You could spend your summer binging fluffy, forgettable books, the literary equivalent of cotton candy.
But why not sink your teeth into something hearty? There’s nothing like the taste of a great Catholic story.
Snag one of these five summer reads from Everything Catholic. Your future self (or should we say, your future shelf) will thank you.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
One of the all-time classic Catholic novels. Think Downton Abbey but with God’s grace. Family drama, humor, and redemption all rolled into one.
The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor
Bishop Barron included Flannery O’Conner on his list of Pivotal Players in the Church. Her stories are shocking, gritty, and full of grace in the most unexpected places.
Love in the Ruins by Walker Percy
Think of Walker Percy as Flanney O’Connor’s literary cousin. In this novel, Dr. Thomas More invents a device that can read the state of a person's soul. What could go wrong?
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
This book is the ultimate follow-up to The Lord of the Rings: epic fantasy with a Catholic foundation. Recommended if you like your summer reading thick and mythical.
I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Jean C.J. D’Elbé
Okay, we had to sneak a nonfiction gem onto the list. This one’s a series of meditations based on St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way.” Take it slow and savor every page.
