As we start this new year, I cannot recommend this book enough—The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. As you probably know, Jim Loehr is a remarkable human performance psychologist, author of 17 books (so far), the founder…
Review of The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love, by Vienna Pharaon Vienna Pharaon’s The Origins of You is one of the most eye-opening, compassionate, and transformative books I’ve read in years. It is not just a book about self-help or psychology – it’s a map…
Book Review: Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is an experience filled with challenges, but as Jolene Brackey beautifully illustrates in Creating Moments of Joy, it is also a journey of wisdom, love, and even unexpected joy. This book is an essential read for caregivers, family members…
CNA—The last three popes — Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV — have on more than one occasion recommended reading Lord of the World, the dystopian science fiction novel written by Robert Hugh Benson in 1907. This apocalyptic novel depicts the consequences of a society that turned its back on God and presents a social critique…
Robert Hugh Benson (1871–1914) was born just outside of London, the youngest son of Mary Sidgwick and Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1883 to his death in 1896. Benson studied at Eton and Trinity College in Cambridge and was ordained to the Anglican priesthood by his father in 1895. Benson decided to…
A Review of “The Trouble with You Is the Trouble with Me, by Rev. Paul C. White The Catholic Church has long been a place of healing and redemption, yet in recent decades, it has also suffered great wounds—some inflicted by its own clergy. While the grievous actions of a small number of priests have…
CNA—The theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” For those who wish to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage through reading and prayer during the Lenten season — or anytime during this sacred year — here is a list of recommended books, essays, and encyclicals that explore the theme of Christian hope. Spes…
CBJ/CNA—On February 15 the Catholic church honors Saint Claude de la Colombiere, the 17th century French Jesuit who authenticated and wrote about Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque’s visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When now-saint Pope John Paul II canonized St. Claude in 1992, he held him up as a model Jesuit, recalling how de…
Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you misfired – like you just didn’t quite connect? Or maybe you’re someone who looks around at others effortlessly forming deep relationships while you feel stuck on the outside? If so, you’re not alone. According to research, 50 to 60% of Americans feel socially disconnected…
Book review of The Hermit: The Priest who Saved a Soul, a Marriage and a Family, by Kevin Wells Kevin Wells’ The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family is more than a memoir; it’s a profound exploration of sacrificial love, divine grace and the mysterious ways God works through…
Book Review for Jeff Karp’s LIT: Life Ignition Tools: Use Nature’s Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas and Ignite Action In LIT: Life Ignition Tools, Dr. Jeff Karp takes readers on a deeply personal and profoundly insightful journey, blending his experiences as a child struggling with ADHD with his professional achievements as a world-renowned…
Helen Hoffner’s The Cross: A Universal Symbol is a remarkable exploration of one of humanity’s most enduring and profound symbols. From its ancient origins to its modern representations, this beautifully researched and richly detailed book provides a comprehensive overview of the cross, making it a treasure for anyone interested in history, faith, and culture. It…
Book Review: The Extraordinary Power of Leader Humility: Thriving Organizations – Great Results by Marilyn Gist, Ph.D. In a world where leadership is often equated with authority, power, and control, Marilyn Gist, Ph.D., takes us in a refreshingly different direction in her insightful book, The Extraordinary Power of Leader Humility: Thriving Organizations – Great Results.…
Hollywood producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 24, and many more) shares his secret to a “big” life and happiness in A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life. More than intelligence, persistence or connections, curiosity has been the key to living the life he wanted. He now wants to show us…
Book Review of “Quit” by Annie Duke. In Quit: The Power of Knowing when to walk away, Annie Duke, a former professional poker player and decision-making expert, flips the conventional narrative on its head by making a powerful case for the strategic value of quitting. Far from the negative stigma often associated with quitting, Duke…
Expanded Book Review: How the News Makes Us Dumb: The Death of Wisdom in an Information Society, by C. John Sommerville C. John Sommerville’s How the News Makes Us Dumb remains as relevant today as when it was first published in 1999. In an era where information is abundant but wisdom scarce, Sommerville’s insights into…
In 2014, when I first reviewed The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race to Reinvent the State by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, I was struck by how boldly they tackled the impending crisis in governance. They identified the key political challenge of the coming decade: fixing the bloated and dysfunctional state. Their analysis was as…
Book Review: “Sapiens Reinvented” by Dr. Jim Loehr Dr. Jim Loehr, the renowned performance psychologist and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, who gained worldwide recognition for his groundbreaking, science-based energy management training system, has embarked on a profound journey with his latest book, Sapiens Reinvented: Saving the Species from a Deadly Evolutionary Flaw. A…
Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of the bestselling “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” and cofounder of TalentSmart EQ, has done it again with his latest book, “Emotional Intelligence Habits.” This book is more than just a guide; it’s a life-enhancing journey into understanding and enhancing emotional intelligence (EQ) through practical, daily habits. With his unparalleled ability to distill…
July 26, 2024
(first posted Dec 16 2020) — Best-selling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, provides a first-hand account of growing up and then escaping a small town in Appalachia where the manufacturing jobs have been disappearing, wages have been stagnant, and opiate addiction has become rampant. The book speaks to the anger and frustration of the “forgotten” white working…
