Going Christmas shopping for a book lover? Before you head off, join us as we cast our minds back over the new books that Reform writers loved most in 2015

 

A Lot Like Eve: Fashion, faith and fig-Leaves: A memoir
Joanna Jepson
Bloomsbury, £12.99 (available from www.urcshop.co.uk)
ISBN: 9781472913173

An account of growing up with a disfiguring condition. We said: “A beautifully-written memoir of… finding her real self and the real God.”

 

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Psalms Redux: Poems and prayers
Carla Grosch-Miller
Canterbury Press, £10.99 (available from www.urcshop.co.uk)
ISBN: 9781848256392

A reworking and restoration of the Psalms for today’s world. We said: “This book uplifted my soul.”

 

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America’s Pastor: Billy Graham and the shaping of a nation
Grant Wacker
Belknap Press, £20 (hardback)
ISBN: 9780674052185

A biography of the great evangelist. We said: “A fascinating book which is hard
to put down. Beautifully written, with humour and compassion as well as critical rigour.”

 

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Convictions: A manifesto for progressive Christians
Marcus Borg
SPCK, £12.99
ISBN: 9780281073115

The theologian’s last book, and a summing up of his faith. We said: “A brilliant gift for an enquiring lay person who wants to explore for themselves how biblical truth relates to today’s world.”

 

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In the Shelter: Finding a home in the world
Pádraig Ó Tuama
Hodder and Stoughton, £9.99
ISBN: 9781444791723

Reflections, poems and true stories from a professional conciliator. We said: “Wonderful book… an inspiring guide to the kind of conversations that bring peace and understanding between people”.

 

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Lila
Marilynne Robinson
Virago Press, £16.99 (hardback)
ISBN: 9781844088829

The sequel to Robinson’s celebrated novels Gilead and Home. We said:
“beautifully written… a powerful story of personal transformation”.

 

 

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Together for the Common Good: Towards a national conversation
Edited by Nicholas Sagovsky and Peter McGrail
SCM Press, £25
ISBN: 9780334053248

Thirteen essays on a key area of political and social policy. We said: “A stimulating start to a national conversation that needs to be had – and is sadly not taking place during this election campaign”.

 

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Those Who Show Up
Andy Flannagan
Muddy Pearl, £9.99
ISBN: 9781910012192

A call for Christians to engage with politics. We said: “Thought provoking, engaging and stimulating”.

 

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Voices from the Hospice: Staying with life through suffering and waiting
Bob Whorton
SCM Press, £16.99
ISBN: 9780334054269

Reflections on ministry with dying people. We said: “I would welcome this man as a pastor. Here is wisdom to trust.”

 

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Refuel: How to balance work, life, faith and church – without burning out
Kate Middleton
Darton, Longman and Todd, £9.99
ISBN: 9780232531602

Help for the busy Christian. We said: “A practical, accessible overview of an important topic that we
ignore at our peril… Enjoy!”

 

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Not in God’s Name: Confronting religious violence
Jonathan Sacks
Hodder & Stoughton, £20 (hardback)
ISBN: 9781473616516

The former Chief Rabbi examines the relationship between faith and violence. We said: “Compelling
reading… extraordinarily engaging and accessible.”

 

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Hospitality and Islam: Welcoming in God’s Name
Mona Siddiqui
Yale University Press, £16.99
ISBN: 9780300211863

A theological exploration of hospitality from a Muslim scholar. We said:
“This book is a treasure-house of delights.”

 

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This is an extract from the December 2015/January 2016 edition of Reform.

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