The Gospel of John: A new history by Hugo Mendez (OUP, £22.99 (£20.69); 978-0-19-768612-6).

“The biblical Gospel of John casts itself as a memoir of ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved” — a mysterious figure who allegedly watched Jesus die on the cross and stepped into his empty tomb. But in this groundbreaking study, Hugo Méndez argues that the text is something else entirely: a falsely authored gospel that inspired a rich tradition of disguised writing.”

Choral Evensong: A user’s guide by Andrew Gregory (Sacristy Press, £12.99 (£11.69); 978-1-78959-420-1).

“A short, lively introduction to Choral Evensong and to the Christian faith and spirituality that it presupposes and presents. It approaches the service from the perspective of people of religious faith, and of those who might describe themselves as atheists or as ‘religious nones’”.

History of the Liturgy: The major stages by Marcel Metzger (Liturgical Press, £23.99 (£21.59); 979-8-4008-0172-3). Updated and expanded edition

“This comprehensive survey of the history of liturgy is designed to offer readers a solid yet introductory look into the realities that have made and still make up the church's liturgical life including assemblies, Eucharist, baptism, reconciliation, daily praise, the church's calendar, and its architecture.” 

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