Spirituality and Religion
May 2022

Recent Releases
Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans
by Denise Alvarado

What it is: an accessible, engaging tour of the traditions of folk magic in Louisiana.

Featuring: iconic figures like Marie Laveau, Papa Legba, and Annie Christmas; St. Expedite, an Armenian Catholic martyr who gained an unexpectedly large following in New Orleans.

Reviewers say: Witch Queens is a "
rollicking party of spirits that should appeal to tourists, contemporary spell casters, and armchair historians" (Publishers Weekly).
Here & hereafter : how wisdom from the departed can transform your life now
by Tyler Henry

One of the world’s most accomplished mediums presents this ultimate self-help guide detailing the insights the departed have communicated about how to live our best, most meaningful lives.
The art of spiritual healing : chakra and energy bodywork
by Keith Sherwood

Offers guidance for spiritual healing including techniques to see and feel auras, open and balance chakras, and channel energy from a distance
Fiber magick : a witch's guide to spellcasting with crochet, knotwork & weaving
by Opal Luna

"71 crochet, knotwork, and weaving patterns for use in spellcasting and personal spiritual practice"
Biography and Memoir
Ruined : a memoir
by Ruth Everhart

The author shares her experiences after being the victim of a home invasion in which her and her five roommates were raped at gunpoint, and how she struggled with feelings of being ruined before finally coming to terms with the event and her faith
Dear Senthuran : a Black spirit memoir
by Akwaeke Emezi

The New York Times-bestselling author presents a memoir of their journey through a challenging path of resistance towards success as a writer through candid and revealing correspondence with friends, lovers and family.
The Light Within Me
by Ainsley Earhardt

What it is: a memoir by Fox News journalist and Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt, in which she reflects on the role that faith has played in her personal and professional life.

Who it's for: Earhardt's many fans; readers looking for an inspiring account of letting one's faith provide guidance and support in challenging circumstances.  

 
Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim
by Leah Vernon

What it is: the moving and candid memoir of social media influencer Leah Vernon, where she reflects on her relationship with her Muslim identity and the ways it intersects with self-image, self-expression, racism, sexism, and trauma. 

Read it for:
the comfortable, conversational tone; the unique perspective Vernon provides at the intersections of her multitude of identities.

You might also like: Love is an Ex-Country by Palestinian American writer Randa Jarrar.
The Very Worst Missionary: A Memoir or Whatever
by Jamie Wright

What it's about: the ups and downs of author Jamie Wright's efforts to reconcile her individual Christian faith with institutional problems that can surround organized religion, especially around missionary work.

Topics include: how missionary presence can disrupt local economies; financial irregularities in fundraising; manipulative recruitment tactics to encourage conversions.

For readers who: welcome tough conversations about the gaps between their relationships with God and the structural obstacles that prevent many faith communities from practicing what they preach.
Contact your librarian for more great books!