Reading in 2022

Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on on the story. - J.R.R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien

The story of my reading attempts continue with the goal of 22 books in 2022. While I didn't make it all the way to 22, this is the furthest that I have ever made it to my reading goal!

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande

This brilliant piece took me almost two years to get through, merely because I started to read it while my mother was dying and the experiences relayed in the telling were all too real. The author's perspective is a game-changer and I can't recommend this book enough. (1)

St. Monica and the Power of Persistent Prayer by Mike Aquilina and Mark W. Sullivan

This is a quick read, although the nature of the book is more of a retreat, so the time that you spend with the text doesn't have to be short. Based on the life of this incredible saint, there are prayers, insights from St. Augustine and hope, while we wait for the conversion of those that we love. (2)

God the Father and the Best Day Ever by Gracie Jagla

This brilliantly illustrated children's book (Jacob Popcak) gives insight into death - drawing connections between the events of Easter and what happens when we die. It's age appropriate and made me tear up thinking about the passing of my own mother. Must have in every family's home with children. (3)

The September Pope: The Final Days of John Paul I by Stefania Falasca

The descriptions of this book alluded to “unsubstantiated claims and unconfirmed rumors,” so I thought that the novel might fall in the footsteps of The Fisherman’s Tomb, explaining away the dramatic and revealing the truth. This account is a more descriptive than captivating story, but was a great read on the man who was pope for a month that I didn’t know much about beforehand. (4)

Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint by Nicola Gori

This was a quick read and contained so many firsthand accounts of the people who knew this ”Blessed” boy who will surely become a Saint. I was inspired by his story and prompted to invoke his intercession to encourage the holiness of the boys in my family. Must read! (5)

Saint Michael the Archangel by James F. Day

An incredible tribute to one of my most favorite saints. This book contained the history of the warrior angel and stories told throughout the centuries. This is one of those piece of literature that I will be referring back to often. (6)

Women of Hope: Doctors of the Church by Terry Polakovic

Recounting the impact of the lives of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Hildegard of Bingen, this book is jammed packed with so much engaging and interesting content about the lives of these saints. Further, she includes discussion questions along the way to ponder what you’ve just learned. I loved this read and was inspired as I renewed my friendship with these four Doctors of the Church. (7)

Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

"A shame-free plan for embracing and achieving your goals" dons the cover of this book-- and to say that I loved it is an understatement. Rachel writes like I've known her for years and has a fantastic sense of humor that keeps winning me over. This is a book that I'll read again, and soon, because of all of the practical ways that she offers to rethink our approaches to accomplishments. For example, don't set to-do lists- set results lists. Cannot recommend enough. Now to read her other published works and get to creating my own. (8)

Little Sins Mean A Lot by Elizabeth Scalia

"Kick our bad habits before they kick us." I liked how quickly this book read and how personal the author made it to her own story. It's an interesting reflection on our behaviors... While some of our actions seem small, or insignificant.... they might have huge spiritual consequences. More than once I thought, 'well dang it, I do that... time for confession!' (9)

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

This is one of the books that she wrote before the book mentioned above- and with the same fervor and audacity, Rachel delivers a message to women not often heard. You have value - You are important - You have encountered hardship - Yes- but you CAN rise above it. So, before you get started - go wash your face. (10)

Draw Close to Jesus by Merridith Frediani

This is a short pocket book formally titled A Woman's Guide to Eucharistic Adoration I like that I was able to bring each chapter into adoration with me to ponder and prayer on each of the themes. (11)

Think Right, Live Well, Daily Reflections with Archbishop Fulton Sheen edited by Bert Ghezzi

Sheen is badass and would've been the King of sound bytes if he was alive during this modern media we live within. Reading this makes me want to read more of his works. (12)

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis

This intensely written book is so beautiful in its simplicity - a conversation between Christ and a Disciple (presumably the reader). Putting forth prayers, asking for help and giving praise, I was astounded at how profoundly impacted I was with each chapter. It caused me to ponder how I was approaching my own prayer life and how much further I have to grow. (13)

Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne

This is a game changer for anyone in business and pursuing innovation. It's essentially the argument that addressing competition is a short-sighted approach. The authors lay out the plans for pursuing blue oceans, which is to say 'how to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant.' LOVED this one (14)

Detached by TJ Burdick

I worked through this book during Lent, working to detach myself from technology and dependence on it, particularly my cell phone. Highly recommend as a self-led retreat. (15)

Light of the Saints by Cory Heimann

Bring a flashlight and immerse yourself in this children's book written by my dear friend Cory Heimann. I love how brilliant this idea is, that illustrations come to life through illuminating the pages with light. (16)