Nothing Left To Lose - Mat Kearney £12.00

Mat kearney has become a real breathe of fresh air with his mixed style of subtle pop, rap-like lyrics and immaculate vocals propelling him to new found heights on his outstanding major-label debut Nothing Left To Lose.  Nearly half od the album is culled from Kearney's 2004 independant label release Bullet.  These gems that singer-songwriter produces include Undeniable, In The Middle and Girl America where he describes the metaphor of his love becoming his nation. Kearney then moves away from his hip-hop sensibilities into a more guitar friendly pop look on newer songs, such as Crashing Down, Can't Break Her Fall and the album track Nothing Left To Lose.  The record that really struck me as the stand out record came just before the home straight album in All I Need as Kearney very cleverly mirrors a couples attempts to escape their relationship issues to running from a natural disaster. What really attracks me to Kearney's music however is the fact that he seems to have created his own genre through this album, as it is unlike anything else I have heard on the Christian music front. His faith shines through on the album as it appears he cares little for cross-over appeal, but the heart gripping and thought provoking moments on the album should be more than enough to interest listeners from all angles.

Simon

Finding Alice - Melody Carlson £8.99

Another Melody Carlson classic, in this book we follow the life of Alice Laxton, who at first look appears a normal fun-loving college girl.  However it is later revealed that Alice begins lose her grip on reality and then suddenly tumbles into a world of schizophrenia where God is speaking to her and her demons are appearing too real for comfort.  Little does she know this is the least of her worries, as she discovers when others attempt to intervene and "treat" her illness.

What I love about this book is the care and depth of research that has clearly taken part to understand how to write about the complex disease that is schizophrenia.  You will be educated as well as understanding her characters.  Unlike a lot of Christian fiction Melody doesn't lace the book full of religion nor spirituality, in fact there have been many reviews from people who haven't realised that she was a christian writer.  She also pulls from Charles Dogson's (AKA Lewis Caroll) children's classic Alice In Wonderland, which gives her character Alice a particular child's innocence which lends the novel a surreal atmosphere.

A must read I'd recomend to any one, perfect for summer.

Ema 

The Shack - William P Young £7.99

This is the best piece of Christian fiction that I have ever read.  I laughed, cried, had goose bumps and felt an overwhelming sense of the love of God.

The main character has a family tragedy that he and his family struggle to cope with.  During a period he describes as "the great sadness" Mack encounters God in a most marvellous way.

The author blows away our religous pre-conceived ideas of who God is, what He is like and His expectations of us.  It raises the question "why do we have to struggle with pain?"  I am left with an excited feeling deep within me that cries out "God you are so good!"

I highly recomend that you read this book, and it is endorsed by greater people than me - including Eugene Peterson, Wayne Jacobson and Michael W Smith.

Caz

The Glorious Revolution - Grey Holiday £9.99

Not your average album The Glorious Revolution is comprised of only six songs, however includes a 13 minute group interview resulting in a varied album that sounds a little like listening to a great radio station.  The songs range from rock to those of a more liad back feel such as the ballad "You Belong To Me". 

Grey Holiday's The Glorious Revolution is a diverse mix of songs that reinforces the Texas bands devotion to the christian faith as well as being a great album!

Ema

Deliberate Kids "A Boom-chaka-laka Rockin' Good Time!"- Phil Joel, £9.99

 I love this CD by Phil Joel, of Newsboys fame. It has 11 great tracks for kids of all ages, appealling on different levels. Tracks have great tunes, really rockin', great words and really well produced. My favorite track is called New Testament, and 'it does what it says on the tin!' - the words are the books of the New Testament, helping us all to remember the books in the right order.

It's a great CD to dance in the kitchen with the children whilst cooking the dinner!

Caz

Running Back To You - Yazz, £12.99

I would definately recommend this album, a lady who had a hit in the late 1980's "The only way is up".She has just made her first christian CD which I would describe as upbeat, funky jazzy and a great one to play around all your friends , on your own or on a sunny day in the car!!  A fab pressie idea for Mothers day on March 3rd.

Lizzie