Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2016

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2016

Wow what a quarter, I have managed to read 52 books and most of them non-fiction. I have built out an awesome and ever expanding Catholic reading list for 2016. There are some amazing books in these 2 lists! Though to be honest working from my favorite and influential books by year list it was very hard to narrow down to the top ten non-fiction list.

Fiction:
1. Flickers - Auhur Slade
2. The Wearle - Chris d'Lacey - Erth Dragons Book 1
3. Stella Batts Needs A New Name - Courtney Sheinmel and Jennifer A. Bell - Stella Batts Book 1
4. Saying the Names - Maggie Clark
5. The Machine - Oafish Droll - Potential Portal Book 1
6. Fat of the Land - Maggie Clark
7. The Return of the White Duke - Neil Gaiman
8. Redacted
9. Seven Ways of Looking at the Sun-Worshipers of Yul-Katan - Maggie Clark
10. A Liturgy of the Heart - Douglas Ross

Non-Fiction:
1. Becoming the Best Version Of Yourself - Matthew Kelly
2. Beautiful Mercy - Pope Francis et al.
3. Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers - Mike Aquilina
4. Messy & Foolish - Matthew Warner
5. Life Changers - Greg Willits
6. Light in the Darkness - Patrick Lencioni
7. The Long View - Matthew Kelly
8. Geekpriest: Confessions of a New Media Pioneer - Roderick Vonhogen
9. 40 Days, 40 Ways A New Look At Lent - Marcellino D'Ambrosio
10. Networking - Michal Stawicki - Six Simple Steps to Success Book 4

Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016 

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
52 - 2016 January-March
177 - 2015 
130 - 2014 
88 -  2013
176 - 2012 
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Sacred Reading for Lent 2016 - Douglas Leonard - Apostleship of Prayer

Sacred Reading for Lent 2016
Douglas Leonard
Apostleship of Prayer
Ave Maria Press
ISBN 9781594716119
eISBN 9781594716126

This was one of 5 Lenten devotionals I used in 2016. I typically read 2 in the morning 2 at lunch and one in the evening. Each day follows the same format, a short quote, a reading, reflection, prayer and a time for listen or a second reflection. A sample is:

Friday, February 12, 2016
Know that God is present with you and ready to converse.
"You are always with me, Jesus, but you are not present to me as you were to your disciples. I seek greater closeness with you."

Read the Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15.
Then the disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

Notice what you think and feel as you read the Gospel.
When Jesus, the bridegroom, is taken from them, then will his disciples fast.

Pray as you are led for yourself and others.
"Jesus, I wish to fast and pray during this season. I offer my sacrifices for the good of others. How marvelous that fasting and praying accomplish good in this world ..." (Continue in your own words.)

Listen to Jesus.
When you fast and pray, you imitate me. When you fast and pray, you draw out of yourself and enter into me. I can teach you what you need to know. What else is Jesus saying to you?

This book is part of a larger series. I happened to have read the Advent 2016-2016 volume and enjoyed it a lot. There is also an annual volume for the whole year that begins in Advent and goes through the whole church year.  

This was a good devotional and I would likely buy the whole year volume next year. It was a good introduction to the style and format. And there were some really good guided reflections in this book.

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

Related Articles:

Advent Reading 2012

Thinking About Lent 2015

Advent 2015 Reading Plan

Other Article or Books on Lent:

Lent 2014 Some Reflections

Reconciled to God Daily Lenten Devotions - Amy Welborn

Magnificat Lenten Companion 2012

Lenten Preparation 2007

Holy Week Reflections 2007

Lent Readings 2006

The Way of the Cross Part II - Reviews of 5 more version

The Way of the Cross Part I - Reviews of 5 different versions

Rediscover Lent - Matthew Kelly

Rediscover Lent 
Matthew Kelly
St. Anthony Messenger Press
ISBN 9781616362379 
eISBN 9781616364236
Beacon Publishing
ISBN 9781929266050
eISBN 9781929266890
ASIN B06X3WMNR6

This Lenten devotional is an excellent read. It is a collection of excerpts from Matthew Kelly's book Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose. But built around the weeks of Lent the focus each week is as follows:

Confession
Daily Prayer
The Mass
The Bible
Fasting
Spiritual Reading
The Rosary

It has an appendix with the list of Sunday readings for each of year A, B, and C. So has the breakdown of reading through until 2022. Matthew writes in such a friendly easy to read engaging style that you can't help but keep reading. So far this year I have read three of his books and have a few more in my two be read pile. In this volume each day has a list of bible readings for the day, a focus verse a longer reflection, a short meditation and then a prayer to tie it all together.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of the devotional Matthew states "I find myself needing to turn back to God many times a day, in ways small and large. It is not a matter of guilt and it is not a shameful thing. It is simply that at his side I am a better person-a better son, husband, father, brother, friend, employer, and citizen. Over time, I have also come to realize, quite painfully, that when I turn away from God I am also turning my back on my true self." And that is the note that kicks off our journey. Then journeying for almost forty days on Good Friday he declares "Are we willing to change? I hope so. Almost every person I speak to about the future of Catholicism says, "The Church really needs to change," or something to that effect. What we perhaps forget in making this statement is that we are the Church, and so the real question becomes: Are you willing to change? Am I willing to change?" And to be honest if you read through this book, in prayer and meditation you will be changed. Changed by the word of god, and changed by your own prayers. 

This was one of five devotionals I read through Lent in 2016. I know I will come back to it again and I highly recommend it.

Books by Matthew Kelly:
I Know Jesus
The Long View
Decision Point: The Workbook
Decision Point: The Leader Guide
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
The One Thing
Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction
Why Am I Here?
Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness
Perfectly Yourself Discovering God's Dream For You
Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children
The Dream Manager
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved
The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Building Better Families - 5 Practical Ways to Build Family Spirituality
The Book of Courage
The Shepherd: A Modern Parable about Our Search for Happiness
Mustard Is Persecution, Matthew Kelly Foundation
A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God
The Rhythm of Life: An Antidote For Our Busy Age
Words from God
Resisting Happiness
The Narrow Path
Our Father
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity
Why I Love Being Catholic
Good Night, Jesus
In a world where you can be anything ...

Coach: 365 Days of Inspiration for Coaches and Players 

I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life's 

Life is Messy

Difficult Teachings

The Rocking Chair Prophet

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory

...

Beautiful ... Series:

Beautiful Hope
Beautiful Mercy

Beautiful Eucharist

...

Rediscover Books by Matthew Kelly:
Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose
Rediscover Advent
Rediscover Lent
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer
Rediscover the Saints

Audio by Matthew Kelly from Lighthouse Media:
Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
The Best Way To Live
Don't Just Try, Train
Faith At Work & The Holy Moment
The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic - Excerpt
The Jesus Question
My Spiritual Journey
Our Lives Change When Our Habits Change
Raising Amazing Children
The Seven Levels Of Intimacy
The Seven Pillars Of Catholic Spirituality

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages - Taylor R. Marshall - The Layman's Quick Guide to Thomism

Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages:
The Layman's Quick Guide to Thomism
Taylor R. Marshall
Saint John Press
ISBN 9780988442511
ASIN B00P8AXWV6

Books by Taylor Marshall kept showing up in my recommended reads both on Amazon and on Goodreads. I wanted to give his writings a try but not dive in too deep. I should not have been hesitant. It was interesting that a booklet of 68 pages could have 13 distinct chapters and yet it does. Those chapters are:

Why You Should Read This Book
The Life Of Thomas Of Aquino
How Is Philosophy Different From Theology?
How To Think Like Thomas Aquinas
Does God Exist?
Can We Know God?
The 8 Attributes Of God
What Is An Angel?
Humans: Are We Angels Or Beasts?
How Can You Become Virtuous?
Natural Law And Government
List Of Books On Aquinas For Beginners
Your Vocab List For Thomas Aquinas

I was surprised with home much information that Taylor could pack into this volume. Some scholars have spent their entire careers reading, teaching and writing about Thomas of Aquino, and yet this volume can serve as a great introduction to the man and his through. It can server as a good reminder for those who studies this years ago, or for a budding scholar. It will serve as the beginning but leave the reader hungry for more. Thankfully we are provided a great list of materials to continue on from here. And that is my review of this book in 225 words.

(Note: You can currently get the PDF of this book free from his website.)

Books by Taylor R. Marshall:
Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages: The Layman's Quick Guide to Thomism
Saint Augustine in 50 Pages: The Layman's Quick Guide to Augustinianism
God's Birthday: Why Christ Was Born on December 25 and Why it Matters
Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within
The Rosary in 50 Pages: The Layman’s Quick Guide to Mary’s Psalter

...

Sword and Serpent Series:

Nikolaos

…

Sword and the Serpent
The Tenth Region of the Night
Storm of Fire and Blood

...

The Origins of Catholic Christianity Series:
The Crucified Rabbi: Judaism and the Origins of Catholic Christianity
The Catholic Perspective on Paul: Paul and the Origins of Catholic Christianity
The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholic Christianity

...

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

And the whole world was changed by three nails

And the whole world was changed by three nails!

The Long View - Matthew Kelly

The Long View
Matthew Kelly
Wellspring Publishing
formerly
Beacon Publishing for
Dynamic Catholic
ISBN 9781937509743
eISBN 9781937509880
ASIN B00T53MDKS

This book is an excellent read even in it's briefness. The ebook comes in at 81 pages of text but could easily be a quarter of that size. As each page for the most part contains short thoughts, But the book as a whole is an address given by Matthew on May 17, 2014 that was given at commencement at Xavier University. It is a very powerful message. And to be honest even though I have read it twice I know I will be going over it a number of times as a reminder. 

A few quotes from the book will highlight the impact of this speech.

"Most people overestimate what they
can do in a day, and underestimate
what they can do in a month.
We overestimate what we can do in
a year, and underestimate what we
can accomplish in a decade."

"If you learn to take the long
view, you will find yourself in
possession of two of life's most
precious commodities: patience and
generosity."

"Taking the long view teaches us to
be patient, and all of life is better
for a patient person. Patience will
pay immeasurable dividends in
your career, marriage, parenting,
health and well-being, personal
finances, and in your spiritual
journey."

"So, get really good at delaying
gratification. Hone this skill.
Become a master of this ability and
you will become master of yourself."

"The constant denial of self in small
things will give you the clarity of
heart, mind, and soul to see the
present for what it really is and the
future for what it still can be.:

There is a great deal of wisdom in this little volume. If you will read it, take it in and apply it not only will your life be changed but you will have a huge impact on other people's lives. Possibly down through generations like the examples that Matthew highlights. This would be a great book for those in university to get them off to a good start, and for those of us later in life we can still gleam the wisdom and apply it to our lives. This is another excellent book from The Dynamic Catholic Institute and by Matthew Kelly I strongly encourage you got give it a read. 

Books by Matthew Kelly:
I Know Jesus
The Long View
Decision Point: The Workbook
Decision Point: The Leader Guide
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
The One Thing
Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction
Why Am I Here?
Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness
Perfectly Yourself Discovering God's Dream For You
Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children
The Dream Manager
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved
The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Building Better Families - 5 Practical Ways to Build Family Spirituality
The Book of Courage
The Shepherd: A Modern Parable about Our Search for Happiness
Mustard Is Persecution, Matthew Kelly Foundation
A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God
The Rhythm of Life: An Antidote For Our Busy Age
Words from God
Resisting Happiness
The Narrow Path
Our Father
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity
Why I Love Being Catholic
Good Night, Jesus
In a world where you can be anything ...

Coach: 365 Days of Inspiration for Coaches and Players 

I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life's 

Life is Messy

Difficult Teachings

The Rocking Chair Prophet

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory

...

Beautiful ... Series:

Beautiful Hope
Beautiful Mercy

Beautiful Eucharist

...

Rediscover Books by Matthew Kelly:
Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose
Rediscover Advent
Rediscover Lent
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer
Rediscover the Saints

Audio by Matthew Kelly from Lighthouse Media:
Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
The Best Way To Live
Don't Just Try, Train
Faith At Work & The Holy Moment
The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic - Excerpt
The Jesus Question
My Spiritual Journey
Our Lives Change When Our Habits Change
Raising Amazing Children
The Seven Levels Of Intimacy
The Seven Pillars Of Catholic Spirituality

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Father, I abandon myself into your hands;

Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

Amen.

(Taken from 40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent by Marcellino D'Ambrosio Day 37.)

Updated 2016-04-13

This post has been redacted because of personal conviction. I would appreciate if you say a prayer for me. 

Oh, Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh, Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
Saint Joseph, Patron of departed souls – pray for me. 
Amen

Secret of the Water Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters #3

Secret of the Water Dragon
Dragon Masters #3
Tracey West (Author)
Graham Howells (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545646253

I need to start out by stating that my 3 children love these books. I started reading them with my son who is 8, soon his younger sister who is 5 joined us, and then his older sister who is almost 10 is now helping read them to the younger two. The books are entertaining and engaging from 5-45 years of age. And that in and of itself is a pretty strong endorsement.

The young dragon masters encounter a new threat in this book in the series. The main focus is on Drake and his earth dragon Worm, and Bo and his water dragon Shu. Someone tries to steal the Dragon stone which is used to find children to be dragon masters and which each master wears a piece of to facilitate communication between master and dragon. In this adventure we encounter The Raven Guard, ninja like characters, we have further adventures against Maldred and his dark magic. And a threat against Bo's family. The dragons and children will need to work together to counter all these threats.  

Graham Howells does some amazing illustrations. And my children love looking at the books again and again. Almost every page is enhanced with embelishments and combining that with the stunning illustrations and a wonderful story and it makes for a great combination.

This books are highly loved by my children. We have now read the 4 books available currently in this series, and eagerly anticipate book 5's release. My children love these books so much they are willing to shut off the TV to start reading earlier than normal. And we are now working through the series a second time. They are great reads and the adventure in this one was even more intense as the tension in the series builds. This is a great read for young and young at heart. 

Dragon Master Books:
1. Rise of the Earth Dragon
2. Saving the Sun Dragon
3. Secret of the Water Dragon
4. Power of the Fire Dragon
5. Song of the Poison Dragon
6. Flight of the Moon Dragon
7. Search for the Lightning Dragon

8. Roar of the Thunder Dragon 

9. Chill of the Ice Dragon 

10. Waking the Rainbow Dragon 

11. Shine of the Silver Dragon 

12. Treasure of the Gold Dragon 

13. Eye of the Earthquake Dragon 

14. The Land of the Spring Dragon 

15. Future of the Time Dragon 

16. Call of the Sound Dragon 

17. Fortress of the Stone Dragon  

18. Heat of the Lava Dragon 

19. Wave of the Sea Dragon

20. Howl of the Wind Dragon

21. Bloom of the Flower Dragon 

22. Guarding the Invisible Dragons

23. Curse of the Shadow Dragon

24. Dawn of the Light Dragon

25. Legend of the Star Dragon

26. Cave of the Crystal Dragon

27. Haunting of the Ghost Dragon

... 

Griffith’s Guide for Dragon Masters 

The Epic Guide to Dragon Masters

...

Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself - Matthew Kelly

Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
Matthew Kelly
Lighthouse Catholic Media

Over the last few years I have encountered Matthew Kelly in numerous ways. First the ministry he help found Dynamic Catholic, and specifically the daily email and also the advent and lent devotions. Second through his books, I have read parts of a number and read a few completely. All of his books are excellent. This is the first longer audio file I have done and it is amazing. 

Matthew states: "God wants us to become the best version of yourself. That is his dream for you. God wants you to become the best version of yourself. God doesn't want you to become some second rate version of your parents. He doesn't want you to become a second rate version of your brothers and sisters. God doesn't want you to become some second rate version of your friends. And God want's us to stop being second rate versions of ourselves." And then he goes on to give a number of practical examples of how to move in that direction. 

One of the key teachings is that "God wants us to become the vest version of ourselves, and that is the fundamental principle of life, of Christianity, spirituality and when we understand this fundamental principle everything else makes sense." And Matthew through the examples gives us multiple tools to help us learn to grow to live this principal. 

Matthew mentions that books can change out life. He has over 2000 books in his office, but has a special shelf of 37 books that are his life changes, that he goes back to. He also has a list of 10 books he recommends as a starting point. Matthew challenges us to spend 10 minutes a day every day for the next year with a good book. And a good book meets the fundamental principle. If we understand that fundamental principal and evaluate everything in our life by it we will be changed. 

It is so true that 90% of the Happiness and 90% of the misery in our life comes from our choices. Learn to start choosing the options that will lead to the best version of ourselves. It is what we were created for, it is what we were put here for it is the true meaning of life. I have listened to this three times through and recommended it to a few close friends. It is an awesome resource.

Books by Matthew Kelly:
I Know Jesus
The Long View
Decision Point: The Workbook
Decision Point: The Leader Guide
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
The One Thing
Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction
Why Am I Here?
Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness
Perfectly Yourself Discovering God's Dream For You
Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children
The Dream Manager
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved
The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Building Better Families - 5 Practical Ways to Build Family Spirituality
The Book of Courage
The Shepherd: A Modern Parable about Our Search for Happiness
Mustard Is Persecution, Matthew Kelly Foundation
A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God
The Rhythm of Life: An Antidote For Our Busy Age
Words from God
Resisting Happiness
The Narrow Path
Our Father
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity
Why I Love Being Catholic
Good Night, Jesus
In a world where you can be anything ...

Coach: 365 Days of Inspiration for Coaches and Players 

I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life's 

Life is Messy

Difficult Teachings

The Rocking Chair Prophet

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory

...

Beautiful ... Series:

Beautiful Hope
Beautiful Mercy

Beautiful Eucharist

...

Rediscover Books by Matthew Kelly:
Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose
Rediscover Advent
Rediscover Lent
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer
Rediscover the Saints

Audio by Matthew Kelly from Lighthouse Media:
Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
The Best Way To Live
Don't Just Try, Train
Faith At Work & The Holy Moment
The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic - Excerpt
The Jesus Question
My Spiritual Journey
Our Lives Change When Our Habits Change
Raising Amazing Children
The Seven Levels Of Intimacy
The Seven Pillars Of Catholic Spirituality

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

Good Use of Time: 11 Principles to Live By - Rafael Tomás Caldera

Good Use of Time: 11 Principles to Live By
Rafael Tomás Caldera
Scepter Publishing
ISBN 9781594171857
ASIN B00D5VUHPY

This was a great little read. It was mentioned by an author in another book I was reading and I thought I would pick it up. Coming in under 50 pages it really packs a lot of information into it's brief format. The sections in the book are:

Prologue
 1. He Has More Who Needs Less
 2. Today, Now
 3. Urgent Things Can Wait
 4. Devoting Time to the Good Use of Time
 5. Put Your Heart Into What You Are Doing
 6. First One Thing, Then Another
 7. Make Haste Slowly
 8. Many Measures of Oil Can be Poured Into a Barrel Full of Nuts
 9. Setting Time Limits
10. Growing On The Inside
11. Remember That One Day You Too Are Going to Die
Epilogue

The intent and focus of the book is to help us live better lives, in the prologue the author states: ""Teach us," the Psalmist asks the Lord, "to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom" (Ps 90:12). Each of our lives is a learning process that can never be repeated. So let us wholeheartedly make the Psalmist's prayer our own." And this book is a great little tool to help remind us about what is important especially in the use of the finite hours we have here on earth. I must confess that while reading I reflected upon my recent use of time: movies, tv, books, and games and came to the conclusion that I need to tighten down my focus yet again. And this book helps us to do so.

Rafael also reminds is to "The task at hand then becomes the most important thing we have to do, and we can dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to it." That was the advice by Saint Josemaria Escriva that the author heard directly, and it is very sound advice for us also. For especially in this digital age it is so easy to be distracted and multitask especially on our electronic devices.

The final quote I highlighted my first time through this books was "And here is the ultimate secret, the key to everything: loving. Love is the highest and most noble human activity, redeeming every moment we consecrate to it. From love stems diligence, love in action, proper to creatures subject to time, who must strive to act within the constraints imposed by our corporeal condition, with its servitude resulting from sin." The greatest of these is love.

This is a little book I know I will be going back to again as a reminder from time to time. It is a great little read and wonderful reminder. I am sure you would benefit from giving it an honest read.

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)