“Great books help you understand, and they help you feel understood.” John Green
Books can be many things: a source of entertainment, a soothing blanket when we need some comfort, and an easy-to-swallow medicine for when our minds, hearts, and even bodies are sick. Read on to find out which Columba book you need to read to help you understand and feel understood.
Hopeless:
We all have days when we feel hopeless, like life can’t get any worse and no matter how much we pray and meditate, nothing will get better. When this feeling hits you, turn to Harvesting Hope with Anthony de Mello by John Callanan SJ. Fr John wrote this book to help readers through their darkest times. Filled with prayers and easy exercises, this book will help you work toward hope and positivity.
Stressed:
It’s no secret that mindfulness is one of the best ways of relieving stress and achieving a greater sense of calm in your life, but becoming mindful is easier said than done. If you’re lost about where to start, get yourself a copy of Mindful Meditations for Every Day by Sister Stan. She gives you short, one-to-two sentence meditations to focus on each day, inviting you to appreciate and focus on stillness, prayer, wisdom and love for a few minutes, which, when repeated daily for months, will make a huge difference in your stress levels and overall happiness.
Angry:
Being a faithful Christian in today’s world is difficult – more and more religious people are facing censure for their views, and it is easy to find yourself frustrated by the prejudice you experience as a religious person. To channel this anger into something positive, turn to How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice by Michael Kelly and Austen Ivereigh. This book is essential reading for any modern-day Catholic, giving readers a fresh way of explaining the Church’s viewpoints on issues such as abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage.
Bored:
There comes a time – often at the end of winter or a month without much going on – when we lack excitement and the drive to get up every day and conquer the world. There is nothing exciting us, nothing inspiring us, and this can lead to feelings of boredom, listlessness, and a general lack of enthusiasm and joie de vivre. When these times hit, crack open a copy of A Year in the Life: Glencairn Abbey, with photographs by Valerie O’Sullivan. The photos of nuns truly enjoying every aspect of their days will inspire you to find the joy in your own life.
Playful:
It’s a bona fide fact that adults need fun and carefree joy in their lives just as much as children. When our lives are so scheduled and packed in, it is imperative that we exercise our insouciant natures. If you’re feeling playful and need an outlet for your energy, look no further than Fáilte Pope Francis, a cheerful book bursting with light-hearted joviality. Flip through the pages and see the beautiful drawings and carefully crafted letters submitted by children all over the country eager to welcome the Pope.