One of my favorite projects of each New Year is to review my bookstore wish list and decide what I want to read over the next 12 months. This year I wanted to make sure my list was better than ever, so I emailed a few of my blogging friends and asked:
If you could recommend just one book for people to read in 2012, what would it be?
Here were their answers:
Matt Archbold on Gilead by Marilynne Robinson:
It’s one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read in years and it takes faith and grace very seriously. It’s the story of an aging pastor facing his own mortality and looking back at his life and worrying about his wife and child. I’ve read it three times. A gorgeous book.
Marc Barnes on Love In The Ruins, The Adventures of a Bad Catholic at a Time Near the End of the World by Walker Percy:
Because Walker Percy is the man and perhaps the most undervalued Catholic writer of our time. Because everyone needs a little existential crisis. Because Catholics need to balance every book on a Saint with a book on wonderfully pathetic sinner. Because this book will make you laugh.
Melanie Bettinelli on Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell:
It’s not often I pick up a book knowing nothing about it but I picked this up on the recommendation of a friend. I didn’t know what to expect at all but was very pleasantly surprised, although it was a rather stark book, there was something haunting in its simplicity. I guess if I had to sum it up, I’d say it was a novel about second chances.
Betty Duffy on The Death of the Adversary by Hans Keilson:
This is a book for people who enjoy literary novels about thought provoking subjects. Definitely not fluff. Written while Keilson, a Jewish author, was in hiding from the Third Reich during World War II, the book explores one young man’s myriad and complicated feelings toward his unnamed enemy, whom readers will recognize as Hitler. The novel is a quadruple layer cake of meaning, excellent writing, and historical information that will compel the favorable reader to delve into his own soul to examine his most deeply held convictions. A year later, I still can’t get it out of my mind, and that’s a good thing.
Karen Edmisten on Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade:
[I recommend] the timeless spiritual classic, Abandonment to Divine Providence, by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. I turn and return to my underlined, dog-eared copy of this book (I recommend the John Beevers translation) on a regular basis. It’s especially helpful and encouraging when I need reminders to embrace or accept “the sacrament of the present moment.”
Simcha Fisher on The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
I wish more people would give The Brothers Karamazov by Doestoevsky a chance. It’s intimidating because it’s so long and it’s A Classic, but it’s surprisingly modern, and has everything you could wish for in a novel: unforgettable characters, crazy stories, laughter, blood, tears, sex, God, monks, prostitutes, puppies, etc. This book will change you for the better, if it doesn’t kill you first.
Marcel LeJeune on Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Fr. Robert Barron:
I believe this book is the best modern overview of the Catholic Church’s truth, beauty, and goodness I have ever read. More than just another book about Catholicism, Fr. Barron takes us on a journey through space and time, to visit the great thinkers, artists, writers, and Saints of the Catholic Church. He doesn’t just tell us about the Catholic Church, but helps us love her.
Hallie Lord on Christ in the Home by Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J.:
With stunning insight into the differing—though complementary—natures of men and women, Christ in the Home guides married couples in creating a home that has Christ at its center. He wisely recognizes that a healthy union between husband and wife is essential to achieving this and so focuses primarily on their union. It is entertainingly politically incorrect, chock-full of delightful anecdotes and wise advice, and a must-read for anyone seeking to infuse their home with the peace of the Holy Spirit.
Jeff Miller on Spiritual Theology by Fr. Jordan Aumann. O.P.:
A difficult question for a serious bibliophile, but this year I can easily point out Spiritual Theology by Fr. Jordan Aumann. O.P. This is an in-depth look at spiritual theology where Fr. Aumann combines the areas of aesthetic and mystical theology. it is also very accessible to people of all levels and can be used as a reference for the spiritual life.
Leila Miller on What We Can’t Not Know by Professor J. Budziszewski:
Professor B. is a former atheist (now Catholic) and an expert on the natural law—i.e., the universal moral law that applies to everyone and that can be known through the light of human reason. If you’ve ever debated secularists or atheists and thought, “But she knows that isn’t right!” or “He can’t not know that!” then this book is for you. It rocked my little world and made a whole lotta things clear.
Sarah Reinhard on The Father’s Tale by Michael O’Brien:
On the surface, it’s a good story. Underneath, a compelling challenge to each of us. One thing I find, as I have reflected on it since putting it down, is that it is so multi-layered that it could be different things to different people and even at different points.
Roxane Salonen on Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas:
This biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who played a part in the so-called Valkyrie plot to kill Hitler, reads like a novel and is expertly crafted. I also think Metaxas himself, one of the writers of the popular Veggie Tales series for children, is someone to know, which is why this work rises to the top of my list of recommendations. In addition, I’m one who sees the connection between the World War II Holocaust and abortion, and I think it behooves those of us in the pro-life arena to learn from a martyr who died for his belief in the dignity of every person…Metaxas’ work is transforming.
Eric Sammons on Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week by Pope Benedict XVI:
I would recommend Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week (and Jesus of Nazareth, Volume 1 if you haven’t read that yet). If you want to understand Benedict’s pontificate, you must view it Christologically: everything our Holy Father is doing is intended to bring the Church into a deeper encounter with Christ. But who is this Christ that Benedict wants us to encounter? Find out by reading his Jesus of Nazareth series.
Elizabeth Scalia on Simplifying the Soul: Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit by Paula Huston:
Paula is a Benedictine Oblate who has clearly internalized St. Benedict’s exhortations to balance and simplicity. Drawing on the gospels, the Desert Fathers and Mothers and more, she has put together what is is literally a 40-day guide to a life-less-complicated—one more focused on prayer, mercy and a fullness of joy through knowledge of Christ. It’s superb.
Dorian Speed on Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Unset:
My recommendation is “epic,” as the kids say, because it’s an actual epic: Sigrid Unset’s Kristin Lavransdatter. It’s a poignant and thought-provoking examination of femininity, sexuality, and family—interwoven into the life of the main character, a Catholic noblewoman in medieval Norway.
Stacy Trasancos on Evolution for Believers by Fr. Stanley L. Jaki:
It was most unexpected that a Catholic priest of the Benedictine Order and renowned physicist who wrote a little book about evolution would so emotionally move me (and I wasn’t even pregnant), but by the end of the 32 pages of this $3 booklet I not only had the fuzzy debate about science and religion aligned neatly in my mind, I also realized why science has limits and faith is absolutely necessary for real understanding of our place in the world. My coffee-stained copy stays by my computer because it is a powerful tool bag of one-liners for any thoughtful discussion, with a believer or a nonbeliever, about what evolutionary science really means to mankind—and, more importantly, what it doesn’t.
Brandon Vogt on Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Fr. Robert Barron:
How can I do this book justice? It’s not just my favorite book from 2011; it’s simply the best book I’ve ever read on Catholicism. I can’t think of anyone more capable of writing it than Fr. Robert Barron. He’s brilliant and articulate, to be sure, but he’s also one of today’s most-cultured theologians…Barron uses his mastery of art and architecture, story and song, philosophy and theology to show that Catholicism isn’t just true and good—it’s also profoundly beautiful.
Matthew Warner on Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life by Archbishop Chaput:
In 2012, we’ll have one of the most important elections of our lifetime. An election where Americans must decide between two very different paths for our country and people. Catholics and our faith must play a role in that decision. As Archbishop Chaput says, “Christian faith is always personal but never private.”
Chelsea Zimmerman on The Story of a Soul the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux:
If you’re looking for a good Catholic classic, you can’t go wrong with Story of a Soul, the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Few saints have had as much of an influence on my spiritual life as The Little Flower, whose example of humility and abandonment shows us the strength that can be found when we embrace the limits of our human nature and place all our hope and trust in God who is “more tender than a Mother.”
My recommendation is Memorize the Faith by Dr. Kevin Vost. Everyone should read this book. Not only will you be able to memorize your favorite prayers in no time at all, but you’ll be able to apply these techniques to every area of life.
Now, as if my wish list isn’t already long enough, I want to hear from you: If you could only recommend one book for people to read this year, what would it be?
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Fr. James Martin’s Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life was probably my favorite book I read last year. It’s funny, poignant, and a great reminder that we evangelize best when we show the joy that faith brings to our lives.
Life of Christ by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton, Heretics by G.K. Chesterton, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis by G.K. Chesterton, and Truth and Tolerance-Christian Belief and World Religion by Joseph Cardinal
Ratzinger or Pope Benedict XVI. Then maybe some books by St. Thomas Aquinas. I read books where I can learn more about our faith at the same time. Also I’m reading right now Introduction Into Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI
Dimiter by William Peter Blatty
A great primer on Chesterton is “The Apostle of Common Sense” by Dale Alquist - it gives a thorough overview and discussion of Chesterton’s writings, which is a good springboard to reading Chesterton himself.
My favorites by Chesterton are the following:
Manalive
The Man Who Was Thursday
the Father Brown Mysteries
Orthodoxy
The Everlasting Man
A book I recently finished and that is short but took me some time to read was “Heinrich Pesch on Solidarist Economics.” Needed items along with book: pencil, sharpener, note tabs, dictionary, and encyclopedia or access to wikipedia.
http://www.amazon.com/Heinrich-Solidarist-Economics-Rupert-Ederer/dp/0761812466
I wish more of these were available on Kindle!
THE GREAT DIVORCE by C.S. Lewis, so clever and provoking thought about which destination we are choosing and just how we are choosing.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel a fantastic book about faith and perseverance. Beautifully written, will become a classic!
Well, my Amazon wishlist just got MUCH longer!
I would say The Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words by Rod Bennett. My husband recommends it to everyone he meets and I intend to finally get to it this year too!
Well, Chesterton always, but let me suggest “Inquisition” from Edward Peters. He is the a known specialist and you will lear to discuss with anyone.
I think I will take Leila Miller’s suggestion
Happy New Year.
Best,
Pedro Erik
The Last Superstition by Edward Feser. If you’re up for a systematic trek through reason and philosophy that exposes the shallow thinking of the new atheism, this is the book for you. What the ‘New Atheists’ (Dawkins, Dennet, Hitchens…) have done is to follow the founders of modern philosophy (Descartes, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche…) and conveniently abandon Aristotle and Aquinas. This, says Feser, “was the single greatest mistake ever made in the entire history of Western thought,” resulting in the destructive insanity that pervades modern thinking.
(Combine TLS with David Bentley Hart’s, Atheist Delusions, and you will be well-armed to defend the Faith on all fronts).
Fr. Jacques Philippe’s “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” and “Time for God”. Both are very short, but filled with wisdom!
It may be simplistic; certainly as a new convert to Catholicism, I appreciated it’s purity and honesty without it being crowded with too much intellectualism. The imagery alone is worth the read.
The Shack by William P. Young
The Island of the World by Michael O’Brien. I read twice back-to-back last year because it was so multiple-layered I had to. I have never done that before. I am ready to read it again. It is a stunning epic and I can’t quit thinking about it and the lessons it contains.
God’s Philosophers by James Hannam! In short: Catholics aren’t anti-science; we laid the foundation for modern science.
Disqualifying books and authors recommended above, I’d recommend Mortimer J. Adler’s “Ten Philosophical Mistakes.” Like Prof. Budziszewski (“What We Can’t not Know,” etc.), he writes in a clear manner for the everyman or lay reader without dumbing down the philosophical concepts which he is dealing with. The philosophical mistakes are all pretty common—meaning that they are made not only by professional philosophers, but also by most of the people we would encounter in our everyday lives, to the extent that some of them are more-or-less assumed by a large number of people.
please add fr robert spitzer’s ‘ten fundamental principles’ especially for the readers who want roe v wade overturned and who want to know the why and how
In light of everything recommended here, I’d like to recommend the following:
Fr. Robert Barron, And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation
G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy.
Erika Bachiochi, ed., Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, On Conscience and Spirit of the Liturgy.
God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens.
Salvation is from the Jews, by Roy H. Schoeman. Definitely worth it for its exploration of the elements of Jewish worship in Catholicism, as well as the intellectual history of Nazi anti-Semitism (Schoeman is a convert).
“How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization” by Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
“Catholic & Christian” by Alan Schreck (20th anniversary ed)
Both are concise and informative reads.
“The Fulfillment of All Desire”, by Ralph Martin. This book singularly convinced me that not only should I strive for holiness, but that it is possible. It’s a graced journey through the eyes of the greatest spiritual doctors of the Catholic Church. I go back to it over and over again.
Two timeless masterpieces: “Confessions” of St. Augustine of Hippo and “The Imitation of Christ” of Thomas a Kempis. No hesitation or compromises with the world.
Matthew Kelly’s “Rediscovering Catholicism”
For those in discussion with non christian brothers: ‘Absolute Relativism’ by Christ Stefanic
Some light reading: Any historical fiction novel by Louie De Wohl… my favorites:
1. Restless Flame
2. Lay Siege to Heaven
3. The Quiet Light
I would add that if you’re going to read The Brothers Karamazov, speak to a Russian Orthodox priest or read an Orthodox perspective on it. It is meaningful to any Roman Catholic who loves their faith, but it comes alive when it is understood in it’s Eastern Orthodox context. The culture is richly Russian and written from a purely Orthodox perspective, which is great to just take into consideration when reading it:)
Here’s a great (podcast) review and analysis of The Brothers Karamazov at Ancient Faith Radio for anyone who is interested. I already posted this, but it didn’t seem to work.
http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/speakingofbooks/the_brothers_karamazov
Third try…the link appears now.
I’ll be reading, “St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross on the Beatitudes”, by Thomas M. Reid, OCDS
http://www.thelittleflowerpress.com/St-Teresa-of-Jesus-and-St-John-of-the-Cross-on-The-Beatitudes-The-Beatitudes.htm
“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl is one of my favorite books I read from 2011. It is short but extremely powerful.
“Left to Tell” by Immaculee Ilibagiza
1. The Habit of Being (letters) by Flannery O’Connor
2. anything by David Bentley Hart
I found HOWZAAAAAT! (a powerful debut novel)written by one of my former students….Neal Whittle to be riveting reading.Check it out at www.littlerock.com.au
Thanks Jen- ordered two of them!
Thanks to Tiffani, I just sent it my husband who just finished re reading the Brothers K.
No fair recommending more than one book! You gotta pick one…that’s the fun!
:-)
Certainly no list would be complete without G. K. Chesterton, but I still like the classic, Introduction To A Devout Life by St. Francis DeSales…!!!
A more modern day recommendation would be Thea’s Song, The Life of Thea Bowman by Charlene Smith and John Feister…!!! If you follow Sister Thea or wish to get to know her, be sure to watch her approx. 36 minute video of her presentation in 1989 to the USCCB, the year before her death…http://vimeo.com/31514361
In all modesty, I would add my recently published book, NONFEASANCE, to Jennifer’s list of recommended reads. It concerns the Church’s ongoing failure to protect its primary source of income: the Sunday collection. If the Church expects to remain fiscally viable in the years ahead, it is absolutely essential that it move to ensure that every dollar placed in the collection baskets each weekend is, in fact, properly deposited into the parish bank account. With few exceptions, that is not presently the case, and it won’t be unless and until the bishops act IN CONCERT to implement secure procedures they’re already well aware of but refuse to acknowledge and adopt.
For more on that, go to www.NONFEASANCE.info.
Some great books ... for a spiritual title “Poustinia” by Catherine Doherty. A great underread novel “Riders in the Chariot” by Patrick White. “The Idiot” by Dostoyevsky. Anything by Flannery O’Connor - start with her letters “The Habit of Being” and then “Wise Blood.” “The Religious Sense” by Don Luigi Giussani, founder of Communion and Liberation. Book to gain a tender heart toward loyalty “Modoc, the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived” by Ralph Helfer ... the cover photo is worth the price. Mike O’Brien’s “Island of the World.” And finally “The Reed of God” by Caryll Houselander ... the only book to read on Our Lady. Karen
Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles. It’s a how-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it (TEOTWAWKI) field manual written as a novel.
My choice is Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre, foreward by Scott Hahn. This book looks at Jewish scriptures and traditions to understand the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper and to give an understanding of the Eucharist in light of the Jewish covenant with God. I found this book to be a great followup to Salvation is from the Jews by Roy Schoeman.
For a timeless, simply profound discussion of the attributes of God, read “Knowledge of the Holy” by Tozer. We have such a tiny limited concept of the vastness of God and this small book will expand that concept bit by bit. ....from a newbie blogger at waycatholic.com
TEN PRAYERS GOD ALWAYS SAYS YES TO by Anthony DeStefano is a must read to reflect more deeply on our relationship with God and to help us grow spiritually.
My book would have to be The Spiritual Combat Revisited by Jonathon Robinson. This book goes over Lorenzo scupolis treatise and ties everything in that book together to give you a road map to holiness. My copy is heavily underlined. Every Catholic would profit from this book. Especially good in my opinion is the chapter covering chastity which is so needed today.
Fr. Jim Martin’s Between Heaven and Mirth
Christopher West’s Theology of the Body for Beginners
Fr. Jaques Philippe’s Searching for and Maintaining Peace
C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters
Patrick Madrid’s The Godless Delusion
Naturally, I have to support my wife’s books (Karin Ficke Cook) written from a Catholic perspective. A series of mystery stories surrounding the Sanderson family in four paperback novels published by Publish America. There are also four ebooks, the first ‘Seven Doors of Time’ is a collection of seven short stories. More details can be found on our rather ‘Catholic’ web site thecookcompanies.com The ebooks can be found at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66076
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.
Father Elijah (end times Catholic novel) and Theophilos (first century times Catholic novel), both by Michael O’Brien. Lessons in both that we need so much TODAY.
“Entering the Silence” by Thomas Merton. It is a collection of Merton’s monastic journals. If you can ignore his constant angst about wanting to be in a more contemplative order then it is actually full of spiritual gems. Little sentances or paragraphs that you can put the book down and spend half hour or so thinking about.
Dr. Edward Feser:
“Aquinas” and “The Last Superstition”
‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas a’ Kempis. I keep a copy within arm’s reach at all times, even when I go out. This book puts our lives into stark perspective. It is a no-nonsense reminder about why we are here, where we are headed, the difficulties and obstructions in our path and the divine guidance we have to help us get to our ultimate destination. It is important to have a good translation though…
Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin (or any of his short stories from the collection The Pacific). His worldview and understanding of the inherent dignity of man are solid, and the stories so very engaging.
In all these book recommendations no one has mentioned The Left-Behind Series. I’m curious about the Catholic perspective/opinion on them. I started reading them about 9 years ago and finished around 2004. I credit them with awakening within me thoughts about returning to church after a very long absence. Those thoughts culminated in my conversion to Catholicism at last year’s Easter Vigil. Do Catholics not like these books?
I MUST recommend “A Severe Mercy,” by Sheldon Vanauken, a most unfortunately overlooked gem of a memoir, in which the author and his wife are aided in their conversion to Christianity by CS Lewis while at Oxford. Book contains story of their courtship and life, and several letters between Lewis and Vanauken. You won’t be disappointed.
“Covenanted Happiness - Love and Commitment in Marriage (Third Edition, 2009)” by Cormak Burke.
http://www.cormacburke.or.ke/node/995
Kris: do some googling on Catholics and “Left Behind.” For heaven’s sake don’t open that pandora’s box here!
With over 60% of U.S. Catholics no longer believing in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, I would MOST HIGHLY recommend Dr. Brant Pitre’s book “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist”. I’ve done fairly substantial reading on the Eucharist, and was ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY with the content of this book. Everyone that I’ve recommended it to has also been changed dramatically by it, including one family member who barely went to mass. Since reading it he has had a prodical son experience and now loves the mass.
I second the recommendation for Women, Sex, and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching edited by Erika Bachiochi which challenges the common misconception that Catholic teachings are anti-women and anti-sex.
I love anything by C.S. Lewis but your question was “If you could only recommend one book for people to read this year, what would it be?” and honestly the best, most interesting book I read last year was Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky about saving Yiddish books. Not catholic or even Christian at all but fascinating and fun.
I loved this book! Maurice & Therese: The Story of a Love, by Patrick Ahern. It contains the letters written by St. Therese of Lisieux and a young seminarian, Maurice Belliere. They had a “pen pal” type of relationship; Maurice requested a Sister to correspond with and to pray for him, and Therese was appointed to the task by her Mother Superior. Reading her letters offered an intimate perspective on Therese as the sensitive, and loving young woman that she was.
I would recommend: Sacrament of The Present Moment by Kitty Muggeridge, it is her translation of Abandonment to Divine Providence, and is much more accessible. I probably reread it at least once a year and find new insights each time.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis I love narrative fiction, and this narrative examines what is at the heart of faith and the pitfalls we face in trying to live in faith brilliantly in an entertaining narrative. In the course of telling a fun, sometimes funny story, Lewis also skewers the most common objections to religion and supports in pursuit.
I would say that the one book you should read this year is the Ignatius Study Bible. Not only is it accessible to scholars and beginners, you can take it to prayer, adoration, or work! Soul food!
You know, I really only see TWO classics on here: 1. Story of a Soul. And 2. Jesus of Nazareth.
We need to be more educated on the CLASSICS such as John of the Cross’s Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, et al. What about the works of Saint Augustine which ARE so very pertinent to this day???
I see far too much liberal writings in parish “libraries.” We need educated on our OWN teachings of the Church and far too many Catholics LACK this. How about: “The Catechism of the Catholic Church” ??? Do ALL of you own one? How about Humane Vitae? Sure, it is an Encyclical but it is SHORT and a MUST for Catholics especially in this Culture of Death.
IF you want to be a TRULY GOOD Catholic, start with the basics then go from there. Simple. Oh, and read a chapter or two from the bible each day in addition to the readings from the Daily Mass.
-Patrick
‘The Soul of a Lion - the Life of Dietrich Von Hildebrand’ by Dr Alice Von Hildebrand. An amazing life, beautifully written.
I second The Soul of A Lion.
Also, though it is not religious: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
It is about an unknown woman whose life has had an extraordinary impact. And it is so informative about medical history, with a number of implications for modern issues like informed consent and embryonic stem cell research.
Introduction to Christianity, Joseph Ratzinger. A theological and philosophical tour de force. Every thinking Christian, Catholic or otherwise, should read this.
“The Evidential Power of Beauty: Science and Theology Meet” by Fr.Thomas Dubay, SM, and “Dear and Glorious Physician” (about St. Luke) and “Great Lion of God,” (about St. Paul,) both by Taylor Caldwell before she seemed to change her philosophy a whole lot. I second the Louis de Whol books suggestion, and Scott Hahn’s books, and also want to mention those of Anne Catherine Emmerich, and “The Passion of Jesus and It’s Hidden Meaning,” by Fr. James Groenings, S.J.
It’s very hard to just pick one, isn’t it?
Re the query posted by Kris of New England on Friday, Jan 6, and regarding a conversion after reading The Left-Behind Series, I would only note that I read 3 or 4 from that series and found them to be very moving. I can easily see them forming the basis for a conversion or return to the Christian faith whether to Catholicism or some other denomination. I’m a life-long Catholic who felt a stirring or resurgence of faith as a result of having read books from that series.
I would recommend reading the book by Vinny Flynn - 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. It is written in a very simplistic way, also very thought provoking and it will leave you feeling like receiving the Eucharist is one of the most wonderful things in the world.
‘Surrender’ by Fr. Larry Richards
Is totally changing how I think about my Catholicism, my life, my soul!
He is funny yet straight to the point. He hits a LOT of chords and isn’t afraid to do so…but he is sincere and helps to make it real all at the same time!
This is a book that will sit at my bedside and be read OVER and OVER again!
LOVE it!
GOD IS NOT GREAT by Christopher Hitches—always know what the enemy is saying.
Oh, I forgot—good Catholics can’t stand debate.
I’ve got hundreds of good books recommended here for those who are interested: easternchristianbooks.blogspot.com.
WOW! Thank you Jeff Miller for the link! It’s like you recommended a good book and then graciously provided a copy of it! Wait-a-sec, it’s not ‘like’ that, you DID graciously provided a copy of it. Thanks again! (Especially because a copy on amazon is $48.95)
I would recommend ‘Theology and Sanity’ by Frank Sheed.
A must read is the trilogy by Brian Gail, Fatherless, Motherless and Childness. They are the best, and I wish there were more books like
this dealing with our contemporary times, the challenges and the promise. HIGHLY recommended. And, of course, all the Michael O’Brien books.
Just now saw this. Great stuff. Thanks!
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