Spirituality and Religion
September 2020

Recent Releases
Demystifying Shariah: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It's Not Taking Over Our Country
by Sumbul Ali-Karamali

What it's about: clearing up common misconceptions about shariah, with an accessible tour through the basic precepts and the role it plays in modern Muslim life.

Read it for: the author's incisive observations, which are delivered in an engaging and compassionate tone.

Did you know? In English, the literal translation of the word "shariah" is "the way."
Making Sense : Conversations on Consciousness, Morality, and the Future of Humanity
by Sam Harris

The best-selling neuroscientist and author of The End of Faith shares transcripts of 12 top-selected conversations from his controversial podcast to explore such topics as the nature of consciousness, free will, political extremism and ethical living.
Saving God from Religion : A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age
by Robin R. Meyers

A revelatory manifesto on how we can reclaim faith from abstract doctrines and rigid morals to find God in the joys and ambiguities of everyday life, from the acclaimed author of Saving Jesus from the Church.
The Socrates express : in search of life lessons from dead philosophers
by Eric Weiner

The New York Times best-selling author of The Geography of Bliss follows in the footsteps of history’s greatest thinkers and shows us how each—from Epicurus to Gandhi, Thoreau to Beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today’s unsettled times. 100,000 first printing
Buddhist Thought
An Appeal to the World: the Way to Peace in a Time of Division
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Franz Alt

What it is: a concise, inspiring contemplation of some of the most important-yet-contentious issues dividing people today, from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders.

Why you should read it: The co-author, German journalist Franz Alt, first began covering the Dalai Lama 35 years ago, and in that time has developed a unique rapport with His Holiness that makes reflecting on weighty ethical topics feel a bit more accessible. 
The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now
by Thích Nhất Hạnh

What it is: an inspiring and thought-provoking guide to mindful living from one of the world's foremost Buddhist figures, peace activist and monk Thich Nhat Hanh.

Why you should read it: With new books about mindfulness published every day that increasingly remove meditation from its traditional context, The Art of Living is refreshingly grounded in Buddhist thought and practice.
A Call for Revolution: A Vision for the Future
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sofia Stril-Rever 

What it is: a thoughtful, impassioned appeal from His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, urging readers to improve the world around them through compassion and an understanding of the ways in which all living things are interconnected.

Why you might like it: The writing is persuasive but concise, making for an approachable introduction to the Dalai Lama's teachings.

Who it's for: Although readers of all ages will find wisdom here, this book is primarily targeted at the young people who will inherit the consequences of climate change and increasing inequality.
Contact your librarian for more great books!


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