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Spirituality and Religion March 2025 |
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| Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life by Agnes CallardModern society often overlooks life's crucial questions, focusing instead on social conformity and day-to-day concerns (such as where to eat dinner or what to buy next). Agnes Callard urges readers to consider the Socratic method, where inquiry and questioning are vital to authentic understanding. She views truth-seeking as a uniquely human and social activity, encouraging dialogue with one another to explore life's mysteries together. |
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| Reading Arendt in the Waiting Room: A Philosophy Primer for an Anxious Age by Jonathan FoilesAs personal and communal dread become increasingly common and anxiety seems to define the modern era, psychotherapist Jonathan Foiles identifies "apocalyptic" anxiety as the fear of the world's end. He finds philosophy more effective than therapy in mitigating this angst, penning a thoughtful primer that will to individuals troubled by societal issues. |
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| I Want You to Be Happy: Finding Peace and Abundance in Everyday Life by FrancisCatholic readers especially will take comfort in Pope Francis’s grounded and humble suggestions for finding happiness in life. The short chapters distill his message into bite-sized readings, making this book perfect for daily reflection while reminding readers to keep God and serving others as the focus of their lives. |
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| We Will Rest! The Art of Escape by Tricia HerseyBuilding on her 2022 Rest Is Resistance manifesto, Tricia Hersey invites readers to embrace rest as a healing practice amidst the pressures of constant productivity. As an artist and theologian, she presents a beautifully designed book featuring art and poetry from Black creatives, drawing inspiration and wisdom from African American history. |
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| Aflame: Learning from Silence by Pico IyerExtolling the virtues of silence and meditation, author and traveler Pico Iyer shares insights from his regular visits -- spanning three decades -- to a Benedictine monastery in California. Part personal reflection, part philosophical musing, his observations reveal how a contemplative life can better equip us to deal with the modern age. |
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| Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know by Mark LillaCuriosity is a key characteristic of being human, and yet we sometimes desire to remain unilluminated. This conflicting desire -- both to know and not to know -- has deep psychological roots, which this treatise explores in a discursive, thought-provoking style. Spanning centuries of literature and philosophy, readers are invited to shine a light on their own motivations when it comes to seeking understanding. |
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| Religion Is Not Done With You: Or, The Hidden Power of Religion on Race, Maps, Bodies ... by Megan Goodwin and Ilyse Morgenstein FuerstReligion shapes our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. This guide challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about religion, highlighting its impact on everything from personal autonomy and social norms to government policies. The authors -- hosts of the Keeping It 101 podcast -- provide a candid and engaging introduction to the pervasiveness of religious ideology in modern American life. |
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| The Food and Feasts of the Apostle Paul: Inside the Early Church -- With Menus and Recipes by Douglas E. NeelThis book explores the early Christian church through its food, revealing diverse communities and their cultures. Each chapter introduces a different community Paul visited, highlighting key foods and offering recipes. It helps readers understand early Christian worship, culture, and conflicts, enhancing their grasp of Jesus, Paul, and early Christian teachings. |
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| Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion Into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom by Barbara RhodesThis collection of essays teaches the Korean Zen practice of "don't-know mind," helping readers cultivate clarity, improve intuition, and gain wisdom. Offering practical guidance for meditation and daily life, Barbara Rhodes -- a founder of The Kwan Um School of Zen –- provides an accessible framework for spiritual seekers to increase their self-knowledge. |
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| Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church by Philip ShenonWhen Pope John XXIII was elected in 1958, he launched the Second Vatican Council to modernize the Church. Former New York Times reporter Philip Shenon explores issues such as celibacy, birth control, and women's roles, most notably diving deep into the church’s sex abuse scandals, offering a vivid and highly critical history of the modern Church and its leaders.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Desmond-Fish Public Library
472 Route 403 (Corner of Rte 9D), Garrison, New York 10524 (845) 424-3020
desmondfishlibrary.org
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