Book Suggestions
Click on a book cover to see our review!
A Grief Observed
C.S. Lewis
Our Review
“Of all the resources on grief produced throughout the years, I find this “accidental” effort to be among the most raw, genuine, and emotional. I say “accidental” here because C.S. Lewis, the well-known scholar and author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, wrote this in attempt to process his own grief following his wife’s tragic death. When the book was first released, C.S. Lewis even used a pseudonym to avoid attention (though the connection was later made). This book is a beautiful testament to the complex and transformative nature of grief, which can shake us so greatly that it can cause us to question everything we’ve ever believed in.” - Steven
By Love Refined: Letters to a Young Bride
Alice Von Hildebrand
Our Review
“This book offers sound advice in the form of letters to a newlywedded bride from her widowed Godmother (who happens to be one of the wisest philosophers of the twentieth century.) I find this book especially enlightening because its author has a beautiful way of avoiding platforms and lectures and instead offers sound, straightforward, and personalized advise without compromise. Von Hildebrand makes a compelling argument for the primacy of marriage as a vocation and openly advocates embracing the difficulties that are inevitable as opportunities for deepening love.” - Julie
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
Dr. Henry Cloud
Dr. John Townsend
Our Review
“This is the book for anyone looking to cultivate healthy relationships based on truth. Many of us have a misperception that love requires one to cater to the demands around us with no input. This book will convince you otherwise. Boundaries are vital to healthy relationships in all forms, from the encounter with your dentist to the disagreement with your spouse, this book will help you to see where healthy boundaries are needed and how to skillfully build them for the betterment of all.” - Julie
Talking Back To OCD
John S. March
Christine M. Benton
Our Review
“This is my top recommendation for families dealing with OCD. It provides a clear, simple path towards freedom for the individual suffering from OCD and vital information that helps get the whole family on the same team. A truly empowering book!” - Julie
The Catholic Guide to Depression
Aaron Kheriaty, MD
Fr. John Cihak
Our Review
“This book does an excellent job of addressing the controversial (and very difficult!) distinction between spiritual and psychiatric distress. I have had Catholic clients who had felt that all they must do is “pray away” psychological conditions. Such an approach does not make much sense from a psychological perspective. Prayer is vital, but psychotherapy, psychiatric care, and holistic practices may also need to be implemented if we wish to find peace. In fact, these healing traditions can even bring us closer to God in a genuine way; not simply because we want to feel better, but because we are able to better choose virtue when we are unshackled from the chains of psychological distress. Here, Aaron Kheriaty blends theology, philosophy, and psychiatry in a helpful way that does wonders to de-stigmatize the tortures of clinical depression and other psychological conditions.” - Steven
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living
Russ Harris
Our Review
“I love the simple and profound approach that Russ Harris has to teaching ACT principles. I’ve taken a few courses with him, and he always seems to manage to embed refreshing humor and charm into his work, whether it be a class or this book. In this book, Harris uses ACT principles to argue against the pursuit of happiness for its own sake. He notes that the idea that humans are by default and at their best “happy” can be harmful; what we do, we argues, is a much richer motive for action than how we feel. This message is pretty consistent with Christianity at its core. The book is very simple and easy to read, but has enough depth to keep even the most academic reader fully engaged. Like many other ACT books, it is also very practical, and Harris even operates an online course that is designed to accompany the book, which you can find here: https://thehappinesstrap.com/. If you’re looking to get more information about ACT or commit yourself to lasting behavioral change, this is a great place to start.” - Steven
Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety
Kelly G. Wilson, PhD
Troy DuFrene
Our Review
“This book is a great introduction to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) process of treating anxiety disorders. ACT is all about changing our relationship with anxiety, allowing us to shift our focus to a place of acceptance, value, and ultimately, peace. I frequently use this book with clients as a means of introducing principles and assigning exercises. It serves as practical, simple, easy-to-read, and even humorous resource for those struggling with all things anxiety.” - Steven
More Suggestions Coming Soon
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