I love to read. Love it. When I was a child, I would curl up with a book for whole days on end. As an adult, that love has only grown. Reading always makes me more aware of my own thoughts, the inner conversation that happens in the silence. Reading a real, honest to goodness book, touches something in my soul that draws me to the Lord. That’s not to say that I don’t ever read ebooks (I do!) and that I only do spiritual reading (nope!), but I have learned that reading is a way that I can access the stillness, the inner peace, the place of my heart where my soul resides with the Lord. And in this day of screens and sound and constantly being bombarding with stimuli, there is something magical about getting lost in a book.
With Mark being home right now, I’ve had more time for reading than I have in a long time, but I’m also trying to schedule more time for it into my day, intentionally choosing reading over scrolling, and locating the pockets of time where I can sink into a book for even a few minutes. Summer always makes me want to read more. With all that in mind, I thought I’d share a few of my recent reads with you. I’m always on the hunt for my next book, so please comment with what you’re loving right now!
Anne of Green Gables This is a re-read (or re-listen as it were) for me, but I am loving introducing G to Anne Shirley, one of my all-time favorite literary heroines. My Aunt M began reading the book aloud to G during our trip to Florida, and she’s been hooked ever since. We purchased the entire collection during a sale on Audible, so G has been listening her way through them during quiet time and before bed.
Edith Stein: The Life and Legacy of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Getting to know St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross has been on my to do list for years now, and I’m grateful for the time I’ve had to do it. I’ve enjoyed this biography of her tremendously. The author weaves in excerpts from Stein’s own writings along with first and second hand accounts from the people who knew her. I also appreciated the way the author mentions important political and historical dates throughout the book, aligning them with happenings in Edith’s life, which helps to put the story of this tremendous saint into historical context. There are also chapters that deal with the tension felt between Christians and Jews about Stein’s life, conversion, and sainthood, which I found fascinating.
The Tuscan Child I picked this one up on a whim before our Florida trip because it was an Amazon deal of the day and was not disappointed. It’s light and easy historical fiction with an engaging storyline. No foul language or explicit sexual content, which I always appreciate.
The Clockmaker’s Daughter Kate Morton is one of my favorite fiction writers. I have read every single book she’s written and loved them all. Morton effortlessly weaves together characters across timelines, building relationships and developing the plot step by step. Her books always keep me guessing, wondering where they’ll end up. They are also always satisfying- I don’t ever feel like she wraps up the ending too quickly, and she is not one to leave anything hanging. True to form, this book is exquisite. I couldn’t put it down.
In Sinu Jesu This has been my spiritual reading for months now, and I’m only a little more than halfway through it. I end up stopping to pray, ponder, and write so often that I rarely make it through more than a few pages at a time. It’s the prayer journal of a Benedictine priest and the conversations he had with the Lord. It is so timely in this moment in our Church, and so beautiful and heart-wrenching. It reminds me so much of St. Faustina’s diary. If you need hope, need to hear the Lord’s voice speaking to our broken world, get this book. You won’t regret it.
My Sisters the Saints Another Amazon deal of the day awhile back, this book is a spiritual memoir, telling the story of the author’s conversion of heart and life. It’s easy to read, engaging and uplifting, while still managing to challenge. This book reminded me not to neglect my relationships with my own patron saints, and to seek out their wisdom.
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