The Word: On the translation of the Bible by John Barton (Penguin, £10.99 (£9.89); 978-0-141-99304-1). New in paperback.

“This book examines how saints, scholars, and interpreters from ancient times to the present have produced versions of the Bible in the language of their day, while remaining true to the original. It explains the challenges they negotiated, from minute textual ambiguities to the sweep of style and stark differences in form and thought between the earliest writings and the latest.”

Amazing Grace: A cultural history of the beloved hymn by James Walvin (University of California Press, £16.99 (£15.29); 978-0-520-39182-6).

“A fascinating journey through the history of “Amazing Grace”, one of the transatlantic world’s most popular hymns and a powerful anthem for humanity.”

The Spirituality of Transformation, Joy, and Justice: The Ignatian way for everyone by Patrick Saint-Jean (Broadleaf Books, £16.99 (£15.29); 978-1-5064-9115-8).

“At the heart of this thoughtful introduction to Ignatian spirituality are the Spiritual Exercises, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola of Spain. Using ordinary language, these meditations point to the ways in which this spiritual path not only ‘grows our souls’ but also inspires us to defend human rights, respect and listen to other cultures, find common ground between science and religion, struggle for justice, and honor a Divine Spirit who is actively at work in each aspect of our world.”

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