You can visit the Books page to see the books I’ve written — hopefully one or two will interest you enough for you to add them to your library. But there are so many other wonderful books I’d like to recommend to you, aside from my own handiwork. This page — which will evolve slowly over the months to come — is where I’ll list such books for your consideration. Happy reading!

Let me start by highlighting two books on a favorite subject of mine: Christian mysticism. Both are by respected scholars, and both provide an informed yet accessible introduction to the riches of the mystical tradition throughout Christian history, spanning two thousand years from the New Testament era to the present day.

Bernard McGinn’s The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism provides a rich anthology of some of the best writings by the great mystics, arranged topically rather than chronologically — so reading this book functions almost like a textbook in mysticism useful for anyone aspiring to the contemplative life. McGinn provides thoughtful and helpful introductions to each piece of writing included here, so you not only get introduced to the wisdom of the great mystics, but you get useful background information to help you understand how each mystic (and his or her writing) fits into the larger picture of Christian spirituality.

Harvey D. Egan’s Soundings in the Christian Mystical Tradition is basically a “Who’s Who” of Christian mysticism. Brief but informative biographies of each mystic, from the Bible down to Mother Teresa, helps to make the many and varied mystics, visionaries and contemplatives of church history come alive. Even though he only gives most of the mystics featured here four pages or so, in that relatively short space he offers a brief biography, an overview of their key writings, and insight into how each mystic remains relevant to us here in the third millennium. This book works equally well as a person-by-person narrative of the history of Christian mysticism, or as a handy reference work you can consult to learn more about the mystics of the tradition in a quick but informed way.

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Want some more recommended books? Visit my Amazon store. Or, for an even longer booklist, check out the Books of Unknowing Reading List.