Books We Love: Summer Reading Recommendations from the JPII Newman Staff
Looking for something to read this summer? The JPII Newman Center staff has book recommendations for you!
If you take us up on these, we’d love to hear what you think: @jpiiomaha
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Russian novels require time and concentration because there are usually a lot of characters, each with multiple versions of their name, who are involved in deep conversations and life-altering situations. These are all the more reasons to carve out time in sunny weather to read one. This book was life-changing for me in many ways and speaks to a kind of idiocy reserved for very smart people while pointing to the hope that exists away from the mind and in the heart. Intense? Yes. Worth it? Definitely.
~ Dcn Omar Gutierrez
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This story of two sisters takes place during the German occupation of France during WWII. I was hooked in the first chapter, carrying it with me from room to room and couldn’t put it down. By the end of the book I had developed an emotional attachment to both of the young women. Happy reading and keep tissues handy!
~ Sarah Bohnenkamp
The Examen Prayer by Timothy Gallagher
Don’t judge a book by its cover! This was a “can’t put down” type book for me. 😊 Fr. Gallagher writes on The Examen Prayer (a way to reflect on your day and notice God) with simplicity, practical application, and real-life stories. Get ready for a day-changer!
~ Amber Loecker
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
Fear not! This is not a textbook (though as a hardcover it’s a behemoth). Bill Bryson explains the complexities of the body, in all its glory, with laugh out loud wit that makes for a delightfully readable book. There is so.much.information in this book but what I loved the most is the way he describes the people behind the scientific discoveries and medical advancements.
~ Beth Carlson
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince has been described as “a children’s fable for adults” and is written with equal parts whimsy and wisdom. The story expresses simple and beautiful truths about love and friendship; drawing our hearts to what really matters. Fun fact: Pope Benedict XVI seems to have also enjoyed The Little Prince as he made at least two references to the story in his written works. I bet if he had been asked, this book would have been on his summer reading list too. Enjoy!
~ Katie Winkler
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
If you like satire, this book is for you. Written as a series of letters from one demon to another, The Screwtape Letters is an ironic depiction of truth. Be ready to deconstruct bad advice to get to the heart of Christian theology. Interestingly, this book was the one that C.S. Lewis least enjoyed writing. Getting into the mind of the demonic would turn anyone around. He explained that “making goods ‘bad’ and bads ‘good’ gets to be fatiguing.”
This book was written in 1942 during WWII, a time that was fraught with human suffering. Lewis shows the reader the less obvious methods to destroy man. He gets to the heart of it all by showing us the warped, subtle, and seemingly tireless efforts the evil one will go to in turning man away from God. This topsy turvy method is eerily familiar to what is happening in today’s culture, making this work perennially relevant and a must-read for anyone pursuing holiness.
~ Susan Gnann
An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Frances de Sales
This work is an accessible yet elegant companion to Christian living for all sorts of reasons that I can’t get into right now. Goodbye y’all, have a great day.
~ Fr. Scott Schilmoeller
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
This book is always a go-to for me if life starts to feel a little gray. Full of witty puns, wordplay, and just plain silliness, there is a warmth and poignancy at the heart of the story that never gets old. It’s the perfect refresh for the summer if a year of studying has you feeling dull!
~ Meg Collins
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
I love both non-fiction and fictional stories about WWII. This book is a non-fiction story about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a Lutheran pastor who submitted only to God and His Word. During his life, Bonhoeffer stood up against the Nazis. Bonhoeffer lived a full Christian life, radically sold out to his Savior fighting for his principles and it ultimately cost him his life. It was also interesting to read how his brushes with the Catholic faith changed his perspective and strengthened his beliefs about the treatment of Jewish people and unfairness of the Nazi regime. This is of the best biographies I’ve read!
~ Renee Hendricks
He Leadeth Me by Walter J. Ciszek, S.J.
One of the three most impactful books I have ever read. Fr. Cizkek’s story is one of remarkable courage and astounding humility. The reader is sure to come away with a different outlook on life, suffering, and grace. It would be difficult to imagine Fr. Cizkek not being canonized some day. He allowed Christ to take complete possession of his life.
~ Fr. Dan Andrews
Leaders Look Within by Brent Pohlman
Brent Pohlman give the reader a great gift in a vulnerable revelation of his journey to greater personal and professional flourishing. Anyone looking to bring their ‘A’ game to all aspects of their life will benefit by reading Leaders Look Within.
~ Fr. Dan Andrews
Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
A truly Catholic book written by a very non-catholic American, Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc is a masterpiece, his greatest work. It tells the heart wrenching story of one of the world’s most underrated saints. Beyond heroic, this seventeen-year-old girl did nothing but simply obey God. And for that she was imprisoned and killed, but not before being made commander-in-chief of the French armies and liberating a nation. Timely for contemporary America and France, St. Joan of Arc embodies the virtue of patriotism ordered towards true charity and the glory of God. It is a must-read.
~ Zach Worthing
Happy Reading!
Also, college students, don’t forget about our library in the Holy Family Room, which is stocked with plenty of reading material and which you can use any time!