Top Ten Catholic Books, plus a few other great reads!
I was recently really pushed to pick my Top Ten Catholic Books. It was not an easy decision. There are a lot of great books out there which is why I do a Top Ten Non-Fiction each quarter and each year. Matthew Kelly in many of his books mentions that he had a shelf at home with his 30 favourite books, his go to reads. But he only publishes his top ten list, because the other 20 books change occasionally. It took a long time to come up with this list and I have been thinking about it for a whole week now. So here are my Top 10 Catholic Books and a few non catholic books that are excellent and that I go back to often.
1. The Bible - My three preferred versions are:
a. The Jerusalem Bible (Love reading this edition)
b. The Saint Jerome Study Bible
c. Didache Study Bible
2. Catechism
a. I Prefer the US version over the Canadian Version, especially in ebook format. The US edition moves the links and references to the end of the chapters.
3. The Way, Furrow and Forge by Saint Josemaria Escriva the three in one edition is excellent and you always get to keep them with you. Can be read from beginning to end, use the topical index or just randomly flip open and read. I keep one on my desk at work and one at home.
4. In Conversation with God - Francis Fernandez - 7 Volume Set Daily Devotions following the church year and 2 volumes of special feasts. I have reviewed all 7 volumes and am currently planning on theviewing the new split ebook editions.
5. Handbook of Prayers by: Rev. James Socias General Editor - excellent book. I have copies at work, home and in my backpack. I also now have the ebook and always have it with me.
6. 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration - Michael E. Gaitley
7. The Manual For Spiritual Warfare - Paul Thigpen an excellent resource.
8. In the School of the Holy Spirit - Jacques Philippe thought almost any book by Father Philippe will bless your spiritual life.
9. Unearthing Your Ten Talents - Dr. Kevin Vost, great jumping off point.
10. Resisting Happiness - Matthew Kelly
11. God is Not Reasonable - Irma Zaleski, really opened my eyes at a specific point in time.
( I could not get it down to just 10!)
Though to be honest any books by Escriva, Vost, Philippe, Matthew Kelly, Paul Thigpen, and Michael Gaitley would be a great read.
A few Non-Catholic Books that I read again most years are:
1. Jacob the Baker - Noah benShea
2. Bench Press - Sven Linqvist
3. The Closing of the American Mind - Allan Bloom
4. Bench Press - Sven Linqvist
5. As You Think - James Allen
So there you have it 15 books that can change your life.
Update
December 2017: I would add:
Love Is Patient, But I'm Not - Christopher West
November 2019 added:
Learning to Love: Journeys Through Life with the Rosary - Father Nigel Woollen
December 2019 added:
Memento Mori Prayers on the Last Things- Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP
January 2020 added:
Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke
August 2020 added:
1 comment:
I would love the Navarre Bible Bible and was told years ago that an eBook edition was in the works. but I keep waiting.
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