The Power of Ideas: Words of faith and wisdom by Jonathan Sacks (Hodder & Stoughton, £20 (Church Times SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £16); 978-1-39980-001-3).

“From his appointment as Chief Rabbi in 1991, through to his death in November 2020, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks made an incalculable contribution not just to the religious life of the Jewish community but to the national conversation — and increasingly to the global community — on issues of ethics and morality. Commemorating the first anniversary of his death, this volume brings together a compelling selection of Jonathan Sacks’s BBC Radio Thought for the Day broadcasts, Credo columns from The Times, and a range of articles published in the world’s most respected newspapers, along with his House of Lords’ speeches and keynote lectures. First heard and read in many different contexts, these pieces demonstrate with striking coherence the developing power of Sacks’s ideas, on faith and philosophy alike. In each instance, he brings to bear deep insights into the immediate situation at the time — and yet it is as if we hear him speaking to us afresh, giving us new strength to face the challenges and complexities of today’s world.”

What Do You Seek? Wisdom from religious life for today’s world by John-Francis Friendship (Canterbury Press, £16.99 (Church Times SPEICAL OFFER PRICE £13.59); 978-1-78622-345-6).

“John-Francis Friendship spent 25 years as an Anglican Franciscan friar. Drawing on the whole breadth of monastic history and experience, he looks at core aspects of monastic and religious life and applies its practical wisdom for living well in today’s world. Chapters include: Knowing your heart's desire and pursuing it; Counter-cultural living — the spirit of poverty, chastity and obedience; Clothing yourself in Christ — getting into holy habits; Living in community — how to get along together; God in all things — seeing the whole world as divine; For the sake of the kingdom — serving those in need; and Living with thanksgiving — shaping the eucharistic life. What Do You Seek? draws on a vast wealth of spiritual wisdom accumulated over the centuries to offer inspiration and courage for living with integrity and hope today.”

Faith, Fire and Song: The writings of Richard Rolle for everyone by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard (New City, £7 (£6.30); 978-1-905039-48-7).

“Richard Rolle was born in Yorkshire and was a contemporary of Julian of Norwich. By nature he had questions about everything, especially about the meaning of life. Although not a Franciscan himself, he was one with them in his love of God and delight in poverty and simplicity. His desire was always to know God rather than to know about God. He lived most of his life as a hermit, but never attached himself to any eremitical order. He believed that one can see how good a person is by how much they love.”

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