Bird, Jennifer Grace. PERMISSION GRANTED: TAKE THE BIBLE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015 (189 pages, $16).

A useful primer for those who want to develop a mature relationship with a sacred text, jettisoning their literalism. Dr. Bird cuts to the chase on issues, translations, and interpretive matters, handing the reader a useful scaffold on which to hang future study and/or devotion.

Cabico, Regie and Fonte, Brittany. FLICKER AND SPARK: A CONTEMPORARY QUEER ANTHOLOGY OF SPOKEN WORD AND POETRY. Lowbrow Press, 2013 (423 pages, $18).

Every so often a book comes along that shatters language into new sparks. This aptly named anthology does just that. Spoken word and poetry by a myriad of queer writers is an effervescent retelling of three important eras: pre-Stonewall in the 1970s; AIDS in the early 1980s, and Brandon Teena’s death in 1993. The poems shine with love and loss. A collection of depth to sit with and ponder.

Eds. Cassidy, Laurie and O’Connell, Maureen H. SHE WHO IMAGINES: FEMINIST THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2012 (228 pages, $26.75).

The word “beauty” calls up thoughts of both harmful standards and awesome aesthetics. Laurie Cassidy and Maureen H. O’Connell gather scholars to discuss beauty in the religious realm. Essays from Susan A. Ross, Mary Ann Zimmer, and Elizabeth Johnson among other prominent scholars offer readers insights into Kaethe Kollwitz’ sculpture, imaginings of God as a woman, and other provocative topics.

Cocca-Leffler, Maryann. JANINE. Chicago, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2015 (32 pages, $8).

Children’s books so often simplify difficult issues and gloss over the complexity of humans. Cocca-Leffler’s new book, however, is a breath of fresh air as she shares her daughter’s story to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and remind children how important and awesome they are. This book brings awareness and teaches respect for people with disabilities.

Davis, Kara and Lee, Wendy. DEFIANT DAUGHTERS: 21 WOMEN ON ART, ACTIVISM, ANIMALS, AND THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Books, 2013 (262 pages, $15.89).

Twenty-one feminist thinkers celebrate and explore the enduring effects of The Sexual Politics of Meat. This wide range of essays covers subjects such as factory farms versus locally grown food, breastfeeding, the challenges of veganism, and eating disorders. Each writer explains how Adams’ revolutionary work influenced their lives, art, activism and relationship to animals. The strong ties between feminism and vegetarianism are upheld, and new connections brought to light. A marvelously enjoying read for those avid fans of Sexual Politics, vegetarians, vegans, and newcomers alike.

Eds. Eddy, Kathryn, Wilson, L.A. and O’Rourke, Janell. THE ART OF THE ANIMAL: FOURTEEN WOMEN ARTISTS EXPLORE THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Books, 2015 (185 pages, $40).

Inspired by the ground-shaking work of Carol J. Adams, these artists convey her theory in various media. The images are telling, probing, bothering, just as the abuse of animals is scandalous. A beautiful volume, a compelling read, a challenge to all.

Eds. Elwell, Sue Levi and Kreimer, Nancy Fuchs. CHAPTERS OF THE HEART: JEWISH WOMEN SHARING THE TORAH OF OUR LIVES. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2013 (206 pages, $17).

In “Chapters of the Heart”, Sue Levi Elwell collects wonderfully personal essays from Jewish women, including Laura Geller, Judith Plaskow, Ellen M. Umansky, Vanessa L. Ochs, and Blu Greenberg.  Each contributor has pulled a piece from her life and held it up to the light, examining with care the refractions of religion and identity.  This is a pleasing read for anyone looking for a glimpse into the minds of women living out their faith with courage.

Harvey, Jennifer. DEAR WHITE CHRISTIANS: FOR THOSE STILL LONGING FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014 (262 pages, $13.99).

In Dear White Christians, Jennifer Harvey critically cuts through the Christian rhetoric of racial reconciliation and calls for justice through engagement, remembering, and reparations. This foundational work provides hope and concrete ways to actualize it. It is an important addition to dialogue on race and religion, a must have, must read, must follow book.

Hickling, Meg. THE NEW SPEAKING OF SEX: WHAT YOUR CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW AND WHEN THEY NEED TO KNOW IT. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Northstone, 2005 (250 pages, $3.95).

Human understanding of sex is always in flux, so how do modern parents answer the really hard questions? Hickling writes with sincerity, clarity, thoroughness, and a whole-body approach, addressing and educating both parents and children. Sex education and this updated version of an essential piece are vital for the sexual and mental health of all.

Hockey, Jenny, Meah, Angela and Robinson, Victoria. MUNDANE HETEROSEXUALITIES: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICES. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007 (206 pages, $90).

This volume proves that there are as many ways to be straight as there are to be gay. A look at some of them helps to unmask assumptions and decenter default notions. A useful book for those who like to examine sexualities but haven’t necessarily looked critically at the rapidly evaporating heteronormativity.

Eds. Isherwood, Lisa and Bellchambers, Elaine. THROUGH US, WITH US, IN US: RELATIONAL THEOLOGIES IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. London: SCM Press, 2010 (263 pages, $32.79).

This collection, including essays by Carter Heyward, Ursula King, Mary Grey, Lisa Isherwood, Mary Condren, and other feminist scholars breaks open the possibilities and abundance provided by perceiving the divine embodied and in relationship with all of the cosmos. Invigorating for those wanting to shake the bedrock of traditional theologies and explore new ways of doing and being theology.

Maguire, Daniel C. CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT GOD: MOVING BEYOND THE DOGMAS AND RETRIEVING THE EPIC MORAL NARRATIVE. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2014 (226 pages, $75).

God-talk, Maguires writes, will never unite us. He presents a well-thought case for beginning to center Christianity less on the dogmatic theories of personal deity, incarnate savior, and life after death, and more on a general theology of humanity and morality. The book offers a definition of religion as a celebration of the sacred. Both atheists and theists will appreciate a revamped view of Christianity relevant to today’s fraught world.

McConville, Brigid. ON BECOMING A MOTHER: WELCOMING YOUR NEW BABY AND YOUR NEW LIFE WITH WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD. London: Oneworld Publications, 2014 (291 pages, $16.99).

Having a child is both a physical and a spiritual experience. This collection of stories, folk wisdom, customs, and other lore from around the world demonstrate just how varied the experience can be. This makes a lovely gift for a woman expecting a baby though would be even more useful if it included materials on becoming a mother through adoption as well as childbirth.

Eds. McKenzie-Mohr, Suzanne and Lafrance, Michelle N. WOMEN VOICING RESISTANCE: DISCURSIVE AND NARRATIVE EXPLORATIONS. New York: Routledge Press, 2014 (212 pages, $31).

Bridging academic scholarship and practical living, this collection creates “counter-stories” of women’s experiences including coming out, childbirth, sexual violence, and depression. Its global scope disrupts traditional dominant narratives. The volume is informative, creative, and liberating providing some good models for future acts of resistance.

Eds. Pui-lan, Kwok, Berling, Judith A. and Te Paa, Jenny Plane. ANGLICAN WOMEN ON CHURCH AND MISSION. New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2012, (209 pages, $24).

The challenges of being a global church increase rather than decrease with diversification. Anglicans know this well and painfully. This sterling collection of essays by women who are deeply involved with the complexities of cultural differences, male-dominant history, and genuine efforts to be inclusive with integrity is a compelling example for many religious groups grappling with the same issues.

Siddiqui, Mona. MY WAY: A MUSLIM WOMAN’S JOURNEY. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (222 pages, $15.54).

A descriptive and thoughtful account of one woman’s experience in Islam, dealing with everything from desire and loss to interfaith dialogue. Unique in its content, welcome in its perspective, this book will open new windows on Muslim women’s struggles.

Stewart, Whitney (pictures by Sally Rippin). MEDITATION IS AN OPEN SKY: MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS. Chicago: Albert Whitman and Co., 2014 (31 pages, $16.99).

Teaching children to meditate may seem far-fetched. But this lovely introduction to the practice, geared to the school-aged set, is a must-have tool in every caretaking adult’s kit. Sad, angry, scared or just plain out of steam? Techniques in this delightfully illustrated book are sure to help.

Eds. Trible, Phyllis and Russell, Letty M. HAGAR, SARAH, AND THEIR CHILDREN: JEWISH, CHRISTIAN, AND MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006 (211 pages, $12.50).

Moving through time and across different religions, this compilation weaves together the stories of two of the Bible’s most important female figures for our society, analyzing and breaking down the patriarchal structures that some readings of the Bible reinforce. Phyllis Trible and Letty Russell were insightful and educational, providing us with a much-needed account of these women’s lives and legacies that remains salient today.