When Fr. Chris was in 7^th or 8^th grade he started reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Although I was thrilled that he finally enjoyed reading and made it through all 3 mammoth volumes, I became concerned when that was all he’d read. For months it was the same thing, over and over, reading and rereading the same pages. Fearing that he was getting obsessive I finally asked Christopher, “Isn’t there something better out there that you could be reading?” His answer, “Mom, you just have to read it.” So, I did. And I give credit to my 8^th grade son for introducing me to brilliant writing, an engaging journey, and renewed hope in the forms of simple hobbits, elves, dwarves, and yes, even broken men. I never again asked him, “Isn’t there something better that you could be reading.” I also remember my friend, Karen, describing Tolkien’s Middle Earth as being “not real, but true.” So true! So, for those who have not read the books (the movies don’t count), I share Chris’ words, “You just have to read it.” For those who’ve already read it, read it again.

 Another series perfect for summer reading is C. S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy. Even if you aren’t a Science Fiction nerd like me, please put this on your must-read list. In all of Lewis’ fictitious works, truth is revealed in creative and enlightening storytelling. Confession time – The first time I read the 3^rd book of the trilogy, That Hideous Strength, I hated it. I only made it through the first couple of chapters and quit. Please don’t do what I did. Instead, read these books from cover to cover!!! Recently, when Fr. Chris and I were talking I mentioned that I never liked That Hideous Strength. His reply once again drove me back to neglected pages. “Mom, you do know that That Hideous Strength is Lewis’ fictional telling of Abolition of Man, right? Like how Lewis’ Till We Have Faces is the fictional work of his Four Loves. What?!!! How did I not know this?! So, I read The Four Loves and then reread Till We Have Faces, loving it this time. Then I read The Abolition of Man and proceeded to give That Hideous Strength another shot. Not only has it become one of my favorite books, but it also convinced me that C.S. Lewis was a 20^th century profit. We are now living That Hideous Strength.

Because of our new normal, you might find that this summer provides an opportunity to catch-up on reading some book series once left aside due to lack of time.

The following is my recommended list of books, in a series:

J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit

C.S. Lewis – Space Trilogy, and Narnia Series

Lois Lowry – The Giver Series, which includes The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son (If you liked The Giver, you’ll love the rest of the series as well!)

Immaculee Ilibagiza, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, Our Lady of Kibeho: Mary Speaks to the World from the Heart of Africa, The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya Emmanuel of Kibeho, The Rosary: The Prayer that Saved My Life, and Led          by Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide

Michael O’Brien, Fr. Elijah, Eclipse of the Sun, Plague Journal, and Strangers and Sojourners

Aldous Huxley, Brave New World (Not a series but it’s time to read this one if you haven’t already.)