NOVALIS SUMMER BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: READING ON THE GO

Whether you’re on an exotic vacation or sitting in the park, nothing beats a good summer read.

When you don’t have space for bulky reading material in your suitcase or backpack, ebooks are just the thing. Since you can read ebooks on an e-reader, laptop, tablet or even your phone, they are perfect for when you want to dive into a book away from home.

Here are some wonderful reads from Novalis that are available as ebooks. Let the summer reading begin!

For the memoir/biography fan:

• What Was There for Me Once, by Margaret Brennan, IHM: A charming and engaging memoir of a leading voice in the renewal of women’s religious life following Vatican II.
• Les Costello: Canada’s Flying Father, by Charlie Angus: The biography of a tough-talking, justice-seeking, deeply spiritual man who reinvents himself by converting the skills and stamina of an athlete into the lifelong vocation of an inspired pastoral leader.

For the environmentalist:

• For Earth’s Sake: Toward a Compassionate Ecology, by Stephen Bede Scharper: Reflects on how we can rethink and repair our relationship with the earth as we explore our faith from the point of view of the oppressed, alienated and suffering.
• Generation Laudato Si’: Catholic Youth on Living Out an Ecological Spirituality, edited by Rebecca Rathbone and Simon Appolloni: Written entirely by youth (aged 17 to 35) from 20 countries, this book comprises the thoughts, wisdom, dreams and aspirations of a generation that wants to change how we run the economy, foster community, lead and govern, facilitate education, use and apply technology, and live among the rest of creation. 

For the history buff:

• Death or Canada: The Irish Famine Migration to Toronto, 1847, by Mark G. McGowan: The story of desperation, tragedy and hope in a moving episode in Canadian and Irish history.
• Vatican II: Fifty Years of Evolution and Revolution in the Catholic Church, by Margaret Lavin: Examines the reforms flowing from Vatican II and how they have been received by focusing on Vatican II documents and looking at ‘disputed’ issues to spark discussion and debate.
• Builders of a Nation: Jesuits in English Canada 1842–2013, edited by Jacques Monet, SJ: A vivid account of the Jesuit Order’s influence in English Canada. 
• Teachers of a Nation: Jesuits in English Canada 1842–2013, by Joseph B. Gavin, SJ: A captivating account of the Jesuits’ impact on education in English Canada. 

For the activist:

• Faith as Protest: Answering the Call to Mend the World, compiled and edited by Karen A. Armstrong: Conversations with more than a dozen thoughtfully engaged visionary voices demonstrate that in dialogue and action there is always hope.

For the evangelist:

• Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish, by Fr. James Mallon: An engaging guide for parishes seeking to cultivate communities of discipleship and vibrant, dynamic faith. 

For the contemplative:

• Living the Jesus Prayer, by Irma Zaleski: An introduction to the gifts of this age-old prayer.
• Written on my Heart: Classic Prayers in the Modern World, by Michael Swan: Delves into how the prayers we hold in our memories are essential to our spiritual identity.
• The Sacred Place of Prayer: The Human Person Created in God’s Image, by Jean Marie Dwyer, OP: Drawing on scripture, the desert tradition and the author’s Dominican tradition, this book explores the various things we need for life in God.

For those who could use a spiritual boost:

• The 20-Minute Retreat: 18 Sessions with the Saints to Nourish Your Faith, by David B. Perrin: Helps us understand what it means to live life deeply with God in today’s world. Each chapter is designed as a 20-minute self-guided spiritual retreat. 
• The Joy of Keeping the Faith: Thriving in the Church after RCIA, by Christine Way Skinner: This thoughtful book will help any Catholic who is seeking a richer faith life to connect with parish life and the larger Christian tradition.
• There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere, by Michael Way Skinner and Christine Way Skinner: These stories, filled with humour and warmth, help us see the abundance around us as we develop an intentional practice of looking for signs of God’s presence and goodness in daily life.

For the Bible reader:

• Language of the Heart: How to Read the Bible – A User’s Guide for Catholics (revised edition), by Noel Cooper: Helps Catholics to become comfortable reading the Bible on their own.
• How Not to Read the Bible: An Authentic Catholic Approach to Scripture for Today, by Scott Lewis, SJ: Helps Christians approach the Bible with (renewed) confidence – and avoid confusion – so they can explore for themselves the richness of Scripture and grow in faith. 

For the worker:

• Beatitudes for the Workplace, by Max Oliva, SJ: Looks at the eight virtues (wisdom, honesty, compassion, courage, forgiveness, justice, generosity and integrity) and their relationship to finding faith in the workplace. 

For the spiritual seeker:

• Camino Close to Home: How to Plan and Thrive on Local Pilgrimages, by Rob Fennell: This hands-on guide is an essential tool for anyone planning or participating in a local pilgrimage.
• River of Awareness: Seeking the Wisdom of Love, by Stephen Sims: Take a journey of self-discovery toward a deeper understanding of self, love and life.
• A Rumour of God: Rekindling Belief in an Age of Disenchantment, by Robert Sibley: Examines how routine experiences of home, place, solitude, wonder, walking and everyday epiphanies reveal the possibility of restoring the spiritual side of our lives.
• The Unquiet Monk: Thomas Merton’s Questing Faith, by Michael W. Higgins: An in-depth look at the cultural impact of one of Catholicism’s greatest spiritual writers. 
• The Gift of Spiritual Intimacy: Following the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, by Monty Williams, SJ: A step-by-step guide to working with one of the Christian world’s first self-help books: The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.

For everyone:

• The 10 Commandments for Everyday Life, by Max Oliva, SJ: Adapts the Ten Commandments in positive terms for modern use by people of all walks of life.

Find more Novalis ebooks at https://en.novalis.ca/collections/digital. New titles are added regularly, so check back soon for more great books. Happy reading!

Anne Louise Mahoney is managing editor of Novalis. She is the editor of Never-ending Love: Sharing Stories, Prayers and Comfort for Miscarriage and Infant Loss and Looking to the Laity: Reflections on Where the Church Can Go from Here and is the author of I Hope, a book for young children.