So...what are you reading?

[Denise]

Do you re read The Divine Comedy at a certain time of year Joseph? If so, why?

[Joseph]

Denise wrote: "Do you re read The Divine Comedy at a certain time of year Joseph? If so, why?"

I try (don't always succeed) to read it at easter time, because Dante set the work between Good Friday and the end of the Octave. There's a lot going on in Divine Comedy, but I find the undercurrents of Dante's faith journey to be particularly inspiring.

[Denise]

That's cool Joseph. I would love to read more challenging books than I do but for now I have to put my brain power toward other things.

[Howard]

Just finished St. Augustine's "Confessions", starting Tim Staples' "Behold Your Mother":
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Carmen]

Wanting to see my book at my college library, I came upon a book sitting right next to mine, begging to be read.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

It is an interesting read of women through church history. The last Catholic woman mentioned is St. Therese of Avila. Then it goes into women's spiritual leadership in Protestant churches. I am now more convinced that the Protestant Reformation did not served women well.

[Barbara]

Joseph wrote: "Denise wrote: "Do you re read The Divine Comedy at a certain time of year Joseph? If so, why?"

I try (don't always succeed) to read it at easter time, because Dante set the work between Good Frida..."

I haven't read The Divine Comedy for years (Ciardi translation) but I do remember it as awesome. I loved-if I remember correctly-how in hell, people experienced an intensified extension of their sins while in Purgatory the experienced the opposite challenge, which I thought was a profound insight about the nature of turning from our self-defeating behaviors toward God's light and love.

[Denise]

Barbara I understand the intensified while in hell but I don't quite get what you mean by opposite while in purgatory. Can you explain it more for me?

[Joseph]

Barbara wrote: "Joseph wrote: "Denise wrote: "Do you re read The Divine Comedy at a certain time of year Joseph? If so, why?"

I try (don't always succeed) to read it at easter time, because Dante set the work bet..."

I love the Ciardi translation! I'm actually using an older one this year, the 1948 translation by Lawrence Grant White with the Gustave Doré illustrations. Eventually I will learn enough Italian to tackle it in the original.

[Barbara]

Denise wrote: "Barbara I understand the intensified while in hell but I don't quite get what you mean by opposite while in purgatory. Can you explain it more for me?"

For example, I seem to remember that gluttons in hell were submerged in swill; in purgatory, they went hungry. That struck me as meaning that when we surrender to our weaknesses instead of turning to God, those weaknesses overpower us; they swallow us up. But when we want to leave them behind us and allow God to make us whole, we're invited to turn around and move in the opposite direction away from our excesses. That can be painful but it is fruitful pain. The pain of wallowing in our sins gets us nowhere but the growing pains of moving toward God's light and peace bring new life...like labor pains, it becomes pain with a purpose.

[Emily]

I finally finished Stephen Prothero's God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World--and Why Their Differences Matter. It was a fascinating read, giving insight to a lot of different facets of religion. And plus, it actually did not contain any Catholic heresies! :)

Here's my review if you're interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dani]

I downloaded The Devotion To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion the other day and am going to start on it this weekend.

[Thomas]

Looking for a good beach read for August. Not sure The Founding of Christendom by Carroll is going to be the best breezy read. Perhaps the Narnia books by CSL? Any suggestions?

[Anne]

Thomas wrote: "Looking for a good beach read for August. Not sure The Founding of Christendom by Carroll is going to be the best breezy read. Perhaps the Narnia books by CSL? Any suggestions?"

Tobit's Dog

[Donna]

I just started Scott Hahn's First Comes Love. Really enjoying it. It's easier to read than most of his and yet is very informational. I also have been reading Amazing Grace for the Catholic Heart which is a group of inspirational short stories put together by Cavins, Pinto & Armstrong. It is definitely an easy read and since it is short stories, there is a variety of topics.

[Barbara]

Thomas wrote: "Looking for a good beach read for August. Not sure The Founding of Christendom by Carroll is going to be the best breezy read. Perhaps the Narnia books by CSL? Any suggestions?"

The Narnia series is great. CS Lewis' science fiction trilogy is good too. Although the first and third books have a mid-twentieth century British feel, which might not be "breezy", the second book, Perelandra, is speculative fiction with an uplifting message.

[Thomas]

Thanks for the suggestions Barbara. I think I have all of CSL's major works on my To-Read list, and having just finished The Great Divorce I'm looking for more. I'll probably pick up both series this weekend so I can go with whatever strikes me at vacation time.

[Thomas]

Thanks Donna. Am I wrong? Do most of Scott Hahn's work read like self-help? I don't typically enjoy that genre - one of the few actually. Your second suggestion sounds like a good fit though.

[Donna]

I've never thought of Scott Hahn's book as self-help. I think of him as being over my head but I hang in there a learn so much. Not long ago I read his Angels and Saints book and loved it. One of my all time favorite books is by Colleen Carroll Campbell--My Sisters the Saints.

[Donna]

I've never thought of Scott Hahn's book as self-help. I think of him as being over my head but I hang in there a learn so much. Not long ago I read his Angels and Saints book and loved it. One of my all time favorite books is by Colleen Carroll Campbell--My Sisters the Saints.

[Barbara]

Thomas wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions Barbara. I think I have all of CSL's major works on my To-Read list, and having just finished The Great Divorce I'm looking for more. I'll probably pick up both series th..."

Sounds good! There's a lot to enjoy!

[Matthew]

Laudato Si

[Thomas]

Thanks for the recommendation Matthew. I read my first papal encyclical last week and greatly enjoyed it. This one seems quite robust!

[Jenn]

Right now I'm reading "Walk Humbly with your God" by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, cfr. It's been very insightful and is just the right book at the right time to guide me through a difficult situation.

[Emily]

Matthew wrote: "Laudato Si"

I feel so bad that I haven't read that yet! When people start talking about it, I just stand there awkwardly like, "I don't want to have an opinion until I've read it..."

[Donna]

Jenn wrote: "Right now I'm reading "Walk Humbly with your God" by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, cfr. It's been very insightful and is just the right book at the right time to guide me through a difficult situation."

I loved Walk Humbly with your God. I got to meet Fr. Apostoli and listen to him speak at a Catholic conference two years ago. He is amazing. He also spoke of Archbishop Fulton Sheen and I think is part of the group working for Sheen's cause for sainthood. Another really good book of his is Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope.

[Jenn]

Donna wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Right now I'm reading "Walk Humbly with your God" by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, cfr. It's been very insightful and is just the right book at the right time to guide me through a difficult s..."

Thanks for your post, Donna. I'll check out the book you mentioned about Fatima. I'm really interested.

[Stephen]

I just finished C.S. Lewis' "Surprised by Joy", albeit on accident. It's included with three other books in an anthology, and I'd gotten it to read "Reflections on the Psalms". Regarding Lewis as a Very Serious master of apologetics, and an author of meaningful literature, I no idea how funny he could be. When I tried to read Lewis' story about his father launching into rhetorically masterful speeches to chide his children for failing to wipe their wet shoes off, I was just shaking with laughter! I got another good belly laugh out of Lewis' admission that when he first picked up GK Chesterton, he had no idea what he was in for. Lewis concludes, "God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous."

[Noel]

I m working my way through the Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton volumes 27-37. These are the compiled essays from The Illustrated London News. I have 7 volumes down, and have thoroughly enjoyed each book.

[Leslie]

Thomas, for a great beach read I would take Silence by Shushako Endo. It's a terrific account of the history behind when Japan closed it's doors off to the rest of the world. Hint: Christianity. It's history but reads very quickly as a narrative from one man's point of view. It's also a classic in Japan.

[Leslie]

Just thought of another perfect summer read Thomas. I'd take The Tenth Man by Graham Greene. Very short but thought provoking and worth the time.

[Dhanaraj]

SILENCE by Endo as a beach read - Interesting option. It is not an easy read. If relaxing on the beach is the major aim, SILENCE may be bit too tough. But it is a classic and a book not to be missed.

[Thomas]

Thanks for the recommendations Leslie. I hadn't heard of Silence before, but it sounds intriguing. Gonna check them both out.

[Donna]

I forgot about the Fatherless series by Brian Gail. I've read all 3--Fatherless, Motherless, and Childless.

[Leslie]

Silence is a heavy tiopic but the novel is a fast read. Everyone in my reading group finished it quickly. It's very interesting. Regardless, best wishes!!!

[Lisa, Group handmaid]

I'm reading The Herald of Divine Love by St Gertrude the Great.

[Marie Paul]

I love some of the recommendations here: Silence by Endo, anything by C.S. Lewis (of course!), My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Campbell.

I just finished reading the new Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation by Matthew Kelly and gave it 5 stars. Really excellent for anyone who wants to grow in their spiritual life. Hopefully this link to my review works: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I'm currently reading On Care for Our Common Home - Laudato Si' by Pope Francis--excellent read! and Spiritual Exercisesby Karl Rahner.

[Leslie]

I was listening to Catholic Satellite Radio in the car tonight and they were talking about Matthew Kelly's new book. Thank you for the recommendation.

I'm also reading Laudato Si, but (still early into it) so far haven't read anything earth shatteringly new. But, I'm early into it so will stay open minded.

I'm currently reading The Founding of Christendom by Warren H. Carroll and absolutely love it. Terrific, easy to read and follow breakdown of our Biblical history. Also reading Introduction to the Prophets by Thomas Leclerc. Just started the later.

[Emily]

I'm finally reading Laudato Si. I'd heard the secular media call it a "green encyclical," and I'd heard Catholic media say that it's more than that. So far, I'd have to say I agree with the secular media: it's all about the environment. But it really goes into depth on the topic, pointing out that caring for the environment also includes politics, economics, and care for our fellow man. It has farther-reaching consequences and more nuances than just "paper or plastic?" which is what most people think of when they think of "green" initiatives.

[Stephen]

I just received Joseph Pearce's "Small is Still Beautiful", but haven't started it yet. Presently I'm in the middle of "Tevye's Daughters", which inspired Fiddler on the Roof.

[Leslie]

Emily,

I agree. To me, caring for the environment is a lifestyle approach that doesn't just happen with some trash items. To me, it's also about air and water, plants and animals. It's how we spend, why we spend, where we spend. It's a mindset handed down to our children. It's so many things. I'm glad the Pope addressed it as a multifaceted problem. Personally, I think when I heard the rave reviews of the encyclical I was hoping to personally come away with more but, I haven't. I guess rather than feeling frustrated that I didn't learn anything new, I should feel proud that I'm as on top of it as I am. :-)

I particularly loved the excerpts from Pope John Paul II.

[Emily]

Stephen wrote: "Presently I'm in the middle of "Tevye's Daughters", which inspired Fiddler on the Roof."

Huh, I didn't know that was a book. I'll have to check it out!

[Geary]

I started reading, A Song for Nagasaki. With the recent anniversary of stoping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it follows the life of an atheist who converts to Catholicism. He was a survivor who helped as many people as possible knowing he would contaminated with radiation.

I haven't got that far but that is my understanding of previous summaries I've read. Great book so far!

[Donna]

Lots of good suggestions available from everyone. Thanks.

[Leslie]

I'm reading The Complete Stories by

[Billie]

Geary wrote: "I started reading, A Song for Nagasaki. With the recent anniversary of stoping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it follows the life of an atheist who converts to Catholicism. He was a sur..."

A Song For Nagasaki is a very good book about a famous doctor, his life and his family. Best part is that the story, unfortunately, is true. You will live his experiences with him. I very much recommend this book. 5 stars from me.

[Julie]

Has anyone read I Am Margaret, it's a 4 book series for young adults by a new authorCorinna Turner. Although intended as young adult, I found this series a very compelling read, I could hardly get through the first 3 fast enough. It's a futuristic fiction set in the 'Euro/Gov". I found it to be very well written Catholic fiction.

[Carolyn]

Julie wrote: "Has anyone read I Am Margaret, it's a 4 book series for young adults by a new authorCorinna Turner. Although intended as young adult, I found this series a very com..."

I've only read the first two, but I've loved them and am anxious to read the third! Definitely not just for young adults.

[Dhanaraj]

@Geary: SONG FOR NAGASAKI is a 5 star read. All the very best to you.

[Michael]

I am currently reading I really love Salensian spirituality and I believe it's truly the most pratical guide to holyness to which we are all called.

I can recommand this book to every devout Catholic.

[Dhanaraj]

Presently reading Letters from Paul Claudel, My Godfather. Paul Claudel's letters are very sublime. Loving it so far.