Spirituality and Religion July 2019 Recent Releases American Spirit: Profiles in Resilience, Courage, and Faith by Taya Kyle and Jim DeFelice What 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. Life is God's best gift : wisdom from the ancestors on finding peace and joy in today's world by Sam Chege A collection of African proverbs that illuminate the secret to peace and joy--Provided by publisher Making magic : weaving together the everyday and the extraordinary by Briana Saussy Offers rituals and ceremonies for bringing magic into everyday life, using simple materials and techniques to call forth blessings and foster restoration Anointed with oil : how Christianity and crude made modern America by Darren Dochuk The award-winning author of From Bible Belt to Sunbelt explores how the parallel pursuits of Christian evangelism and petroleum interests fueled America's rise to global power and shaped many of today's political challenges. 40,000 first printing Breakthrough : the miraculous story of a mother's faith and her child's resurrection by Joyce Smith The author describes how, after her fourteen-year-old son fell through the ice and was lifeless for more than sixty minutes, she pleaded with God to return the boy to Earth and his heart began to beat again What's Next? : The Journey to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference by Chris Hodges "A deeper and more intimate relationship with God is closer than you think. Have you ever felt as if something were missing from your life? Are you longing for a clearer sense of purpose? Do you feel stuck in a spiritual rut? In What's Next?, bestselling author Chris Hodges offers a practical guide to all those looking for clarity and direction and reveals the four steps to spiritual maturity: know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference. He demonstrates how each step is part of both a linear path and a cycle leading to deeper levels of faith. Accessible and clear, concise and profound, no matter where you are in your journey, What's Next? is the guide you need to find your way and discover the joy that comes walking the road of richer faith" Called to forgive : the Charleston church shooting, a victim's husband, and the path to healing and peace by Anthony B. Thompson In this thought-provoking account of how forgiveness can affect our lives, communities and even our nation, the author, whose wife was murdered during the Charleston church shooting, shares how and why he made the radical choice to forgive the killer. Original. Books You Might Have Missed Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel Burger What 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. Aristotle's Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life by Edith Hall What 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. Antisemitism: Here and Now by Deborah E. Lipstadt What it's about: Sobering and well-researched, this examination of the possible origins of antisemitism also discusses the forces that have allowed it to continue into modern times. Read it for: the epistolary format, which gives a difficult topic a unique intimacy; the evaluation of the unique ways antisemitism mutated when it arrived in America. About the author: Award-winning scholar Deborah E. Lipstadt's other books include The Eichmann Trial and Denying the Holocaust. The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World by Anthony McCarten What 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. No Happy Endings by Nora McInerny What 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. Contact your librarian for more great books! Patchogue-Medford Library 54-60 East Main Street Patchogue, New York 11772 (631) 654-4700 www.pmlib.org/