You’ll see a theme in my March books – they are all religious books. I try to just read religious books during Lent, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. While some years it feels very sacrificial, I actually came across several really good books this Lent. There are four 5-star books this month! Here is what I read in March:
I am giving Hinds’ Feet on High Places 5 stars! While the book is similar to Pilgrim’s Progress, the protagonist is a female – Much Afraid. She encounters trials trying to follow Jesus, but he stays close to her and helps her during the entire journey of her life. I loved the encounters she has with him and how he talks to her in the book – with such love. It’s a book most Christians should definitely read.
I also gave Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist 5 stars! While the book is intended for a Catholic audience, the deep dive the author gives about how the Passover ties into Jesus’ sacrifice was fascinating. I learned so much and can clearly see more ties between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Highly recommend!
Loved as I Am is a short book about Sister Miriam’s journey from a partying college kid to a religious sister – and her journey of healing after that commitment. The book would make a good book study as there are questions to ponder at the end of each chapter. “She shares her struggles—learning she was adopted, battling alcoholism, and healing from childhood sexual abuse—as signs of hope that anyone who desires to know Christ can find him and be loved intimately by him in return.” I listen to a podcast that the author is on and love is – Abiding Together.
The Wisdom of Father Brown in the second in a series of books where Father Brown helps solve mysteries. The book is broken down into short stories so each chapter is a separate mystery. I love how Father Brown just pays attention to the world around him and that leads him to figure out the motives people have. There’s even one where his being tired and seasick lets him observe something that the others miss.
Emotions – we all have them. Sometimes, though, we don’t know what to do with them. Untangle Your Emotions is a great book for everyone to read. The author talks about emotions overall and how they are not bad in themselves. She then gives a plan on how to deal with them – identify, feel, process. I was reminded to make sure I don’t dismiss my emotions but figure out why I’m having them. It’s a very good and well-written book.
This world can drive us crazy and keep us so busy! The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is a good book to help us re-focus on what our priorities should be. Think less phone, more real life. The book also focuses on the importance of having a Sabbath rest. While there wasn’t anything earth-shattering, the book had great reminders on why a slower life could be much better for us all.
A Time of Renewal is a daily devotional for Lent. The entries are just a few pages on my Kindle and follow along with the daily readings for the Catholic Church. A podcast I’m listening to – Abiding Together – is doing their weekly podcast on this book and I’m enjoying the book and podcast.
He Leadeth Me by Walter J. Ciszek (5 stars)
Ciszek was just a priest who wanted to serve God in Russia. However, this simple calling led him to a life of solitary confinement, interrogation, torture and a sentence in Siberia. Yet, in each situation, even when he failed, he tried to find God’s will for him in that day. His story in He Leadeth Me is his faith journey and it’s so inspiring. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it.
Maurice had an affair with Sarah Miles and about a year after it was ended, her husband comes to him asking for help with finding out the source of her recent strange behavior. He hires a private investigator to follow her and he thinks she is having an affair with another man. It isn’t until he gets his hands on her journal that he finds out it’s not another man, but an interest in God and faith that has pulled her away from both him and her husband. The End of The Affair was interesting, but I wasn’t a fan of following a main character who was so focused on the affair.
With God in Russia is the more in-depth story of Ciszek’s time in Russia and fills in a lot of gaps from He Leadeth Me. I would highly recommend both books, but that they be read closely together. His story is an amazing one and was great to read during Lent. I give this book 5 stars as well.
I went through Consoling the Heart of Jesus as a book club study for Lent. While it’s meant to be a spiritual retreat companion book, it was nice to be able to discuss the thoughts in the books with others as I read it. It gives lots of great ideas to ponder in how to think about consoling Jesus’ heart.
What good books have you read recently? Share in the comments!
