Books like John Paul II — picked by fans

I am a cradle Catholic raised in Ireland, Italy, and the UK. I have always had a troubled relationship with the church’s obsession with power and sexuality. As a professional historian at the University of Kent, I decided to investigate the Roman Church's political role during the twentieth century. Unlike my previous work, I have now had to consider a time in which I was partly alive and analyse events I lived through. As a liberal Catholic, I cannot claim complete objectivity, but these books and my own research proved to me that a better and more vibrant church that follows the spirit of the Second Vatican Council is not merely possible but necessary. 

I am a cradle Catholic raised in Ireland, Italy, and the UK. I have always had a troubled relationship with the church’s obsession with power and sexuality. As a professional historian at the University of Kent, I decided to investigate the Roman Church's political role during the twentieth century. Unlike my previous work, I have now had to consider a time in which I was partly alive and analyse events I lived through. As a liberal Catholic, I cannot claim complete objectivity, but these books and my own research proved to me that a better and more vibrant church that follows the spirit of the Second Vatican Council is not merely possible but necessary. 

I am a cradle Catholic raised in Ireland, Italy, and the UK. I have always had a troubled relationship with the church’s obsession with power and sexuality. As a professional historian at the University of Kent, I decided to investigate the Roman Church's political role during the twentieth century. Unlike my previous work, I have now had to consider a time in which I was partly alive and analyse events I lived through. As a liberal Catholic, I cannot claim complete objectivity, but these books and my own research proved to me that a better and more vibrant church that follows the spirit of the Second Vatican Council is not merely possible but necessary. 

I am a cradle Catholic raised in Ireland, Italy, and the UK. I have always had a troubled relationship with the church’s obsession with power and sexuality. As a professional historian at the University of Kent, I decided to investigate the Roman Church's political role during the twentieth century. Unlike my previous work, I have now had to consider a time in which I was partly alive and analyse events I lived through. As a liberal Catholic, I cannot claim complete objectivity, but these books and my own research proved to me that a better and more vibrant church that follows the spirit of the Second Vatican Council is not merely possible but necessary. 

Scott L. Smith, Jr. is a Catholic author, attorney, and theologian. He is the author of Pray the Rosary with Saint John Paul II, the St. Joseph Consecration for Children and Families, along with Fr. Donald Calloway, a new translation of St. Louis de Montfort's Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary. He contributes regularly to his blog, The Scott Smith Blog, and is the co-host of the Catholic Nerds podcast.

I moved to the University of Notre Dame in 1997 because I fell in love with its distinctive vision, including its core mission as a Catholic university. A year later I became dean. When during interviews I asked prospective faculty members how they might contribute to the distinctive mission of Notre Dame, broadly understood, I realized that they did not really understand what a Catholic university was, so I gave them my own understanding of Notre Dame and of the idea of a Catholic university. Eventually, I turned my oral answer into a short book, which articulates that vision in ways that should inspire anyone, whether they are Catholic or not. 

I’m a professor in international politics, having written widely on ethical issues in international politics. Much of my previous work has considered the ethical questions that arise when there is a relatively stable, liberal international order, dominated by liberal democracies. But I’m increasingly concerned that, as the global order changes, many of our previous ethical understandings appear anachronistic, with fewer resources to deal with issues, more challenges, and fewer actors willing to act. I’m now trying to better understand what are the implications of rising global authoritarianism and geopolitical shifts mean for states’ global responsibilities and what this means for remaining liberal actors.

I love Catholic historical romance novels for what they do and don’t include. They feature history, multiple characters, community and faith that together set a rich stage for love stories. The novels don’t include graphic violence or sex scenes. A former journalist, I started writing in the genre because I couldn’t find what I wanted to read. I’m both traditionally and indie published. I’m a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, as are the authors whose books are listed here. Family and community play important roles in my books. They show how a couple is never an isolated pair but always part of a multilayered world. Just like real life.

I moved to the University of Notre Dame in 1997 because I fell in love with its distinctive vision, including its core mission as a Catholic university. A year later I became dean. When during interviews I asked prospective faculty members how they might contribute to the distinctive mission of Notre Dame, broadly understood, I realized that they did not really understand what a Catholic university was, so I gave them my own understanding of Notre Dame and of the idea of a Catholic university. Eventually, I turned my oral answer into a short book, which articulates that vision in ways that should inspire anyone, whether they are Catholic or not. 

I was a teenager in the 80s (with the big-hair pictures to prove it) and a chain-smoking, bar-hopping, flannel-clad twenty-something in the 90s. I remember everything about those days. Because my brain is basically a pop culture museum, most of my books are nostalgic, geared toward Gen X, and heavily influenced by the John Hughes films from my youth. My novels are always written with humor, heart, and heat… and more than a little sarcasm. Then again, I’m a lifelong Jersey girl, so that might go without saying. I love reading stories with fun, gorgeous heroes and smart, vibrant heroines… so that’s what I write.