Reading for the Spiritual Life
St Hugh of Lincoln, Buckden Towers
Spiritual reading helps us to grow in faith, deepen our relationship with God, and learn how to live the Gospel in our everyday lives.
The books below are chosen to be accessible, thoughtful, and relevant to modern life. They speak to real questions—about prayer, doubt, meaning, justice, and how to live as Christians in today’s world.
You may find it helpful to read slowly and prayerfully, even just a few pages at a time, allowing what you read to shape your prayer and daily life.
Searching for God in Real Life
God of Surprises – Gerard W. Hughes SJ
In Search of a Way – Gerard W. Hughes SJ
What Is the Point of Being a Christian? – Timothy Radcliffe OP
Why Go to Church? – Timothy Radcliffe OP
The Return of the Prodigal Son – Henri Nouwen
Prayer and the Interior Life
Time for God – Jacques Philippe
Searching for and Maintaining Peace – Jacques Philippe
Into the Silent Land – Martin Laird
Silence and Honey Cakes – Rowan Williams
Living Faith in Everyday Life
Living Faith in Everyday Life
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer
Liturgy of the Ordinary – Tish Harrison Warren
The Holy Longing – Ronald Rolheiser
The Screwtape Letters – C. S. Lewis
Understanding the Catholic Faith Today
Understanding the Catholic Faith Today
Catholicism – Robert Barron
Why We’re Catholic – Trent Horn
The Lamb’s Supper – Scott Hahn
Faith, Justice, and Responsibility
Faith, Justice, and Responsibility
Fratelli Tutti – Pope Francis
Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis
The Long Loneliness – Dorothy Day
A Small Number of Classics (Optional)
A Small Number of Classics (Optional)
The Confessions – Saint Augustine
Introduction to the Devout Life – Saint Francis de Sales
A Simple Way to Begin
Start with 10 minutes a day
Read slowly and prayerfully
Reflect on what speaks to you
Bring what you read into your daily life
Final Encouragement
At St Hugh’s, Buckden Towers, we encourage all parishioners to develop a habit of spiritual reading.
Through it, we grow not only in knowledge, but in faith, in love, and in our responsibility to live the Gospel in our daily lives—within our families, our parish, and the wider world.