The Missing Ending: Rediscovering the joy of the Ascension by Moira Astin (Canterbury Press, £16.99 (Church Times SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £13.59); 978-1-78622-603-7).

“The Ascension is a key Christian doctrine that receives very little attention in the textbooks on Christian doctrine most widely used in ministerial training. There are almost no books focusing solely on this topic. . . After more than twenty years of teaching ordinands and readers in training, Moira Astin provides a comprehensive and readable book that also covers the required academic ground for those in training.”

The Blurred Cross: A writer’s difficult journey with God by Richard Bauckham (Baker, £17.99 (£16.19); 978-1-5409-6743-5).

“In early 2022, esteemed New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham nearly lost his ability to read, an alarming prospect for a man who considers reading, writing, and scholarly work to be his vocation from God. Despite it being one of the most difficult times of his life, it was also a period in which Bauckham felt closest to God. In this beautifully written book, Bauckham combines memoir, theological and biblical reflection, and poetry to offer profound insight into God's providence amid life’s difficulties.” 

The Poetry of Pilgrimage: Reflections on Celtic pilgrimage sites in Ireland and Britain by Michael Mitton (BRF, £12.99 (£11.69); 978-1-80039-321-9).

“Drawing from his experience of co-leading pilgrimages in Britain and Ireland, Michael Mitton captures the essence of 23 significant pilgrimage sites for anyone from experienced pilgrims to armchair pilgrims. Each chapter outlines the story of the Celtic saint who founded the site, together with information about the location, a poem inspired by the author’s experience of that place, a reflective question, a suggested Bible reading and a photo of the site.”

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