I cannot resist suggesting my all-time favorite novel: The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. While falling in the genera of fantasy, this book contains a wealth of spiritual wisdom and insights into human nature. After first reading this series in 3rd grade, I was hooked as a lifelong fan. As you read, pay attention to the themes of vocation, friendship, and providence – while there are no explicit references to God, there is a strong theme throughout the book that good will triumph so long as one is faithful to one’s mission on earth – a message we can never ponder deeply enough.

And the literary merits alone warrant a close read. Tolkien is a master of description. He changes his writing-style to match the setting: long, flowing sentences with the erudite elves; short, choppy sentences in the final throes of the quest in the evil land of Mordor. Some cultural critics have commented that this book prophetically questions the intersection of human freedom and totalitarian governments – a question well worth reflecting upon today. Blessings!

Where do you turn when you need a reminder of how delightful prayer can be? Father Jacques Philippe is a font of simple yet profound wisdom for the spiritual life. I first read Time for God in college, and it changed the way I viewed prayer from something-I-have-to-do to my-source-of-joy. In his accessible writing style, he distills the greatest insights of the saints to present an easy yet profound understanding of what prayer is and how to pray.

You will often hear me (and others) suggest “Perhaps you should pray about that,” which is a frustrating recommendation if you are not quite certain what it means to pray. This book can guide you into making prayer accessible, easy, and delightful. He first describes what prayer is, then moves to giving suggestions for how you might use your time in quiet prayer, how prayer develops and deepens, and finishes with practical suggestions for different methods of prayer.

I leave you with his words: “‘I would like to pray, but I don’t have the time.’ This is an often-heard excuse. In a world that is overwhelmed with activity, there is real difficulty finding time for everything. Nevertheless, time is not the real problem but recognizing what matters most in life. One contemporary author observed, “no one ever died of hunger because of not having time to eat.” Pick up this book, and you will certainly learn how to better nourish your soul. Blessings!

Adults rarely recite poems, not because we are too mature, but because we have lost our sense of childhood delight in the rhythm and rhyming of words. William Meehan’s book explores the fascinating world of mythical animals walking through the alphabet. I cannot put it better than the Amazon description: “Their jolly journey through an alphabet of mythical mammals unites the bright and bumbling Blug and the dear but downhearted Dally, who come to learn a thing or two about good, evil, courage, humor, sadness, hope . . . and how to govern their spirits and truly love their fellow mammals.”

While the book is expressly written for the ages of 8-12, Meehan has the gift of blending poetic rhythm and uplifting messages to foster a delightful read and profound reflections for all ages. My brother reads this book to his three sons (1-5) and I greatly enjoy hearing them echo snatches of these poems as they play. Meehan’s genius for fostering emotional intelligence helps the reader to develop a more sympathetic understanding for different personalities while frequently chuckling at his clever humor along the way.

But be warned! The full delight of this book is only achieved when read with great zeal, out-loud, and with other people present to laugh with you. Blessings!

I have been told a handful to times, “Father, although you sometimes mention political topics in your homilies, it doesn’t seem like you have an agenda.” This comment is only half-true. I do not have a political agenda, but I most certainly have an agenda of some kind, and one that touches upon politics. If you want to know what that agenda is, pick up From Christendom to Apostolic Mission.

This 90-page book offers a marvelous synthesis of our calling as Catholics and the cultural milieu in which we find ourselves today. It is no secret that politics often weigh heavily on our thoughts and easily become a source of frustration and anger. While we do not actively desire this frustration, we can feel helpless to change as each new story contains more inflammatory reports. I am not advocating abandoning the news (although moderation is always good), but rather to intentionally form a deeper perspective on life so that politics dominates your thoughts a little less.

This is the single most illuminating book I have read analyzing the predominant ideas within our culture while offering a balanced perspective for how we might best receive the good and reject the bad. It liberates one’s mind from the restrictively political mentality to examine our world at a deeper level informed by the light of faith. Be warned! If you read this book, you may feel less of a desire to merely ‘beat the other side’ and a greater desire to proclaim the kingdom of God. Blessings!

91 days in a bathroom, 3 feet by 4 feet, with 7 other women. Her family murdered outside. And her discovery that God not only heals pain, but gives joy, even in the most dire circumstances. 

Immaculée’s account of her spiritual healing during the Rwandan genocide has the ring of a real encounter with God: “During my waking hours I was in constant communication with God, praying and meditating for 15 to 20 hours every day. I even dreamed of Jesus and the Virgin Mary during the few hours I slept. In the midst of the genocide, I’d found my salvation. I knew that my bond with God would transcend the bathroom, the war, and the holocaust … it was a bond I now knew would transcend life itself. I lifted my heart to the Lord, and He filled it with His love and forgiveness. Being in that bathroom had become a blessing for which I’d be forever thankful. Even if my parents had perished in the bloodshed outside, I would never be an orphan.”

If you want to get to know the woman behind these words and witness the glory of a life of faith, pick up Left to Tell. You will discover that your life need not be defined by difficult circumstances but instead by the mercy of God. Immaculée has since moved to the United States and speaks publicly in order to raise money for orphanages run by the Missionaries of Charity.

In Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love, Dr. Sri breaks down St. John Paul II’s profound and difficult book, Love and Responsibility, in a supremely practical way. And he does so without sacrificing the depth of our good Pope’s difficult text. Combining philosophical insights and practical examples, Sri offers the reader a deeper understanding of how men and women relate to one another both in marriage and in life more generally. If you have ever found yourself wondering, “Why does she think that way?” Or “Why does he do that?” Pick up this book and you may find an answer.

The Church’s teaching on the relations between men and women is often perceived to be antiquated and misunderstood. I would challenge anyone ascribing to this view to refrain from disdain until they have read this book. While the book is not written as a ‘defense of the Church’s teaching’, one may glean from the reading a holistic vision of men, women, and their love for one another that sheds light on the beauty of the married vocation as first described by Jesus and passed down through our faith.

I use this book with my couples who are preparing for marriage, and have found the reflection questions at the end of each chapter to be a source of rich and meaningful conversations. If you and your spouse both enjoy books, this would be a great one to pick up together. Blessings!

This charming book tells the story of a double romance: Scott falling in love with Hillary and then both together falling in love with the Catholic faith. Scott and Kimberly alternate writing the chapters of the book, giving the book a delightful depth and rapport as you walk with them on their journey that began with a deep love of sacred scripture to their discovery that Scripture’s true home, and meaning, is discovered only in our Catholic faith.

It is sometimes said ‘If you want to know what Catholics actually believe, ask a convert.’ The Hahn’s began their journey with an anti-Catholic bias. Yet as they grew in love for Jesus Christ and continued to pursue His wisdom, their biases were broken down and the sparks of a lifelong love were enkindled.

If you have relatives or friends who are non-Catholic Christians, this book may serve as an excellent resource in understanding the subtle, yet very real, difference in worldviews. Rome Sweet Home will also inspire a new and deep appreciation for the truth and beauty of our faith.

“I wonder what they will write about her when she dies, she has really never done anything important in her life.” The Carmelites have a tradition of circulating a short obituary among their regional monasteries upon the death of one of their brothers or sisters. As Therese lay dying at the age of 24, her sister overheard a novice make this comment about her simple, and seemingly insignificant, life. Within 50 years, the memoirs St. Therese wrote at the command of her superior would be translated into over 50 languages, and within 150 years she would be declared a Doctor of the Church.

Why has her writing captivated millions of souls? St. Therese writes with a charming, affectionate style in a way that makes God feel close. Her childlike understanding of God as a Father whose greatest desire is to make his children know their belovedness has brought about great spiritual healing for thousands of people. Her “little way” teaches even the most accomplished that the ultimate reality of the human condition is our dependence – in childlike abandonment to God in every circumstance our true and lasting happiness is found.

St. Therese is a living testament to the truth of Jesus’ words: “Unless you acquire the heart of a child, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). If you desire to have such a heart and such a kingdom, open this book and learn from our youngest Doctor of the Church.

No young boy ever dreams of being a clerk when he grows up. The dreams of boys are filled with heroes daring great adventures, fighting terrible battles, and safeguarding beautiful women. Yet as the boy becomes a man, he becomes a nice guy who struggles in the work-a-day world and the romantic splendor of his childhood vision fades. Adam was created in a wilderness, while Eve was in a garden (Gen 2). Our world is all too often all-garden, no wild. Yet there is something within men that yearns for the place of his origins: to test his strength against difficult odds and fight for that which is worth cherishing.

John Eldredge wrote Wild at Heart as a clarion call for men to discover within themselves the deep nobility of our masculine nature. When the authentic gifts of masculinity are not recognized and exercised, man’s creative energy comes out sideways in all kinds of strange, and often sinful, ways. Eldredge makes the case that men, specifically Christian men, must reclaim their masculine strengths, which are lost in a society that values productivity more than adventure, niceness more than character, and tolerance more than truth. His riveting style and stories will give rise to good reflections and conversations: What does it mean to be a man? And even more so, a man redeemed?

I would highly recommend this book for men’s prayer groups. Women, especially married women, would also enjoy this as a way to more deeply appreciate the strange beauty of the men whom they love.

In recent years, the term ‘emotional intelligence’ has become more popular. It refers to those who possess two virtues critical to happiness: self-mastery and empathy. One who is emotionally intelligent has an awareness not only of what emotions she is feeling, but also the reason why these emotions are present and how they are influencing her. Emotional intelligence enables a person to retain her serenity and, therefore, good judgement, even in difficult circumstances.

In our spiritual tradition, the saints speak of three sources of interior movements – our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Most interior movements we experience arise from living our ordinary life – this is the human level. Yet, at times, our emotions and thoughts can also be influenced by either God or the Devil (see 1 John 4). As a young man, when St. Ignatius of Loyola was recovering from a canon-shot wound, he noticed the influence of the three causes of his changing interior state and developed what have been come to be called the ‘Rules of Discernment’.

These rules are immensely helpful for one who desires to grow in spiritual maturity. One first becomes aware of one’s interior movement, then understands the cause of the movement, before taking action to act on it if it comes from God, or reject it if it comes from the devil. This book will give you a deeper comprehension of your interior life and help you to more readily respond to God’s inspirations.

What makes for a perfect marriage? “The magic word is sharing: every stream of beauty, every faith and grief and dream…” As a young, secular couple in the mid-20th century,  Sheldon and his wife Davy fell madly in love and committed to doing whatever it takes to be sure that their in-love-ness increased every day of their relationship. Their strategy was logical – each committed to pursuing any interest or hobby the other enjoyed so that there would be no activity in which they could not find mutual delight. The nobility of their commitment to in-love-ness alone is inspiring and worthy of a read.

But the story gets even better as they move to Oxford and strike up a friendship with a popular Oxford professor, C.S. Lewis. Through many late-night conversations with their new friend, often over beer and cigars, they gradually become more amenable to the idea of Christianity. The description of the heady atmosphere of Oxford in the early 20th century will inspire any reader’s desire to pursue the great ideas and read the great books of western civilization.

Yet as their story turns toward tragedy, it reaches a beautiful, and deeply human, resolution. Davy converts to Christianity while Sheldon continues to struggle with questions of faith. She then becomes deathly ill, and Sheldon is left grappling with even greater questions of the meaning of love in light of death. He eventually does come to peace with his many questions, and to learn how you will need to pick up the book!

“For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want… For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am!” (Romans 7:19-24). Every person who reads these words can connect with St. Paul’s experience of temptation – our heart is filled with desires to be noble, loving, and good, yet we find ourselves fighting, holding grudges, and tempted by the ways of the flesh. How is it that the “law of sin” so often dictates our actions?

In this masterpiece, C.S. Lewis delves into the questions of how the devil goes about tempting people. If you were to tempt someone to hell, how would you go about it? This is the driving question of the book. Lewis uses a clever frame: Screwtape, a senior devil, writes advice to his nephew Wormwood, who has just received his first “patient” to tempt. This delightfully witty collection of ‘letters’ offers much content for reflection.

Here is a taste of the poignant phrases you will encounter: “You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness...It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing...Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. Your affectionate Uncle, Screwtape.”

What would it be like to speak to Our Blessed Mother every day for a few minutes? What advice would she give? And what would life feel like if she was a regular part of it? Fr. Neubert writes an imaginative ‘dialogue style’ book between the ‘Disciple’, ‘Mary’, and ‘Jesus’. Pulling from the scriptures and the Marian devotions of our tradition, he creatively presents them as coming from Our Blessed Mother herself.

This small, 79-page book gives a deep, theologically sound approach to Marian devotion. Beginning with the premise that we can never honor Mary more than Jesus does, he offers many practical ideas of how we might grow closer to Jesus through Mary. His straightforward writing style is so captivating, that St. Maximillian Kolbe would keep copies of this book to pass out to people whom he encountered.

I will leave you with the glowing endorsement of the greatest Franciscan saint of the 20th century (from a letter to his brother friars): “The Marianist E. Neubert has published a book entitled My Ideal: Jesus, Son of Mary. The spirit that pervades this book is entirely the same as ours.” If you are looking to grow in Marian devotion, this is my top recommendation!

When Queen Esther was debating whether she should risk her life to intercede for the Jewish people, her uncle Mordecai encouraged her, saying, “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). There are moments in history when an individual emerges whose character is commensurate to the challenges laid before him.

Such was the case in the life of Louis Zamperini. Louie grew up as a scrappy, Italian boy constantly getting in trouble for petty theft and pranks. His older brother pushed him to work out his energy by running. It ended up that track and Louie was a match made in heaven. Before he was 20 years old, Louie had already competed in the Olympics, and he was on track to be the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. But then World War II broke out, dashing his hopes for track and field as he joined the Air Force and became a bombardier, serving in the dangerous Pacific Theater.

One day, while out scouting for a fallen plane in the ocean, his plane also went down. He and his fellow survivor lived the next 47 days on a life-raft at sea, before landing on an island with a Japanese internment camp. For the details of this remarkable story of courage, forgiveness, and grace, you will need to pick up the book!

In 1793, the English skeptic and writer William Blake wrote an inflammatory book entitled The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. In this book, Blake upends the Christian worldview, exulting the revolutionary freedom of the devil standing against the ‘authoritarian’ power of God. He claims that Heaven and Hell are not really so different from one another – it is just a matter of perspective.

Some 150 years later, CS Lewis wrote a response that has become an enduring masterpiece shaping our imaginative understanding of the afterlife. A group of tourists live in a land where they can have anything they desire simply by wishing for it. They are miserable as they grow increasingly isolated from one another. One day, a bus comes that will take them to a different place. A number of people, but not all, board the bus, and they arrive in a land where the grass is greener, the trees more real, and they themselves are as ghosts. A number of people meet them at the bus stop, and each passenger undergoes a test of some kind, to release the one thing to which they are most attached.

If you are looking for a light read that inspires a sense of wonder at the goodness of life, both this one and the next, this is the book for you!

How can you quickly come to know the heart of a man? What lies deepest within him and makes him tick? It is easy: ask him what he most deeply loves, and you will know his heart. Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope St. John Paul II, has profoundly shaped the life of the Catholic Church. I expect as you read this book, you will discover that his 5 great loves have deeply shaped what you also hold most dear.

With his engaging style, Jason Evert moves from the hardship of Wojtyla’s early life, in which he lost his family members through sickness and war, to his priesthood, in which he fostered the good of family life despite harassment from the communist regime, all the way to his Papacy, which inspired millions with a deeper love and appreciation for our faith. Evert offers many beautiful anecdotes illustrating the loves that moved the heart of this man. These are the 5 loves: Young People, Human Love, The Blessed Sacrament, The Virgin Mary, and The Cross.

If your life has been touched by St. John Paul the Great, or if you desire to make a new heavenly friend, pick up this book!

History does not repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes. Kendra Tierney’s life has many resonances with the real Maria von Trap, whose remarkable life contained adventures and deep insights into our faith far beyond what was captured in the classic film, The Sound of Music. Kendra is a mother of 10, living in California, and recently widowed. She is a rising star in Catholic media, recently debuting a series on Formed.

In this delightful book, Kendra gives both the history and practical insights into building a Catholic culture in the home. From recipes she makes for feast days to the origins of Santa Clause, her wit and insights are sure to enrich the life of your own family and answer many unanswered questions: “I did not know that is why we always did ______ growing up!”

If you desire to build fun family traditions that harmonize with our Catholic faith, this is the book for you!