Book reviews in 2024

A fine, hard-hitting series of messages on 1 Corinthians from the founder of the Message Trust

'A useful, well-researched tool for those who want to know more about how the carols we sing came about - but would have benefitted from some illustrations'

A Landscape of Grief by Jenny Hawke

Moving and beautiful book in which the author shares her own journey following her husband's diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease and subsequent death; written for those who are grieving

A Manifesto for Hope by Steve Chalke

Passionate and practical, Chalke explores principles for transforming the lives of children, young people, and their families

A Year with Michael Green, edited by Stephen Poxon

Stimulating and recommended daily devotional anchored in the saving purpose of God through Jesus to develop prayerful reflection and quiet thought

Activating the Voice of God in Your Home by Matt Holman

'Great resource for families and those who lead children and youth ministries; full of practical suggestions for activating the voice of God'

Beyond Belief - a former fundamentalist examines the case for God

'To read this book and take in what it says might actually turn out to be, for some, a faith-building rather than a faith-undermining exercise'

Beyond Christian Zionism by Ian Stackhouse

'Offers a thoughtful, nuanced approach to a highly contentious issue, challenging readers to move beyond binary thinking and engage with the complexities of the situation'

Breathers of an Ampler Day by Ian Bradley

Explores 19th century shifts in thinking about heaven, hell and the afterlife, in the belief they may help us in our conversations about dying today

Celtic Rhythms of Life - Daily prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda

An excellent resource to create a daily rhythm of prayer

Clever Cub and the Case of the Worries by Bob Hartman

'One is a good, age-appropriate and attractive for young children about worrying; the other is somewhat problematic because it uses the complex story Esther to guard against lying'

Clever Cub Forgives a Friend, and Invites Someone New, by Bob Hartman

Latest titles in series which takes the world of the child seriously and then tries to choose appropriate stories from the Bible to address their experiences - relevant and readable

Deepening your walk with Jesus

John Mark Comer's new book is “a summary and synthesis of ancient Christian orthodoxy” for a 21st-century audience, which works hard to make following Jesus practical and accessible in our modern day, writes Chris Goswami

Do Not Be Afraid, by Rachel Mann

'In this Advent book Mann writes with a simplicity that conveys a depth of wisdom both scriptural and theological, and which is related to the ordinary things of everyday life'

Field Notes for the Wilderness by Sarah Bessey

A good guide book for those feeling stuck in their wilderness and seeking the way out

Friend of God: The inspiration of Abraham in an age of doubt by John C. Lennox

'An excellent, deep read, which is more than just a Bible study'

Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times, by Elizabeth Oldfield

'A luminous recontextualisation of the seven deadly sins', written for those in the contemporary world who are looking for meaning and haven’t yet found it

God Never Gives up on you by Max Lucado

If you like Max Lucado’s style, you will enjoy this book tracking the life of Jacob – if he is unfamiliar to you, it is a good place to start

God’s Not Like That by Bryan Clark

Clark writes about how families influence views of God and contains much common sense - but does not address non traditional family situations in any depth

Here is Love by Paul Beasley Murray

Paul Beasley-Murray deals with preaching love and marriage; the bulk of the book, and its richness, consists of sermons emphasising the importance of scriptural preaching at weddings

Heroes or Villains by Jeannie Kendall

'A gem of a book, thoughtfully and insightfully exploring the qualities we share with Bible characters'

Hold On, Let Go by Malcolm Doney and Martin Wroe

'Sometimes I have longed for a book of readings that is different and yet fits into where I am, giving me perspectives on faith from another angle, relevant to life today, and how God fits in - and this is one'

Holding Onto Hope by Amy Boucher Pye and Leo Boucher

A 'delightful' and 'beautiful' 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through short reflections and accompanying art

How to be (un)successful by Pete Portal

'Insightful, positive and practical, exploring the idolatry of success'

How to Build the Church of the Future, edited by Ruth Wilde

A collection of essays which offer a unique account of what an inclusive church is, why it matters, and where it is going

Island in the Sun: Growing Up in Jamaica 1948-1954 by Monica Carly

'Fascinating account by the daughter of a Baptist minister invited to lead a theological college in Jamaica when she was a teenager'

Jesus and the Powers by Tom Wright and Michael F. Bird

Rather than telling Christians how to vote, the authors focus on the relationship of God’s Kingdom to the powers that govern different countries and to democracy

Lent with the Beloved Disciple by Michael Marshall

'A helpful book for the Lent season, enabling us to look afresh at the events which lie at the heart of our faith'

Letting Photos Speak: Visio Divina and Other Approaches to Contemplative Photography

'The simple but profound definitions and practical examples and exercises make this an accessible book – in this sense everyone can be a contemplative photographer'

Listening for God in Torah and Creation by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Wittenberg's engaging insights to the Torah; his wisdom and humanity are of benefit to those of us who are not Jews

Living Well with God by Jo Acharya

'An excellent and much needed volume for those with learning/conceptual difficulties - an often neglected yet very important section of our congregations'

Loving My Neighbour, edited by Olivia Warburton

Much to stimulate reflection and action in this seven week devotional featuring different writers

Lydia by Paula Gooder

'Thoroughly recommended, not just as a historical novel, but also as a useful reference book kept close to the regularly-used commentaries'

Mind Fuel for Young Explorers, by Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart

'A brilliant tool to aid our young people as they navigate our changing modern world, non-preachy yet shot through with Christian wisdom'

Mindful Formation by Shaun Lambert

'Blends academic, practical, and devotional content seamlessly - a modern spiritual classic'

My Big Story Bible by Tom Wright

'Wright is retelling the stories in an accessible way in something closer to the whole Bible, with his inclusions of the books of the prophets and the New Testament letters'

P is for Pilgrim, by Stephen Cottrell

A simply written, evangelistic book for young and old from the Archbishop of York - but very Anglican

Pastoral Care in Practice by Michael Hopkins

'An excellent guide to pastoral care - should stimulate both the deepening of the church’s fellowship and enhance corporate and individual evangelism'

Poverty, Riches and Wealth by Kris Vallotton

A book which makes you think with sections you might disagree with - but the golden thread that you are wealthy in proportion to your generosity, not according to your riches - is an excellent, Biblical principle

Psalms and Songs of Solace by Martyn Percy

'Aims to serve, to enable, to strengthen and to bless those who use it as a resource' through a focus on the Psalms

Say Goodbye to Anxiety by Elle Limbear and Jane Kirby

Sets out a pattern for dealing with our anxiety spiritually through our walking with Christ, and methodically by keeping to the practice of journaling

Slow Wisdom by Ruth Moriarty

'If taken on board, it should see the church meeting becoming more of what it should be: a dynamic, prayerful, joyful space of listening to God as we listen to one another'

Swansong by Jo-Anne Berthelsen

'This book certainly challenges us, but also encourages us that our words have real power to transform the lives of others'

The Contemporary Woman by Michelle Guinness

This reflection on womanhood has some fine moments but is ultimately a mixed offering

The DNA of Healthy Discipleship by Dave Criddle

'Accessible, rich in insights and practical wisdom, this is a book for anyone who is serious about following Jesus and helping others to do the same – and just wants to get on with the job'

The Hardest Problem: God, Evil and Suffering by Rupert Shortt

'Not only helpful to Christians but worth passing on to thoughtful unbelievers who find the problem of evil and suffering an obstacle to belief'

The Martyr and the Red Kimono by Naoko Abe

'I am personally very grateful to Noako Abe for this outstanding piece of work... Through her assiduous research she has retrieved the whole of Maximilian Kolbe’s life story'

The Power of Ideas by Jonathan Sachs

A compendium of Sachs' writings over a period of years; readable and full of wisdom, encouraging the reader to think and pray

Unforgiveable? by Stephen Cherry

'Explores forgiving and forgivability in the aftermath of serious, traumatic and life-changing harm. An important book, which deserves serious study'

What’s Up, by Joanna Adeyinka-Burford

Recommended devotional book for Key Stage 2 children who have some knowledge of Christianity, created by someone with a strong understanding of the world of the child

Wild Goose big book of liturgies and resources 3: Bread of hope

'You will find resources here for situations which are not often signalled in the collections favoured by most Baptists'

Wounded I Sing: From Advent to Christmas with George Herbert, by Richard Harries

Devotional reading helps us avoid the too-soon collapsing of Advent into mere preparations for Christmas - and here Harries demonstrates how George Herbert is our most significant observer of the spiritual life through poetry

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