Currently Reading // To Be Read Pile - 2017

Once upon a time I began blogging and soon had multiple blogs focusing on teaching (mainly middle school reading and writing workshop), reading (book reviews), life in general (especially slice of life stories through Two Writing Teachers), and parenting.

Over time, my priorities shifted and along with it the rhythms and routines of my days. I completed my doctoral program, we had our third daughter, we moved back "home" as part of my transition from a K-8 school to teacher education, we built a house, I added in the role of being a director of religious education/youth minister, we had our fourth daughter...

In the mix, different aspects lined up for me to reconnect in a deeper way with my Catholic faith. I have realized over time that what I am drawn to read and write about most is linked to what matters most. As a result, the topics I am most drawn to read and write about are related to my faith. Nonetheless, I have struggled with writing regularly on this blog. I have many posts swirling around in my mind, but for the most part, I fill my spiritual notebooks, rather than write publicly.

Though I had been leaning toward pushing pause on my blog, instead, this year I want to recommit to trying to regularly blog. A natural fit/blogging comfort zone for me is to write about what I read. This year, I would like to blog about each book upon completion, so here's a preview.

Currently Reading

1. The Bible

I read the daily readings each morning. Since The Bible is something I read on-going in different ways, I will need to make some decisions about when to give some glimpses into this important part of my reading life. 

2. The Joy of Love: Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis

I started this in 2016 and have been reading it little by little in between other readings. I have read more about encyclicals from the Popes or seen them referenced in other books but would like to read more complete encyclicals. I received this book for free from Dynamic Catholic as part of the Parish Champion program in which our parish participates. 

3. Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul by Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

I have received the Divine Mercy Daily emails for over a year and finally started reading the book.

4. The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections edited by Lisa Hendey and Sarah Reinhard

I am reading this one as a book club book for St. Teresa's Online Book Club (a closed Facebook group that you can join). Though this book won't be complete until the end of the year, I will probably blog about it after the book club focusing on the initial reflections is complete. This is the third book offered in this book club, and I plan on reading along and discussing each time.

To Be Read Pile

1. Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila
2. The Way of Prayer by Teresa of Avila
3. Confessions by Saint Augustine
4. Under the Mantle by Fr. Calloway, MIC
5. Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt