Mommy's Book Bag

It's time to make my Summer Reading plans!  Back in this post, I compiled a big list of books about Saints that I have plans to really begin to explore this summer.  So books about Saints make up the majority of my current Summer Reading List, but I'm still looking for some great suggestions (probably one per month) for great fiction/historical fiction novels you'd recommend.   Here's what I've got so far for my Summer Reading Saints list:

Let's start with a few books that will be on my "ongoing list" throughout the summer.  By that I mean that I know they will take longer than 1 month.  Some will take just over, some will take more like two, some will take 4, and some I won't even finish during "summer" and will continue into the fall and beyond, I'm sure.  

A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms 

By Lisa Hendey

My (former) Mom's Group is working through this book which is fantastic.  It's filled with short biographies, little reflections, scriptures to reflect on that relate to each Saint, and ways to reflect at home with your family as well.  

33 Days to Morning Glory

By Fr. Michael Gaitley

Two years ago, I consecrated myself to Jesus through Mary (using the 33 Days book; I've done the St. Louis de Montfort version in the past multiple times) on May 31, the feast of The Visitation.  So every year since I've tried to re-read the 33 Days to Morning Glory book (beginning April 28) and reconsecrate on May 31. 

'You Did It to Me'

also by Fr. Michael Gaitley

I'm already a little ways into this, but I put it down because I wanted to read Story of a Soul and Fr. Michael's new book, 33 Days to Merciful Love earlier in 2016, but it's still the Year of Mercy, and I'm determined to read this great book on mercy that Fr. Gaitley has penned as well.

Diary of St. Faustina: Divine Mercy in my Soul

I've also been reading this off and on for a long, long while now.  Again, it's the Year of Mercy, so I'm going to make a more concentrated effort to try to finish this in 2016. 

Introduction to the Devout Life

by St. Francis de Sales

I have had this on my "to read" list for a long time now.  I am a big fan of both St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, but I still have yet to read this awesome work. 

                                                                                                                                   

And now for some other books on specific Saints to read from May-September:
   

 Story of a Soul
(Yes, I am STILL finishing up the last chapter or two of this book.  It's a gem, but PACKED with awesomeness, so I've been taking it really slowly.)

The Mother of the Little Flower

By Celine Martin

I hope to read both this and The Father of the Little Flower this year.  St. Therese's parents were canonized just last year and I have been itching to read more and more about them.  This is a May goal. 

The Imitation of Christ

by Thomas a Kempis

Another that I've started, but have yet to make it all the way through, so this is my June goal.  My friend Denise loves this book and I know I will too once I actually finally read it!

Lily of the Mohawks: The Story of St. Kateri

by Emily Cavins

I will likely read this as a 'read-aloud' with Kayla since St. Kateri is one of her current favorite Saints.  I bought this book with her in mind, so we'll try to read it during the month of July since St. Kateri's feast day is almost smack in the middle of that month.  

Saint Martin de Porres

by Elizabeth Marie DeDomenico

This book is one Kayla earned a few months ago with good behavior.  She's already barreled through it, but I'm going to read it on my own (a very easy read as it's written for elementary kids, but a nice, quick intro to a Saint whom I know very little about, but I'm very interested in.). 

    

A Man for Others
by Patricia Treece
A book about St. Maximilian Kolbe, another great Marian Saint.  I've been wanting to read it for awhile now, and I'm figuring that the month of his feast day might be a nice goal, so August it is.

Meditations from a Simple Path
by Mother Teresa
I don't have a copy of this yet, but I'm hoping to locate a copy before September.  Mother Teresa will be canonized then and I'm due right around then.  I'm thinking she will be a great inspiration.  Her humility and sacrificial love are virtues that I'd love to grasp more especially during the waiting at the end of pregnancy and the exhaustion that comes after labor and delivery.

Lovely Mother Teresa print from Katrina over at Hatchprints.  I adore her work. 

Any fiction recommendations for me? 

 I'd love to hear what you hope to read over the summer too!