Rody Bazzano, librarian at the Archbishop O’Brien Library in the Pastoral Center in Bloomfield, enjoys a biography of St. John of the Cross.

Story and Photo by Shelley Wolf

With one month of summer remaining, there’s still time to squeeze in some spiritual reading. Parishioners around the Archdiocese of Hartford are currently digging into inspiring reads and gathering for book group discussions. If you are looking for something deeper than a beach read, you might want to try one of these titles.

From novels, to poetry to children’s books, here are just a few of the faith-oriented titles that Catholic parishioners are exploring this summer:

The Rocking Chair Prophet: At St. Ann Parish in Avon, a book discussion group is reading The Rocking Chair Prophet by author Matthew Kelly, founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute. Through a novel, published in 2023 by Blue Sparrow, Kelly explores life and the human condition. The story follows Daniel, a 30-something suburbanite who disappears into the mountains and emerges years later with uncommon wisdom. People travel to meet with him, as he sits in a rocking chair helping them explore their deep personal questions.

Science at the Doorstep to God: Father Robert Turner’s summer book club at St. Ambrose Parish in North Branford spent June and July reading Science at the Doorstep to God by author Father Robert Spitzer, host of the TV show “Father Spitzer’s Universe” on EWTN. In the book, published by Ignatius Press in 2023, Father Spitzer shares the latest science-based evidence to support the existence of God, the soul and life after death. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, employing both science and reason, the author synthesizes recent studies along with philosophical arguments to make a case for God and eternal life.

The Living Flame of Love: Deacon Ernie Scrivani of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish in New Haven has been leading a book study group in the spring, summer and fall, using The Living Flame of Love: Study Edition. The study guide, published by ICS Publications in 2023, is helping parishioners examine St. John of the Cross’s poem, which captures the saint’s deep mystical journey as the soul encounters and unites with the pure love of God. St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), a Christian mystic, Spanish poet and doctor of the Church, was cofounder of the contemplative order of Discalced Carmelites.

Drawing God and Growing God: Children from St. Thomas and St. Timothy Parish in West Hartford are attending “Faith, Fun & Fiction Summer Camp,” where they are spending time exploring the beauty and mystery of God and faith through books. Drawing God by author Karen Kiefer and illustrator Kathy De Wit is the tale of a young girl named Emma, who returns from a field trip to an art museum and is inspired to draw God. The title was published by Paraclete Press in 2019. Growing God follows Emma a few years later as she visits her grandmother’s farm and learns to care for God’s creation. Also by Paraclete Press, this book was published in March 2024.