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I’m a voracious reader, and in the past few years, I’ve turned to more parenting and spiritual reading to fill my shelves. Using the Kindle application for my iPad has been wonderful, since I can operate it one handed, and not keep anyone awake late at night.
I’m listing ten books for Catholic women that I plan to purchase this year, or recently finished reading and consider a vital addition to your collection.
1. A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms
I put this item on my wish list, and my husband ordered it for me as an All Saint’s gift. I poured over it in one day, and plan to go back and look at each Saint a little closer. Some are well known, some are a bit more obscure, and married couples make the cut as well.
Each reflection is laid out to study more about the Saint, including daily prayers and ways to teach your children about these holy helpers. It’s EASY to squeeze into your busy days.
Lisa Hendey is also the author of The Handbook of Catholic Moms – another great addition to your wish list!
2. Smart Martha’s Catholic Guide for Busy Moms
Having four children (with Baby 5.0 on the way!), homeschooling, working part time, and being active in my parish, I’m always looking for ways to streamline my ‘busy-ness’, and keep everything together.
This book by Tami Kiser, of Smart Martha fame, appeals to me as a totally Type A mom. She reminds us to approach every Martha task with a Mary attitude, and shows us how to foster spiritual beauty in our young children.
3. Marriage: Small Steps, Big Rewards
I’ve always been a big fan of Dr. Ray Guarendi and his down to earth style. This book is laid out with one ‘simple step’ per chapter to improve your marriage, and bring spouses closer for a happier, more rewarding marriage.
4. The Church and the New Media
As a blogger, I loved reading about Pope John Paul’s call to the new evangelization. Brandon Vogt’s book highlights the benefits and pitfalls of social media, and how we can utilize this powerful tool to spread the Word.
5. Small Steps for Catholic Moms
I’m a big fan of daily devotionals, and breaking things down into more manageable goals. This book accomplishes both. Each month has a particular focus, such as joy, simplicity or grace. There is also a companion journal as well.
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6. The Catholic Briefcase: Tools for Integrating Faith and Work
I recently heard Randy Hain discuss this book on the Catholic Moments podcast. No matter what we do in life, we come in contact with others. This book promises tips to integrate our Catholic faith with our day to day lives, whether that is at work, in playgroups, ballet class or homeschooling co-ops.
7. A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
I could be a perpetual student, no doubt. One of the things I LOVE learning about is my faith. This highly recommended book takes a look at the Mass and how it relates to Biblical events. Many parishes are using this as a group study.
8. Sex, Style and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter
This book is available for pre-order now, and will be released in March. I’m excited, since it’s a compilation of some of my favorite Catholic authors including Hallie Lord, Simcha Fisher, Rachel Balducci and more. Topics include fitting prayer into your daily life, the effect of a baby on your marriage, as well as the unique challenges of single life.
9. A Catholic Woman’s Book of Days
Amy Welborn is one of my favorite writers, and I was thrilled to see her daily devotional on Amazon. The devotionals are quick, but poignant, and easily applicable to a mother’s life.  Be sure and check out her newest book, Wish You Were Here, about her trip to Sicily after the sudden death of her husband.
10. The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary
A booklist for Catholic women would not be complete without a book on the Rosary. I actually bought this book for my husband, after he told me he struggled with the idea of the Rosary. Karen Edmisten created an encouraging guide for us to use the Rosary to bring ourselves closer to Jesus through his mother, Mary. She also has a daily devotional , Through the Year with Mary.
What about you? What books are on your Catholic ‘must read’ list?
Want more ideas? Here are 10 more books that are perfect for Catholic mothers!
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How fun! I just made my list on Tuesday: http://carrotsformichaelmas.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/the-big-ol-catholic-reading-list/
I tell you — my list is getting out of control! I’m adding Kate Wicker’s new book to the pile!
I’ve enjoyed several of these books, and I’m anxious to check out those that I haven’t yet read — thanks, Dianna! I also like Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s The Domestic Church: Room by Room.
I really like Donna-Marie Cooper as well — her Mother Teresa book has been popping up on a lot of Lenten reading lists. Good to see you!
Thank you so much for including my book in your list! It is an honor to be included among the other selections you have listed.
Girl — you know how much I love that book! I talk about it all the time — and as I sit here at work, it’s in my bag!
thanks for this post! i am always on the look out for good reads 🙂
It should come with a warning — you won’t get much housework done, because you’ll be reading!
Two of my favorite books, besides of course everything written by C. S. Lewis (we’d be here for days if I listed them all), are Death on a Friday Afternoon by Fr. Neuhaus and Maurice and Therese by Patrick Ahern and St. Therese of Lisieux. Both are exceptional and the first is particularly good for Lent, as it is a reflection on the Seven Last Words.
We’re delving into CS Lewis at my house … at least the children’s books!
I’ll have to add your selections to my list as well.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Great list! I’m always looking for good reads. I would recommend two books; the first being The Fullfillment of all Desire by Ralph Martin, and the second is Abandonment to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. They both have encouraged my spiritual journey in so many ways and I always am wanting to share their goodness! 🙂
The cook book looks very good! I will have to put it on my list!
What a brilliant list, will definitely be purchasing some of these!
Thanks, Jolene! I’m sure you’ll love them!
Great list! I recommend Elizabeth: A Holy Land Pilgrimage from gifted Catholic author Cheryl Dickow of Bezalel Books. I felt like I was on a spiritual retreat with a good friend while reading this book about a middle-aged wife and mom who takes a much-needed solo trip to the Holy Land. It’s a relaxing, uplifting, and fun read!
My wife and I love a bunch of the books on http://1000goodbooks.com. It’s so hard to find not only good books for us as adults, but also stuff the children can read which helps to reinforce Catholic culture in our home. Anyway, the book list at that site is very extensive, and most of them are really great.
Joel … that’s a GIANT resource! I’m filing it away for future reference!
I have many many Catholic books that I’ve enjoyed since my conversion from Pentecostalism to Catholicism at the Easter Vigil 2015. To name a few; Mother Love, How To Converse With God (St Alphonsus Liguori), Father Lasance’s My Prayer Book, The Secret Of The Rosary (St Louis de Montfort), Diary Of Saint Maria Faustina, The Imitation Of Christ (Thomas à Kempis), Christ In The Gospel, Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book, Pieta Prayer Book, my Bibles, my breviary and my Douay Rheims Confraternity New Testament. Like I said, that’s just a few hehe.
I’m an avid bookworm and I own several Catholic related books so I have many books to recommend. Now – thanks to your list – I’ll be buying some of them too. God bless!