When it comes to spiritual reading, less is often more.
Most of us don’t need a longer reading list. We need a better one. A few books we’ll actually finish… and maybe even return to.
One solid book can do more for your prayer life than ten skimmed half-heartedly.
If you’re wondering what to read this year, these four spiritual classics are a great place to start.
The Confessions by St. Augustine
Let’s start with the granddaddy of them all.
There’s a reason The Confessions opens with one of the most famous lines in Christian history: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Augustine isn’t writing theology, he’s praying out loud on every page.
Some parts of The Confessions are dense, but it’s also deeply human. Augustine talks about friendship, grief, bad decisions, and the ache of wanting more out of life.
Reading Augustine feels less like studying a saint and more like overhearing a soul being slowly won over by God.
The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
St. Francis de Sales recommended this book over and over to laypeople. It’s easy to see why.
The Spiritual Combat doesn’t sugarcoat the inner battle we all face. It gives practical, hard-hitting advice on dealing with temptation, pride, and the little lies we tell ourselves.
Treat this book like a spiritual coach: one chapter at a time. Don’t be afraid to reread the chapters that sting the most. They always aim to draw you closer to God.
I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C.J. d’Elbée
If you ever thought St. Thérèse of Lisieux was all sugar and roses, this book will set you straight.
Based on retreat talks, I Believe in Love dives deep into what the “Little Way” is really all about—a radical offering of self to God’s love.
This is a book to read in small doses. Take it to your Holy Hour, read a few pages, and let it simmer. It’s one of those books that grows with you.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Think spiritual reading has to be serious and heavy? Wrong. The Screwtape Letters proves it can be clever and witty.
Each fictional letter in the book is from a senior demon to his nephew, coaching him on how to tempt humans. It’s like spiritual direction turned upside down.
You’ll have lots of “aha” moments with this book. And you’ll walk away humbler and maybe a little wiser.
Happy reading!
