Welcome to March’s #OpenBook. I’m joining up with host Carolyn Astfalk on CatholicMom.com to share my favorite recent reads by Catholic authors. Have you read any of the books below? Let me know what you thought!
(Note: I receive no compensation for recommending these books.)
As a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, I was excited to first, design the cover for the Pilgrim Tales anthology, and then to read the stories when it was published. It’s always difficult to rate an anthology as some stories are better than others. Overall, I enjoyed most of these with several making me want to look up more books by the authors. With a range of stories from contemporary romance to dinosaurs to nuns who rescue people in space, this anthology shows that you really can write Catholic fiction in any genre.
The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem is technically published by a general Christian publisher, but its characters are clearly Catholic. I liked how Stephanie wove distinctly Catholic elements such as the Rosary and Mass into this 5-star story set in 1959 Yellowstone. You can read my full review in my author newsletter here.
I also had an opportunity this past month to beta read Accidental Grace by one of St. Louis’s local priests, Fr. Joe Detwiler. While this book is not yet published, it is an incredibly inspiring tale of his miraculous journey from almost dying in a car accident to becoming a priest. You can learn more about Fr. Detwiler’s story through his recent interview with John O’Leary:
Ongoing Reads
These are the books I’ve been slowly reading in between everything else:
- The Way of Trust and Love by Jacques Phillipe – My church’s Book Study group is reading this retreat inspired by St. Thérèse of Lisieux and listening along with the Abiding Together podcast.
- ON HOLD – The Confessions by Saint Augustine – I’m listening to Hallow’s audiobook version, translated by Maria Boulding.
- A Year with the Eucharist: Daily Meditations on the Blessed Sacrament compiled by Paul Jerome Keller, OP – I’m reading a few reflections before Sunday Mass each week.
Want to know what I’m reading as I’m reading it? Follow me on GoodReads.
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