You won’t want to set these down! Whether you’re on the beach or sitting poolside, these stories will reignite your love of leisure reading while edifying your faith.
Young Adult:
‘Once a Queen’ by Sarah Arthur
14-year-old Eva meets her grandmother in England for the first time and comes face to face with her mysterious family history weaved throughout the house and gardens of the family manor. Are the fairytales of her childhood really “just pretend”? What is real? This story invites the reader to ponder a truly sacramental worldview and the value of fairytales.
‘I Am Margaret’ by Corinna Turner
This dramatically dystopian novel follows Margaret, an 18-year-old, as she faces the coming-of-age trial called “sorting.” Individuals who are deemed imperfect in health or mind are sent to a concentration camp for dismantling. The only area that has managed to escape the rigid and controlling government takeover is the Vatican state. Can Margaret escape with life and limb intact— or more importantly, can she survive with her faith?
‘Father Brown Stories’ by G.K. Chesterton
A classic pick for some charming mystery short stories! Always a favorite, Father Brown is lovable but unexpectedly brilliant and discerning. His deep understanding of human nature gives him keen insight that helps him solve the case and bring the perpetrator into the light.
‘Alex O’Donnell and the Forty Cyberthieves’ by Regina Doman
This retelling of the Ali Baba legend immerses readers in a heroic story with relatable Catholic characters. Mystery, murder, and computer hacking punctuate the fast-paced adventure where the character’s morality and virtue are tested. Doman balances her depiction of the evil of fallen humanity with the power of grace at work through seemingly ordinary individuals.
Adult:
‘The Egyptian Guide: From Jihad to Joy’ by Evelyn Oliver
Clara Cumberhart is a successful businesswoman who unexpectedly finds herself connected with a billionaire family in the wake of a terrorist attack. This romance novel grounds the emotions of the human heart in a well-rounded love of Christ and a realistic human struggle. Clara discovers the deeper meaning of love as her conversion and convictions deepen throughout the book. Espionage, scandal, and political unrest keep the story moving as the reader becomes increasingly invested in the twists and turns of Clara’s search for lasting love.
‘Father Elijah’ by Michael O’Brien
This lengthy but deeply reflective novel follows the mission of a Carmelite priest who is called upon for a secret assignment from the Vatican. The stakes for repentance have never been higher. Can Father Elijah bring the love of the Father to the Antichrist himself? Spiritual warfare and the impending end of the world pulsate in the background of this novel as the reader experiences the Christian motto “memento mori” in a captivating way.
‘A Voice in the Wind’ by Francine Rivers
This work of historical fiction whisks you away to the early Roman empire where Christianity is novel and prohibited. Rich with details of Roman life and living, the reader can contemplate the challenges of the early Christians and the risks and dangers of living an authentic faith. The characters’ internal motives are richly depicted and sway the reader’s sympathies and loyalties with each plot twist.
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