Recommended Reading
For those of you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith, these are books that I recommend. I have chosen books that I have known to convey authentic Catholic teaching. This list is a work in progress, so please continue to check back. I have included links where the books may be purchased, but I don't get a commission on the sales.
If you are looking for a book on a subject not listed here or just want to go book shopping, here are the Catholic publishers I recommend:
Note that, although I recommend Servant books, I do not recommend their parent company, St. Anthony Messenger Press. They have some good books, but some of their works are by known dissenters. I would steer clear of Catholic Update even though it is popular in a lot of parishes. I do recommend TAN Books with reservations. They have many very good works, but a few of their books are from traditionalists who dissent from Vatican II.
I strongly recommend, for the most part, avoiding Paulist Press, Twenty-Third Publications, and Orbis Books. They mainly publish books not faithful to the Magisterium. The only time I will buy a book from one of those publishers is if I either know the author or have a recommendation from someone I trust.- A Concise History of the Catholic Church Alan Schreck
- A Map of Life Frank Sheed
- A Refutation of Moral Relativism Peter Kreeft
- Bible Timeline Jeff Cavins: Ok, so this isn't really a book. However, it's the best thing out there for an authentic Catholic Bible Study.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church Official Church Publication
- Catholic and Christian Alan Schreck
- Catholic Christianity Peter Kreeft
- Catholicism for Dummies Fr. John Trigilio
- Christ the King: Lord of History Anne Carroll
- Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World Fr. T.G. Morrow
- Citizens of the Heavenly City Arthur Hippler: If you are looking for a good book on Catholic Social Teaching, this is the one I recommend.
- Compendium of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church Official Church Publication
- Envoy Magazine Envoy
- Holy Bible: RSV Catholic Edition God
- Introduction to the Devout Life St. Francis de Sales
- Jesus of Nazareth Pope Benedict XVI
- Making Choices Peter Kreeft
- Prayer for Beginners Peter Kreeft
- Prayer Primer Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM
- Praying the Mass Jeffrey Pinyan
- Search and Rescue Patrick Madrid
- Surprised by Truth Various
- The Everyday Apostle Fr. Edward Garesche
- The Faith Explained Fr. Leo Trese: Excellent basic explanation of the Catholic Faith.
- The Spirit of the Liturgy Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI)
- The Virtue Driven Life Fr. Benedict Groeschel
- Theology for Beginners Frank Sheed
- Theology of the Body for Beginners Christopher West
- Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise Alan Schreck: Dr. Schreck could have named this "What Vatican II Really Said," but I think he's a more humble man than that. This cuts through the nonsense that has been promulgated in the name of the "spirit of Vatican II."