In Nothing In My Hand I Bring, Ray Galea compares Catholicism and the Christianity of the Bible. Galea grew up in a devout Roman Catholic home and even served as an altar boy for eight years. But as a young adult, it dawned on him that he needed to find out who Jesus was by investigating the Scriptures. By God’s grace, Galea fell in love with the person of Jesus through the Bible and confessed Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Galea has written this book to clarify the consequential differences between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, with the truth of Jesus squarely in the centre.

Reviewed by Annie Reeves

How would you describe your prayer life right now in one or two words? That’s the question I posed at a women’s church weekend away last year. We wrote our answers on Post-it notes and shared them with the group. Some responses were encouraging — essential, regular, important, indispensable. Others were more brutally honest — dry, rare, non-existent. I wonder where on that spectrum you would place yourself?

Reviewed by Sarah Cameron

The Epistles for Kids sit in a unique spot on my children’s bookshelf. They’re not storybooks, topical books, or even a regular kids Bible. They’re a translation of the New Testament letters (with four completed so far), aimed at children and accompanied by illustrations.

As our family has read them over the last month, I’ve come to appreciate their thoughtfulness. The books are deliberately more than just a paraphrase of an adult Bible. Every word feels meticulously chosen, both for faithfulness to the original text and for a young audience.

Reviewed by Winnie Lau

I wish I’d read this book in my 40s! It’s a must read for every woman facing the struggles of midlife and the process of ageing. I’d even say it’s a super helpful book for husbands to read (so much so that I asked the male faculty of the college I serve at to read it and discuss it with me). 

There are lots of books that will help you understand perimenopause, menopause, even how to cope with midlife changes and loss from a medical, psychological or self-help perspective. But what these books don’t do is help us consider what God has to say. The creator of the universe, the one who made us, understands us.

Reviewed by Carmelina Read

I was leading a Friday afternoon kids club and a nine year old girl bounded up to me. With a cheeky grin on her face and hands on her hips she asked, “does God think I’m awesome?” Just as I was about to say “no, God thinks you’re a sinner”, something (the grace of God!) checked my tongue. Instead, I replied, “why do you ask that question?” Her whole demeanour changed, and shame-faced, she asked, “does God still love me, even when I sin?” 

Whether we’re nine or ninety-nine, we all have the same questions, don’t we? This is why The Sinning Saint is such a helpful book. Based on Richard Chin’s talks at university conferences, the central question of the book is: how can sinners stand before a holy God?

Reviewed by Leah Blake

“What Now?” is THE book I’ve been waiting for someone to write! I would say it’s a must read you’ll want to put in the hands of a teen who has just made the best decision of their life to accept Jesus’ offer of forgiveness and follow him. 

Matt Shannon has put together a resource (with videos!) that is easy to read, and outlines a clear plan to get youth started in their faith.

Reviewed by Ruth Lee

Does your faith feel stagnant? Do you feel like you’re constantly struggling to read your Bible and pray? Do you get frustrated that you keep falling back into the same sins? Do you wish you could have the zeal and growth of a new Christian? As a new mum I’ve had all these feelings this year. I want to grow in my faith… but I feel tired and unmotivated.

Reviewed by Emily Warren

How should we do evangelism? Through courses, Sunday gatherings, or personal evangelism? This is something that Christians were also wrestling with in the 1960s, when Packer wrote his book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.

Reviewed by Emma Warren