Bookpoint
A bookshop and library ministry from Hall Green Baptist Chapel
Welcome to Bookpoint
Bookpoint is our bookshop and lending library, offering a carefully chosen selection of Christian books — from introductory titles for those exploring faith to deeper reads for established believers.
Whether you're looking for a gift, something to read yourself, or want to borrow a title from our library, you are very welcome to drop in during our opening hours.
Get in touchOpening Hours
Tuesdays & Saturdays
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Find Us
Hall Green Baptist Chapel
Bridgehouse Lane
Haworth, BD22 8QE
Featured Books
The Bible by Heart
I have been reading God’s word regularly since God brought me into his kingdom but I have always found it hard to memorize chapters, sections or even verses. I’m not talking about knowing and valuing Scripture but about committing it to memory.
Maybe this isn’t a problem for you in which case you may read no further.
I noticed this book The Bible by heart, when looking through some new deliveries in the bookshop. It describes ten ways to commit scripture to memory which can be used in combination or individually. What you choose depends on how best you learn. None of the ideas described are ‘quick fixes’ but if you’re prepared to put in the time they make memorizing seem possible. It is a short book – 104 pages and easy to read and understand. I can’t tell you how good it might be yet because I’ve only just begun to attempt to learn Romans 8. (I’ll let you know how it goes.) But I do know that once Scripture is your head and heart no-one can take it away from you.
Susan
Morning and Evening
Some of my fondest memories of my Grandparents were their love of this book. It consists of 365 readings, morning and evening, that Spurgeon wrote to help people love God's word each day. My grandparents had many copies of this book as they wore out copy after copy over the 70 years of their marriage. That love of it passed down to us too — Claire and I have learnt to love the book, and it forms a key part of my Bible reading each day. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a warm and often challenging way to engage with God's word.
Paul
Holiness
As a new young Christian, full of the joy and gratitude that salvation brings, one big thing still troubled me. My Christian life didn't seem to work once I left Church. The old sins, the temptations plagued me.
Seeing my struggles, a Christian gave me J.C.Ryles book - Holiness. 21 chapters ( the modern version I would recommend condenses the work into 10 very readable chapters). Chapter 1: Sin and Temptation. It moves to the Christians fight, the cost of a changed life, assurance, and the final chapter which I love - Christ is all.
I have read and re-read this book over many years. Why do I keep going back to Ryle and this subject of Holiness? The simple answer is that Holiness is the key to a Christian life that delivers the blessing of God. Ryle " just can't keep his eyes off Jesus".
New Christian, established Christian, theological student , Pastor. This books message will make a lasting impact on your life, as it has done for me.
2 quotes - " outside of the Bible, this is the best book I have ever read. Why? Because it changes me."
" If I had a million dollars, I'd buy everyone I know a copy".
Give it a try and I think like me, it will change your life too.
David M
Today's Gospel, Authentic or Synthetic
Today's gospel, Authentic or Synthetic" in 1970. It is an explanation of Mark 10 v 17 to 27 where a rich young ruler comes to Jesus and asks "Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He observes how Jesus preached the gospel, and demonstrates how far many in the church in the C20 had wandered from Jesus' message. This book helped me a great deal in being determined to be zealous for the gospel Jesus preached and not to be content with a "synthetic" message. Over 50 years on, perhaps the situation is worse than in Walter Chantry's day, and as nothing should concern us more than the authenticity of the gospel, I recommend it to you. It is still available from Banner of Truth Trust.
Mick
Holiness
‘In the Autumn of 1961, as young convert, I was asked to assist at a weekly evening meeting for Christian young people in setting out a book table. It was my first encounter in the selling of Christian publications. I became ‘hooked’ on reading Christian books spending all my spare cash in building up my own personal library.
I had never heard of Bishop J C Ryle or any of his books. I began to read them. My first acquisition was his book entitled ‘Holiness’. I expected it to be theological, academic, and difficult to follow. I was to be proved mistaken. It was down to earth, the language plain, and its subject matter very relevant to my lifestyle as young person. Further, I felt its practical applications in relation everyday living very challenging.
Furthermore, that it had been written just me! The twenty-one chapters cover a wide range of subjects such ‘the fight’, ‘the cost’, ‘assurance’, ‘unsearchable riches’ and ‘Christ is all.’ But it was chapter eight entitled, ‘Moses as an example’ that made the greatest impact on the direction of my life since in terms of seriously considering ‘giving up my small ambitions’ to be fully committed to Christ whatever the consequences that followed. To read of what Moses gave up as prince in Egypt, (they did not leave him he left them), and even more amazing what he chose in their place has overwhelmed and impressed me throughout my Christian pilgrimage. Sixty-five years later (this year) I saw a used copy available. I got in quick and snapped it up. I have come across copies that omits chapter eight, so check it is in the copy you find.’
Allen
The Intolerance of Tolerance
Don Carson was, for many years, a member of the faculty at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, lecturing in New Testament studies. Almost in spite of his academic credentials, Carson has been much used by God to teach and challenge the Church widely and well. This particular book is one in which he takes on the important and highly relevant issue of tollerance. We live in a world where the common mantra seems to be 'Do what you like as long as you don't try to get others to do it too.'
In other words, all things are tollerated, except that which they consider to be intollerent. There is, of course, an intrinsic irony in this approach, but undoubtedly we have all seen this in the arrests of Christians simply reading the Bible in public, and praying within a certain proximity of abortion clinics. The world in which we live today is very intollerent of true and faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Carson helps us to recognise the thinking behind such an approach to God's people and others who are unwilling to bow the knee to Western culture's values. This book will help equip you to speak the truth in love and be ready to reap the consequences of doing so. Although this book was written a number of years ago it is arguably even more relevant for believers today than it was for believers in the 2010s. Above all of the carefully thought through arguments and explanations put forward, it is important that we remember the God who is both rightly and righteously intollerent of our sin.
Let this book help you to be intollerent of sin and evil, and tollerent of sinners who need a Saviour, just as each of us does. As appealing as it can be to ignore the world around us, we are nonetheless called to live in the world, but not be of the world. Carson's writing will help us to do so in this important area!
Fred
Enjoying God
Have you ever had that feeling that you have lost a sense of joy in walking with Jesus day by day? If so, then this could be just the book you need! In this deeply practical and down to earth book, Tim Chester helps us to see how we might better enjoy the presence of our Lord as we go about our daily lives. Each chapter ends with a series of practical suggestions and questions that can really help you.
The subjects covered by Chester include joy and pain, fellowship, prayer, temptation and repentance. These are all central aspects of the lives of all Christians. They are also the kinds of things about which we can become blasse over time, failing to do little more than 'go through the motions' if we are not careful. Sometimes, the challenge of a new approach to try can be very encouraging, and certainly Chester's book points us in this direction.
The reader is reminded that joy is not necessarily what the world around says that it is. Joy is contentment in the One who has loved us and given Himself for us that we might be forgiven our sins and adopted into the family of God. We can experience this in good and bad times alike, through suffering and tragedy as well as times of celebration. To quote Michael Reeves, "Here is wisdom to brighten your every day with sheer enjoyment of God."
Fred
The Pastor with a Thorn in his Side
In this collection of pastors' experiences with depression and other mental health issues, Kneale has put together a really useful window in the real-life struggles of those who God has called to shepherd His people. It is very easy to think that pastors do not go through such trying times, but the sad reality is that they do. We are not immune to the pressures of modern life that afflict many people within our congregations.
There are some really good examples of how various pastors have lived and ministered through times of depression, sometimes needing to take time out to rest and refresh. Although this book is primarily aimed at pastors it could be helpful to church members to understand what may be going on with their pastor. The book encourages gracious understanding and a recognition that not all difficulties will pass this side of heaven.
As someone who has lived with depression for over 20 years it was reassuring to discover that I was far from on my own in this struggle. I have been encouraged to keep on ministering in the Lord's strength rather than my own. Pastors need our prayers, not just when they share their struggles openly, but all the time as we may not always know what they are facing inwardly.
Fred
They Whisper About Us
“They Whisper About Us,” by Joy Vee is a fictional story with a Kingdom message- it glorifies God and points people to Jesus. It centres around two girls, one a ballerina in the Soviet Union who has never heard of the Gospel, and one an aspiring public speaker from present-day Lincoln who is wrestling with it. When she finds an old tea tin and a set of ballerina shoes in her local theatre, we begin to discover how the stories of these two girls are intertwined.
I loved the insight into life in the Soviet Union during the 1960s from a young person’s perspective, and
particularly the clandestine ways in which the young ballerina is taught parts of the Bible. The events of her life are never predictable, and though the book contains emotional twists, God’s grace is a clear vein throughout.
The questions that both the ballerina and the girl from Lincoln struggle with can resonate with people of all ages.
“The Letters She Never Sent,” occurs alongside the first book, but from different characters’ perspectives, and only in the present day. It is written through short letters and diary extracts. The story is both sweet in the relationships it portrays, and gripping in the unravelling of events through the contrasting voices of the two main characters. You’ll gobble it up after reading “They Whisper About Us”!
These books are mostly told from the perspectives of young girls, but the truths and themes are mature
enough to strike or encourage anyone- whether to hearten a Christian or introduce a non-Christain to our
faith.
Safe All Along
Katie wrote Kisses from Katie (and Daring to Hope) about her experience of working with children in Uganda and adopting 13 girls.
In Safe all Along Katie offers practical guidance for navigating all the anxieties and worries that threaten the peace God offers His people.
Katie is married to Benji — they live in Uganda — and they have 15 children, teens and young adults. They sent seven children to college on a different continent. Katie speaks about placing her troubles and fears, and about placing her confidence in an unshakable God. - Gill Lockwood
Memorable Loss
When Kath asked us to read a book and write a review on it, this book just jumped out at me as dementia took my mother ten years ago.
It’s a story about two ladies, both teachers although Kathleen, who the story is about, is retired. They met at a church group and instantly struck up a
friendship despite Karen being warned off by her friend as Kathleen was an ex- deputy head and there being an age gap of over 40 years.
It’s a tale of Kathleen’s journey into dementia so there are some tears (in my case, particularly when she had her MMSE [mini-mental state examination])
and some smiles, notably when asking her to sign the Do not Resuscitate order “…what are we waiting for? I don’t want to be late for my appointment with God.”
As it says in the book, every case of dementia/Alzheimer’s is different as hers was to mine and will be with anyone else who had had to cope/is coping with someone suffering so there is quite a bit of medical detail in this book alongside the story of the deep friendship that grew between the two women and their shared faith.
To quote Sam Allberry in the beginning of the book: “This book is poignant, insightful and hopeful. It will equip and edify in equal measure.”
I could not agree more.
LS