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book reviews

“The Good Life Method” Offers Practical Path to Live Well

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This is my column that appears in this week’s print edition of The Catholic Post.  I invite your feedback!

What is “The Good Life”?

Everyone wants to live a good, happy life. How we get there, and how we live this out, can be a point of disagreement. How do we resolve that?

For instance, in popular culture, there’s often an argument made for something—and I think, “that’s not quite right” or “that’s completely wrong.” But most often I can’t explain the “why” of its faulty thinking.

That’s why I loved The Good Life Method: Reasoning Through the Big Questions of Happiness, Faith, and Meaning by Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko. The book is based on the enormously popular course, “God and the Good Life,” the two teach at the University of Notre Dame.

The Good Life Method

Note that the word “philosophy” (wisely) does not appear in the title of the book. The subject can be intimidating and off-putting for some readers (like me!) who don’t perceive that they have an aptitude for philosophy. But “The Good Life Method”— in an engaging, enjoyable style—explains these philosophers and philosophical concepts with down-to-earth explanations and real-life examples.

“We need philosophical coaching. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Saint Thomas Aquinas —..have all worked out proven methods for bringing direction to tumultuous lives,” Sullivan and Blaschko write. “It is shocking how vibrant and relevant this time-tested guides still are today.”

Virtue Ethics Contrasted With Other Philosophies

The “Good Life Method” focuses chiefly on virtue ethics. This is the idea—laid out by ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle—that begins with the premise living a happy life involves virtues, or good habits and good character.

What’s helpful about the book is how it contrasts virtue ethics with other types of popular philosophical approaches—for instance, consequentialism. Consequentialism posits that the effect of what you do is more important than why you do it—basically, “the ends justify the means.” Consequentialism is incompatible with Catholic reasoning.

One example: when describing how consequentialist philosophers are skeptical of emotions in decision-making (one even wrote a book called “Against Empathy”), Sullivan & Blaschko contrast this with virtue ethics:

“Virtue ethicists…think we should be skeptical of any moral advice that is incapable of appropriately connecting to our emotional lives…. The philosophical heart of virtue ethics is that in the best situation we should want our feelings and actions to line up.”

“The Good Life Method”

The book is divided into two sections: The Good Life, and God and the Good Life.

In the first section, “The Good Life,” Sullivan and Blaschko cover the elements necessary for a good life: desiring truth, living generously, taking responsibility; working with integrity, and loving attentively. Each chapter covers one of these concepts, with relevant explanations of different philosophical principles and what they mean.

The second section, “God and the Good Life,” covers why it is important to consider questions of faith—philosophy about the concept of God; how faith develops; the problem of evil or suffering; purpose for those with faith; and preparing for death (or memento mori).

In parts of these “God” chapters, Sullivan and Blaschko share their faith journeys, one as a college-age convert, one as a cradle Catholic who struggled. They also share how Catholic faith is a critical component of their “good life method.” But since the class is taught to students of all faiths or no faith, the book is written and would be valuable for anyone to read, since it helps readers ask the “big questions” and reflect on them.

At the end of each chapter are “craft” reflection questions and prompts to foster deep thought and discussion. For instance, in the chapter on generosity, it’s titled “Soulcraft: Invest to Flourish.” In the chapter on work, it’s titled “Workcraft: Telling Your Work Story.”

Four Skills Needed to Form a “Philosophy of Life” and Write Your Own “Apology”

The book focuses on the four chief skills needed in forming a “philosophy of life” — asking strong (i.e., meaningful, deep) questions; having agency or control over your life; loving attention; and making meaning of our lives.

The goal of the book is for each reader to develop a “Philosophical Apology” which is part philosophical argument, part personal narrative, part map to the good life.

“It’s a goal-planning document on steroids,” they write.

The “apology” is not just a to-do list, but an exploration and explanation of values, hopes, and reasoning.

“Learning how to tell the true story, and becoming disciplined enough to do it, is how we develop the skill of personal agency,” Sullivan and Blaschko write. “It’s how we learn to take responsibility for our actions.”

Book Bonus: Learning About Renegade Philosophers

A bonus for me in reading “The Good Life Method” was learning more about the 20th century British philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe, one of the “Oxford women.” These female philosophers became influential during and after World War II. She was a devout Catholic and mother of seven, tireless intellectual, and outspoken feminist. Sullivan and Blaschko tell this remarkable story (and other stories) about her:

“Anscombe was stopped at the door of a Boston restaurant where she was told that women wearing parts were not allowed to enter. So, without missing a beat, she took her pants off.”

And the chapter “Take Responsibility,” begins with this “mic drop” quote from an essay Anscombe wrote:

“Principles that are mistakenly high and strict are a trap; they may easily lead in the end directly or indirectly to the justification of monstrous things.”

-Philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe

Why Pursue “The Good Life”?

A quote from the last section of the book seems appropriate to describe why everyone—not just college students or professional thinkers—should understand and implement a philosophical approach to life, with excellent help from “The Good Life Method”:

“Having a vision of the good life—a philosophical theory of what you are aiming at—is not crazy, impossible, or impractical. It is one of the most practical exercises we an understand, since your philosophical views can help you make all of the other very difficult decisions you face.”

Meghan Sullivan & Paul Blaschko in “The Good Life Method”

For those who don’t have a natural knack for understanding philosophy, “The Good Life Method” is a clear and highly accessible “translation” of these concepts, with practical application to everyday life.

“A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money” Offers Sensible, Values-Driven Approach to Personal Finance

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This is my column that appears in this week’s print edition of The Catholic Post. It also appears at my personal finance website Your Money Mom. I invite your feedback!

You know that feeling when two worlds collide? I experienced that recently—in a good way.
It happened when I learned of the new book by Amanda and Jonathan Teixeira, “How to Attack Debt, Build Savings, and Change the World Through Generosity: A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money,” which, as the title implies, integrates financial skills and planning into a Catholic faith context.

Amanda and Jonathan’s Teixeira’s new book.


Because of my longtime interest in finance, in recent years I’ve been freelance writing on personal finance and other topics; helping people as a financial coach; and enjoying being what like-minded people call a “money nerd.”


I’ve attended the FinCon gathering for financial professionals several times; at the 2019 event, I met Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira. I’m in a different stage of life than they are, but I appreciated connecting with a young couple who—like me—have a strong Catholic faith that informs their money journey.

Now the Teixeiras have written a helpful book on their approach to personal finance: How to Attack Debt, Build Savings, and Change the World Through Generosity: A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money. The book is based on their online community—called Wallet Win—geared to helping people get on track with money.


The book is a mix of practical, balanced finance advice and personal stories. The Teixeiras alternate narrating sections, infusing their appealing personalities into what can be dry or confusing topics.

While not written only for Catholics—the book is useful for most—Catholic values infuse the book. Each chapter begins with a Scripture quote, and sprinkled throughout are quotes from saints, popes, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.


One example:


“When we, as Catholics, give our whole lives to God, that means we live our lives in a way that gives God glory at all times, no matter what we’re doing. German priest, theologian, and Servant of God Romano Guardini said that even the way we climb a tree should show our love for Christ. Similarly, the way we use every cent entrusted to us should be influenced by our faith.”

The Texeiras also share stories related to money from their dating and married life, including arguments on their honeymoon, mistakes in communicating and spending money, and creativity in financing the adoption of their children.

Organization of How to Attack Debt, Build Savings, & Change the World Through Generosity


The book is divided into five parts:

  • Getting Started (the basics of how they approach money);
  • Establish Your Financial Foundation (how to improve mindset, learn to budget; and develop an emergency fund);
  • Gain Momentum With Your Money (including debt payoff and money goals);
  • Grow Your Wealth (about investing, saving for retirement and kids’ college); and
  • Live Financial Freedom (giving generously and intentionally).

Interspersed throughout are encouraging “success stories” from Wallet Win students—married couples and singles—who share how they learned to manage money well.

An emphasis is placed on the primacy of paying off debt, especially credit card debt and other “bad” debt, in order to live more securely and abundantly, both in spending and in giving.

“Debt ties your money up in the past instead of letting it work for you in the present and for your future,” they write.

Living Generosity

I appreciated the attention A Catholic Guide to Managing Your Money gives to improving mindset related to money. That’s because understanding one’s ingrained beliefs about money can have a significant effect—positive or negative—on financial health.

An especially thought-provoking chapter is “Live Generously” which outlines the importance of giving. As the Teixeiras write, “Our big goal for getting you financially healthy is for you to be as generous as possible.”

A Catholic Guide to Managing Money is most worthwhile for people at the beginning of their financial journeys, as well as a useful re-set for those in debt, or anyone interested in a solid overview of money management.

I do not agree with every recommendation in the book; for instance, whether or not you should pay off your mortgage, or when you should start saving for retirement. (My view: it’s never too early. That’s why teens who have jobs should also open Roth IRAs. Apologies for the “money nerd” digression). But these are minor.

Just like there are many ways to be Catholic and live out Catholic faith, there are many sensible, virtuous, and exemplary ways to manage money. The more you learn about money matters in a thoughtful and balanced way, the more you can make your own sensible financial decisions.

Amanda and Jonathan Teixeira’s book is a great first step, and a solidly Catholic one, to start on or to continue that journey.

In addition to appearing in The Catholic Post this week, this review also appears on Your Money Mom.

The Essential Things: “Through the Year with Jesus” Offers Lovely, Useful Resource to Growth Faith & Community

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Following is my book review column that appears in the current print edition of The Catholic Post. I welcome your comments!

Basics or Essential?

I wanted to write that Katherine Bogner’s new book is a “back to basics” approach to living out the Catholic faith, using liturgical seasons and weekly Gospel Readings as framework.


But that would underestimate the rich and multilayered resource that Bogner, a local teacher with a global reach online, has created in Through the Year with Jesus: Gospel Reflections and Readings.

“Essentials” might be a better term.

Katherine (Katie) Bogner is a multi-talented creative—she’s an artist, writer (she is a fellow member of The Catholic Post book review team), and religious catechist.

Locally, she serves as Junior High Faith Teacher at St. Philomena Parish in Peoria. But some may not know that Bogner is widely known and esteemed far beyond central Illinois.

That is because Bogner has spent the last decade creating excellent art, content, and ideas to countless teachers, catechists, and families (worldwide! that is not an exaggeration) at her website Look to Him and Be Radiant. Bogner also has a popular Instagram account (@katherine.bogner), sharing these web resources and her art.

Because of her wide influence and reach online, Emmaus Road Publishing editors reached out to Bogner to consider writing a book. Through the Year with Jesus is the fortunate result of this.

Through the Year with Jesus

The book contains seven sections—two for Ordinary time, one for the Sacred Triduum, and four for the remaining liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

Each section includes pages for the holy days and Sundays within that season, including weekly Gospel reflections, and at least one “Visio Divina”—a print of a classic work of sacred heart, along with a description and reflection questions.

Each Gospel reading is followed by several short elements: “Tell the Story”—describing the reading in context and incisive questions; “Live it Out,” with suggestions for incorporating the season into one’s daily life, and a “Lectio Divina” sidebar offering helpful prompts for the ancient practice of reading, meditating, praying and contemplating Scripture.

Visio Divina for Reflection and Prayer

The “Visio Divina” is one of my favorite parts of the book, offering helpful ways to engage with the Scripture art prayerfully.

So, for instance, in the season of Easter, one of the Visio Divina pages is at 17th century painting called “Landscape with Christ and His Disciples on the Road to Emmaus.” After an introduction, one question reads, “Would you want to get to your location quickly and invite Jesus to stay, or would you hope to linger and spend time together on the journey?”

Bogner’s appealing hand lettering and what she calls “liturgical doodles” appear sprinkled throughout the chapter titles, headings, and other places, lending a winsome touch. Readers of her website will be familiar with her distinctive style and appreciate the book’s similar feel.

Not just for families & classrooms

Bogner’s creative work online mainly assists families and fellow catechists and teachers for religious education and formation. But Through the Year with Jesus is even more widely relevant.

Though the book is family- and classroom-friendly, it is not family or classroom exclusive. Groups (such a small Bible study groups), individuals, and couples would also find Through the Year spiritually fruitful.

The book is easy to implement. Simply reading the Gospel, the “Tell the Story” reflection, and the “Live it Out” section, along with the Lectio Divina sidebar (perhaps while contemplating the artwork) itself would be a great preparation for Sunday Mass. Individuals can do this on their own or with a small group; classroom teachers can implement it, and families (and not just of young children, but all ages) would benefit enormously from this.

This kind of multi-faceted resource is especially important when people cannot attend Mass in person, as is common during our current time.

Catholics can derive spiritual benefit from developing the practice of reading and reflecting on the Gospel and readings ahead of Sunday’s Mass. Through the Year with Jesus makes it enjoyable, comprehensive without being overwhelming.

What’s great? The book is not pegged to a particular calendar year or cycle, so is flexible enough to allow readers to engage with it as much or as little as time allows, year after year.

Bogner’s book is a beautiful gift to everyone!

The Miracle in Bonnie Engstrom’s Awe-Inspiring Book is (Very) Local

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Following is my column that appears in the current print edition of The Catholic Post.

Bonnie Engstrom’s new book is literally awe-inspiring.

61 Minutes to a Miracle: Fulton Sheen and a True Story of the Impossible is part page-turning medical mystery story; part spiritual memoir, about faith, acceptance, and openness to the Holy Spirit; and part primer on the fascinating process of “saint-making” in the church.

“61 Minutes to a Miracle” is— true to its title—about Engstrom’s son James, who was born without a heartbeat and remained so for 61 minutes. Miraculously, he also did not suffer any brain damage or lasting effects from the trauma of his birth. The Engstrom family, friends, and people worldwide prayed for the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen, a Peoria diocese native, to heal James. Vatican approval of that miracle paved the way for Bishop Sheen’s beatification.

Full disclosure: at the time the miracle happened, I knew and had worked with Engstrom on several projects. We lived in nearby towns, so I got updates in real time as it was happening. So to read the amazing events in book form, told in Engstrom’s engaging voice, was both a bit of “deja vu” and a wonderful way to relive that incredible time.

There have been a few times when I have relatively close knowledge of something described in a book or online, and it irks me when details are changed. I understand why sometimes the narrative flow of a story means times might be conflated together or some details changed, but I still find it bothersome.

That is most certainly NOT the case for 61 Minutes to a Miracle. Everything is written exactly as it happened, as I heard about the story through Engstrom herself and many other local sources at the time. And because the events described are so amazing, it is reassuring to have minor (and of course major) details be accurate.

The honesty of the book is perhaps because, as described in 61 Minutes to a Miracle, the Engstrom family went through the process of the cause for beatification and canonization of Fulton Sheen. In those proceedings, literal truth is needed, and those interviewed in the case have to testify and swear that they are telling the truth.

But the book is not just a dry accounting of the medical facts or specific chronology. Because Engstrom writes in such a natural, candid voice, this book becomes a way for readers to join in the spiritual pilgrimage of the Engstrom family, and all those around them, as they experienced life, pregnancy, learning about saints, losing a child and then gaining him back, and just living life well.

How they managed to walk through this harrowing experience, through the grace of God, the help of their friends, family, and medical team, is the center of this book.

Probably my favorite part of 61 Minutes to a Miracle is how Engstrom likens her son James’ story with that of Lazarus from the Gospel of John. That is partially because the raising of Lazarus is replete with so many details to meditate on related to the mystery of life and death. And it may also be because I love St. Martha dearly, and her profession of faith (“You are the Christ, the Son of God”) to Jesus when he came to raise Lazarus is a particularly poignant moment in the life of Jesus.

It is also lovely that the miracle leading to Sheen’s beatification should not only occur in his home diocese, but also that Sheen, one of the most media-savvy people of his time, should intercede in a case whose prayer requests spread widely due to media. That is, specifically, social media, as Engstrom is a popular blogger and active online in Catholic spheres.

It is a kind of “virtuous circle” for Sheen to reach out to Engstrom in the healing of James, and Engstrom honors Sheen and makes him even more well known because of the miracle.

As Engstrom writes about why the miracle would have happened in their family, “It was Jesus Christ who brought James Fulton back to life. It was Christ’s death and resurrection that conquered death once and for all. I do not know why it happened this way. The only answer I can give is probably the only answer I should be concerned with: the glory of God.”

Reading 61 Minutes to a Miracle helps the reader explore the mystery of why miracles happen; how God can move in the hearts and lives of everyone; and how intercession to the saints is good for us and for our world.

A Different Kind of Conversion Story

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Following is my column that appears in the current print edition of The Catholic Post.

Nearly three years ago, 85-year-old priest Fr. Jacques Hamel was martyred by two Islamic state terrorist while he was celebrating daily Mass at the parish in Normandy, France, where he lived as a retired priest. I vividly recall how moved I was by the accounts of him, and his witness to the faith. Like many Catholics wondered if I could have done the same.

Shortly after Fr. Hamel’s martyrdom, new stories shared that Wall Street Journal reporter Sohrab Ahmari, a secular Iranian-American, announced on Twitter his conversion to Catholicism because of Fr. Hamel’s witness. 

Wow! I remember thinking. How amazing that an old priest’s martyrdom could inspire a Muslim-born Iranian to convert.

The true story of Ahmari’s conversion (and the tweet—which he deleted soon deleted after it went viral because of how it was misreported) is far more compelling.

From Fire by Water: My Journey to the Catholic Faith is Ahmari’s spiritual memoir of what really happened, from his. and far more interesting than I, and many others, initially thought.

As Ahmari writes in the preface,

“Catholicism was the destination I reached after a long, circuitous spiritual path. That path cut across my Muslim background and Iranian heritage, to be sure, and then in turn shaped its course. But it wasn’t as if I had been praying to Allah one day and the next day accepted Christ as my savior. My Internet cheer squad craved precisely this simplistic narrative, which Twitter, with its tendency to flatten human experience into readily digestible memes, supplied.”

“(M)y becoming Catholic had something to do with being Iranian- and Muslim-born but that it was ultimately a response to the universal call of grace.”

This book is fascinating because Ahmari’s story is so different than the typical American conversion story. But even though the biographical details are unusual, his story shares elements that are shared in most, if not all, conversion stories. 

Chief among these is an attraction to the good, the beautiful, and the virtuous, that helped him accept a universal standard of good and evil.  That gradually drew him towards God and living a life of faith.

He was raised in Iran by non-religious and inattentive parents, and his sharp communications skills made him seem older and wiser than he was.  And this lack of virtue development didn’t help him become better. As he writes, ““I wanted to be “good.” But I came to associate being good with wowing adults.”

After he and his mother emigrated to the United States when he was a teenager, his high intelligence allowed him to “coast” through high school and even college, without learning critical thinking skills, and helped him easily conform to the worst of the prevailing secular culture. 

He participated in the Marxist movement in college, only giving it up when he realized that while the principles seemed sound, it was a movement of not the working class as it proclaimed, and that “the full-time socialist life was possible only for the children of the upper-middle class.”

One of the chief themes of From Fire by Water is the idea that it’s not just good enough to be intellectually brilliant and insightful. One must also have and practice virtue. In short, you can’t just be smart. You have to be good, too.

This is most illustrated in the story of Ahmari’s fellow co-worker when they were together in the Teach for America program. (Teach for America is a program that enlists recent college grads to teach for several years in schools in low-income rural & urban communities.)

This co-worker worked long hours and was a tough but fair teacher. A the same time, and unlike his fellow teachers, he refused out of principle to advance kids who were not doing well enough. Instead, this teacher spent extra time with them and held them to his high standards. This did not endear him to others, but caused him to be out of favor with his higher-ups and even his fellow teachers. 

As Ahmari met and encountered people who practiced the virtues even in hard circumstances (eventually, learning of Fr. Hamel’s heroic virtue in martyrdom), he recognized his own lack of good character, and tried with limited success to remedy that. 

This search for integrity led him to spend time in a Catholic church in Manhattan, where he encountered Jesus in the Eucharist. Like many, he experienced powerfully God’s presence. After a long time, and even after more twists and turns, Ahmari converted to Catholicism in London.

Back in the day when blogs were much more popular, I followed many blogs of Catholic moms. And we moms struggled mightily to name our blogs, and rename when necessary. Mine was the name of a Rich Mullins song, probably dating me, but I don’t care.

One mom I followed named her blog “Heaven, not Harvard.”

For some reason this always bothered me. I thought, “But why can’t you have both?” Because of course you can (and recently I reviewed a book on that very premise, “How I Stayed Catholic at Harvard,” by a recent Harvard graduate who found a way to live our her faith in a robust wa.).

Reading From Fire by Water helped me to remember that high intelligence and a strong faith are not mutually exclusive, and can be a powerful combination.

The book also helped to confirm the importance of trying our best, with God’s grace, to live lives of virtue. We never know how we might be affecting the people around us, or the seeds we are planting by our consistency in doing the right thing, especially when it’s difficult.

Most of all, From Fire by Water helped me to reflect on the ways that everyone’s faith journey is just that—a journey. We lifelong Catholics may not have the dramatic conversion odyssey of a Sohrab Ahmari, but our faith, and our relationship with Christ and His Church, changes through the years. 

8 Things I’ve Learned in 8 Years of Reviewing Catholic Books {My column @TheCatholicPost}

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Following is my column that appears in the current print edition of The Catholic Post. This will be my last regular column for The Catholic Post, but I may be filling in occasionally.

This marks my final regular monthly column reviewing books for The Catholic Post. After more than eight years, hundreds of books reviewed, and nearly 100 columns and “Reader” profiles, I’ll be stepping away from writing book reviews to pursue other projects.

To be honest, I’m uneasy about what this change in status will mean for my spiritual life & prayer life.

Searching out and reading good Catholic books has become normal these past eight years. I’ve spent hours in adoration reading potential good books—an excellent way to discern whether a book is review-worthy. And because my husband Joseph has been the first reader of my columns, his feedback and our discussions as I fine-tune my thoughts have strengthened our spiritual friendship in marriage.

I’ve heard from many readers over the years about books that have helped or edified them, but truthfully, I am the one who has been most enriched by writing about Catholic books. I will always be grateful for this opportunity and my years here, and the careful editing and guidance of Tom Dermody, the editor of The Catholic Post.

Here are some of the “takeaways” that I’ve learned. I hope you will remember them, too:

  1. Catholic memoirs and spiritual biographies are an excellent genre for the reader’s spiritual growth & learning.

Memoirs, including spiritual biographies, can be very inconsistent in quality. While I’m not a fan of much modern memoir types, I have found numerous good examples in Catholic books old and new. I’ve written about ones as varied as the first book I ever reviewed, Venerable Fulton Sheen’s classic Treasure in Clay. Other great spiritual memoirs include He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek, The Fourth Cup by Scott Hahn, and The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows by Mother Dolores Hart.

2. Not all “Catholic” books are written by Catholics, or from Catholic publishers.

One of the most discussion-worthy books I’ve read in recent years is Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, which explores the area of death and dying, including wisdom from medieval monks, and what that means in today’s culture. In addition, books like Michael Pollan’s Cooked offer incarnational perspective on the goodness of creation.

3. Catholic authors are good for different audiences.

As I’ve written before, very few books are good for every Catholic reader, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something for everyone among Catholic books.

To consider two audiences:

For kids and teens, there is everything from saint biography books like Ablaze, & Radiate by Colleen Swaim, saint-inspired fiction like the charming, Olivia and the Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger, and practical works such as Your College Faith: Own It! and How I Stayed Catholic at Harvard.

For moms, there are a range of books, and newer ones released almost every year, on motherhood and balance, from pregnancy and early childhood in “Made for This” to parenting for your child’s personality in books like “The Temperament God Gave Your Kids.”

4. Praise God, the saints come in all types, sizes, and spiritualities.

I’m not going to name names, but certain saints inspire in me not devotion, but gratitude that God made all kind of people capable of becoming saints. A friend is fond of saying that the spiritual life is “individual as a fingerprint.” Readers can easily find a saint, spirituality to suit, though I have found it spiritually edifying to stretch outside my comfort zone when it comes to reading about the saints.

Some of my favorite books about saints and spiritualities include How to Pray the Dominican Way: Ten Postures, Prayers and Practices that Lead Us to God by Angelo Stagnaro, Introduction to the Devout Life  by St. Francis de Sales, and My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell.

5. Healing can begin with reading books.

Some of my most popular reviews have been books about sensitive topics, especially ones relating to mental health and sexuality. Such books include Dawn Eden’s My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints and Remembering God’s Mercy, both about healing memory; Gay and Catholic by Eve Tushnet; Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach by Sister Kathryn Hermes; and the powerful Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics by Fr. Thomas Berg.

6. You can be intellectual and Catholic.

This shouldn’t be surprising, considering that the Catholic Church gave us the scientific method, the university system, and innumerable discoveries. But in today’s culture of “cool,” the prevailing belief is that Catholicism, or any deeply held faith, is at odds with reason and “reality.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Consider Would You Baptize an Extra-Terrestrial by Vatican astronomers Brother Guy Consolmagno and Fr. Paul Mueller; The Loser Letters by Mary Eberstadt; The Case for Jesus by Brad Pitre; and any of the books by Fr. Robert Barron or Fr. Robert Spitzer.

7. Our Catholic faith is a precious gift that we should want to share and celebrate with everyone.

Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus by Sherry Weddell is a book that gets to the heart of evangelization, both within and outside of parishes. It talks about the vital importance of helping people have a deep personal relationship with Jesus, and what that means for the life of a parish or the Church at large.

8. Media literacy and critical thinking are must-have skills.

Developing the ability to discern wisely what one is reading, watching, or hearing, is more important than ever. Books like The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah MacKenzie and The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age provide not just families, but anyone, with tools and ideas for strengthening one’s critical skills in this area.

That is eight, but I have one more takeaway, since I like to “over-deliver:”

9. Reading is subservient to the goal of our faith: love.

St. Paul puts it perfectly 1 Corinthians 13:1: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging symbol.”