Thoughts That Change Hearts

A celebration of the books that changed my life

I recently finished a book that changed my life. And by changed my life, I mean changed the way I want to apporach life, how I want my life to look and how I want to live. It got me thinking about all the other books that affected me in the same way. And, honestly, there were many.

Now, I'm a big reader. I love books and I love reading. In fact, one of my biggest accomplishments in life is owning 1,000 books and therefore allowed to be considered a library. Am I a nerd? Probably, yes. But I own all those books because many of them have brought me joy, taught me things, or fall into this category- books that changed my life. So, here's my list and why they made such an impact on me. Feel free to share yours in the comments below!

Non-Fiction:

• Called to Life by Fr. Jacques Philippe- This book was the first book that forced me to take notes in the margins. Fr. Jacques Philippe has such a simple and beautiful way of putting things that makes his writing accessible and deep. This book was my adoration companion in college and helped me to face my wounds and embrace God's call for my life.

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer- "Slow Down" was my word of the year this year, so it seemed like a good time to read this book and, man was I ready for it. Humor and practical wisdom combine to remind you that following Jesus means slowing down and living like a real human being. This book is the reason I made getting 8 hours of sleep, unplugging from my phone, and embracing the sabbath a priority.

• In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan- If you are what you eat, you ought to be eating real food, and according to Michael Pollan, most of what is on offer at your local grocery store is not actually food. I read this during a class my nutritionist offered and it has changed the way I shop and what I eat. If you are ready to feel better and eat like a real human being, this book is for you.

• Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel- George Weigel writes like he's writing to you, explaining the wisdom of Church teaching and tradition through places and people you might not expect. I came back to this book again and again when I was forming student leaders becasue it is both rich and accessible.

• Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron- This was another one I came back to again and again for formation becasue if you know someone who wants to know what Catholicism is all about, but probably isn't intellectly ready to read the Catechism, this is probably the best resource around. Bishop Barron has a way of bringing out the beauty and strangeness of the faith that makes you see the world differently.

• Draw Your Day by Samantha Dion Baker- I never expected this beautiful little book to be life changing, but it is. It's a simple and fun way to infuse more art into my life while apreciating the ordinary and extrordinary of every day. I do mine for the whole week now since that is what works best for me, but my art journals are some of my most treasured possessions!

• The Privilage of Being a Woman by Alice von Hildebrand and Essays on Woman by St. Edith Stein- I read these for the first time while writing my grad school capstone paper and again in a Catholic women's book club. Alice von Hildebrand and St. Edith Stein remind me of the beauty of femininity and celebrate the unique gifts we bring to the world. I encourage reading them together as they are mutually enlightening on the topic of the feminine genius.

• Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton- Ah, Chesterton. I first encountered him in this work and he brings a refreshing voice of wonder, humor, and childlike joy to faith that I haven't found anywhere else. He cuts directly to the heart of the matter and makes me laugh out loud and weep for beauty at the same time. He changed the way I veiwed the life of faith. What Pope St. John Paul II said is in fact true, "Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure!"

• One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp- Gratitude is life changing. Ann Voskamp proves that in her book and I absolutely beleive it. Keeping a gratitude list has changed my life and made it more joyful because it is important to recognize all the gifts our good God gives us every single day. This book helped me to recognize all the small ways He reveals Himself to me.

• Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven But Never Dreamed of Asking by Peter Kreeft- I read this book for a class in college and I have never been more excited about Heaven than I was when I finished this book. It's not harps and clouds, people! It's entering into the greatest love we have ever known where everything is made new! Gosh, I can't even explain it, but you should read it.

• Worthy of Wearing by Nicole Caruso- I've always loved fashion and putting together a great outfit and in this book Nicole Caruso reminds us that what we wear reveals our God-given dignity and uniqueness. I re-read this one whenever I feel stuck in my wardrobe.

• Wired for Story by Lisa Cron- This book changed the way I thought about story and inspired me to beleive in my own stories. Lisa Cron talks about why people are so drawn to stories and why good stories matter.

• The Concious Closet by Elizabeth L. Cline- This book changed the way I approached my wardrobe. I've always loved thrifting, but this book opened my eyes to the way the fashion industry exploits people and the earth and gives practical tips for how you can make a difference. This book taught me how to darn, sew buttons, and do laundry. Which honestly, is pretty empowering.

Fiction:

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis- This series is probably the thing that helped spark my love for fantasy and deep, meaningful stories. I still remeber listening to my second-grade teacher read us The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I fell in love with them as an adult becasue they remind me constantly of the wonder in the world. Farther up and farther in!

• The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis- I read this in audio book form for a class in college and it also changed the way I think about Heaven. It is more real than reality.

• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien- This is becomming a yearly re-read for me. Every time I read it, I catch something new and it always awakens my wonder and love for the stories I'm writing. I first encountered Tolkien as an eighth grader when we read The Hobbit, and though a lot of it went over my head, I loved it and read the rest of the series in my free time. I take it as a compliment when people compare my stuff to Tolkien's. He has a way of weaving profound truth into stories in a way that makes you think about it long after you finish the story.

• The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien- I'd always heard that the lore behind The Lord of the Rings was good, but dense and hard to get through. It is dense and has a lot of names, but don't let that put you off. It's not the point. The Silmarillion was one of my favorite "new to me" reads of 2024 becasue the story is so beautiful. It inspired my love for my own stories is and great imagination fuel for world-builders every where.

• Man Alive by G. K. Chesterton- If you need a laugh and a light-hearted romp that deals with serious things while not taking itself seriously, look no father than this book. Man Alive rekindles my love and joy and wonder at life every time I read it.

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie- This book was my indroduction into the world of adult detective fiction and I am forever indebted to my mother for recommending it to me. I've always liked mysteries, but Christie made me LOVE mysteries and this story also provides an interesting moral dilemna that forced me to seriously consider it.

• Lady Susan and Other Writings by Jane Austen- I was first introduced to Jane Austen in college and I loved her books, but this book truly made me appreciate her specific brand of wit. I feel like I know her better becasue I read it and am able to enter into her other books more deeply.

• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen- This book was my introduction to Austen and there are not words to describe how much I love it after reading it four times. Austen has a way of revealing human nature in unassuming, yet entertaining ways.

• Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm- This book was one of my favorites growing up and it represents to me the importance of roots. Living in modern society, we often lose sight of our family traditions and where we come from and forget to celebrate that. This book puts that in a way kids can understand and speaks to that need for roots in all of us.