Leaving Alexandria, By Richard Holloway

This excellent memoir crystallises current debates on the church, homosexuality and women's ordination.

A former Bishop of Edinburgh who left under a cloud of controversy, Holloway takes us through his early life – struggles with celibacy and sexual desire, intellectual protests against the church and his final exit – alongside asking the most profound questions of faith.

This is as much a candid self-inquiry as an elegantly-written interrogation of accepted Christian doctrine. A profound and lyrical book, deservedly shortlisted for the 2013 Orwell Prize.