So...what are you reading?

[Dhanaraj]

Completed two fantastic books, a spiritual memoir titled My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir and a theological rendering on the Church by Hans Urs von Balthasar titled Razing the Bastions: On the Church in This Age. The first book is highly recommended.

[Anne]

I am just starting "The Sea and Poison", by Shusaku Endo.

[Dhanaraj]

Shusaku Endo is a marvelous writer. Have a good time, Anne.

[Anne]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Shusaku Endo is a marvelous writer. Have a good time, Anne."

Another wonderful, haunting, devastating book by Endo. It will be a day or so before I'm ready to start something else. Well worth the time.

[Julie]

just finished reading Together On Retreat: Meeting Jesus in Prayerit was a freebie from the Ignation spirituality website, this was a very nice mini-retreat, see my review for a few more details. A very nice find, check out their website at
www.ignatianspirituality.com/‎

[Christine]

Just received for review The Trial of Pope Benedict: Joseph Ratzinger and the Vatican's Assault on Reason, Compassion, and Human Dignity. Anyone else read it yet?

I've downloaded The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction. Anticipating this to be a light fun read which should motivate me to read more!

[Julie]

I'm reading , what a pleasant surprise

[Howard]

Started reading "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" by James Martin. Absolutely fantastic so far. I didn't know very much about the Jesuits prior and there's a little history thrown into the practical guide to prayer and contemplation.

[Thadeus]

If you are a Catholic bibliophile like myself, you will probably enjoy the blog post interview of Christopher Hagen of Loome Theological Booksellers on Brandon Vogt's blog.

http://brandonvogt.com/why-catholic-b...

Enjoy!

[Thadeus]

Howard wrote: "Started reading "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" by James Martin. Absolutely fantastic so far. I didn't know very much about the Jesuits prior and there's a little history thrown into the ..."

I also read the Jesuit Guide this year. I found it a very worthwhile and practical read.

[Dhanaraj]

Somebody recommended his book and so I have begun reading it and it is spiritually enriching. Hope it remains like that all through the book. The title of the book is Prism of Love: God's Colours in Everyday Life.

[Lisa, Group handmaid]

'In a great and noble tradition' - autobiographical notes by Dom Prosper Guéranger. Great stuff!

[Barb]

I recently finished "Fatherless" by Brian J. Gail, and really enjoyed it. Now I am well into "How the West Really Lost God" by Mary Eberstadt and can't wait to finish hearing her out on the relationship between the family and loss of faith.

[Jeannette]

I'm re-reading C. S. Lewis's so-called "Space Trilogy," again, after about a 20-year hiatus, and am now in the third and final book, THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. Given what is happening in the secular world, today, I now believe Lewis had the God-given gift of prophecy!

[Michelle]

I'm reading "What To Do When Jesus Is Hungry: A Practical Guide to The Works of Mercy" by Fr Andrew Apostoli - highly recommended!

[Darlene]

Our book club is presently reading "The Seven Storey Mountain" by Thomas Merton. I've completed Part I. It's most interesting to see how his childhood travels, numerous schooling experiences, and contacts with various relatives & acquaintances affected his growth in the Catholic faith.

[Anne]

Just finished "Kiku's Prayer" by Shusaku Endo and have started "The Rosary; the Prayer That Saved My Life" by Immaculee Ilibagiza.

[Gary]

Just started Will Many Be Saved?: What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization. Heady, but profoundly thought provoking.

[Gary]

Jeannette wrote: "I'm re-reading C. S. Lewis's so-called "Space Trilogy," again, after about a 20-year hiatus, and am now in the third and final book, THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. Given what is happening in the secular w..."

In all my years of reading science fiction, I never read those. I think I need to.

[Dhanaraj]

Reading We Have Found Mercy: The Mystery of Divine Mercy. A lovely book.....

[Barbara]

I LOVE Lewis's Space Trilogy. They are absolutely worth a second read...and a third. My favorite is Out of the Silent Planet, but That Hideous Strength is excellent too. All three have much to tell us about ourselves and spirituality!

[Darlene]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Reading We Have Found Mercy: The Mystery of Divine Mercy. A lovely book....."

Gary wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I'm re-reading C. S. Lewis's so-called "Space Trilogy," again, after about a 20-year hiatus, and am now in the third and final book, THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH. Given what is happenin..."

Gary, They sound interesting! I'll have to put them on my to read shelf.

[Mike]

Joyce wrote: "Hungry Souls: Supernatural Visits, Messages, and Warnings from Purgatory"

I found it to be a wake up call; I am interested in your reactions.

[Joseph]

Just started "On God's Side" by Jim Wallis

[Benjamin]

I read this one ages ago, but I was just wondering if anyone else on here has read 'The Exorcist'? - or anything by William Peter Blatty? I know it's an odd suggestion for Catholic reading, but I for one was very surprised, and moved, by just how seriously Blatty incorporates his faith into his writings. If you can tolerate the language and violence and scares, I suggest taking a look at it.

[Joseph]

Luke wrote: "I read this one ages ago, but I was just wondering if anyone else on here has read 'The Exorcist'? - or anything by William Peter Blatty? I know it's an odd suggestion for Catholic reading, but I ..."

I read The Exorcist in high school and I thought it was a very good fictionalized version of how exorcism works. For my money though, a better book on the subject is The Exorcism of Annelise Michel by Felicitas D. Goodman. Dr. Goodman is an anthropologist and she not only gives a very detailed rundown of the church's rules governing exorcism, she also places Annelise Michel's case in the cultural context of West Germany in the 1970's and the church just after Vatican II. The film The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a fictionalized version of Dr. Goodman's book, which, while not addressing all the issues Dr. Goodman does, does a good job of presenting the story in a cultural context that is accessible to Americans.

[Denise]

Joseph - how are finding "On God's Side"? What is it about?

[Joseph]

Denise wrote: "Joseph - how are finding "On God's Side"? What is it about?"

Rev. Wallis has written several books on the intersection of religion and politics and this is his latest effort. His thesis is that partisan bickering has become too much matter of course in American politics and the different view points need to lay off the blame game and try to solve the country's problems from a view of the common good as articulated in the Gospel. The title comes from a quote of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side." I've barely dented the book, but thus far, Rev. Wallis has re-emphasized that, at the end of the day, Christ is king and all government is ultimately answerable to Him at the last judgement.

[Kathleen]

Luke wrote: "I read this one ages ago, but I was just wondering if anyone else on here has read 'The Exorcist'? - or anything by William Peter Blatty? I know it's an odd suggestion for Catholic reading, but I ..."

Luke, you many want to check out William Friedkin's memoir, The Friedkin Connection, in which he writes about Blatty and about the making of The Exorcist. Friedkin was the film's director. I found his account of his experience making the film fascinating.The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir

[Dhanaraj]

Joseph wrote: "Luke wrote: "I read this one ages ago, but I was just wondering if anyone else on here has read 'The Exorcist'? - or anything by William Peter Blatty? I know it's an odd suggestion for Catholic re..."

The film Exorcism of Emily Rose was excellent. At least the Catholic point of view regarding the Exorcism was pointed out very well.

[Joseph]

Dhanaraj wrote: "Joseph wrote: "Luke wrote: "I read this one ages ago, but I was just wondering if anyone else on here has read 'The Exorcist'? - or anything by William Peter Blatty? I know it's an odd suggestion ..."

It's a permanent fixture in my halloween film collection.

[Doreen]

Right now I'm reading by and thoroughly enjoying it!!

[Dhanaraj]

Finished reading a small book. But it is a small wonder, for in thirty pages there are fantastic spiritual reflections. Do not miss it. The title of the book is: Parables of the Cross (Illustrated Edition).

[Anne]

I have just finished "The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier, and Korean War Hero". Fr. Kapaun has been declared a Servant of God (surely on his way to eventual canonization), and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor earlier this year. A remarkable man, and a very good book.

[Geary]

Just finished reading, Will Many Be Saved?: What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization by Dr. Ralph Matin. Good read. He takes the reader through the development leading to Lumen Gentium, the Scriptural support and looks at Rahner and Balthasars' teachings.

[Joseph]

Finished up On God's Side and I've just started Inferno by Dan Brown. I'm nine pages in and I already want to throw my very large, heavy copy of The Divine Comedy at his head and tell him to read the thing before he tries to write a book based on it.

[Kaye]

I've just read "A Prayer Journal: Flannery O'Connor"

Wonderful insight into a great author!

[Norene]

I finished reading On Heaven and Earth by Pope Francis (as Jorge Mario Bergoglio) and Abraham Skorka, a rabbi. I wanted to read the future Pope's thoughts about heaven and earth because I am interested in the idea that God prepares people to later assume positions of influence important to our Catholic Church. Once again, God has made an excellent choice.

[Mary]

Tiffanie wrote: "I am reading the The story of a soul.. by St. Therese ...i love reading her books.."

It is a great book. You can also get the audio book from:
Look the free audio and ebook here:
http://librivox.org/the-story-of-a-so...

[Mary]

Would anyone like to join me reading Divine Intimacy? It contains daily readings beginning with December. Each reading contains three parts: 1 entering into the presence of God, 2. meditation, 3 talking to God.

Divine Intimacy

[Joseph]

I'm reading Tolkien's translation of Beowulf. First prose translation I've ever read of it, but it's more prose poem the way he structured it.

[Denise]

Wow! That sounds pretty cool Joseph. Is it a big big book?

I'm reading Michael O'Brien's 'Strangers and Sojourners'. I'm really enjoying it. It's the choice of our parish book club.

[Joseph]

It's not big big, but it includes some of Tolkien's lectures about Beowulf, since that's what he did for a living, as well as some other works he did in the Old English poetry vein.

[John]

Reading an 'abridged' version of St. Augustine's "The City of God".

[Andrew]

John wrote: "Reading an 'abridged' version of St. Augustine's "The City of God"."

Nice! I'm reading the whole thing. Tough read, but very interesting!

[Barbara]

John wrote: "Reading an 'abridged' version of St. Augustine's "The City of God"."

Hi, John, I read "The City of God" a long time ago and I can't remember any specifics but I do remember finding plenty of insight. If you'd care to share anything that strikes you as you are reading, I'd love to hear it.

[Emily]

@John et. al.

I read "City of God" this past year. I thought it was interesting, but the fact that I had to read it for school kind of ruined it. The teacher would give 5-question quizzes usually on random people's names. So I missed the greater message of the book for the details.

[Joseph]

I think the only name I remember him mentioning from when I read it is St Jerome, that seems like a silly way to make sure you've been reading.

[John]

Barbara wrote: "John wrote: "Reading an 'abridged' version of St. Augustine's "The City of God"."

Hi, John, I read "The City of God" a long time ago and I can't remember any specifics but I do remember finding pl..."

One of the interesting things (of many so far) is St. Augustine's "rebuttal" or "debate" on the notion of "fate" and "predestination"; taking aim on Cicero's notion and logic that leads to the conclusion that there can't be a 'god' if mankind has free will.

[Barbara]

Yes, John, and in God's wisdom and love, he chose to allow freedom knowing he would bring greater good out of evil. God is so good!