Bright-Sided by Barbara Ehrenreich

Barbara Ehrenreich uses common sense, critical thinking and a sharp sense of humor to analyze the positive thinking philosophy that influences so much of American society.  Tracing positive thinking back to a nineteenth century backlash against the dourness of Calvin-based religion, she examines the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Transcendentalism and the Christian Science of Mary Baker Eddy.  Moving into the twentieth century, she scrutinizes the self-help books of authors like Norman Vincent Peale and Dale Carnegie, also the belief that attitude can deter the progress of serious disease and the prosperity theology of preachers like Joel Osteen. Finally, she traces our country’s current problems to the wide-spread reliance of politicians, CEOs and managers on feelings and intuition instead of the analysis of hard facts their counterparts used in the past. She concludes that positive thinking is not a benign philosophy which improves our attitude, but rather the purposeful turning of a destructive blind eye to signs of trouble we should be heeding. 

Check out Bright-Sided @ the library!

Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill

Jenna knows she is a Thetan. She knows that her body is just temporary and when she is older she will be able to leave her body, remember past lives and continue to remember this life in future lives. She has no concept of other religions, or even that there are people who don't believe they are Thetans. Jenna is a third generation Scientologist and her life is the church's.

When Jenna was 2 her parents re-dedicated their lives to Scientology, packed up the family and moved to California to be part of the Sea Org, the organization that runs the church. Jenna and her brother are mostly raised by caretakers, with limited time spent with their parents. Slowly, her parents are given less and less family time until Jenna and her brother are sent off to the Ranch, a boarding school of sorts for kids of Sea Org members. Jenna is not yet 7 years old at this time.

From her early years at the Ranch, to her teenage years working for the Sea Org, Jenna's life is fascinating. With  limited access to her family and hard labor at a young age, her life is far from typical especially for a child. Beyond Belief takes the reader on a personal journey inside an organization that keeps a very tight lid on what gets out.

Fans of memoir and religious exposes will enjoy Beyond Belief. Whether you've read Dianteics, or just seen that South Park episode, reading Beyond Belief will keep you turning the pages.



  

Rapture Practice by Aaron Hartzler

Aaron's life is guided by one simple rule: Jesus is coming back soon, and everything he does should be pleasing to Jesus. Play with He-Man action figures? Not when Jesus is the true master of the Universe. Watch E.T.? What would Jesus say if the previews were not pleasing? Listen to Amy Grant? She sometimes drinks wine!

Aaron is confused, torn and most of all unsure that these rules issued by his parents are truly a concern to Jesus. Like any teenager questioning the world around him, he rebels: listens to rock music, watches movies and he might even drink beer. He does this and still has the image of the perfect son to a father who works as a pastor and at a Bible College and a stay at home mom who works with children. Of course he doesn't have the perfect relationship with his parents, as his risky behaviors do have consequences. At one point he even gets taken out of his Christian high school and sent to the even more strict Christian high school across town. And here is where the story gets really good.

Marketed as a book for Young Adults, Rapture Practice might resonate more with readers with their teen years behind them. Growing up Christian or even religious will help understand Aaron's confusion and frustration; however his humor and attitude will leave readers of all backgrounds laughing and crying. You can't help but root for the kid who both admires and is confused by his parents. Fans of humorous memoir will be begging for the next chapter in Aaron Hartzler's life after finishing Rapture Practice.

Afterlives of the Saints: Stories from the Ends of Faith by Colin Dickey

In Afterlives of the Saints, Colin Dickey examines the lives and reputations of some the saints of the early Christian Church with the advantage of a 21^st century eye. Taking into consideration current science, history and art history, he delves into the hagiographies and legends of these holy people. Martyred by Romans, husbands or fathers; self-mutilated for the glory of God; experiencing visions; wrestling with demons: these are some of the fates suffered by the saints studied in this book. Why is Saint Barbara the patron saint of cannoneers and Saint Lawrence the patron saint of comedians? Why is Saint Anthony often associated with pigs? How did Saint Foy’s bones come to rest in a monastery far from where she died? Why is Saint George honored by both Christians and Muslims? These are just some of the questions respectfully and compassionately answered in this entertaining book.

The Grace of Everyday Saints by Julian Guthrie

St. Brigid Church is over a century old and one of San Francisco’s landmarks.   In 1994 the Roman Catholic archbishop decided to close this beautiful and thriving church.  The parishioners banded together to save their church.  This group of dedicated and faithful Roman Catholics is an inspiration.  However, this story will move everyone, not just Catholics.  It is about power and its misuse, and the joy of faith.  The author is a journalist with the San Francisco Chronicle and wrote about this story over many years.  Check out The Grace of Everyday Saints: How A Band of Believers Lost Their Church and Found Their Faith @the library today!

Escape from the Land of Snows by Stephan Talty

If you love 1950s history, we highly recommend Escape from the Land of Snows: The Young Dalai Lama's Harrowing Flight to Freedom and the Making of a Spiritual Hero.  It also explains at a basic level Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual and political position of the Dalai Lama.  The author interviews most of the key people involved and brings this part of history to life.  This book will appeal to readers that enjoy espionage/thrillers and those seeking religious and spiritual reading.  Those genres do not combine very often!  This is a great book about an incredible person.