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The floating world
by Axie Oh
"An amnesiac sword-for-hire and a village girl with a strange magical power become entangled in worlds-altering events, and each other's destinies"
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Aflame : learning from silence
by Pico Iyer
From the best-selling author of The Art of Stillness comes an exploration of the abiding clarity and calm to be found in quiet retreat.
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Being Jewish after the destruction of Gaza : a reckoning
by Peter Beinart
"In Peter Beinart's view, one story has long dominated Jewish communal life: that of persecution and victimhood. It is a story that erases much of the nuance of sacred Jewish tradition and history, and also warps our understanding of modern history. After Gaza, where Jewish texts, history, and language have been deployed to justify mass slaughter and starvation, he argues, Jews must tell a new story. After this war, whose horror will echo for generations, they must do nothing less than offer a new answerto the question: What does it mean to be a Jew? Beinart imagines an alternate story that would draw on other nations' efforts at moral reconstruction and a different reading of Jewish history. A story in which Jews have the right to equality, not supremacy, and in which Jewish and Palestinian safety are not mutually exclusive but intertwined. One in which we inhabit a world that recognizes the infinite value of all human life, beginning in the Gaza Strip. Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza is a provocative and fearless argument that will expand and inform one of the defining conversations of our time. It is a book that only Peter Beinart could write: a passionate yet measured work that brings together his personal experience, his commanding graspof history, his keen understanding of political and moral nuance, and a clear vision for the future"
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The house of my mother : a daughter's quest for freedom by Shari FrankeExposes the hidden abuse the author endured from her mother, Ruby Franke, behind the scenes of the popular 8 Passengers YouTube channel, detailing Ruby's strict control, influence from relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt, and Shari's path to healing after her mother's 2023 arrest for child abuse |
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The hidden peace : finding true security, strength, and confidence through humility by Joel MuddamalleThe peace we long for begins with coming to the end of ourselves. There are inescapable aspects of life we are all marked by. We have less control than we want, more anxiety than we're comfortable with and just enough insecurity to continually remind us of our shortcomings. To experience these things is to be human. We aren't superheroes and invincibility isn't an option. But humility is. Whether we've incorrectly defined it or underestimated its relevance to our daily life, humility is the missing piecefor the security, strength and confidence we all want. It's time to stop trying so hard to avoid our limitations or overcompensate for them. God has better for us and it begins with bowing low in humility. With relatable stories, practical wisdom and biblical theology broken down into digestible takeaways, The Hidden Peace by Dr. Joel Muddamalle will help you: Overcome the fear of being "found out" or looking like a fraud by realizing God's intent for shortcomings and weaknesses; Walk through hurtful situations in the most God-honoring way by gaining a true understanding of biblical humility; Answer the question "why do bad things happen to good people?" by learning a perspective shift that will change how you process suffering; Know confidently that you're living with purpose and being used by God through seven ways to practically live like Him today; Be led by the biblical definition of self-awareness so you can experience the unexpected ways it brings safety and security to your life; Stop believing the lie that theology is out of touch or too difficult to comprehend as Joel shows you how to dig into scripture and study it yourself. Weakness is not your enemy. Planted in the soil of humility, weakness becomes a means to gaining more strength and more peace.  |
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Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality : Insights by Kunal Deshpande"Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality: Insights" explores the profound influence beliefs hold on our inner world. We embark on a captivating journey into the connections between faith, mind, and well-being. Our book delves into the rich history of psychology and religion, examining how these fields collaborate. Readers will explore: The diverse landscape of faith traditions: Discover how beliefs from monotheistic religions, Eastern philosophies, indigenous spiritualities, and non-religious forms shape individual lives and societies. The power of practices and rituals: Explore the impact of rituals like prayer, meditation, religious observances, and sacred music on emotional well-being and belonging. Navigating life's profound questions: Delve into how religious and spiritual traditions offer solace and purpose in the face of mortality, suffering, and life's challenges. The complexities of faith and mental health: Examine the benefits and challenges associated with religious belief and its relationship with mental health. The evolving landscape of religion: Explore the future of religion amid secularism, globalization, and technological influence. Whether you're a seasoned scholar, a curious individual, or someone exploring your own belief system, "Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality: Insights" offers invaluable knowledge and thought-provoking exploration. |
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Shamanism : the timeless religion
by Manvir Singh
"From a brilliant, young Harvard-trained anthropologist and contributor to the New Yorker comes a fascinating investigation into the spiritual practice of shamanism from its history through to the present day, for readers disaffected with organized religion who seek a more personal approach to spirituality. "Shamanism" is broadly defined as a religious practice of spiritual transformation wherein a specialist uses initiations, drug-induced altered states, and deprivation to heal, divine, and otherwise tame life's uncertainties. A centuries-old phenomenon, is shamanism a reservoir of ancient knowledge, an embodiment of our once-true spirituality and connection to nature, or is it a relic of a backwards era, mere "superstitious savagery" produced by craftyshowmen to exploit naèive credulity? Informed by the latest developments in cognitive science, evolutionary biology and anthropology--and relying on field research in remote Indonesia, the Amazon and the South Pacific--Manvir Singh holds a magnifying glass to the practice of shamanism, examining its long history, its pitfalls, and its potential benefits to today's society. At its core, this is a book about about faith and healing and the universal hunger for god. Shamanism is a deep dive into archaic wisdom that feels uniquely relevant in a moment of specious modern religiosity"
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The Bible says so : what we get right (and wrong) about scripture's most controversial issues
by Daniel O. McClellan
"Bible scholar and popular TikToker Dan McClellan confronts misconceptions about the Bible. The Bible is the world's most influential book, but do we really know what it says? Every day across social media and in homes, businesses, and public spaces, people try to cut debate short by claiming that "the Bible says so!" However, they commonly disagree about what it actually does and doesn't say, particularly when it comes to socially significant issues. For instance, does the Bible say we should be on the lookout for an antichrist associated with the number 666? Does it say women shouldn't wear revealing clothing? Does it say it's okay to hit your kids? In The Bible Say So, Dan McClellan leverages his popular "data over dogma" approach, and his years of experience in the academy and on social media, to lay out in clear and accessible ways what the data indicate the Bible does and doesn't say about issues ranging from homosexuality, abortion, and slavery to monotheism, inspiration, and even God's wife. Smart, accessible, and informative, The Bible Says So is an invaluable resource for our fractious times"
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Good soil / : The Education of an Accidental Farmhand
by Jeff Chu
"In his late thirties, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer and enrolled at Princeton Seminary's "Farminary," a 21-acre farm where students learn to work the earth while interrogating life's biggest questions. Now he unfolds what he learned about creating good soil-both literally and figuratively-drawing lessons from the chickens, goats, and zinnias and the rhythms of growth, decay, and regeneration that define life on the land. In a series of reflections, Chu introduces us to the cast of characters, human and not, who became his teachers. From the egrets that visited the pond, to the worms that turned waste into fertile soil, to the Chinese long beans that got passed over in the farm's CSA, Chu considers our relationship with the food on our plates, the belonging we seek, and the significance of his own roots, discovering what the earth is trying to tell us, if we'll stop and listen. In gorgeous, transporting prose, Good Soil helps readers connect to the land and to each other at a time when we are drawn most to the phones in our hands. For nature lovers, foodies, and anyone who has daydreamed about a more meaningful life, this book is a tribute to friendship, acceptance, spirituality, and how love can grow from the unlikeliest of places"
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Turning to birds : a memoir in essays
by Lili Taylor
"Most people don't really know birds-or rather, they aren't aware of them. Lili Taylor used to be one of those people. She knew birds existed. She thought about them, maybe even more than the average person. But she didn't know them. And then something happened. During a break from her work as an actor, Lili sought silence and instead found the bustling, symphonic world of birds that had always existed around her. Since then, she has kept a keen eye pressed to her binoculars in search of vivid stories that elevate the everyday, if only one pays attention. Through a series of beautifully crafted essays, Taylor shares her intimate encounters with the birds that have captured her heart and imagination-from tracking flitting Zorros through oak trees to spotting majestic Blue Jays perched on a Manhattan fire escape; from the exhilaration of chasing a migratory flock up the Empire State Building to the quiet joy of observing a nest of hatchlings in her own backyard. Through simply paying attention to birds, Lili has been shown a parallel world that is wider and deeper, one of constant change and movement, full of life and the will to survive. This book is part-memoir, part-love letter to the beauty and resilience of the natural world--a reminder of the profound connections that exist between all living things. Taylor's lyrical prose and thoughtful meditations on both the art we make and the art we discover around us create a sense of intimacy and wonder, inviting readers to see the world through new eyes and to find joy in the most unexpected places"
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Conclave
"Follows one of the world's most secretive and ancient events--selecting a new pope. The Church's most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world, locked together in the Vatican halls. Tasked with running this covert process, Cardinal Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church"--
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Kinds of kindness
"Follows a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life, a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person, and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader"--
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Between the temples
"A grief-stricken cantor in a crisis of faith finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as his new adult Bat Mitzvah student. The two forlorn souls develop a special connection"--
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Animalia Itto, a young woman from a modest rural background, is slowly adapting to her husband's privileged lifestyle. When he leaves on a business trip, she is happy to have time to spend alone. However, mysterious, severe weather leads to bizarre supernatural events that cause Itto to be separated from her home and family. As the pregnant woman struggles to reconnect with her husband, she unexpectedly finds emancipation and the possibility of inner peace in a new world order.
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Dead man walkingSister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon), a New Orleans nun, is the spiritual advisor to Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), a vicious and complex murderer awaiting execution. Her dedication is to help others, like Matthew, find salvation. But as she attempts to navigate Matthew's dark soul, she encounters a depth of evil that makes her question how far redemption can really go. Inspired by a true story, this provocative film earned Sarandon the 1995 Oscar® for Best Actress. |
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MedusaFollows a young woman named Mari, who is part of a group of girls who perform songs in church about purity and perfection but roam the streets at night as masked vigilantes assaulting women they deem impure, as she finds her views beginning to change after her face is scarred during one of those attacks |
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What rhymes with reason"Tragedy ignites a group of teens to find a legendary landmark hidden in the wilderness. Together, they navigate the adventure while confronting the darkness within themselves"-- |
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White Savior: Racism in the American ChurchBased on interviews and current research, the documentary film White Savior explores the historic relationship between racism and American Christianity, the ongoing segregation of the church in the US, and the complexities of racial reconciliation.
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Boy and the heron
"After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family's estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events leads him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito's new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world and the truth about himself"--
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