The 10 Best Books to Read for Easter: Selections to Inspire, Educate, & Provoke: Excerpts from new and classic titles by bestselling authors in the field, with an Introduction by James Martin, SJ.

by James Martin, C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright

With an Introduction by New York Times bestselling author James Martin, SJ, HarperOne presents The 10 Best Books to Read for Easter. This free sampler is a curated volume of excerpts from new and classic titles from leading authors in the field, including C. S. Lewis, N. T. Wright, Desmond Tutu, Ann Patchett, Candida Moss, John Dominic Crossan, Father Jonathan Morris, and Thomas H. Groome.

The 10 Best Books to Read for Selections to Inspire, Educate, and Provoke

An Introduction from James Martin, SJ

And excerpts

Together on Retreat by James Martin, SJMere Christianity by C. S. LewisSimply Jesus by N. T. WrightMade for Goodness by Desmond Tutu and Mpho TutuNot Less Than Everything by Catherine Wolff (Editor)The Worthless Servant by Ann PatchettThe Myth of Persecution by Candida MossThe Greatest Prayer by John Dominic CrossanGod Wants You Happy by Father Jonathan MorrisWill There Be Faith? by Thomas H. GroomeThe Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin, SJ

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Ebooks, Theology

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2013

About the author

James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).

During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.

He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Reviews

[Alxandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obtained this book free on my Kindle. I didn't expect much of the book because it was obvious advertising for other books, but it was great.

The title states that it is the 10 best books to read for Easter : Selections to inspire educate and provoke. Obviously, it's a bit of an exageration to state that these are the 10 "best" books, but the selections were very appropriate for the Easter season, and there was a great variety in the types of books. So, the book succeeds very well as a reader during the Easter season.

There is a Catholic focus, but the book will appeal to non-Catholics, too. (Disclaimer: I'm not Catholic.)

And, the book was a successful advertising, too. I'm actually going to read at least one of the books that was excerpted.

[Stan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is little more than advertising. You get one chapter from 10 different books. The title says the books relate to Easter. A couple, or three, of the chapters reference things related to Easter, but the other chapters contain no such connections. Perhaps the books from which those chapters were taken do relate to Easter - it just was not evident from the chapter selected.

I cannot say that I am better for having read these selections. The chapter by Desmond Tutu was interesting from an historical perspective. The chapter by N.T. Wright was sufficient for me to learn that I don't care for his writing style. The other selections are barely memorable for any reason at all.

In short, it was a freebie that caught my attention but didn't deliver what it seemed to promise - glimpses of "The 10 Best Books to Read for Easter".

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little sampler, although "best" is stretching the point. A good variety of selections appropriate to the season. But, aside from the two Martin books, which I already owned, I wasn't tempted by any of the others.

[Alvin]

Great excerpts made me want to read some of the original works esp the educational one.

[Keith Beasley-Topliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of sample chapters from CSLewis, John Dominic Crossan, Jim Martin (who is also the editor) and others, all on living in Christ or in the light of his resurrection. Started in Lent last year, hoping to be done by Easter (and failed). Picked it up again for this Lent and finished. Glad I came back to it. This may be e-book only. Each chapter ends with a link to buy the full book.

[Glenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every selection in this book was an inspiring and meaningful read. The selections led me to new paths for continued reading ......not only to the complete books but to references made in the selections.

[Bryanna Plog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of essays (chapters from different books)on various parts and schools of thought of Christianity. Not all specifically surrounding Easter, but a good intro to different authors and ideas, even if you're not planning buying any of the books themselves.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The selections were really varied. I found 2 or 3 books I want to read now based on the selections in the book. A few of the chapters didn't really interest me, and I skipped those. I hope they do more free books like this. I loved it for some new reading suggestions.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some great sections... and some not so great sections as well. that is what happens when you get a sampler book.