As promised, today I present my Late Summer Reading List – a collection of book titles specifically curated for the “Life After Convent” crowd! These five books share similar themes with my posts or are connected with me as an author. If you are looking for a few books to add to your late summer reading stack, be sure to check these out! 🙂
This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity
In This Present Paradise, author Claire Dwyer reflects on the life and teachings of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity in relatable, easy-to-read chapters.
Saint Elizabeth was a French Carmelite nun who wrote extensively on the interior life. Although she felt an early calling to religious life, Elizabeth waited years before her mother gave her permission to join the local Carmelite order.
Once inside the convent, Saint Elizabeth wrote letters to family, friends, and religious, encouraging lay and religious alike to live with a “cloistered heart”. Elizabeth taught that the call to holiness is open to everyone, and that union with the Holy Trinity is a state meant to be enjoyed even in this world – within “this present paradise”.
I highly recommend this book for your spiritual reading list!
The Cloistered Heart
In The Cloistered Heart, Nancy Shuman illustrates her vision of “heart-monasticism” through a series of contemplative journal entries. Using vivid monastic and bridal imagery, Nancy describes the cloistered heart way of life. She also shares valuable wisdom and guidance for those drawn to the same calling.
This book includes:
– Nancy’s vision of “heart-monasticism”.
– Her own lived experiences of the cloistered heart calling.
– The steps towards becoming a cloistered heart.
– The helpful appendix, “What Does It Mean to Be a Cloistered Heart?”
Nancy Shuman is the foundress of the Cloistered Hearts, a group of lay contemplatives who cloister themselves within the holy will of God. Nancy is also the creator of thecloisteredheart.org, a beautiful blog that shares even more about the cloistered heart vocation.
For anyone interested in the cloistered heart concept or discerning a call, The Cloistered Heart is a great place to begin.
An Octave of Stars is an urban fantasy with imaginative worldbuilding and an awesome ensemble cast. This book’s refreshingly clean writing and captivating story makes it appropriate for young readers as well as adults.
Summary: Ash and Cascadia are apartment neighbors who share a very special bond—Ash can manipulate heat while Cascadia can control water. They are very good friends, and everyone they know wonders if they are dating or not. But then one day Cascadia goes missing. Ash soon discovers she’s been kidnapped by a secret organization who wants to use Cascadia to create the ultimate clean energy source. Unfortunately, that “clean energy source” might also destroy the planet. Ash will need the help of some unexpected allies to rescue Cascadia, grow in his faith, and save the world.
Zephyr Thomas’ writing style is wonderfully readable and engaging. The book’s compelling action sequences, creative worldbuilding, and diverse characters will likely appeal to teen boys and younger teen girls. (But their parents would also enjoy this story, too!)
The most unique quality of this book is its Catholic perspective. In addition to having special abilities, Ash and Cascadia are devout Catholics who attend Mass, pray the rosary together, and always say grace before meals. For those seeking a faith-based action adventure about ordinary people with extraordinary powers, I would highly recommend this book!
The Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese
by Haley Stewart
Two words: Mice nuns. Need I say more?
This book for young readers features a group of mice nuns and their students in search of some missing prize cheese. Can they find the cheese thief in time to fix the roof to Saint Wulfhilda’s School?
My son and I enjoyed reading this engaging mystery story together. The book’s finest feature is its detailed illustrations, especially the beautiful map of the mice nun’s abbey under the floorboards. The fact that the abbey lies beneath the home of G.K. Chesterton was a “mice” touch. A perfect first introduction to religious life for young Catholic readers!
Sterling Script 2023
For the past six years, Sterling Script: A Local Author Collection has featured short stories, essays, and poetry from metro Detroit area writers. If you are interested in reading some of my own fictional work, Sterling Script 2023 includes an excellent sample from my fantasy series, Avalon Lost.
Some other favorites from this year’s edition include the short essay “I Remember”, the sci-fi drama “Drift”, and the riveting historical piece “The Storm”.
The sale of this book supports everyday authors in metro Detroit. Sterling Script gives these writers a platform to share their best work with the public.
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Thank you so much for reading! Join me next week for more on my journey to the Cloistered Hearts!
Special thanks to friends and family members who first recommended these books to me – they were great! 😉
