Book Reviews

I've broken these into three categories:

I would love to hear about the books you love & the books that have moulded you! Write to me.

(02) Testimonial / Biographical Books

"Rome Sweet Home" [Scott & Kimberly Hann]

A Book about a Christian Pastor's journey to Catholicism, this book was life changing for me. For one thing, it changed my view on contraceptives - I never understood why the Catholic Church did not allow it and agreed with the Christians on this point, till I read this book.

Most Catholics I know do not bother to find out why the Catholic Church has certain viewpoints on issues. I was one of those Catholics. This book, though not comprehensive, at least whet my appetite for research on NFP. Starting reading the CCC because of this book.

Absolutely worth reading for many other reasons which every person who reads will undoubtedly find. I could not put it down until I finished it & it also had me in tears quite a bit.

And at the end of the day - It's a darn good testimony!!

"Gripped by the Spirit" [Aneel Aranha]

This is the testimony of the author - which covers his journey "from ungodliness to humanness, from atheism to belief in Christ."

Aneel writes candidly, from his heart & this book is sure to touch yours. Besides being a testimony that will edify anyone who reads it, it also offers valuable lessons from 'The School of the Holy Spirit'.

Aneel runs the popular Holy Spirit Interactive and many articles of his are available online there.

"The Spirit of St. Camillus de Lellis " [Mario Vanti]

St. Camillus De Lellis is my birth Saint (14th July) and the founder of the Red Cross Society.

His story is as interesting as most of the other saint lives that I have read. I put this in here mainly to recommend you check out who your birth saint is and read up on him or her (I was quite thrilled to find out the Red Cross Guy was my birth saint). Birth saints also make good gifts for newly renewed Catholics.

I also suggest Ronda De Sola Chervin's 'Treasury of Women Saints', which is a page a day women saint's book.

For my Christian readers, I heartily recommend you read the lives of saints - don't pray to them if you don't want to, but trust me - their lives will not leave you uninspired.

"The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul" [John Beevers, Translator]

I bought this on the advice of Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil (founder of the Potta Ministries) who told me "Read this & you'll become a saint, if not canonized, at least in spirit".

At the end of the masterpiece, however, I came to one conclusion - I will never be a saint! Not one like this precious soul anyway (St. Mary Magdalene is more me).

The book did bring about beautiful insights and made me want to be a better person for Jesus. Truly humbled me.

"Death of a Guru" [Rabi R. Maharaj]

A true story of a Hindu, descended a long line of Brahmin priests & gurus, who was trained as a Yogi and who finally discovered Jesus, the truth. It contains vivid descriptions of his life as a Hindu and as such I found it fascinating. Being in ' Hindustan ' I found it valuable and insightful reading as well as a great testimony to the love of Christ to everyone irrespective of religion.

"I Dared to Call Him Father" [Bilquis Sheikh with Richard H. Schneider]

A Muslim lady in Pakistan's life gets turned around. I remember being told to read this book years ago, but it wasn't until recently that I laid my hands on a copy. It was great. Read it at one go, it was as easy to read as it was interesting. Another testimony about Christ's love for all.