdict ProToday.Don’t know if you have an account with us? It’s easy to check and verify your email, or create a new account.
The following titles are reviewed in the February 1 print issue. Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.
Engaging the Traditions
The Best Spiritual Writing 2013. Penguin. 2012. 244p. ed. by Philip Zaleski. ISBN 9780143121534. pap. $17. REL
Brownson, James V. Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships.Eerdmans. Feb. 2013. 304p. ISBN 9780802868633. pap. $29. REL
Halik, Tomas. Night of the Confessor: Christian Faith in an Age of Uncertainty. Image. 2012. 223p. bibliog. ISBN 9780385524520. pap. $13; ebk. ISBN 9780307952820. REL
A God in the House: Poets Talk About Faith. Tupelo Pr. 2012. 225p. ed. by Ilya Kaminsky. ISBN 9781932195194. pap. $19.95. REL
Rollins, Peter. The Idolatry of God: Breaking Our Addiction to Certainty and Satisfaction. Howard: S. & S. 2013. 240p. ISBN 9781451609028. pap. $14.99; ebk. ISBN 9781451609035. REL
Russell, Jeffrey Burton. Exposing Myths About Christianity: A Guide to Answering 145 Viral Lies and Legends. IVP Academic: InterVarsity. 2012. 330p. ISBN 9780830834662. pap. $18. REL
Tickle, Phyllis. Emergence Christianity: What It Is, Where It Is Going, and Why It Matters. Baker Bks. 2012. 240p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780801013553. $19.99; ebk. ISBN 9781441239655. REL
Memoirs & Biographies
Black, Christa. God Loves Ugly: And Love Makes Beautiful. FaithWords. 2012. 224p. illus. ISBN 9781455516599. $19.99; ebk. ISBN 9781455516575. REL
Feister, John. Thank You, Sisters: Stories of Women Religious and How They Enrich Our Lives. Franciscan. Jan. 2013. 144p. ISBN 9781616365325. pap. $14.99. REL
Higgins, Michael W. & Kevin Burns. Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen. Paulist.2012. 162p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 9780809147854. $17.95. REL
Schnarr, Grant. Ghost Brother Angel. Swedenborg Foundation. 2012. 216p. ISBN 9780877853466. pap. $15.95. REL
Smith, Huston & Phil Cousineau. And Live Rejoicing: Chapters from a Charmed Life—Personal Encounters with Spiritual Mavericks, Remarkable Seekers, and the World’s Great Religious Leaders. New World Lib. 2012. 256p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781608680719. pap. $15.95; ebk. ISBN 9781608680726. REL
Advice & Self-Help
Chopra, Deepak. God: A Story of Revelation. HarperOne. 2012. 278p. ISBN 9780062020680. $25.99; ISBN 9780062195890. REL
Ford, James Ishmael. If You’re Lucky, Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life. Wisdom Pub. 2012. 183p. ISBN 9781614290391. pap. $16.95; ebk. ISBN 9781614290438. REL
Hotz, Kendra G. & Matthew T. Mathews. Dust & Breath: Faith, Health, and Why the Church Should Care About Both. Eerdmans. 2012. 112p. bibliog. index.
ISBN 9780802867797. pap. $14. REL
Jahan, Neyma. The Celestial Dragon I Ching: A Unique Version of the Chinese Oracle for Making Decisions and Discovering Your Destiny. Watkins. 2012. 287p. ISBN 9781780283753. $14.95. REL
Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ. Llewellyn.2012. 364p. ed. by Mark Townsend. ISBN 9780738721910. pap. $19.95; ISBN ebk. 9780738731650. REL
Mandela, Nelson. Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom. Atria: S. & S. 2012. 208p. ISBN 9781451675399. $20; ebk. ISBN 9781451675412. REL
Nhat Hanh, Thich. Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm. HarperOne. 2012. 176p. ISBN 9780062004727. $25.99; ISBN ebk. 9780062123817. REL
Smith, Noble. The Wisdom of the Shire: A Short Guide to a Long and Happy Life. Thomas Dunne: St. Martin’s. 2012. 224p. ISBN 9781250025562. $22.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250026415. REL
Williams, Rowan. The Lion’s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia. Oxford Univ. Mar. 2013. 168p. bibliog. ISBN 9780199975730. $16.95. REL
Williamson, Marianne. The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money, and Miracles. HarperOne. 2012. 188p. ISBN 9780062205414. $23.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062205438. REL
LJ Reviews Social Club