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Spirituality and Religion July 2019
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| Cosmological Koans: a Journey to the Heart of Physical Reality by Anthony AguirreWhat it is: an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of complex, foundational questions about life and the universe, using both physics and Zen Buddhism.
Topics meditated over: scientific knowledge of something versus individual experience with it; the existence of time; what separates one being or substance from another.
About the author: Anthony Aguirre is a professor of physics and cosmology at UC Santa Cruz and a co-founder of the Future of Life Institute. |
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| God's Favorites: Judaism, Christianity, and the Myth of Divine Chosenness by Michael CooganWhat it's about: the concept of a "chosen people" and the multitude of dangers of religious chauvinism.
Read it for: its persuasive use of biblical text analysis and the author's impartial tone.
About the author: Michael Coogan teaches at Harvard Divinity School and has written the other concise religious histories The Ten Commandments and God and Sex. |
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| American Spirit: Profiles in Resilience, Courage, and Faith by Taya Kyle and Jim DeFeliceWhat it's about: the inspiring stories of a diverse group of people who managed to bounce back in the face of adversity; how difficult times can spur a person's personal and spiritual growth.
You might also like: Unbreakable by Thom Shea, or You Will Not Have My Hate by Antoine Leiris.
About the author: Taya Kyle is best known as the widow of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, and previously published her own memoir called American Wife. |
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| Sacred Liberty: America's Long, Bloody, and Ongoing Struggle for Religious Freedom by Steven WaldmanWhat it is: a well-researched and accessible overview of the state of religious freedom in America, past and present.
Topics include: faith and the Founders; religion and slavery; the rise of Mormonism; and landmark Supreme Court cases.
Don't miss: the timely discussion of what challenges the separation between church and state continues to face today. |
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Letters to the Church
by Francis Chan
What it's about: The author reflects on his personal failures and dreams, shares stories of God using ordinary people to change the world, and reminds readers of the power and glory the Church once had.
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Be Happyby His Holiness the Dalai LamaWhat it's about: Breaks down what it means to be happy, explaining that how one experiences the world impacts one's happiness, and counsels readers to take responsibility for their thoughts and actions and, in turn, their happiness
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Books You Might Have Missed
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| Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel BurgerWhat it's about: Orthodox rabbi Ariel Burger's experiences with Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, first as a student and later as a colleague and friend.
Read it for: Burger's palpable esteem for Wiesel and reflections on Wiesel's unique teaching methods.
You might also like: Four Men Shaking by Lawrence Shainberg, which recounts his journey with noted Zen teacher Kyudo Nakagawa. |
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| Aristotle's Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life by Edith HallWhat it is: an upbeat and thought-provoking look at Aristotle's perspectives on life, family, morality, responsibility, and one's place in the world.
Why you should read it: The medieval "rediscovery" and subsequent translations of Aristotle's writings into Arabic and later, from Arabic to Latin, had an incalculable effect on both Islam and Christianity and their development.
When in Rome (or Greece): Given the time period in which he lived, it's not surprising that Aristotle's views on women and slavery are outmoded, but author Edith Hall isn't shy about including them for full context. |
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| The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World by Anthony McCartenWhat it is: a high-drama chronicle of the events leading up to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation and the choice of his unlikely successor, Pope Francis.
Media buzz: A film adaptation is in the works with Jonathan Pryce and Sir Anthony Hopkins slated to star.
Did you know? In 1943, Pope Pius XII prepared resignation documents that would immediately remove him from office if a Nazi plot to kidnap him came to fruition. |
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| No Happy Endings by Nora McInernyWhat it's about: the author's experiences with rebuilding her life after the death of her husband, with insights about feminism and religion and the expectations behind the word "widow."
Read it for: the moving and reflective tone, which is punctuated (but not undermined) by moments of humor and joy.
About the author: Nora McInerny hosts the podcast Terrible, Thanks For Asking and has previously published It's Okay To Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) and The Hot Young Widows Club. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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