Femina: A new history of the Middle Ages, through the women written out of it by Janina Ramirez (W. H. Allen, £10.99 (£9.89); 978-0-75-355826-3). New in paperback.

“Femina reveals the power and influence of medieval women who have been written out of our history. From royalty and religion to fame and fury, see the medieval world - and the women erased from it - with fresh eyes.”


How Religion Evolved: And why it endures by Robin Dunbar (Pelican, £10.99 (£9.89); 978-0-241-43179-5). New in paperback.

“Every society in the history of humanity has lived with religion. In How Religion Evolved, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar tracks its origins back to what he terms the ‘mystical stance’ - the aspect of human psychology that predisposes us to believe in a transcendent world, and which makes an encounter with the spiritual possible.”


Sit in the Sun: And other lessons in the spiritual wisdom of cats by Jon M. Sweeney (Broadleaf Books, £15.99 (£14.39); 978-1-5064-8227-9).

“As a spiritual pilgrim for more than half a century, Jon Sweeney has practiced with teachers of many religious traditions. He's gone looking for wisdom, beauty, and truth wherever it can be found. But recently he's found himself learning closer to home--from the teacher-cats he lives with. What he discovered is that our greatest spiritual teachers are at our feet. Literally. They are the cats we love and treasure.”


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