Recently, some amazing friends surprised me with a too-generous undeserved giftcard to the local Catholic book store, ( thank you! ) and I’ve slowly been using it to carefully select new books for my library. I love reading, I love words, I love THE WORD, and therefore I try and read any and all words that will lead me to Him.

Books, to me, are like chocolate chip cookies–they are so scrumptious and delicious and after I’m done inhaling one I just want more. Like with cookies, sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach, er brain in this instance, and I try and read too many books at a time. In our house, the books I’m reading are everywhere. There’s a few books here on my desk, one or two there in the bathroom, another by my nursing chair, one on CD in the car…books here, books there, everywhere a book, book!

Ok, I’ll tone down the nerdiness and share my new books now:

A close look at the picture also provides a pretty good peek into my mind. These are the subjects I am most interested by and most passionate about, aside from my primary vocation of wifehood and motherhood. Like I blogged about yesterday, I’m still looking for suggested reading about Catholic Social Doctrine, especially as it applies to American policies on the economy, immigration, and the death penalty. Any ideas?

In case you can’t see all the titles in the picture here they are:

Humanae Vitae: Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Paul VI : This was a quick fairly easy read. It addresses the morality of artificial contraceptive use and birth regulation. I highlighted some of the best parts and hope to share those notes soon on my On the Issues blog.

And the Two Become One: Unity, the Eucharist, and God’s Plan for Marital Love (CD) I’ve been listening to this in the car whenever I have some time to myself or when it’s just the boys. Every engaged couple and married couple can benefit from listening to this.

Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body I’ve heard seminars and talks and read a few other books about JP II’s greatest work but I’ve never actually read the whole thing. It will probably take me about 10 years but I’m excited take the first bite into this beautiful masterpiece of wisdom.

A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews with an Absolutist The title says it all. I saw this on the shelf and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I know, I am a nerd.

God by Dr. Peter Kreeft (CD) Started listening to this today. Wow. I’m already out of breath. Here’s a quote: “…to live in reality, that is the essence of sanity-living in reality. It is also the basis of sanctity, which is the ultimate end of faith. The first and most basic requirement to live in reality is to believe in God first, because God comes first.”

Faith by Dr. Peter Kreeft (CD)

Render unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life I have the book already, LOVED it, and now have the CD so my husband can listen to it and we can discuss. This is a MUST read for all faithful Catholics and voting American citizens.

Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart And in the midst of all those other important but rather overwhelming topics and issues, I need to find Peace. I think this is the book my friend Monica suggested to me. I think I just need to look at the title every morning, afternoon, and evening and I’ll be good to go.

I probably should also get a fictional book to balance all this seroius stuff. Any suggestions? What books do you have on your summer reading shelves?

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