One for Sorrow: A memoir of death and life by Alan Hargrave (SPCK, £9.99 (£9); 978-0-281-07819-6).

“One for Sorrow relates the story of the loss of 21-year-old Tom from cancer, and how his family struggled to live through the aftermath. When Alan started to write the book, he thought it was about his son's illness and death. He soon realised, however, that it dealt largely with own journey through that painful 'valley of the shadow of death', as someone responsible for ministering to others in similar situations.”

The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening your experience of God by David Frenette (Sounds True, £14.99 (Church Times SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £12.99); 978-1-62203-866-4).

Christianity at the Cross­roads: How the second century shaped the future of the Church by Michael J. Kruger (SPCK, £19.99 (£18); 978-0-281-07131-9).

“While scholars have long regarded the second century as one of the most decisive stages in the history of Christianity, there are no introductory surveys devoted solely to this critical period. This book fills this gap by providing an accessible and informative look at the complex and foundational issues faced by an infant church still trying to determine its identity. These issues included battles over heresy and orthodoxy, the development of the canon, the transmission of the Christian scriptures, and more.”

Christian Theologies of the Sacraments: A comparative introduction, edited by Justin S. Holcomb and David A. Johnson NYU Press, £25.99 (£23.40); 978-0-8147-7010-8).

“What are the sacraments? For centuries, this question has elicited a lively discussion and among theologians, and a variety of answers that do anything but outline a unified belief concerning these fundamental ritual structures. In this extremely cohesive and well-crafted volume, a group of renowned scholars map the theologies of sacraments offered by key Christian figures from the Early Church through the twenty-first century. Together, they provide a guide to the variety of views about sacraments found throughout Christianity, showcasing the variety of approaches to understanding the sacraments across the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox faith traditions.”

The World According to Theologygrams by Rich Wyld (DLT, £9.99 (£9); 978-0-232-53291-3).

Selected by Frank Nugent, of the Church House Bookshop, which operates the Church Times Bookshop.