Yesterday was Unicorn Tree Books 9th Birthday! We want to thank everyone of you that has helped us make it this far, and we really hope you will continue to help us make it through another year to our 10th Birthday ... upon which we will likely have a bit of celebration with Cake, Jelly, Ice Cream and balloons ;)

from Unicorn Tree Books http://ift.tt/1WxTjCA
via IFTTT

The #hannahdunnett #card stand is full again #Unicorn Tree Books in #Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7).. We also have her lovely #journal #books in stock too! Such lovely #artwork and so suitable for any #occassion #gifts #cards #presents #art #bookshop #indiebookshop #loveyourindiebookshop #notjustbooks

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#greatbritishbakeoff tonight and we do indeed have some great #cookbooks in at #Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7)... Personally I'm quite liking #thearchers one :) #cooking #baking #books #bookshop #loveyourindiebookshop #indiebounduk #indiebookshop #booksaremybag

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I think sometimes #God speaks in the most interesting of ways (or of course it could just be #Jung's synchronicity in action!). Just found these resting out of place on top of some kids books in #Unicorn Tree Books in #Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7)... The funny thing is how they match what I was thinking of yesterday and on my morning #cycle ride to work ;) #books #christianbooks # answers #art #doubt #faith http://ift.tt/1DtfsLT prayercyclesrides.wordpress.com

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We @unicorntreebks would not normally suggest something like this with a @neilhimself #book but... Given the #colouringbookforadults craze wouldn't this lush retelling of a classic make an incredible book for any adult #colourers to enjoy! A sublimely crafted #story and incredible #illustrations ;) #instock at Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7) now! #books #bookshop #booksaremybag #indiebookshop #loveyourindiebookshop #reading #neilgaiman #fairytale #arttherapy #art #storybooks #unicorntree

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Not just #colouring #books but #dot-to-dot books as well (& #forgrownups too!) at Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7) #indiebookshop #newtitles #booksaremybag #Reading #childrensbooks #bookshelves #activitybooks #bookshop #book #summerholidayfun #funwithkids #activitiesforkids #activitiesforgrownups #rainydays

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A really small selection of the #colouringbookforadults we have in stock at Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7) We have over 20 different ones and at silly prices with none being over £7.99! We also have #kids #colouring #books too! #arttherapy #colouringbooks #grownups #bookshop #indiebookshop #booksaremybag #art #unicorntree #book # activity #loveyourindie #loveyourindiebookshop #shoplocal #Lincoln

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How on earth will we decide which #book to read at the next #childrensstorytime at Unicorn Tree Books in Lincoln Central Market (http://ift.tt/1TEBPlr & http://ift.tt/1K9J1V7) #newdelivery of #childrensbooks #newtitles #books #bookshop #booksaremybag #indiebookshop #loveyourindiebookshop #childrens #storybooks #illustrations

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When 6 became 5...

Bit of a bittersweet day at Unicorn Tree Books yesterday.
We relinquished one of our units, going down from 6 to 5.
Hard decision but you see we really rely on your support and so when things are tough for you they get really tough for us too.
On the bright side this is a new beginning and not an ending!
Proof was provided again today, as you can see in this video, that Unicorn Tree Books might just be related to the Tardis (still looking for a swimming pool though, but we do know where there is a leaky roof does that count!).
We haven't had to reduce our stock holding at all, and it doesn't even really look like we depreciated space - even though we did!

We have hopes and plans that involve new stock and ranges too ... and a cargo bike for bookstalls and deliveries going out to the villages if we can just find the funds (crowdfunding maybe!).
Come and see us soon and check out our new look for yourselves (there are still a few changes to finish off and a bit of tidying to do yet!)- and we remember that we really do exist solely by your good graces - so thank you, thank you for supporting us through these years and into the future and please do share news of us with all your friends, networks & colleagues too because the more people that know of us the better chance that we can serve more of you long into the future.

http://www.hive.co.uk/shop/lincoln/unicorn-tree-books-crafts/
www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk 
www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk
www.twitter.com/unicorntreebks
www.facebook.com/UnicornTreeBooks

This Weeks Special Offer - Mortal Fire by C.F. Dunn

This week we have a fantastic book on offer for you, and from someone born in these parts too! and it's a prize winner too - A Gold Winnrt in thr ForeWord Book Of The Year Awards (BOTYA), so come on it's got to be good (and it is!) and worth a try surely.


Normally priced at £8.99 we are offering it for a limited time at only £6.99 and if you spend over £10 in the shop you can have it for only £1.99!

We think it's worth pushing and getting more people reading and talking about it - and we are pretty sure you are going to enjoy it if you just give it a go - but hurry, stocks are limited and once they've gone when the new ones come into stock they will be back at £8.99 each!





ohh and don't forget to check out and follow our newest pinterest board too :D
http://pinterest.com/unicorntreebks/unicorn-tree-books-new-titles-and-great-books-and-/

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your books, gifts, cards, crafts, candles, stationery, ereader, fairtrade product or for anything else we sell!
- or indeed for any other reason too!

(and remember if you really can't make it into the shop ... or need to buy things we don't stock then please use our Ashop (just click on any picture and then click buy at Amazon to help us) or any of the other affilliate links at http://www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk as any sale you make through these won't cost you anything extra but will mean all the difference to us! Go on save that addy as a favourite and buy through it anytime you are shopping online - and tell all your friends to do the same, such a small action on your part will have massive implications for us here - so thank you in advance!)

Grand Operation Rearrange Shop Tour

Wow - what a major week we had last week with Grand Operation Rearrange! To say this Bookshop Boss is a tad tuckered might be putting it mildly ;)

So if you wanted a day by day catalogue of Grand Operation Rearrange from start to finish then hop over to http://www.facebook.com/UnicornTreeBooks and peruse the pics - if however you just want to know what the shop looks like post Grand Operation Rearrange then just watch this instead!



Anyway I hope this little tour has made you want to pop in for a visit in person, to sit down and enjoy yourself a little, maybe have a little chat - and who knows maybe there might even be some fairtrade tea, coffee or hot chocolate available to enjoy too!

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)
So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your books, gifts, cards, crafts, candles, stationery, ereader, fairtrade product or for anything else we sell!
- or indeed for any other reason too!

Palm Sunday Edition ... nearly and some reviews!

In case you didn't know it this Sunday is Palm Sunday - so just one week to go until Easter! (Of course judging by the weather we wouldn't blame you for thinking it might be Christmas that was coming instead!)
So anyway just to let you know that we do still have a few Palm Crosses left, Paschal Candles there are too, but not many, and sadly all the Fairtrade Real Easter Eggs are all gone - but the plastic Gospel Eggs are still in stock and really good fun! and if you really do want chocolate then the TraidCraft Fairtrade Brownies are really quite delicious - I personally taste tested them just for you all, Stem Ginger Cookies might have to be checked for quality control purposes next!
Oh and when you do come in please do check out the rather nice National Book Tokens stands and displays around! remember they are a great gift and can also be used at http://www.hive.co.uk/shop/lincoln/unicorn-tree-books-crafts/ to purchase ebooks with too - don't forget to register us as your fave bookshop whilst visiting Hive - we really need you to do that for us!
(if you can't make it into the shop to see the nice new displays then hop over (like and easter bunny!) to www.facebook.com/UnicornTreeBooks and take a sneak at the pics on there (and if you haven't already liked us then please do!

Right that said now for the reviews! just a short few this week! sorry but enjoy all the same :D

All these reviews and indeed a geat many more can be found on the excellent Good Book Stall Website www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk - well worth checking out :D
All the books reviewed here (and don't forget to check out the review page we have on here as well!) and those found on www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk can also be found at or ordered from Unicorn Tree Books too, both in the shop and online at either www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk or www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk or at the wonderful www.hive.co.uk (but please do remember to make us your favourite shop when you visit Hive! the online bookshop where every sale supports independent physical bookshops!)

Indeed all these reviews are the property of The Goodbookstall and me - please don't use them without ascribing them to me as the author and also to www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk (who they should also be linked to if used online!) and yes that does include if you cut and paste bits of them and add a few words here and and take a few out there too! 

Title – As A Fire By Burning – Mission As The Life Of The Local Congregation

Author – Roger Standing

Format – Paperback

Price – £25

Publisher – SCM Press

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-0-334-04370-6

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

A very good comprehensive but easy to read book that collects together contributions form a diverse range of people and churches across a number of differing fields and church styles that highlight the many different mission experiences and ideas in and around local congregation settings and experience. It also has good general conversation and consideration within it of what mission is, how it can be practiced, how it has been practiced and why it should be practiced. There are times when the jargon is a strong presence, but nevertheless this is still appropriately used and fitting for a book that is as much practitioner guide as subject study, and this jargon to be fair is well placed so as to make sense and lead into theological and missiological discussion of some depth. I foound it to be a very well written book, that was surprisingly easy to read given the weight of it's subject matter and very good! Heartily recommend it.

Title – Maiden, Mother & Queen – Mary In The Anglical Tradition

Author – Roger Greenacre (Ed. Colin Podmore)

Format – Paperback

Price – £24.99

Publisher – 978-1-84825-278-3

Date of Publication – January 2013

ISBN – 978-1-84825-278-3

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

This is an absolutely beautiful consideration of the anglo-catholic veneration of Mary found within quarters of the Church of England. This book also serves in some way as a fitting memorial and remembrance of a well respected proponent of Anglican Marian devotion, Roger Greenacre.

However for me the collection of homilies to be found in section two of the book were a real highlight and joy to read, with real depth of feeling and insight to them, and a strangely british refined passion running as an undercurrent to them – the love, attraction and desire to share the reverence that Roger Greenacre so obviously had for the Blessed Virgin Mary cannot be overlooked in these short homilies collected here. Of course the third section of the book which incorporates an historical investigation and understanding into marian devotion and suppression within the anglican communion is also very well done and surprisingly easy to read due in part to the short sections utilised which means there is not much heavy labouring to be done in reading this book. This really is a wonderful book for anyone within the anglo-catholic tradition looking to further their devotional practice and understanding of the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or indeed for anyone in the anglican church who wants to gain an understanding of the part Mary can and does play within the church and it's faith framework.

Title – The #Pray4 Principle – Why Prayer Is Still Important In A Secular Age

Author – Alexander Lee

Format – Paperback

Price – £8.99

Publisher – DLT

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-0-232-52982-1

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

A well written quite short book that nevertheless really looks at prayer as we use it and understand it both as Christians and as a secular peoples, using the twitter #pray4muamba campaign as the catalyst for consideration and insight, and with stunning clarity Alexander Lee through this book smashes home some important insights that some may well find painful and really want to discount, but to do so would be to overlook a truth we need to address if we are to really see a return to prayer and Christian faith for our nation and secular times. We must not be so quick as Christians to discount the prayers of others, to reject those not 'Christian' enough to fit our stance, instead we should consider the lessons of Paul, of Acts, and their outreach to the gentiles … we should consider Jesus' teachings on prayer and faith that exhort us not to be hypocrites or babblers … but instead to offer hospitality and comfort, acceptance and love …

The #Pray4 Principle really does hold up faith and prayer as an important and still integral part of our nations underpinning foundation, and shows that there at the heart of us all there is still a need for prayer and a deep spiritual yearning, and that with the right attitude of prayer by Christ's followers we can yet make a difference and bring back the lost to the fold, but we have first to be open the gates to them and meet them where they are and not where we are.

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your books, gifts, cards, crafts, candles, stationery, ereader, fairtrade product or for anything else we sell!
- or indeed for any other reason too!

Mother's Day Edition

Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday, it's been fun in the shop as we headed towards this great annual event :D
Margaret Dickinson, our lovely local best selling author, had her new book out just in time for it again, and as is usual did her regular round of signing dates and so we had lots of signed copies whizzing out the shop, we still have a few left and in honour of Mother's Day we are offering them with a free £5 Voucher if you buy your Mother's Day Card at the same time :D
Of Course it's also Fairtrade Fortnight - see more about what we have been doing with that here: https://www.facebook.com/UnicornTreeBooks/posts/426424537445774 .. and just in case you wanted to blend Mother's Day and keep up with Fairtrade ethos then remember gifts come in fairtrade flavour too!
We can do chocolate or biscuits, you can even get Pasta and cook her a lovely meal ... or you could get her fairtrade jewellery, some lovely bracelets and necklaces both in ethnic stylings or silver ... or maybe she's the stationery type - lovely fairtrade gift sets, pens and notepads too...
And Last but not least on the Mothering Sunday theme, for the thoroughly modern mum ... how about a Kobo Glo?? Mothers Day offer of just £79, but be quick as we have very limited stock...

So there we go that's Mothering Sunday!

Now just to let you know next week is the first of the 2013 Lincoln Theological Society Lectures - it's on 'Judas, Jesus & The Cost of Salvation' and it's by Rev'd Canon Dr Anthony Cane.
We do have tickets still available - £5 for a good glass of wine and interesting lecture can't be bad can it! oh and of course the chance to browse the wonderful bookstall provided by us as always :D
The lecture is at Bishop Grosseteste University on Tuesday 12th March - Doors open at 7PM for a 7:30Pm Lecture.

and finally it's review time!All these reviews and indeed a geat many more can be found on the excellent Good Book Stall Website www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk - well worth checking out :D
All the books reviewed here (and don't forget to check out the review page we have on here as well!) and those found on www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk can also be found at or ordered from Unicorn Tree Books too, both in the shop and online at either www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk or www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk or at the wonderful www.hive.co.uk (but please do remember to make us your favourite shop when you visit Hive! the online bookshop where every sale supports independent physical bookshops!)

Indeed all these reviews are the property of The Goodbookstall and me - please don't use them without ascribing them to me as the author and also to www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk (who they should also be linked to if used online!) and yes that does include if you cut and paste bits of them and add a few words here and and take a few out there too! 

Title – Operation Screwtape – The Art Of Spiritual War

Author – Andrew Farley

Format – Hardback

Price – £11.99

Publisher – Baker Books (Dist. Lion Hudson)

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-0-8010-1447-5

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

In Operation Screwtape we find the continuation of C S Lewis’ classic Screwtape series. Farley has here updated the agenda, moved the discussion into the realm of technological advancement, of feel good church, of the health and prosperity gospel teaching and a few more familiar ideas as well, and in a voice so well matched to the original works he breaks down and highlights the inherent problems in these things, showing how sometimes what we think is good can actually be so bad for us, showing us how we trap ourselves in our own beliefs of unworthiness, confession, doubt and want. This really is an excellent book, a worthy successor to the original Screwtape letters and a real joy to read. One not just for the Lewis fans, but for anyone that would like a gentle, fun and easily understandable way to consider how we can be best protect ourselves from the traps of the enemy and our own making, and think on many things that we find in modern church teachings.

Title – Spiritual Care Of Dying And Bereaved People

Author – Penelope Wilcock

Format – Paperback

Price – £9.99

Publisher – BRF

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-0-85746-115-5

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

Though not a new book, in some ways it does feel so, as it has been completely updated and expanded, losing the section on Aids, but growing to include amongst it a new indepth section on funerals that offers very practical helps, it also now includes more new personal insights from Penelope’s own life.
This book, as it’s predecessor did, has a gentle air of quiet sympathy and consideration to it that sometimes can be missing in books aimed at ‘pastoral’ ministry, but then in part that’s because this book isn’t just a guide for ministers and practitioners, this book is also a book for those journeying through these intense and painful experiences themselves, this book is not just written by someone more than eminently qualified from years in service working with the dying and bereaved but is written by a person who has gone through the experience personally, intensely and is not afraid to share that, but rather wants to. This book is real ‘spiritual care’ for both those on the journey of death and for those looking to work pastorally with them. An excellent book indeed on a deeply painful subject that I think it would be exceptionally hard to better.

Title – The Christian’s Secret Of A Happy Life

Author – Hannah Whitall Smith

Format – Paperback

Price – £3.99

Publisher – Spire (Baker – Dit. By Lion Hudson)

Date of Publication – January 2013

ISBN – 978-0-8007-8077-4

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

A lovely exceptionally affordable edition of what is probably one of the best known ‘Quaker’ books out there. Though written over 100 years ago this book still reads as well today as it ever has, there are in these simple honest words and thoughts by Hannah Whitall Smith a timeless wisdom and beauty that encourages you on in your own faith. There is strength and purpose, courage and determination and unremitting faith on every page, and all of it simple to understand, easy to read and a blessing to recieve. ‘It depends only upon the fact of an entire surrender and an absolute trust. Anyone who will honestly use these two wings, and will faithfully persist in using them, will find they have mounted up with wings as an eagle, no matter how empty of all emotion they may have felt themselves to be before.’ (pp248).
A beautiful work and at a bargain price make this a brilliant book indeed.

Title – Christian Social Teachings – A Reader In Christian Social Ethics From The Bible To The Present

Author – Ed. George W Forell

Format – Paperback

Price – £25.99

Publisher – Augsburg (Dist. Alban)

Date of Publication – September 2012

ISBN – 978-0-8006-9860-7

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

This is a revised and updated second edition of a book that would be more than at home on the bookcase and in the hands of anyone interesting in ethics and social theory, because it really does provide an insight to the development of our western social ethic. At the beginning of each chapter we get a brief introduction and overview to the authors and subject, followed by a well thought out selection of their writings – think of it as a well chosen tapa selection with all the delightful flavours encapsulated in small tasty easy to nibble bite sized pieces!
As we get to the contemporary issues we get good solid discussion on core topical issues (that probably would be just enough info and detail to scrape a pass grade on an essay if you hadn’t read anything else!).
The only downside with the book is that it is of course American and as such much of the topical discussion is from an American stance and that is a little different to the society we have here in the UK and that can cause some small issue. However on the whole it’s a solid tour through the subject and introduction to key authors and subjects.

Remember we are here to serve you and we really appreciate your support - go on Shop Local and use an Independent - it's better for all of us when we go local to go global ;-)

So we'll look forward to seeing you, recieving an email from you, chatting on the phone (01522 525557) with you or even facebooking or twittering with you when you come in for your books, gifts, cards, crafts, candles, stationery, ereader, fairtrade product or for anything else we sell!
- or indeed for any other reason too!

Nearly missed the weeks reviews!

ohh how time flies, especially when you decide to re-arrange and bump up the children's section in the shop (who knew kids books were so much fun! pretty sure it would have gone quicker if I hadn't kept stopping to read the childrens picture books and share them with others!).
Ohh and Don't forget to join us on facebook and keep up with what's going on in the shop, interact with us and take part in our competitions! this week I said I gobble books like others gobble sweeties and then asked what genre would be which sweet .. and there is a free 'Oblivion' T-shirt for one of the answer(er)s.  Oblivion being a rather good book from Anthony Horrowitz - but I'm sure you already knew that...
There's an #epicfail competition coming up soon too, with stickers and stuff for anyone as may want them and come in and get them! My favourite is the one that says 'Failure is an option' ;D
Anyway that aside (and watch out later on there could well be some children's book reviews in the offering at a later date - and a lot of them from the general kids selection too!) here are the reviews I did last weekend and this week ...

Now Remember:

All these reviews and indeed a geat many more can be found on the excellent Good Book Stall Website www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk - well worth checking out :D
All the books reviewed here (and don't forget to check out the review page we have on here as well!) and those found on www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk can also be found at or ordered from Unicorn Tree Books too, both in the shop and online at either www.lincolnbookshop.co.uk or www.lincolnchristianbookshop.co.uk or at the wonderful www.hive.co.uk (but please do remember to make us your favourite shop when you visit Hive! the online bookshop where every sale supports independent physical bookshops!)

Indeed all these reviews are the property of The Goodbookstall and me - please don't use them without ascribing them to me as the author and also to www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk (who they should also be linked to if used online!) and yes that does include if you cut and paste bits of them and add a few words here and and take a few out there too! 

Title – Un-Conditional – Rescuing The Gospel From The Gay-vs-Christian Debate

Author – Justin Lee

Format – Paperback

Price – £12.99

Publisher – Hodder & Stoughton

Date of Publication – January 2013

ISBN – 978-1-444-74541-2

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

 Unconditional is a beautiful and honourable book with an honesty and gentle insight at its heart that has a passion for compassion and understanding shining through. This is not a book of argument or rhetoric but a book of apologia that works more for the lack of such heated argument, it moves one and tries to open the discussion up to the human realities and suffering, it invites us to understand and consider the reality away from the academic, the reality of the persons dealing with the issues, the gay person yes, but their family, their friends, their church – it asks us to look at this issue with the eyes of the gospel, with the eyes of Jesus, you know that man  that did not judge the adulteress but instead had compassion for her…
Perhaps one of the most important bits of the book is the discussion to do with and around the realisation that the word ‘gay’ has connotations that are at odds sometimes between those using it, for some gay immediately means sex, for some not, but for all the discussion becomes bogged down at this point until we work past the word and instead see and deal with the person, each one an individual and not a ‘type’.

Of all the books I have read on this subject I think I would say that this is truly the most pastoral of them all and there is a real need and place for this book within our churches and within the hands of our congregations, and for those who are Gay and Christian.

Title – C.S. Lewis Vs The New Atheists

Author – Peter S Williams

Format – Paperback

Price – £12.99

Publisher – Paternoster (Authentic)

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-1-84227-770-6

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

An absolute must of a book for any fan of Lewis or for people who want to grapple with ‘New Atheists’ and their arguments against our mere Christianity! Honestly if you had ever wondered how Lewis would these days approach and deal with the new atheist arguments then here you will find your answer.

Given C. S Lewis came initially from an atheistic position to one of faith and then spent so many years as a keen apologist of the faith then it is obvious that his works are well suited as a base to help in dismantling arguments and building up a framework of arguments for the faith. Peter Williams does an excellent job of setting forth the new atheist arguments and positions with good outlines of Grayling, Dawkins, Hitchens et al positions and then in turn digging down into Lewis’ own work and arguments to proffer forward strong rebuttals and strategies of discourse.
The book is itself a beautifully strong apologist work with no little reference to academic knowledge and measures (indeed each section has an end reference that is almost encyclopaedic in it’s scope and coverage) but over all the book retains a style that is easy to read and for this reader thoroughly enjoyable.

Title – Immortal Diamond – The Search For Our True Self

Author – Richard Rohr

Format – Paperback

Price – £10.99

Publisher – SPCK

Date of Publication – February 2013

ISBN – 978-0-281-07017-6

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

Richard Rohr’s new book has a profound depth that digs at the heart of who and what we are, making us work at mining our deepest beliefs and self delusions until what is left is the heart of our true self, our innermost being stripped bare of its self defences, our altered perceptions and the voices of others, until we find buried beneath all that the heart of ourselves as God see’s us,  unearthed at last the ‘Immortal Diamond’.
Like Rohr’s previous works this focuses on spiritual and psychological growth and insight, but in this one the biblical considerations and narrative of death and resurrection is deep and rich, indeed so much so that this book would make an incredible companion on the journey to resurrection that is lent and holy week -though to be fair it would be strong at any time. At the end of the book are a series of appendixes which form a series of practical exercises to really help you build on the understanding of the book. It’s a fantastic book and one not just for fans of Rohr’s previous work, indeed if you’ve never come across his work before this would be a wonderful place to start.

Title – The Reunion - A Novel

Author – Dan Walsh

Format – Paperback

Price – £8.99

Publisher – Revell (Baker Books)

Date of Publication – October 2012

ISBN – 978-0-8007-2121-3

Reviewer – Melanie Carroll

The Reunion is a beautifully gentle novel with a considered pace and flowing words that really takes you along on this story of  what is ultimately about love and redemption, but covers loss, change, doubt, heroism and above all quiet lives of unexpected worth – how much do we know our neighbours, how do we really see ourselves, how easy is it to lose yourself or indeed to find yourself? All these were the questions and thoughts that this gentle novel brought to mind in me.
It’s the story of Aaron, a Vietnam veteran who war profoundly affected, now in his 60’s a simple handyman at a trailer park. It’s also about his daughter who never really knew her father, and a journalist whose father died in the Vietnam war and all the other people who intersect with these lives –it’s a story that has its base in war, but more importantly it’s a story of what happens after a war and it’s longer term consequences.

Title – The Jonah Complex – Rediscovering The Outrageous Grace Of God

Author – Greg Haslam

Format – Paperback

Price – £7.99

Publisher – River Publishing (Dist. Joining The Dots)

Date of Publication – February 2012

ISBN 978-1-908393-04-3

Reviewer Melanie Carroll

The Jonah Complex by Greg Haslam is an excellent book that is both critique and commentary, critique in some ways of our church and society today – pointing out the similarities between where we are and Jonah’s story and time, and commentary that works all the way through the book of Jonah highlighting and upholding the story and it’s worth for today. I have always been a big fan of the story of Jonah, not so much the fishy tale we get as children but the depth and intricacies that are in it about faith, about choosing to follow, about misunderstanding God’s Grace which are all in it, notably though for me the most important part of the story of Jonah is at the end, the castor oil plant episode, and to finally get a book that does not ignore or gloss over this section is lovely. Haslam instead uses it to really show and hold up ‘the outrageous Grace of God’.

Title – Not So Secret – Being Contemporary Agents For Mission

Author – Graham Orr

Format – Paperback

Price – £8.99

Publisher – IVP

Date of Publication – October 2012

ISBN – 978-1-84474-591-3

Reviewer Melanie Carroll

I found this book to be really enjoyable, being as it was a mix of testimonial stories of time spent in Tokyo, Japan as active missionaries and also a reflection on their time when returning and working in the UK, as such it has a personalness and genuineness about it that works well to demonstrate how we can be missionary agents in our own lives and communities. In each chapter not only is there this correlation between japan and the Uk but there is also a strong and considered biblical outline as well, looking at what Jesus would have and indeed did do in such circumstance and providing the scripture references and understanding that must be at the basis of our actions and understanding when we go forth under the Great Commission. This is an excellent book for those that like testimonials, for those considering mission work, and not least for those that want to be active in evangelism.

Title – Only Say The Word – Affirming Gay And Lesbian Love

Author – Alan McManus

Format – Paperback

Price – £9.99

Publisher – Christian Alternative (John Hunt)

Date of Publication – January 2013

ISBN 978-1-78099-309-6

Reviewer Melanie Carroll

This is a very different book, it’s intent is to offer forward a more merciful reading of scripture and theology that affirms homosexuality rather than suffering or rejecting homosexuality. In the book we are introduced to a rainbow of churches, each church preceding a chapter offers forward a different persepective of reception that gay or lesbian people may come across, these are all quite readily recognised positions – these short introductions to the rainbow churches are quite interesting in themselves given they are written in a first person perspective with gentle commentary on issues that may be at heart here. From these we then move onto more considered arguments, discussions or contemplations that help to develop the feelings and understandings of those from the gay community as they endeavour to make understood the position they are often in…
I’m not sure the book entirely achieved it’s aim of ‘Affirming Gay & Lesbian Love’ but for me the most moving piece is the ABC of the Cloud of Witnesses we encounter in the Violet Church on pages 54. This is something that for me should be read and reflected on by everyone, regardless of gender or opinion, and makes this book important because if we can’t be moved by this then there is fundamentally something wrong with how we understand the command to love others as ourselves.

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