Summer is here! That means vacations, cookouts, sleeping in (maybe?), and all kinds of adventures. I love using summer to really make a dent in my booklist. Beach Reads that Won't Kill Your Soul So whether you’ve got the warm sand between your toes, or a hammock attached to your cabin in the mountains, or even just your favorite reading spot on the couch, here is a list of books to check out that won’t leave you feeling like you need to go to Confession! Make It Happen by Lara Casey Some of you may have seen your favorite bloggers or Instagram handles mention the Power Sheets by Cultivate What Matters. Well, that company was founded by a woman named Lara Casey. She wrote a phenomenal book on living your life with intention while keeping Christ at the center of your goals. Lara discusses how exhausting the chase for “perfection” can be, especially in a society that is constantly provoking us to compare ourselves to those around us. This book is centered on not living our lives by accident, but on purpose. You'll be inspired to approach all that you do with and through Christ. The Mother of the Little Flower by Celine Martin This book is short but sweet. If you’ve ever wanted a closer look inside the Martin family or wondered what St. Therese the Little Flower was like as a child, this book is for you! Celine Martin walks us through the life of her mother with stories and excerpts from letters. You will find yourself falling in love with Zelie Martin and her take on motherhood and holiness. Zelie was bringing up her girls to be saints (success!) with both tough love and sweet affection. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the saints or a quick read, I highly recommend this book! A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro Where are my Sherlock Holmes fans? The book A Study in Charlotte is a modern take on the classic Sherlock mysteries we love so much. Charlotte Holmes (a Sherlock descendant) and Jamie Watson (a Dr. Watson descendant) find themselves attending the same prep school in Connecticut. If you enjoy the BBC Sherlock series and Elementary on CBS, then you’ll certainly find this book delightfully entertaining. It’s a light read, with a few suggestive events (but nothing to make you blush). This book is the first in a trilogy. So if you find yourself wanting more after the last page, you’re in luck, dear Watson. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait by Fr. Leo Maasburg If you’ve been looking to learn more about Mama T but have no idea where to start, look no further. This book was written by Fr. Leo Maasburg, her close travel companion for many years. The book takes you from the streets of Calcutta to the Kremlin in Moscow. Mother’s humor will have you laughing to yourself and her pure faith will have you wiping away tears. Reading this book feels as if it was you walking alongside her as she served the poorest of the poor, both materially and spiritually. Strangers and Sojourners by Michael O’Brien In case you’re looking for something a little heavier to read this summer, I highly suggest this book by Michael O’Brien. Set in the early 1900’s of British Columbia, this novel weaves the story of a growing family, their children, the people around them into a beautiful tapestry. This book is filled with the richness of our Catholic Faith and poetry that will touch your soul. The characters in this book speak to humanity in a way that only few authors have ever done before (read: O’Connor, Tolkien, and Lewis). You will find yourself deeply attached to each person in this novel, cheering as they cheer, and mourning as they mourn. Once again, if you find yourself wanting for more, this book is the first in a thrilling trilogy (that really speaks to our current times, I might add), so you need not weep (at least for too long) at the end. A Simplified Life by Emily Ley If you are feeling overwhelmed and swallowed by schedules, events, meals, jobs, and clutter, this book is exactly what the doctor ordered. Emily Ley breaks down ten categories in our lives (finances, meals, and space, just to name a few) and goes over how to simplify and organize each particular area in your life. She does a wonderful job of breaking down each section into manageable bites. Emily is realistic and reasonable and knows that change comes with time and patience. One of my favorite aspects is that she tells you not to buy anything. You don’t need fancy containers from the container store. You already have everything you need, especially after you purge your belongings. With quick action items and journaling pages included, you will be ready to put her words into action as soon as you put down the book. I hope you all have a wonderful summer of page turning, drink sipping, and nap taking! What's on your booklist this summer?! [bctt tweet="Beach Reads that Won't Kill Your Soul #BISblog //"] Susana Starbuck is wife of a youth minister and mother to four littles five and under. She lives in Phoenix, AZ and enjoys reading a good book, posting her highlight reel on Instagram, and drinking wine. You can connect with her here. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

Disclaimer: This review contains a few mild spoilers! For those familiar with the writings and works of Flannery O’Connor, the grotesque and the gruesome are not uncommon. As a famed Catholic writer, O’Connor received both praise and condemnation for her bitingly honest and direct portrayal of human ugliness—or humanity at its worst—alongside the unexpected, unmerited windows of grace that allow everyday miracles to enter the darkness. Having now read more of her works such as At Weddings and Wakes, I’ve come to the conclusion that contemporary Catholic author Alice McDermott possesses a talent similar to O’Connor’s. Both women do not shy away from the pain, suffering, and sinfulness of human beings. They crack open the pretense of perfection that many would rather cling to than admit their own failings. The Ninth Hour In her latest book, The Ninth Hour, McDermott explores death, motherhood, girlhood, religious life, and illness, to name a few themes. In other words, she writes about life. And for those who live their lives as believers, she examines the inevitable paths of belief, unbelief, sin, redemption, conversion, and doubt that follow as her characters exert free will throughout their lives. The title of her book alludes to the hour of prayer at 3:00 in the afternoon, but also the hour that Jesus died. This is enough to hint to readers that the book does not ignore darkness. It instead embraces it and still seeks the undercurrent of grace in each holy hour. The Beginning and the End Even as someone who was taught by the loving Sisters of Jesus Our Hope and who currently works with Sisters of Christian Charity, nuns seem to have the aura of mystery surrounding them. McDermott’s book largely surrounds the lives of an order of nuns. In McDermott’s eighth novel, The Ninth Hour, the fictitious Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor are center stage. Much like Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn, this story takes place in early-twentieth century Brooklyn among Irish Catholic immigrants. In particular, as the book’s summary says: On a dim winter afternoon, a young Irish immigrant opens the gas taps in his Brooklyn tenement. He is determined to prove—to the subway bosses who have recently fired him, to his badgering, pregnant wife—"that the hours of his life belong to himself alone." In the aftermath of the fire that follows, Sister St. Savior, an aging nun appears, unbidden, to direct the way forward for his widow and his unborn child. McDermott’s tale seems to suggest, relentlessly, that the hours of our lives do not belong to us. Our lives are not our own. But our choices? Those are most certainly ours and ours alone. Sally’s Unconventional Childhood The Sisters certainly do direct the way forward for this little family: Annie, Jim’s wife, and her unborn daughter, to be named Sally (actually named St. Saviour after the nun who swooped in to support Annie after her husband’s suicide, but died herself shortly after). Sally’s almost-cloistered girlhood is lived mainly in the convent laundry where she entertains and learns from Sister Illuminata, secretly indulgent of Sally but outwardly strict, and Sister Jeanne, young and fun and full of idealism. Sister St. Saviour, before she dies, urges the sisters to help Annie and her little baby by giving her work in the laundry alongside Sister Illuminata. Although reluctant at first, they agree. As their name suggests, the sisters’ lives are spent serving the ailing and in need. McDermott presents a cast of characters who benefit from the sisters’ services. Yet she unveils the hard, holy, sometimes disgusting work they must do to care for the ill, the dying, and the distressed. Sally watches all of this unfold as she grows up, surrounded by the religious women and her own early-widowed mother. She herself is charmed by the sisters. In fact, she believes in her own call to join them when she is in high school. Discovering Human Darkness As she makes her way from Brooklyn to Chicago to join the Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor at their mother house, Sally’s cloistered childhood is cracked open. On the train, she encounters a host of harrowing characters who rip aside the curtain and reveal the gross underbelly of humanity. There’s the woman sitting next to her who talks to Sally about men (almost absent from the novel, as convents are), sex, and physical pleasure. And a young woman who scams Sally, taking advantage of her kindness. There’s a mother who yells at her poorly-cared-for child, and others. Faced with these players and her own uncertainty around her vocation, Sally ultimately returns home to Brooklyn, changed and stripped of her naïveté. Shock and Awe When Sally returns, however, she meets the greatest shock of all. Despite this, McDermott’s book remains somehow hopeful and in awe of the tiny miracles that slip into our lives. Mistakes and flaws, sinfulness and shame, secrets and fears: McDermott includes them all, but never flaunts them or passes judgement. She simply and poetically presents the persistent hope and love that follow the faithful. She explores the undying human spirit that strives to follow God’s will and fails over and over again along the way. McDermott’s characters are ordinary people living completely ordinary lives. The sisters, the mothers, the daughters, and the strangers are all there, living and trying to learn, trying to love. In her signature style, McDermott’s prose paints an honest and sometimes uneasy story of a small family, their community, and the hours that fill up their lives. Sometimes for their own wills and sometimes for God’s. But it was at this hour, when the sun was a humming gold at the horizon, or a pale peach, or even just, as now, a gray pearl, that she felt the breath of God warm on her neck. It was at this hour that the whole city smelled to her like the inside of a cathedral - damp stone and cold water and candle wax - and the sound of her steps on the sidewalk and over the five cross streets made her think of a priest approaching the altar in shined shoes. Or of a bridegroom, perhaps, out of one of the romances she had read as a girl, all love and anticipation… Have you read The Ninth Hour yet? What did you think? [bctt tweet="The Ninth Hour Book Review #BISblog //"] Mary Grace Mangano is a high school English teacher in Harlem, New York, having also taught middle school Language Arts and Religion in Chicago. She has written for Verily, Darling Magazine, The Catholic Woman, and other publications. She is passionate about education and social justice, loves writing poetry, running, reading, hiking, and learning new things. You can find out more about her here. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

I’ve always been just a bit too practical for my own good. Playing house as a kid? Nope, not happening. Dressing up? Absolutely out of the question. After all, in my mind it was just “made up,” and I wasn’t having it. The single exception my little, black-and-white mind was willing to make was in the realm of books. Although I didn’t participate in “made up” games, nothing could beat the world of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy... except maybe that of Louisa May Alcott’s lesser known character, Polly of Old Fashioned Girl. I traveled through the Old West, across the ocean, back in time, through harrowing adventures, and re-lived great love stories in the pages of so many wonderful books. Discovering Autobiographies As I grew up, or at least grew older, I meshed my practical mind with my love of reading, and dove wholeheartedly into the world of autobiographies. I find stories based on real events and people so fascinating. They carry an undertone of our commonalities as humans while showcasing the different paths through life our individual choices can make. Reading and Playing I’ve also always been a huge sports junkie. One of the best moments of my life was walking into Cameron Indoor (any Dukies out there?). Pope Pius XII wrote the following in regards to sports: Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a man courageous, a generous loser, and a gracious victor; it refines the senses, gives intellectual penetration, and steels the will to endurance. It is not merely a physical development then. Sport, rightly understood, is an occupation of the whole man, and while perfecting the body as an instrument of the mind, it also makes the mind itself a more refined instrument for the search and communication of truth and helps man to achieve that end to which all others must be subservient, the service and praise of his Creator. Favorite Autobiographies from Athletes In the midst of what seems like so much mess in the modern sports world, it can be difficult to see the benefit outlined by Pope Pius XII. However, in the following list I’ve found some true gems that give me hope that sport can be, and should be beneficial on our path to Heaven. Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow Tim Tebow does an incredible amount of evangelizing with his professional athlete platform. His book gives quite a bit of insight into growing up with missionary parents and how their faith informed all that they did, including sports. Tim's parents were advised to not carry his pregnancy to term, as there were complications. Doctors claimed that he would be too malnourished to survive. Tim’s parents entrusted the pregnancy to God. And if you’ve seen Tim Tebow recently, well, he seems to be quite well-nourished. It’s an incredible pro-life story that kicks off an inspiring life. Well worth the read. Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away by Ben Utecht Former NFL football player Ben Utecht tells his story of God, football, family, concussions, and how they’ve forever changed his life. This one is a little sad and even unsettling, as real life stories often are. However, Ben handles his situation with grace and hope. This is a very interesting look into the concussion dilemma facing the NFL from the perspective of a person who clearly still loves the game. While his football experience is the overarching theme of the book, Ben does a fantastic job of fleshing out the real people and experiences behind the glamourous image of the League. They Call Me Coach by John Wooden You know those, “If you could eat lunch with anyone...” questions? John Wooten is at the top of my list. I would love to be in the presence of his wisdom. This man did an incredible job of balancing the important things in life with the sport that he loved, all while making it a vehicle for teaching life skills. For those who may not know his story, John coached the famed UCLA men’s basketball team to an unheard of seven consecutive national championships, and a total of ten in his twelve years at the university. Despite all of this success, he continued to place the development of his players first. My favorite line from his book reads: Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton I admit it, I’m a little biased. Josh played for my hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds, after he made his comeback, so I’m a big fan. His story, one of falling prey to drug addiction and eventually being banned from baseball, is likely not that unusual in a game where big money is thrown around. However, the unusual part comes when he manages to find his way back with his family’s help and support coupled with the grace of God. While he is honest about continuing to fight his demons, he made his way back into baseball and has had a successful career. I believe that this story of redemption will strike a chord in all of us. No matter how many mistakes we make, God’s grace is waiting on us, pursuing us, pulling us back to Him. Champions of Faith: Catholic Sports Heroes Tell Their Stories by Thomas O’Toole This book is filled with interviews that will give you so much hope for the possibility of sport properly directed and the incredible results that can be gained. You will likely recognize a lot of these names, but what you may not know is how they quietly lived out their Faith within their respective sports. These stories are a true reminder of the fact that no matter what our call in life may be, we are called to live out our Faith in our daily lives. What are some of your favorite autobiographies by athletes? [bctt tweet="Favorite Autobiographies from Athletes #BISblog //"] Bridget Franer is a Midwest girl who spends most of her time trying to single handedly keep Chick-Fil-A in business, working a full time job, working out(to make up for the Chick-Fil-A,) and being the fun aunt of 6 adorable kiddos. Find out more about her rather average life here. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

If there's one thing I'm pretty passionate about, it's the importance of filling my home with books. When I was growing up, there wasn't a lot of extra money at hand. But my parents would always do their best to make financial exceptions for books. That mentality has rolled over into my own motherhood. Stories can be a great way to expose our children to our Faith in a way that is approachable and subtle. Books on the Saints for kids offer stories full of adventure, mysteries, and morals. But one good problem is that there are so many of them, and it can be hard to find a place to start. Wonderful Catholic Books on the Saints for Kids The following is my beginners' guide to filling your bookshelves with the Faith. Tomie De Paola Books One of my favorite authors is Tomie DePaola. Ever since I was a child I've loved his simple but beautiful artwork and stories. He's written many books about his Catholic Faith and many books on the Saints for kids. If I had to pick my favorites, they would be Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. His books on Bible stories and parables are also worth a spot on any bookshelf. Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges This book is a beautiful telling of the legend of St. George. Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations are sure to captivate any small child. It's a bit long in the text, but remains a favorite of ours. The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza Anyone familiar with the current Disney movies will notice a similarity in Fabiola Garza's book about the life of Pope St. John Paul II. And for good reason: she's a Disney character illustrator. Her book on JPII is touching and beautiful. I truly hope we can add more books from her to our library in the future. Our Lady of Guadalupe by Carmen Bernier-Grand This is another beautifully-illustrated book that tells the story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The language in this book is lovely and poetic. Martin De Porres: Rose of the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt This is a wonderful book about the life of St. Martin De Porres. While the book does not shy away from the adversity St. Martin faced, even within the Church, it is a story to inspire every little child. Roses in the Snow by Dessi Jackson Encounter the lovely story of a little girl learning the story of her namesake, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, from her grandmother. This book is a great option for any family with Princess-obsessed children and a wonderful example of how a real Princess followed God. Brigid's Cloak by Bryce Milligan St. Patrick isn't the only Irish Saint whose bio is worth stocking on your shelves. This is a wonderful tale about St. Brigid and her famous cloak. Saint Felix and the Spider by Dessi Jackson This is a fun tale inspired by the life of St. Felix. It looks at how a person's life can be "changed by one of God's tiniest wonders." Compilation Books on the Saints for Kids If you'd like a little more bang for your buck, or if you have children who are older, there are also many compilation books available. My favorites are the Once Upon a Time Saints series and Loyola Kids Book of Heroes and Loyola Kids Book of Saints. These are shorter studies on the lives of the Saints. They are great additions to your home library to help give older kids more stories from which to learn and draw inspiration. You can find a list of these books and more over on Goodreads. What are your favorite books on the saints for kids? Let's share more ideas in the comments below! [bctt tweet="Books on the Saints for Kids #BISblog //"] Molly Walter is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. Find out more about her here. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

When it comes to development of our spiritual and social lives, the type of journey we set out on comes in a variety of forms. I think of the hobbits setting forth from the Shire in The Lord of the Rings and learning that they, too, are warriors capable of standing up to great evil. I think of Sidney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities, who out of love for a married woman, lays down his life for her husband. The Scapegoat In Daphne du Maurier’s The Scapegoat, readers are taken into perhaps a more modern journey whose landscape is largely interior. Readers meet John, a British professor of French history with no connections. He’s been living a quiet, lonely life, and has decided to end his latest trip to France with a stop at a monastery. He wants to know what he can do with what he deems to be a failed life, and hopes the monks will have some answers. He stops in Le Mans for a drink. Enter Jean de Gué, a man who not only has a family, but is actively trying to escape them and his life of responsibilities. And to their mutual surprise, John and Jean are doppelgangers. Jean decides to get John drunk and to leave John with his life—his family, his failing glass factory, and his tangled relationships. The Switch At first, John tries to unveil his mistaken identity, but no one will believe him. He ends up taking on the charade that Jean has created: he enters Jean’s house as Jean de Gué, and the family accepts him as their husband, father, son, and brother. The book follows John over the course of a week, a week in which his actions and reactions shape the life of Jean’s family in both harmful and beneficial ways. In helping Jean carry out deception, John must parse a striking reality: that by existing, we influence—and even change—the lives of those around us. John must bear the repercussions of Jean’s negligent treatment of the family: a weak and jealous wife, a dramatic daughter, a morphine-addicted mother, an overworked and suspicious brother, a bitter sister. John must figure out how to respond to the family’s needs, either as he believes Jean would, or in accord with his growing affection for them. As the week progresses, John begins to feel the weight of the responsibility that’s been laid upon him: One had no right to play about with people’s lives. One should not interfere with their emotions. A word, a look, a smile, a frown, did something to another human being, waking response or aversion, and a web was woven which had no beginning and no end, spreading outward and inward too, merging, entangling, so that the struggle of one depended upon the struggle of the other. (page 74) Greener Grass In realizing his responsibility for this family’s well being, John also comes to realize an inexplicable love for them. When Jean returns home, and the two switch back into their own lives again (you’ll have to read to find out how this happens), John no longer wonders what to do with failure, but rather, “What do I do with love?” A confidant gives John a striking answer: You give it away…but the trouble is, it stays with you just the same. Like water in a well. The spring remains under the dried depths. (pages 372-73) As the well is an image that figures throughout the book as a place of old tragedy, broken hope, and eventual reconciliation, equating it with love transforms the image and reflects John’s transformation in the novel. He starts the novel unattached and empty. At the novel’s end, he’s found purpose, connection, and community among those who were under his care. Communion I’ve found a great deal of comfort in this book, especially at this time of life: one of transition, one of waiting to discover whose lives I might be asked to enter. I’ve also found here a reminder about the risk of love—that, as John finds, to love is to be willing to suffer: I knew suddenly, with conviction, that it was not a stranger’s curiosity that drew me to them, a sentimental attraction to the picturesque, but something deeper, more intimate, a desire so intense for their well-being and their future that although akin to love it resembled pain. (page 325) The book ends mid-journey, as all stories of lives still being lived do. In telling the story of a life of loneliness transformed by human selfishness (Jean de Gue’s in trying to escape his family) and a slew of errors (John’s often failed attempts to understand and interact with Jean’s family) du Maurier’s story highlights the dignity and value of each human life—that our connections with each other are powerful, and therefore, should be treated with reverence. Have you read this book before? What did you think?! [bctt tweet="The Heart’s Search for Community: Daphne du Maurier’s 'The Scapegoat' #BISblog //"] Lindsey Weishar is an MFA candidate in Poetry. She enjoys discovering beauty in the little things and endless cups of tea. She has written for Verily and The Young Catholic Woman. A chapbook of her poems is forthcoming from Leaf Press in the spring. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

The season of reading pink, chalk-like candy sweethearts with anecdotal sayings like “I love you” and “True Love” is upon us. So what is true love? Can you find it in a children’s book, a biography, a novel? Sometimes you might want a light-hearted story to read, while other times you may want a book that digs deeper. Below are a few of my favorite books that talk about love in a variety of forms. Love shared between friends, love shared within the family, and also that deep, burning, can’t-quite-quench-it-on-this-earth kind of love that God has for all of us. Spiritual Books about Love The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God by Fulton J. Sheen This book was recommended in our Best Books About Mary post, but it is such an eye-opening book that it is worth recommending again. In these pages you will be inspired by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s portrayal of the Blessed Mother’s life. He speaks specifically to women, placing importance on our great dignity, unique gifts, and ability to bring healing. He also emphasizes Mary’s heart—which burns for her children—showing her deep love for us. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis This book holds one of my favorite quotations, “To love at all is to be vulnerable.” The beloved British writer and author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity shares his insight on the nature of love and how it plays out in our day-to-day lives. He categorizes them into affection, friendship, Eros, and charity. In his study of love, do not be surprised if you find you have the strength to begin opening up your heart and allowing Jesus to pull you close. Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset This biography is written by one of the greatest novelists and Nobel Prize winners of the twentieth century. This same author wrote the classic book Kristin Lavransdatter. The author—a third order Dominican herself—will ignite in you a love for the great St. Catherine of Siena. Undset will give you a close-up look into the passionate love shared between St. Catherine and her Lover, Jesus Himself. As you flip through these pages, you too will taste the intense and consuming love that God is inviting you to receive. Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West In this book we receive a thorough, understandable, and condensed version of Pope Saint John Paul II’s teaching on the Theology of the Body. The human body is created to be a sign of God’s divine love, and in this book you will discover how you can experience the kind of love you long for. The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guided by St. Therese of Lisieux by Father Jacques Philippe One of St. Therese’s great gifts is that she surrendered herself so trustingly to God’s love. This exploration of St. Therese’s writings was first shared by Fr. Jacques Philippe during a retreat. Through his words, we will learn from the Little Flower how we, too, can embrace the virtue of humility and trust in God’s loving tenderness and goodness, just as she did. Stories about Love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows This #1 New York Times bestseller is coming to the big screen in April! This love story takes place in the mid 1900s and transports you between the warmth of a book club on a tiny island to the big city. The main character in the book, writer Juliet Ashton, lives a dramatic life in the bustling city of London. She begins to receive letters from Dawsey Adams, a native from the small island of Guernsey, who came across her name in a book. Dawsey shares with her about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—a book club held on his island with tightly knit friends—which began after the German occupation. Before long, she leaves her life of drama in London and sets off for Guernsey. This decision changes her life forever. Will she choose to return to London and her suitor there, or embrace the new-found life on Guernsey? You are Special by Max Lucado Have you ever dreamed of receiving a love letter? Here is one you can re-read, each and every day. It is a love letter to you, reminding you that you are loved for simply being you. This book may have been written as a children’s tale, but one never tires of hearing that “You are precious in His sight.” If you do have little ones, snuggle up on the couch and get ready for a cozy and comforting read. A Year of Mornings: 3191 Miles Apart by Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes In this photographic collaboration between two friends, you will get a glimpse into the precious, morning moments which so often go unseen. Although these two women had only met in person once, they maintained a friendship through their mutual love of capturing the simple moments in life. A fresh cup of dark and bold coffee, warm buttered toast, a bouquet of fresh flowers. As you page through these images you may find yourself reflecting on how you have expressed your love to your children, your spouse, your friends, by doing the very same things that these two women have captured and shared. These pages show the stuff of life! All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr This is a beautiful story about a father’s love for his daughter, Marie-Laure. Marie lives in Paris where her father works as the keymaster of the Museum of Natural History. When she was just a child, she lost her sight. As a gift to her, her father built her a miniature model of their neighborhood so she could use her sense of touch to memorize it and find her way around town and to her home. When the Nazis occupy Paris, Marie’s memorization of this miniature model may be the hope she needs to survive. This book, which is written so poetically, was ten years in the making, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, and Pulitzer Prize winner. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien This book may seem intimidating to pull off the shelf due to its length, but this fear will soon dissipate as you enter into a world of deep friendships. You'll read with a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face, a shudder down your back, and perhaps a few tears. In the first few chapters, you will get a glimpse into the friendship of Bilbo Baggins and his young friend, Frodo, in the cozy region of The Shire in Middle-earth You'll learn what friendship looks like when friends love with a truly selfless love. A Severe Mercy: A Story of Faith, Tragedy and Triumph by Sheldon Vanauken I don’t often cry, but this book had me near tears. The author was a good friend of C.S. Lewis, and letters from him are included in this love story. As you flip through these pages, you will delve into the relationship of a man and woman who desire nothing to break the “shining barrier” in their marriage. When the wife, Davy, has an encounter with God, this barrier is threatened. The couple learns how to navigate their differences in what they think about God’s existence and why suffering happens. [bctt tweet="I Heart Books: About Divine and Human Love #BISblog //"] This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking through one of these links, Blessed is She will receive a small percentage of your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using our affiliate links!

It's the time of year when we all turn a bit inward. When the weather drives you inside the desire for the cozy and comforting can't help but increase. After the frantic pace of the summer and the bustle of the fall, by the time the frost starts appearing in my windows each morning I'm ready for deep blankets, plump pillows, and a stack of good books to get me through the long dark days. This cozy book list contains some of my favorites - new and old to add to your own stack. Books that wrap around you like a warm blanket; snuggly and comfortable. A Cozy Book List Little Women by Louisa May Alcott A classic I always want to pull out each year when the snow first starts to fall. I find myself understanding a new character a little better as I get older. The perfect book to be reminded of the good in a simple, well lived life. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Really any of Ms. Christie's works could fit into this cozy book list, but with the movie coming out why not pull out this classic of mystery and suspense? Perfect for binge reading over a long weekend. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery While we all know Anne - with-an-E, we should all be just as familiar with Valancy Stirling. This little book is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and, with its amazing descriptions of the wilderness, make you long for a good warm coat and a pair of snowshoes to explore the Canadian wilderness. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman A new classic, Fredrik Backmans tale of a grouchy old curmudgeon and the people who change him is sure to win you over. Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton The endearing mystery series of about the joyful and simple Father Brown is like a good friend you need to visit often. Another classic mystery series that has recently been produced for the screen, I think you'll enjoy the full scope of the Father Brown series in its entirety with the complete works just enough to last you through a long winter. The Princess Bride by William Goldman Another good friend to revisit, or meet for the first time, is this genre-stretching book. Filled with wit, humor, adventure and yes, kissing. It's a perfect pick to transport you away after a long day in the real world. Bonus: Add As You Wish to your list. It's Cary Elwes memoir of making the classic movie (the audiobook is worth it for many actors coming back to read for their parts). Sourdough by Robin Sloan This fun read spins a fantastic tale that starts with its heroine being entrusted with a rare and precious gift: a sourdough starter. Fresh and crisp like a perfect loaf sourdough bread, this book is sure to hit the spot. The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenorella A young librarian, the quintessential modern woman, takes a job in a remote French village where her beliefs and assumptions are challenged by a community of very unique exiles from the world. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver This delicious food memoir tells the story of one family and their journey away from the modern food model. You'll feel as if you're sitting in her kitchen as she takes you through an honest and interesting glimpse of a family searching for more through the meals they eat. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Strandal A story about the bittersweet moments in life and the power of good food, Strandal's novel explores community and identity in a delicious language we all speak. A perfect companion to this season of baking. [bctt tweet="Cozy Book List #BISblog //"] Have you read any of these? What is your favorite book to curl up with on a long winter's night? Molly Walter is a Catholic convert, wife and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. Find out more about her here.

As we draw near to the Feast of All Saints, it is fitting to spend some time getting to know a little more about these heavenly friends of the Church Triumphant. Today, I’m sharing with you a short list of my favorite books about saints. While a few of these folks are still traveling the road to canonization, all are certain exemplars of the love of Christ in their daily lives. We would do well to take a note or two for our own path of sanctification. Favorite Books about Saints The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux If you haven’t read the autobiography of this dear saint yet, do yourself a favor and move it to the top of your TBR pile. Her way of humility and love is something every one of us should take a lesson from and imitate on our road to sanctification. The interior life of this cloistered nun was anything but boring. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain This is probably my favorite saint biography of all time. Twain writes such a moving account of this beloved saint through the eyes of her admiring, fictitious page (who is clearly Twain’s proxy), that you can’t help but adopt his devotion. Such an endearing account is especially telling as he was a man rather skeptical of religion. The Song of Bernadette by Franz Werfel This sweet story is told by a Jew who escaped Nazi-occupied Austria into France and remained for a time in Lourdes, asking the intercession of St. Bernadette for protection. He promised to write her story if he escaped. I imagine you can guess if he made it out alive. A Man of the Beatitudes by Luciana Frassati An inspiring tale told by the sister of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who exemplified the Beatitudes throughout his short life. He was a man of his time, yet always rooted firmly in the love of Christ. He had a heart for the poor and gave all, including his life, in service of them. The life he blazed in his short 28 years was phenomenal. A Witness to Joy by Cristiana Paccini and Simone Troisi The cause for the canonization of Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo was just opened in June 2017. In this book, two close friends of hers relate her unrelenting joy in the face of unspeakable pain and suffering. After returning two children to God right after their births, Chiara faced trial anew when diagnosed with cancer after becoming pregnant with her third child. Through all the crosses she was called to carry, her reliance on the providence of God stood firm and the smile she carried inspired all who met her. To Quell the Terror by William Bush This relates the story of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne, sixteen religious sisters who were beheaded during the French Revolution because they refused to denounce the Faith. The hymns of praise they sang to God as they ascended the scaffold was moving to even the most stone-hearted of their captors. Their martyrdom is believed to be the catalyst for bringing an end to the Reign of Terror in France. (The dramatic play by Georges Bernanos called Dialogues of the Carmelites also magnificently tells their story.) St. John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert A beautiful tribute to this holy pope relating many untold stories from his life revolving around his five loves: Young People, Human Love, The Eucharist, Our Lady, and The Cross. If there was a man who exemplified the love of Christ in every aspect of his life and showed us how to suffer well over this past century, it was our dear Pope John Paul II. Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge The author of this book was an agnostic journalist whose encounter with Mother Teresa while on assignment to produce a documentary about her life profoundly impacted his life. Her ardent faith moved him in a way he couldn’t shake and he wrote this in an effort to survey all that she had taught him through her unassuming example. Muggeridge later converted to Christianity. The Life of St Francis by St. Bonaventure A book about a saint by a saint. Bonaventure relates the transformation from spoiled child to humble servant of this radical saint. A contemporary of Francis, Bonaventure gives us a first-hand account of his love for all creatures great and small. Bonus: Drinking with the Saints by Michael P. Foley I would be remiss in providing a booklist of saint biographies, but excluding this excellent book to help you properly celebrate their feast days. Containing a thorough list of libations for nearly every recognized saint’s feast, you now have a reason to Sláinte! every day of the year! What's your favorite book about saints? Let us know in the comments below! [bctt tweet="My Favorite Books about Saints on the #BISblog //"] Laurel Muff is a creator and appreciator of beautiful things. She resides with her husband and daughters in Northern California. You can find more about her here.

The Blessed is She Selah Journal is here! "Selah" means to pause, to think of that. Intended to be a companion to the daily devotions, this reflection journal offers women the space to process and apply the Word of God to their own lives. It's beautifully designed with hand-lettered Scripture passages throughout. The journal is an ideal size for carrying in your purse or briefcase, making praying and meditating upon Scripture even easier to weave into your daily life. The best part is the the journal gives you the freedom to pray and reflect according to your own preferences and style and how the Holy Spirit moves you. Here are some ways the Selah journal can help you deepen your prayer life. The Selah Journal Gives You the Space to... 1. Write your own daily reflection Once you read the daily Mass readings, there is room in the Selah journal to write your own reflections on the Scripture passages. It's also wonderful for lectio divina reflection. 2. Respond to the daily devotional Did the day's reflection on the Mass readings strike you? Journal what touched you, what made you think, or how you plan to implement the call. 3. Reflect on the feast day Is it a special feast day within the Church or a meaningful feast day to you? Do you find the saint of the day intriguing? Take some time to journal about the feast day, what it represents, and how the grace from the day can apply to your particular life. 4. Write the Scriptures One of my favorite ways to use the Selah journal is to actually write out the Mass readings. Sometimes I choose an entire reading, sometimes just a verse or two. Writing Scripture engages a different part of our brains and we are able to recall and understand it better. 5. Examine the readings Perhaps, as you were reading the daily Scripture or devotional, you came across a word, location, or name you didn't know before. Maybe the devotion taught you something new theologically about the context of the reading. You can use the pages of the Selah journal to write down your Google findings or to make a note about what you learned. 6. Make your art your prayer Many people process best through drawing. Use the pages of the Selah journal to hand letter a certain passage, to illustrate the Gospel story, or to paint how the Scripture moves your heart. 7. Offer your heart to the Lord Use the Selah journal as your love letter to God. Fill the pages with your thoughts, concerns, worries, joys, struggles, and desires. It can serve as a true journal as you journey with the Lord throughout His life in the Scripture and throughout His life in you. 8. Remember how God is working in your life The Selah journal is a great place to write down memories, answered prayers, or milestones in your life of faith. Years from now, you can look back and remember that on such-and-such day, the Lord let His presence in your life be known in a major way. Think of it like a spiritual scrapbook! 9. Count your blessings One of my favorite features of the Selah journal is the area dedicated to thanksgiving. Scientifically, expressing gratitude makes us happier. Spiritually, it makes us happier, too. On hard days, when I feel like nothing is going right, the gratitude section calls me to truly examine my life and name the ways I've been abundantly blessed. It helps me choose gratitude over discontentment. 10. Offer your petitions Every day, there is a place in the journal for intentions. I like to write down my own petitions, but especially the intentions that have been entrusted to me by others. It helps me remember my promise to pray for them and gives me the chance to deeply intercede on their behalf. Grab Your Selah Journal Here [bctt tweet="10 Ways the Selah Journal Can Deepen Your Prayer Life // #BISblog //"] Do you like to journal? What's your journaling style? Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She works from home as an editor and social media manager while raising her children and laughing with her husband. Although she now spends most of her free time away from the internet, past adventures are still on her blog. You can find out more about her here.

One of my favorite parts about being Catholic is the Communion of Saints. They remind me of ice cream flavors. Hang on, stick with me for a second here! There are endless of ice cream flavors from which to choose; you can stick with what you like best or sometimes be a little more adventurous. The same is with the Saints. There are so many different kinds of Saints: writers, teachers, moms, married, single, radical thinkers, and philosophers. As a woman, I love the many, many different examples these women provide on living out the universal call to holiness. Here are a few I have been getting to know better over the last six months of my own life. Dorothy Day I remember I first heard about Dorothy Day in junior high when we watched the movie "Entertaining Angels" in my junior high school religion class. At the time I wasn't quite sure what to make of her. Our life experiences were as opposite as vinegar and water. It was not that I disliked her, but I wasn't sure how to relate to her. Fast forward to this past winter, when I read her autobiography The Long Loneliness for the first time. I was captured by the very radical nature she took the words of Jesus in living out the Gospel. She struck me now (12-15 years later) as passionate, radical, honest, and feisty. In learning more about Dorothy, I began to grow in my understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and found myself reflecting upon what it looked like to live out in my life where God has me right now. Do you have a particular cause you are passionate about? Do you love to get your hands dirty in the work of ministry and charity? If yes, then Dorothy is a woman you want to become friends with. Servant of God Dorothy Day, pray for us! Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) Some of my earliest memories as a little girl were watching old documentaries on the life of Mother Teresa at my grandparent's house. I was in total and complete awe of this woman. The day my mom had to explain I could not be the Blessed Mother, Mother Teresa, and a Mommy all-in-one was a sad day for little Patty. There are many pictures of little Patty with blue dish cloths on my head "rescuing" my naked, dying baby dolls. So you better believe when she was canonized this past September, I was up super early (coffee in hand!) watching the live stream of her canonization Mass! Something in the way she lived her life always connected deeply with me. Looking back, I think the best way I can describe it is how she loved so beautifully. While I love her book Come Be My Light, if you are not ready for the hefty journey of reading about her years and years of spiritual darkness, I would say start with something a little easier. While not written by Mother Teresa, Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire is a beautiful story of what and who gave her the strength to do what she did in her life. But still, make sure you get your hands on a copy of Come Be My Light. Do you feel sometimes God doesn't hear you or that He is distant? Then Mama T is your woman! Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us! Saint Teresa of Avila Okay, confession time. The first time I encountered Saint Teresa of Avila was in graduate school was when I had to read The Interior Castle for a class on the history of Christian spirituality. I have to be honest, I was intimidated by her. I felt like a spiritual infant compared to her talking about the spiritual life. I more or less set her back on the shelf and thought to myself, Well how can I relate to a spiritual genius like that?! This summer, browsing the biography section at my local library I stumbled across this biography on the life of Teresa of Avila. What caught my attention was the title An Extraordinary Life. I have fallen in love with this feisty, sassy, and passionate nun. I can see pieces of myself in her own journey, and I look at her now as an honest woman who doesn't hold back in her relationship with the Lord. Reading this biography of her has helped me come to better understand her and it's given me the courage to go back and re-read The Interior Castle. Do you need revival in your heart, mind, and relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you struggle with beating yourself up for past sins and mistakes? If yes, then Teresa is your gal! Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us! Who are holy women that challenge and inspire you? [bctt tweet="Who are holy women that challenge and inspire you?"] Do you have any favorite books or writings from our sister saints? Written by Patty Breen. Find out more about her here.

I wish I could look back on my senior year of college without any regrets as this shining moment in my life where everything came together and it all made sense. Instead, when I look back on that time of my life it was just a mess. Oh, it was fun and filled with great memories, but I was a bit of mess. Trying to figure out what to do after I had that diploma in hand, trying to understand how to really be an adult, navigating some major changes in life from long term relationships and major breakups. Looking back, the one thing I wish I had had was more guidance, and of course, the sense to listen to that advice. Sadly, most of us are going through those years with wonderful people who are navigating, succeeding and failing at many of the same things—sometimes they're wise beyond their years and sometimes we should have known better. I wish I had had a few more resources to not only inspire but guide me—to push me not only to be a great student but to push me to be a great person, and especially a great Christian. One of the great things about moderating the Blessed is She communities is that I get to see that support there for the girls currently striving for more in those last college years. They have the resources I didn't through social media to reach out to women who are more than ready to with lists of "I wish I had" and "Don't do what I did." Recently, we had a great discussion about books to read during that pivotal senior year. It was filled with excellent resources and we've collected them here to share with you. Story of a Soul by Saint Therese of Liseux Her life in her own words and probably the most recommended book on our list. It is filled with wonderful gems from a woman convinced that her ordinary little life was destined for great things. “God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” If Saint Therese interests you, also consider "I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux." In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Phillippe A much-recommended book focusing on the interior life and awareness of the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. “One of the petitions we make to God most often should be: “Inspire me in all my decisions, and never let me neglect any of your inspirations.” Also, recommend by Jacques Phillippe "Interior Freedom" and "Searching for and Maintaining Peace." Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade A Catholic classic focusing on living in the present moment and learning to trust in God. Though it was written over 300 hundred years ago this practical guidebook still offers much to the modern reader. "All simple souls must admire and respect one another, saying: 'Let us proceed each one along our path to the same goal, united in purpose and by means of God's order which, in its great variety, is in us all." The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence A guide to opening yourself to and feeling His presence in your life every day. "He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think." Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel A journey through Catholic landmarks from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to G.K. Chesterton's favorite pub this book takes you through not only some of the most important places in Catholicism, but through some of the most important ideas in Catholicism. Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God by Raniero Cantalamessa A reflection the incredible power of the Holy Spirit with reflection on the examples given to us by Scripture and the Church Fathers. True Devotion to the Holy Spirit by Luis M. Martinez Another practical guide book for listening to and responding to the call of the Holy Spirit in your life and how the Holy Spirit helps one grow in virtue. From our member's recommendations, it seems to be clear there's a theme in the books they'd recommend for a well-rounded year—focus on listening to and discerning the Holy Spirit while learning to experience God in the present moment. That sounds like a tall order with final tests and thesis projects on the horizons, just remember you don't need to read all at once. Pick the one that seems to call to where you are at in your personal developement and see where the Holy Spirit leads you this year. [bctt tweet="Books to read during that pivotal senior year --->>>"] Written by Molly Walter. Find out more about her here.

All of us have, at one time or another, needed a good book as we explore the Faith. Or perhaps we need a good book recommendation for someone searching for answers about the Catholic Faith. Catholic publishing is working hard to create more titles that appeal to more people. There is a plethora of books for Catholic converts that examine different aspects of Church doctrine to memoirs of conversion experiences. Awesome Books for Catholic Converts Today I’ve compiled a list of popular books that have a fairly wide appeal in hopes something on this list can help you or someone your know answer some of the big questions about Catholicism. Personal Stories Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey To Catholicism by Dr. Scott and Kimberley Hahn This quintessential conversion story has remained one of the most popular books about conversion for over 25 years with converts and lapsed Catholics alike. As a Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar Scott Hahn assumed the Catholic Church was incorrect about everything, until he begins to see that the Church has the answers to all his questions. The book also shares the difficulty Kimberley had with Scott’s conversion, how she grappled with his coming to the Church and her own acceptance of Church teaching. Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler This is perhaps the best written and most readable memoir of faith and conversion written in recent memory. Fulwiler does a phenomenal job of detailing what led her to seek truth after growing up an atheist. Her humour and candor make her conversion process imminently relatable. Her intellectual honesty is sure to touch a reader of any faith or non-faith background. Catholicism Overviews What Catholics Really Believe—Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating This handbook of common misconceptions regarding Catholicism gives clear answers of what the Church actually teaches to be a true. This is a great starting out point for someone who has basic questions about the faith. It also gives the whys behind Church teaching at a quick search. Fundamentals of Faith: Essays in Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft A selection of essays that lay the foundation not just for Catholicism, but for the need of faith and religion and how religion works. A clear framework answering questions about the need for faith in your life, or to answer questions other's may be tossing your way. Dr. Kreeft’s work is always aimed at helping readers understand the faith more clearly and deeply. Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron Most Catholics know Bishop Barron. But he’s also making great inroads with people who have no belief. He talks about today’s culture from a Catholic perspective. In his book Catholicism, Bishop Barron synthesizes the beauty and teachings of the faith so that someone who has no idea what the Church is about can gain a clear understanding of the Faith. This book is a great reference for the history of the Church, and also discusses the lives of famous saints. Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI This book provides a deep dive into the Apostle’s Creed and what Christianity is. It's written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This book provides a beautiful, intellectual basis of what Christianity believes. Pope Emeritus Benedict’s insight and genius in his understanding of theology and Scripture is a gift not just to the Church but to Christianity as a whole. Diving into any of his books will provide the reader with new ways of seeing faith, Scripture, and the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church So many Catholic converts point to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There, they found beautiful, full, and profound explanations of the Faith written in digestible sections, leaving them something to ponder and pray with. Specific Topics Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper by Brant Pitre A fascinating look at the Scriptural and Jewish roots and meaning of the Eucharist. As the Eucharist is one of the most important teachings of the Catholic faith, this book helps flesh out the importance of Christ’s words and actions at the Last Supper. Seeing the continuation in tradition and teaching from the Old Testament to the Church today makes for a great introduction to the faith and for deepening your understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist. By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark Shea Where does the Catholic Church get the authority to teach her doctrines anyway? Mark Shea shares his personal conversion story as he investigates Sola Scriptura. He shows how biblical authority is the source of the Church’s magisterial teaching and tradition. A book with wit and an easy to read style that answers and appeals to Evangelicals and their questions about Catholicism. Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri A great book for those with questions on Mary’s role in the Church and salvation history from a Biblical perspective. This book follows Mary’s life through Scripture, her journey of faith, her presence in the life of Christ, and what we can learn from her. A great place to begin if you wonder what devotion to Mary is all about. Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn Another invaluable book by Dr. Scott Hahn, Signs of Life looks at different customs and practices of the Catholic Church and the biblical basis for them. Each chapter explores a different tradition, such as devotion to the saints or the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. A great place to begin if you’ve wondered about all this “Catholic stuff” or if you want to know the deeper meaning behind aspects of the faith. More Great Titles Ready for more reading? These other books are informative and inspiring for those considering converting to Catholicism. Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn Why We're Catholic by Trent Horn The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn I'm Not Being Fed by Jeff Cavins The Fathers Know Best by Jimmy Akin Crossing the Tiber by Steven Ray A Biblical Walk through the Mass by Edward Sri Are you a Catholic convert? What books would you add to the list?   [bctt tweet="Awesome Books for Catholic Converts #BISblog //" via="no"] This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

As Catholic women, we are blessed to have a supreme model for womanhood in our Mother Mary. She always points us to Christ. So the more we learn about her, the more we ultimately learn about Him. But sometimes learning about Our Lady can feel intimidating or overwhelming. After all, there is so much information available about Mary, her life with Christ, her virtues, devotions to her, and more that deep diving into her legacy can seem daunting. But have no fear, sisters! I've set out to offer you some of the best books about Mary, broken down into categories so you can really discover that for which you're searching. Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list. But these books will give you a good foundation to continue you're learning about Mary. So whether you're already highly devoted to the Blessed Mother or you're still trying to figure out this whole why-does-Mary-even-matter thing, there's something here for you. Marian Books for Beginners These books provide a basic overview about Our Lady and her role in the life of Christ and the Church. They are especially great for converts, reverts, or anyone who doesn't feel like they know much about Mary. Introduction to Mary by Mark Miravalle: A look into how the doctrines of Mary affect us on a personal level, and how we can explain our veneration of Mary to our friends and family. Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn: Popular convert Scott Hahn takes a biblical angle in this book as he builds upon the scriptural and historical revelation of Mary and applies them to the Marian doctrines. The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander: A spiritual classic, this beloved book approaches Mary in her humble and vulnerable humanity, reflecting on what really makes her so admirable in the hearts of Christians. Behold Your Mother by Tim Staples: Having waded through the high waters of Protestantism's rejection of Mary, Tim Staples points to the scriptural basis for Marian doctrines and explains the reverence for Mary in simple terms. Meet Your Mother by Mark Miravalle: Hesitant about this whole Mary thing in the first place? Start right here. This book was written primarily for people with little to no knowledge about Mary. It's truly and introduction and an invitation. Books about Marian Apparitions The books listed here explore the supernatural phenomenon of (approved) Marian apparitions throughout the ages. These books would be great for anyone desiring to know more about the appearances of Our Lady and the messages of hope and conversion she bears. See How She Loves Us by Joan Carrol Cruz: A wonderful summary of 50 approved Marian apparitions, this book touches on lesser known apparitions as well as the most popular along with the miracles that accompany them. Fatima for Today by Fr. Andrew Aposotli, CFR: This books details the events of the apparitions at Fatima, Portugal. We examine the messages Our Lady delivered and what they mean for us 100 years later. Guadalupe Mysteries by Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon: Read the story of Mary's appearance to St. Juan Diego and the scientific findings of the infamous tilma imprinted with Our Lady's image. Books about Mary in Relation to the Church A delicious cluster of insight, these books would be considered more "intermediate" Marian material. They take a deeper look into Mary's life and role in the Universal Church. These Marian books are ideal for anyone ready to strap on their theological and philosophical hats! Mary and the Fathers of the Church by Fr. Luigi Gambrel: Curious as to what the early Church fathers thought about Jesus' mom? Read the works of 30 fathers to glean wisdom from the genesis of the Church. The World’s First Love by Blessed Fulton Sheen: If you've ever heard recordings of Bishop Sheen speak, then you are aware of what kind of beauty and eloquence awaits you in his work on the Mother of God. This book will simultaneously stretch your brain and inflame your heart. Under the Mantle by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC: Looking at other Catholic pillars of faith like the Eucharist, Divine Mercy, the Sacraments, and authority, Fr. Calloway shows us how Mary's maternal role and intercession affects the entire fabric of Catholicism. Keeping Mary Close by Mike Aquilina and Fr. Frederick W. Gruber: Another trip back to the time of the early Church, this book explores the evidence of Marian devotion from the first days of the Church through the writings, traditions, and art of the time. Mary: The Church at the Source by Hans Urs von Balthasar and Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the future Papa Benny!): This book presents a view of Mary as both a representation of the Church at large and the mother of every believer, birthing Christ into their hearts. Books about Marian Spirituality This category is full of books that aid the Christian in growing in relationship with Mary. They're wonderful resources for all of us as we seek to model the faith, hope, and love of Our Lady. Mary and Me by Ginny Kubitz Moyer: A beautiful resource from a Blessed is She devotional writer, this book is comprised of reflections from 30 different women on how Mary speaks to the modern female experience. You'll find comfort and camaraderie as these modern-day women reflect on Mary's presence and influence through their greatest trials and most glorious triumphs. True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort: A true Marian classic, this book has been beloved for centuries for its wealth of Marian insight and its encouragement to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary. Walking with Mary by Edward Sri: Follow Mary from the beginning of Christ's life to His death on the Cross, drawing from the few yet mighty biblical passages in which she stars. John Paul II's Book of Mary compiled by Margaret Bunson: This book is a delightful compilation of Pope St. John Paul II's writings and reflections on Our Lady's maternal beatitude and his great personal love for her. Take it to the Queen by Josephine Nabisco: Ok, so this is technically a children's book. But we can all benefit from its beautiful illustrations and metaphors. Be enthralled by this tale that displays the reason for Mary's intercession in our lives as Christians. Books about Marian Consecration Preparation for Total Consecration by St. Louis de Montfort: The most popular path of Marian consecration, this prayer book leads the reader to a deeper understanding of Our Lady and seeks to ignite a desire to offer everything they have and are to Jesus through Mary. 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley: This Marian consecration (and my personal favorite) takes us on a journey through the Marian spiritualities of four Catholic saints: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and Pope St. John Paul II. It is profound yet easy-to-understand and embrace. Total Consecration to Mary according to St. Maximilian Kolbe: Here's the preparation for consecration as formulated by St. Maximillian Kolbe, a major Mary-lover. Marian Prayer Books The Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville: This book reflects on Mary's entire life from childhood to assumption and applies it to our life and circumstances. It is quite valuable for the Catholic woman seeking to live and love like Mary. A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God by Paul Thigpen: A year's worth of reflections centered on the writings about Mary throughout the ages, this devotional is sure to enrich both your mind and your soul. Mother Mary by Paraclete Press: You'll love this coloring book full of pictures and scriptures representative of the Mother of God. Meditate on her life and wisdom while coloring and expressing your heart through creativity. A Book of Marian Prayers by William G. Storey: Swim through moving Marian prayers centered on Christ from the time of the early Church to modern day. The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort: Do you want to increase your love and devotion to the rosary? This books explains in detail how and why the rosary can be a most-powerful tool for reflecting on the life of Christ through the eyes of His mom. Never Enough Mary The wonderful thing about Mary is, like Christ, we can never know enough about her this side of heaven. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux said: Of Mary, there is never enough! We could spend the rest of our lives in study of hers and never exhaust the depth of its richness. The books listed here are just a taste of the vast resources we are blessed with in our modern era. There are many more books, encyclicals, studies, and devotionals written in honor of Our Lady. I can't wait to discover them all with you, sisters! [bctt tweet="We could spend our lives in study of Mary's and never exhaust the depth of its richness."]     What’s your favorite book about Mary? What else would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below! This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

The lazy days of summer are finally upon us, bringing with them a chance to slow down and catch a good book. Whether you’re a bookworm, history buff, or you’re just looking for a good read to tote along on your next vacation, this list is for you! Here are ten faith-filled [or simply inspiring] books with a historical bent to keep you company. Some are fiction, some are memoirs or [auto]biographies that read like fiction—all are a fantastic way to feed your soul and literary appetite at the same time. 1. The Road to Jerusalem (Medieval Sweden, 1150) Opening with the birth of a boy named Arn, this is the first book of a trilogy set in the world of the Knights Templar and Crusades. The Road to Jerusalem follows Arn's boyhood as he leaves his family to be raised in a monastery, learning the skills of civilization and swordbearing before setting out on his own in the world. But he finds himself sorely unprepared for the secular world, coming of age in a drastically different setting that leads him on an unlikely path to knighthood. The book and series as a whole are an adventurous and intriguing look into family dynamics and monastic life, bringing some realism and fascination to the Medieval Era. Content: Somewhat clean. Cultural references to imbibing and clan warfare, allusions to adult content. 2. Silence (Japan, 1640s) Made popular by the recently released film by the same title (reviewed on the BiS blog here) this is not a novel for the faint of heart or weak of faith. Rather, it delves deep into the most distressing and beautiful moments of faith—sometimes one and the same. Based on true events, Silence is the story of a priest and his fellow missionaries seeking to shepherd a recently-discovered remnant of underground Christianity in hostile Japan. In the midst of strife and martyrdom, this incredibly written story explores the depth of persecution, doubt, and weakness—contrasted with the belief and hope, strength and sacrifice of a simple people tortured for their commitment to Christ. Content: Heavy in detailed graphic descriptions of violence and brutality toward the innocent. 3. The Invention of Wings (Civil War Era, 1860s) Though it hit the top of the charts a few years ago, this inspiring story is one worth telling and re-telling—especially for those who have missed or forgotten it. Based on true events and characters, this fictionalized account of an activist during the Civil War is arresting for all of the right reasons. Written by the same author who wrote Secret Life of Bees, it centers on the relationship of a slave and her owner-turned-abolitionist throughout their lives in the deep South. Sue Monk Kidd expertly weaves together the lives of two girls—once friends—both prisoners of their circumstance, and both unwilling to accept that their reality is acceptable. What was once a virtually unknown true story of feminine strength and dignity is now a truly hope-laden journey through the depth of human evils and the height of human good. Content: Mostly clean language. References to crimes against women, racism, descriptions of torture and brutality toward innocent people, brutality toward children. 4. Anne of Green Gables (Canada, early 1900s) There’s a lot of hype surrounding the new TV miniseries, but when’s the last time you hunkered down with any of the actual Anne books? If it’s been awhile—or never—I entreat you to pick up a copy and seriously lose yourself in the delights of the Victorian era with the heroine of the century. L.M. Montgomery builds characters that are deep, strong, and realistic yet endearing; our protagonist Anne is both painfully real while embodying all the best of feminine strength. For the best experience, stick with the series through Book 8 and give yourself the gift of journeying through all the charming changes of the era along with the maturing and ever more endearing Anne in all the heartrending, adventurous, beautiful seasons of her life. Content: Very clean. Isolated references of cruelty toward children and allusions to domestic violence. 5. Orphan Train (United States, early 1900s) An alternating perspective novel set in modern day America with flashbacks to the early 1900s, this tale centers on the moving relationship between two women unpacking their childhood ghosts. It's also a jarring narrative of the little-known enterprise that existed at the turn of the century, when orphans on the East Coast were shipped across the country by train to families willing to take them—just as Anne experienced in Anne of Green Gables though most were not as fortunate as she was. Orphan Train peels back the layers of history to reveal the plight of these children and the spirited ways in which they both adapted and attempted to rise above their condition. Content: some language, some adult content, references to or brief depictions of crimes against women and children. 6. In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer (World War II Era, Poland: 1938-1945) This is a haunting, beautiful, poetic, and riveting memoir; one I couldn't believe wasn’t fiction. Set in Poland during the Second World War, this is the incredible story of a young Catholic medical student-turned-prisoner-turned-renegade whose faith and experiences, one after another, lead her from fear and trembling to action and heroism, right under the noses of the Nazis. Though less graphic than other World War II novels I’ve read, this story shook me more deeply than most because of the knowledge—never far from mind—that every unbelievable experience was true, and had to be believed. Impeccably written, with unspeakably painful realities and poignant moments of redemption. Content: Clean language. References to crimes against women, depictions of antisemitism, descriptions of torture and brutality toward innocent people, some brutality toward children. 7. The Shadow of His Wings (World War II Era, Germany/Italy/Africa: 1938-1945) A reads-like-fiction account of a German seminarian drafted into the German Army during WWII, this memoir is jaw-dropping from start to finish. Written in his own words, Father Goldmann tells how his carefree, somewhat reckless childhood propelled him towards a vocation as a priest. Once drafted into the army and eventually forced to serve in the SS under Hitler, Father Goldmann's unwavering faith continued, lit by a burning desire to serve God in whatever circumstance he found himself. Through persecution from his own compatriots, daring missions, imprisonment, and possibly the most unlikely path to ordination ever, this priest both survived and led countless souls to Christ. I truly couldn’t put this one down. Content: Clean language. Occasional descriptions of brutality and war scenes, minimally graphic. 8. Lilac Girls (World War II Era, France/Germany: 1938-1945) If you’ve read and liked other WWII novels like The Book Thief, All the Light We Cannot See, and The Nightingale, I highly recommend this read! This novel follows three women whose lives are inextricably woven together by the brutal realities of war. A fictionalized account based on real people and eye-opening true events, it’s another little-known story of the darkest aspects of the Holocaust set against the incredible human spirit that prevails. Like other all-but-forgotten testimonies, it’s simply a story that begs to be shared. Content: Occasional mild language; some casual treatment of fidelity in marriage; torture and crimes against women, depictions of antisemitism, not overly graphic. 9. A Man for Others: Maximilian Kolbe the "Saint of Auschwitz" (World War II Era, Poland: 1938-1945) Possibly the most well-known story of the Holocaust in Catholic circles, this biography is cited by some as the best account of Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s life and ultimate martyrdom at Auschwitz. Although a more factual read and the least novel-esque on our list, this captivating biography weaves in true accounts from those who knew the saint personally. Many know of Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrifice and death, but know far less about his incredible, far-reaching accomplishments that spanned his life prior to his martyrdom in the concentration camp. This book captures the fullness of the man behind the saint, and the scope of his lifelong work that is just as compelling as his saintly death. Content: clean language, accounts of torture and death. Not graphic. 10. He Leadeth Me (Cold War Era, the Soviet: 1947-1960s) This is the memoir of an American missionary priest who was serving in eastern Poland when World War II broke out. Captured by the Red Army and accused of being a “Vatican Spy,” Father Ciszek survived for 23 years in the worst conditions of Cold War imprisonment that Russia had to offer. This little-known story is a stirring, outstanding read. But even moreso, it's a simple yet phenomenal spiritual companion if you’re journeying through your own difficult season of suffering. Content: Clean language. Occasional descriptions of brutality and war scenes. Tell us, have you read any inspirational fiction or memoirs lately? Written by Megan Hjelmstad. Find out more about her here.

I recently finished a short, ambiguous novel called Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous (yes, the author remained anonymous!). This was, unfortunately, yet another memoir-type account of obsessive, unhealthy love. The idea that “romance” is equated to something toxic and innately selfish was a definite motif throughout. To love someone is to trap them in emotional chains. To be each other’s emotional life-source. To not be able to breathe without them. For some reason, that romantic, supposedly beautiful love sounds suffocating. Where is the freedom in that? “Love will fight for you, but it will not fight you. Love doesn’t manipulate you with fear and intimidation and control. And it doesn’t back you into a corner so you have nowhere else to go because love, it doesn’t trap you. Love frees you because it honors your freedom.”—Lacey Sturm As Lacey Sturm says in her beautiful Ted Talk: love is free. I look at how Christ loves me, and I see and feel a love that is immensely startling and liberating. It’s a love that makes me want to dance on the edge of the earth and scream with all of my lung power because I am alive and free. It’s a love that celebrates my worth and allows me to take risks. It’s a love that will never get bored or run dry. Whether we are single or in a relationship this season, we must remember that love is rooted in freedom because that is the kind of love that Christ lavishes on us. He absolutely loves it when we express our individuality with abandon and aren’t afraid to unashamedly be ourselves. I constantly have to remind myself to claim my belovedness. I do not ever need to change myself for a guy to like me. I never need to lose weight, change my hobbies, or act differently just to please someone else and appear “dateable.” In this flowery, fuzzy teddybear month of February, let the cheap cards and chocolate be a small reminder that you have a love living and burning within you that does not thrive on plastic kisses. You have a love that frees, a love that liberates and causes your heart to riot. Single, consecrated, wife, mother, girlfriend, fiancee, daughter, sister, friend—we are powerful, we are loved, and we are free to dance to our own colorful songs with the composer Himself. Do not settle for a love that restricts or discourages or dulls. You are significant and have a sacred, necessary purpose in this world, and this purpose is not to obsess over your body or succumb to the desires of another person. We are meant for far more holy, far more extraordinary and profound callings. So breathe, and rest in the freedom of knowing you are worthy, able, and treasured. [bctt tweet="So breathe, and rest in the freedom of knowing you are worthy, able, and treasured."] Jesus, I want to fall in love with You. I want to feel life in my bones. I want to see and feel every color You created and I want Your passionate Spirit to fill my heart. I want to fall in love with You because I’ve seen You die for me, and I know this is a painful love, but so utterly real and perfect. No man shows greater love than You. I give you my heart. Teach me to love You, love others, and love myself. Written by Cassidy K.