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| Crusaders: An Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands by Dan JonesWhat it is: a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the Crusades, which engulfed Europe and the Levant between the 11th and 13th centuries.
What makes it unique: the author’s ability to organize and condense such a large, complex topic into an engaging and accessible narrative.
About the author: Dan Jones is a popular historian and television presenter whose previous books include The Templars, Magna Carta, and The Plantagenets. |
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Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody : 12 Stories of Real People Who Discovered the Life-changing Power of Grace
by Allen R. Hunt
It is underrated mainly because it is underused. We fail to capture the power of forgiveness because we are afraid of it, because we have grown comfortable in our familiar wounds, or because we are sinfully stubborn. But the power is there waiting for us.
The lesson is simple: Give forgiveness and you will unleash a flood of grace on yourself and those around you. When you clench your fists and grit your teeth in anger toward someone, you have no room in your heart for God to place His hand in yours. Replace your clenched fist with an open hand and watch as God fills your soul to overflowing.
This little book, and the twelve real-life stories in it, will help you capture the power of forgiveness in your life. Because everybody needs to forgive somebody.
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| River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey by Sister Helen PrejeanWhat it's about: the career and spiritual journey of Sister Helen Prejean and how her religious calling led her to work on social justice causes.
Who it's for: anyone interested in religious social justice, the 1960s and '70s era of the Catholic church, and anyone wrestling with the death penalty.
Did you know? The 1995 film Dead Man Walking (for which Susan Sarandon won an Academy Award) is based on Sister Helen's book of the same name, which detailed her work as a spiritual advisor to people on death row. |
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| Box of Butterflies: Discovering the Unexpected Blessings All Around Us by Roma DowneyAuthor alert: Fans of the television show Touched by an Angel will recognize Roma Downey's name; here, she shares stories and reflections from her life, along with inspiring quotes, poems, scripture, and artwork.
Why you might like it: Readers looking for encouragement will find hope in Downey's faith in -- and gratitude for -- God. |
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| Above the Line: My Wild Oats Adventure by Shirley MacLaineAuthor alert: Academy Award-winning actress Shirley MacLaine has also written several other bestselling books about spirituality.
What it's about: what it was like making the movie Wild Oats, whose filming location (the Canary Islands) is surrounded in lore that encouraged MacLaine to reflect on her spiritual beliefs.
What makes it unique: Besides a peek into MacLaine's rich inner life, there's also plenty of wit and insider Hollywood gossip. |
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| Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age by Katherine OzmentWhat it's about: the author's curiosity about the "Nones" (the religiously unaffiliated) and the new spaces and practices they are developing to fill the needs that previous generations looked to religion for.
Who it's for: anyone interested in secularism, morality, and trends in cultural understandings of religion.
You might also like: Belief Without Borders by Linda Mercadante; Agnostic by Lesley Hazleton. |
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| I've Been Thinking...Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life by Maria ShriverWhat it is: an inspiring collection of the award-winning journalist's reflections on family, faith, and finding meaning in life.
Read it for: the refreshingly earnest and informal tone; the heartfelt prayers at the end of every chapter.
Reviewers say: "An optimistic reminder to be gentle with oneself" (Library Journal). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books! |
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