Culpeper County Library271 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper, Virginia 22701 | 540-825-8691https://www.cclva.org
Spirituality and Religion
 
March 2026

Recent Releases
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a...
by Kat Armas

Drawing on theology, history, and lived experience, this book examines how dominant cultural and religious systems (which the author labels “empire”) shape our imaginations and our sense of belonging. Highlighting early Christian communities that pushed back against oppressive narratives, it invites readers to envision faith rooted in liberation, mutual care, and human dignity. For another perspective on how culturally embedded ideas impact faith, consider Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez.
Are You There, Spirit? It's Me, Travis: Life Lessons from the Other Side
by Travis Holp

Travis Holp shares his journey toward self acceptance and spiritual connection, weaving insights from his work as a medium together with client stories. Warm and hopeful, this memoir reflects on grief, intuition, and the unexpected moments in which we sense something larger at work in our lives.
Seeing Into the Life of Things: Imagination and the Sacred Encounter
by Rodger Kamenetz

Rodger Kamenetz reflects on the spiritual and emotional power of dreams and images, drawing on Jewish and Buddhist wisdom as well as decades of contemplative practice. Through gentle storytelling and practical exercises, he invites readers to cultivate imagination as a pathway to healing and growth.
Light for the Way: Seeking Simplicity, Connection, and Repair in a Broken World by null
Light for the Way: Seeking Simplicity, Connection, and Repair in a Broken World
by Rose Marie Berger

A powerful, yet meditative collection of pieces from the last fifty years of Sojourners magazine, exploring how contemplative practices, rest, simplicity, environmental engagement, and communal care are essential for sustaining our resistance and repairing our world.
A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness by Michael Pollan
A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness
by Michael Pollan

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2026 by The New York Times, TIME, and Oprah Daily From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, a panoptic exploration of consciousness--what it is, who has it, and why--and a meditation on the essence of our humanity When it comes to the phenomenon that is consciousness, there is one point on which scientists, philosophers, and artists all agree: it feels like something to be us. Yet the fact that we have subjective experience of the world remains one of nature's greatest mysteries. How is it that our mental operations are accompanied by feelings, thoughts, and a sense of self? What would a scientific investigation of our inner life look like, when we have as little distance and perspective on it as fish do of the sea? In A World Appears, Michael Pollan traces the unmapped continent that is consciousness, bringing radically different perspectives--scientific, philosophical, literary, spiritual and psychedelic--to see what each can teach us about this central fact of life. When neuroscientists began studying consciousness in the early 1990s, they sought to explain how and why three pounds of spongy gray matter could generate a subjective point of view--assuming that the brain is the source of our perceived reality. Pollan takes us to the cutting edge of the field, where scientists are entertaining more radical (and less materialist) theories of consciousness. He introduces us to plant neurobiologists searching for the first flicker of consciousness in plants, scientists striving to engineer feelings into AI, and psychologists and novelists seeking to capture the felt experience of our slippery stream of consciousness. In Pollan's dazzling exploration of consciousness, he discovers a world far deeper and stranger than our everyday reality. Eye-opening and mind-expanding, A World Appears takes us into the laboratories of our own minds, ultimately showing us how we might make better use of the gift of awareness to more meaningfully connect with the world and our deepest selves.
Astro Herbalism: Holistic Wellness and Self-Discovery Through Herbalism and Astrology by Jessica Rosset
Astro Herbalism: Holistic Wellness and Self-Discovery Through Herbalism and Astrology
by Jessica Rosset

Explore the relationships between celestial bodies, astrological signs, and herbal remedies to embark on a journey self-discovery and holistic wellness. Astrology provides us with a roadmap of the soul, illuminating our individual strengths, challenges, and potential for growth. Herbalism invites us to commune with the plant kingdom to nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits. By combining these disciplines, we gain a deeper understanding of the role we play within the cosmic web of existence. Learn about the unique qualities of each celestial body and corresponding astrological signs--from the radiant energy of the Sun to the transformative depths of Pluto--and uncover the ways they shape our inner psyche and outer experiences. Discover the therapeutic properties of plants aligned with each celestial body and learn how to use them to restore balance and enhance mental and physical well-being. With illuminating insights and expert guidance, Astro Herbalism blends ancient wisdom with contemporary practices to create a practical tool for self-care.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Culpeper County Library271 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper, Virginia 22701 | 540-825-8691https://www.cclva.org