I recently reviewed Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy , a truly beautiful story of conversion and redemption. Check out my review here: Review of “Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy.”

Kristin Lavransdatter by Norwegian Catholic author Sigrid Undset is a beautifully-written trilogy about sin and its far-reaching consequences as seen in the life of a Norwegian woman from girlhood to death.

Undset’s other famous trilogy, The Master of Hestviken, is less recognized in America, but she considered it her greatest work, and I agree that I found it even more powerful than Kristin Lavransdatter.

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is a fascinating mix of an apologia for Catholicism and a recognition of the imperfection of individual Catholics. In addition to his overarching theme of Catholic redemption, Waugh describes the decay of the English aristocracy around the time of World War II. This masterfully written classic is one of my very favorite books to savor.

I also love Evelyn Waugh‘s hilarious and poignant Sword of Honor trilogy. The series starts with Men at Arms, in which Guy Crouchback enlists to help win the war but finds the reality far different than his dreams. Painfully true in many ways to my experiences of military life.

Helena is Waugh’s self-labeled masterpiece. Deceptively short and simple in form, Helena nevertheless leaves you with a clear picture of what this great saint might have been like. And more importantly, an understanding of the type of world which Christianity illuminated like a lightning bolt.

A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken is not fiction at all, but rather his autobiographical tale of true love, found first in his wife, then ultimately in God. This beautifully written and moving book details Vanauken’s love affair with his wife, conversion to Christianity with the assistance of C. S. Lewis, and strengthening of faith through the devastating loss of his wife.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a masterpiece both on philosophical and literary levels. My favorite Russian novel, this book deals with deep themes such as redemption through suffering, true happiness, and ends justifying means.

Fyodor Dotoyevsky’s tome, a book which many claim to have read but few complete, the one and only Brothers Karamazov. It took me many months to slowly work through, but absolutely worth the time and brain exertion with the shattering meditations on suffering, providence, and the problem of pain.

Michael O’Brien’s Voyage to Alpha Centauri: A Novel achieves the considerable feat of captivating the reader for a whopping 587 pages. Lengthy, yes, but still surprisingly readable, Voyage to Alpha Centauri is a futuristic story of a voyage from earth to the nearest star, Alpha Centauri. The quirky, wise elderly narrator, Neal, is juxtaposed to the controlling, totalitarian government most obey blindly.

If you prefer to keep your feet on planet earth, try Michael O’Brien‘s Island of the World instead. This masterfully woven story begins as World War II rips apart Bosnia and Yugoslavia. Michael O’Brien uses this dramatic and deeply sorrowful backdrop to take on the problem of suffering and how a human being keeps his identity when his world is torn apart, again, and again.

If you haven’t read C. S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, you just found your next fiction book to read. Written to please J. R. R. Tolkien, this series is full of symbolism, Medieval cosmology, and prescient eschatology. It’s also a thoroughly enjoyable piece of fiction; don’t be intimidated. If you want to dig deeper into what Lewis is saying, this is a great podcast episode from the Literary Life folks.

G. K. Chesterton’s biographies of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thomas Aquinas are a wonderful balance of carefully researched history, theological and philosophical insights, and Chesterton’s signature poetic imagination. These biographies are memorable and well-worth reading.

In any contest about sheer hilarity and perfect use of the English language, I consider P. G. Wodehouse invincible. His Blandings Castle series will have you laughing until you cry with its cast of idiosyncratic English aristocrats, servants, and imposters.

In stark contrast to Wodehouse’s levity, Flannery O’Connor‘s The Complete Stories are quite dark on the surface, often dealing with tragedy and ugly sin. But each story contains a lesson about human nature and motivations and insight into O’Connor’s Catholic vision which the discerning reader may discover. Most of all, O’Connor is concerned with opportunities for grace: both taken and passed by and lost.

Although Christie is the queen of mysteries, I personally prefer Dorothy Sayers, who is considered by many a close second in the lineup of golden age mystery writers. Her Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery series feature aristocrat sleuth Lord Peter whose lazy manner masks a sharp intelligence. I am partial to Sayers’ books because in addition to producing a fine mystery, she also writes from a broad liberal arts basis, rife with references to other great literature and philosophical insights.

I must confess to binging all seven published volumes of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion when I discovered them. With tones of Wodehouse and shades of L. M. Montgomery, this series is pure delight.

Another modern book which I dare to call a future classic is Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi. Check out my 5-Star review of this fascinating 2021 book here.

One of Wendell Berry’s favorite novels is actually E. M. Forster’s turn of the century classic Howard’s End. Deeply allegorical yet still very readable, I loved this story that asks thoughtful questions about modernism, industrialization, and how to stay connected in the modern world.

Have you read all of Jane Austen? If not consider checking it off your bucket list with The Complete Works.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is considered to be one of the greatest novels ever written due to its picture of human nature with all its complexities and faults. This is a lengthy read, but fast moving enough to keep the reader’s interest.

Treason: A Catholic Novel of Elizabethan England by Dena Hunt is a gripping historical fiction novel detailing the story of a Catholic priest secretly but faithfully performing his ministry to the persecuted English Church. An inspiring story of faith and love of Christ under trying circumstances.

Bleeder: A Miracle? Or Bloody Murder? by John Desjarlais is a well-plotted mystery in which a Classics professor finds himself playing detective to clear himself of a murder charge.

Tobit’s Dog: A Novel by Michael N. Richard is a creative retelling of the Old Testament book of Tobit, set in the deep south. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-moving novel.

The Awakening of Miss Prim: A Novel is a delightful bestseller from Spain that is deeply Catholic in its vision while not stooping to being openly didactic. Read my full review here!

What if you found out you had one year to live? Unlikely heroine Valancy’s humdrum life is turned upside down by unexpected news from her doctor. L. M. Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame also wrote this little known but worthwhile little novel for adults: The Blue Castle.

A masterful storyteller, James Herriot the country vet charms the reader with his descriptions of the memorable animals, colorful characters, and dazzling scenery of the Yorshire dales in All Creatures Great and Small. The ultimate feel-good comfort read.

Trigger warning: some language.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a fascinating historical fiction novel set during World War II. Two sisters help the French resistance while struggling to survive the horrors of the war. So much depth to this novel; read my Review of “The Nightingale” for full details!