P is for Pilgrim: The Christian faith — A journey from A-Z by Stephen Cottrell (Hodder, £12.99 (£11.69); 978-1-399-80527-8).

“As you explore the Christian faith, you will soon encounter some challenging words: Trinity, Sacrament, Reconciliation, Sin, Incarnation, even the word ‘Christ’ itself. It isn’t Jesus's surname! It is a title with a meaning and history. Sooner, or later, these words, and the ideas behind them, must be addressed and understood. It is simply not possible to be a Christian, without understanding sin and forgiveness, knowing what a sacrament is, or accepting Jesus as the Christ. This book is here to help. It explores and explains most of the key concepts and ideas that underpin the Christian faith.”


Philosophers on God: Talking about existence, edited by Jack Symes (Bloomsbury, £10.99 (£9.89); 978-1-350-22730-9).

“This book is a short, engaging and accessible guide to the mystery of existence. Featuring remastered interviews and original essays from the world’s most influential and respected thinkers, Philosophers on God explores the most fascinating and innovative research in all of philosophy and science. In doing so, it sheds new light on the nature, purpose and ultimate destination of our universe.”


A Death in the Parish by Richard Coles (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £9.99 (£8.99); 978-1-4746-1268-5). New in paperback

“It’s been a few months since murder tore apart the community of Champton apart. As Canon Daniel Clement tries to steady his flock, the parish is joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle, bringing a new tide of unwanted change. But church politics soon become the least of Daniel’s problems. His mother — headstrong, fearless Audrey — is obviously up to something, something she is determined to keep from him. And she is not the only one. And then all hell breaks loose when murder returns to Champton in the form of a shocking ritualistic killing. . .”

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