Discover Your Next Mission from God by Julie Onderko (Sophia, £6). Author and retreat-giver Julie Onderko subtitles her book “Saints Who Found God’s Will – And How You Can Too”. Reflecting on the lives of men and women such as Maximilian Kolbe, Venerable Matt Talbot, Gianna Molla and André Bessette, the author demonstrates how their lives can illuminate our own path and show us how we can follow in their footsteps, despite all the obstacles. As she points out, God calls sinners, not holy people – all we have to do is to trust and do what He prompts us to.
Born Survivors by Wendy Holden (Sphere, £7.99). Wendy Holden tells the story of three young women sent to Auschwitz in 1944, from there to a slave labour camp, and finally to Mauthausen. Each was pregnant at the time and each survived. Sixty-five years later their three “miracle babies” met for the first time at Mauthausen. The mothers’ courage and the kindness of strangers helped them to survive when millions perished. Many poignant black-and-white photos illustrate this memorable story, which includes eyewitness and unpublished personal accounts. A work of hope amid hell.
Catholic Bishops of Great Britain by Chris Larsen (Sacristy Press, £55). This invaluable reference book catalogues the biographical history and main events in the lives of all the Catholic bishops since the Restoration. Organised by diocese, each chapter relates a history of the area, the biographies of all its bishops, translations of Letters Apostolic, significant events within the diocese and, finally, contact details. There is also a preliminary chapter that lists all the popes since 1800 and potted biographies of Pope Francis and Benedict XVI. This is an extremely useful tool for anyone interested in the Catholic history of Britain.
Hounds of the Lord by Kevin Vost (Sophia, £13.99). In this fascinating account, Vost, a clinical psychologist and lover of the works of Aquinas, describes the lives of the great Dominican saints. St Dominic, founder of the Dominicans, is well-known, as is St Thomas Aquinas. Others include Fra Angelico, St Catherine of Siena, who was a Third Order Dominican, St Martin de Porres and St Rose of Lima. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was another Third Order Dominican whose short life – he died aged 24 – was devoted to the poor of Turin. A man of “heroic virtue”, he deserves to be better known.
Dodgers by Bill Beverly (No Exit, £14.99). East is a teenage lookout for an LA drug gang. When the house he is assigned to is raided by the police, he finds himself at a loose end and in trouble. The gang boss sends East and three other teenagers on a road trip to Wisconsin – their goal is to kill a crooked judge. Beverly’s wonderful debut is striking not for its violence but for finding tenderness and grace in such a situation. East’s attempt at redemption, hiding out in a small town, uplifts the novel into something special.
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