Harry and Hillary sitting in a tree…
Truthfully, it would be the bookseller wanting very much to kiss Harry Potter and Hillary Clinton for providing him with two titles guaranteed to fly off the shelves this summer. To be certain, even I have succumbed to one bout of fever and ordered one of the two books alluded to above (I'll leave you to guess), but I don't plan to limit my summer reading to fantastic tales of sorcery and mythology…even if the First Lady wrote it.
I kid you, of course.
Whether planning a trip to the shore (assuming the rain will eventually cease dampening the Eastern seaboard), the mountains, or through a series of Civil War battlefields and other historical sites of interest, it is always good to bring along a book or five for those stolen moments before bedtime in the chain hotel of your choice, or at low tide while the kids struggle to erect a sand fortress. Even if you choose to stay home for a number of leisure-filled days (a popular option, given erratic gas prices), a book certainly beats whatever reality-dating schlockfest is presently screaming through the television. It is highly unlikely we'll be seeing “Joe Librarian” in prime time.
Though my vacation is not scheduled for another month, I have a grocery sack of paperbacks already set aside. Even so, I haven't waited for the truck to leave the carport; I've cracked the spines of seven books this month alone (46 for the year) – some hilarious, some suspenseful, and some inspiring and worthwhile. These are the suggested titles for a summer of good Christian reading. While not every book listed below is strictly Catholic in nature, all provide positive a Christian message and are suitable for fervent book lovers.
• The Valley of Childhood by Linda Whalen (Bright Books, 0961731729, $14.95); Highly active in her Christian ministry, author Whalen penned this vivid, autobiographical devotional as a means to inspire those seeking to walk with Christ. Reading through the chapters (each of which includes related Scripture and reflections), one will know immediately Whalen's own walk through the valley was not simple, yet through her own perseverance and faith she discovered the oasis that is the Lord's Love.
• The Spider in the Well by Lee Ann Ward (PublishAmerica, 1592865992, $14.95); Paul Ford appeared to have it all — a star college football player with aspirations to the pros, his life is turned upside-down by a series of devastating events. Fortunately, his faith in Jesus sustains him through the darker times, and in this short novel from author Ward one will find an uplifting story suitable for young and older readers.
• Jonah Christopher and the Last Chance Mass by William Ferguson (Writers Club Press, 0595258794, $11.95); Like his Bibilical namesake, Jonah Christopher has seen his share of adventure. Now settled contentedly into the life of a middle-school teacher, Jonah's only concern is a relaxing Spring Break away from dissenting neighbors and other troubles. The Blessed Virgin, however, has other plans, having chosen Jonah for a special mission to battle the ultimate evil. Luckily, for this adventure Jonah has the ultimate weapon – prayer.
• My Name is Mary: the Story of the Mother of Jesus by Denise Sawyer (Still Waters Publishers, 097142764X, $12.95); Recommending a book where somebody such as the Virgin Mary is the main character is quite a risk, especially given other novels which paint a rather unflattering portrait of the Mother of God. Mary, however, is breath of fresh air. A convert to Eastern Orthodoxy, Sawyer offers a slim, gift book-sized tale of the earthly life of Christ as seen through the eyes of His mother, dialogue-free retelling of the major events in the Gospels, inspirational in its simplicity and to the point.
• Adam's Stone by Kevin Paglia (Creek Press, coming in July); a stone tablet found during an excavation in the Middle East leads to the even greater discovery of large, mysterious stone dating back to the time of Adam. A young woman in California, having seen the Stone only briefly on television, finds that she is able to read the strange language carved into its surface, and is certain the stone's message will greatly impact the future. Her suspicions are confirmed as dark forces consistently try to thwart her attempts to translate in this thrilling sophomore effort by Catholic science fiction author Paglia.
If these titles are not enough to satisfy your summer, be sure to pay a visit to the website of the Catholic Writers Association at, where a list of available books by members awaits you for good reading throughout the summer, and the rest of the year.
Kathryn Lively is the author of Saints Preserve Us: an Ash Lake Mystery (Wings, 2003) and the EPPIE-nominated Little Flowers (Highbridge, 2001). Anyone interested in reading her books this summer is welcome to visit her website.
