Books Received

The following works have been sent to Homiletic and Pastoral Review for review. If you have expertise and are interested in receiving one of these books for review, please send the Book Review Editor, Christopher Siuzdak, an email (hprbooks@ignatius.com) with your credentials and mailing address. We try to keep reviews around 750 words and receiving your review within three months of receiving the book will keep us on schedule.

Submitted reviews must be the reviewer’s original synthesis and critique. Reviews generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools are not accepted.

Publishers interested in supplying a review copy can obtain the mailing address by writing to the Book Review Editor at hprbooks@ignatius.com. Self-published works are not reviewed.

Reviewers should consult the HPR Book Review Style Sheet.

  • Barron, Robert, Scott W. Hahn, and James R.A. Merrick, eds. Engaging Catholic Doctrine: Essays in Honor of Matthew Levering (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Academic, 2023) 523 pages.
  • Beutner, Dawn Marie. The Leaven of the Saints: Bringing Christ into a Fallen World (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2023) 328 pages.
  • Burke-Sivers, Harold. Building a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to Racism (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2023) 252 pages.
  • Carty, Austin. Some of the Words are Theirs: The Art of Writing and Living a Sermon (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2025) 135 pages.
  • Congar, OP, Yves. The Spirit of God: Short Writings on the Holy Spirit (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2018) 297 pages.
  • Courtois, Gaston. When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart: Daily Devotions (Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 2023) 399 pages.
  • Croell, OP, Benedict and Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP. A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life (Valdosta, GA: Vianney Vocations, 2019) 277 pages.
  • Daniels, Matthew and Roxanne King. Catholic Heroes of Civil and Human Rights: 1800s to the Present (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 207 pages.
  • Etheredge, Francis. An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems (St. Louis, MO: En Route Books, 2023), 150 pages.
  • Etheredge, Francis. Human Nature: Moral Norm (St. Louis, MO: En Route Books, 2023), 509 pages.
  • Etheredge, Francis. Lord, Do You Mean Me? A Father-Cathechist! (St. Louis, MO: En Route Books, 2023), 239 pages.
  • Etheredge, Francis. The Word in Your Heart: Mary, Youth, and Mental Health (St. Louis, MO: En Route Books, 2024) 279 pages.
  • Favale, Abigail. Into the Deep: An Unlikely Catholic Conversion (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 272 pages.
  • Goldman, Alex. Making Disciples: Catechesis in History, Theory, and Practice (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2025) 191 pages.
  • Forrest, Benjamin, Joshua Chatraw and Alister McGrath. eds. The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020) 848 pages.
  • Pope Francis. The Complete Encyclicals, Bulls, and Apostolic Exhortations, vol. II (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2021) 401 pages.
  • Garrido, Ann M. Let’s Talk About Truth: A Guide for Preachers, Teachers, and Other Catholic Leaders in a World of Doubt and Discord (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2020) 179 pages.
  • Granados, José, Stephan Kampowski and Juan José Pérez-Soba, eds. Accompanying, Discerning, Integrating: A Handbook for the Pastoral Care of the Family According to Amoris Laetitia (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Publishing, 2017) 122 pages.
  • Haggerty, Donald. The Hour of Testing: Spiritual Depth and Insight in a Time of Ecclesial Uncertainty (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 342 pages.
  • H.H. Hardy, Exegetical Journeys in Biblical Hebrew: 90 Days of Guided Readings (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025) 302 pages.
  • Hardy, H.H. and M. Daniel Carroll R., eds., The State of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2024) 512 pages.
  • Hermes, Kathryn J., FSP, Finding God in Times of Depression: Just A Minute Meditations (Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 2024) 80 pages.
  • Hildebrand, Alice Von. Remnant of Paradise: Selected Essays (Steubenville, OH: Hildebrand Press, 2023) 173 pages.
  • Hill, Mary Lea. Growing in Virtue One Vice at a Time (Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 2024) 214 pages.
  • Honeycutt, Frank G. Miracles for Skeptics: Encountering the Paranormal Ministry of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2024) 217 pages.
  • Hong, Elisabeth Nguyen Thi Thu and Stefaan Lecleir. Cardinal Nguyễn Van Thuan: Man of Joy and Hope (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2025) 320 pages.
  • Howell, Kenneth J. John Chrysostom: Theologian of the Eucharist (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2024) 354 pages.
  • Hubert, Thierry and Sophie Delay. Lourdes: Healing and Rebirth (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2023) 248 pages.
  • Hughes, Archbishop Emeritus Alfred (with a Foreword by Bishop Robert Barron). Priests in Love with God: And Eager to Witness to the Gospel (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2021) 172 pages.
  • Johnson, Abby and Tyler Rowley, eds., Life to the Full: True Stories that Reveal the Dignity of Every Human Life (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2023) 178 pages.
  • Johnson, Orin. Incarnate in Word and Song: Exploring Music in Liturgy and Life (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2023) 114 pages.
  • Kim, Matthew D. and Paul A. Hoffman, Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2022) 193 pages.
  • Kubicki, SJ, James. A Year of Daily Offerings: Giving Your Life to God One Day at a Time (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 389 pages.
  • Lahl, Jennifer and Kallie Fell. The Detransition Diaries (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 246 pages.
  • Mahan, Daniel J. A Journey Through the Catechism: Unveiling the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of the Catholic Faith (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2024) 480 pages.
  • Matera, Frank J., Preaching from the Cross: Paul’s Theology of Proclamation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025) 144 pages.
  • McGourty, Michael. Sent Out into the World: A Liturgical Theology for a Parish Community and the New Evangelization–A Reading of The Order of the Dedication of a Church (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024) 293 pages.
  • Nash, Thomas J. To Whom Shall We Go? The Biblical Case for the Catholic Church (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Press, 2024) 161 pages.
  • O’Malley, Timothy P. A Fierce and Tender Love: Seven Meditations on Mary, Mother of God (Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2025) 129 pages.
  • Pinault, David. Providence Blue: A Fantasy Quest (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2021) 448 pages.
  • Schramm, Mike and Philip Koslowski, eds., Unexpectedly Catholic: Seeds of the Gospel Found in 20 Popular Stories (Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Voyage Comics & Publishing, 2025) 182 pages.
  • Schwartz, CFA, George P, with Michael O. Kenney (With a Foreword by Lou Holtz). In God We Trust: Morally Responsible Investing (Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 2018) 266 pages.
  • Shaw, Russell. Turning Points: How Thirteen Remarkable Men and Women Heard God’s Call and Responded to It (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2025) 145 pages.
  • Sikorra, Joe. Defying Gravity: How Choosing Joy Lifted My Family from Death to Life (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2018) 211 pages.
  • Spitzer, Robert. Christ, Science, and Reason: What We Can Know About Jesus, Mary, and Miracles (San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2024) 361 pages.
  • Storms, Sam. Understanding Spiritual Warfare: A Comprehensive Guide (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2021) xiii + 353 pages.
  • Stoutzenberger, Joseph. Mystery and Tradition: Catholicism for Today’s Spiritual Seekers (Meza, AZ: iPub Global Connection, 2023) 349 pages.
  • Valters Painter, Christine. A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness (Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2024) 165 pages.
  • Vaverek, Timothy. As I Have Loved You: Rediscovering Our Salvation in Christ (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road, 2022) 231 pages.
  • Villeneuve, André. Sirach: Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025) 373 pages.
  • Wickenhiser, Mary Mark, ed. Abandonment to Divine Providence (Revised Translation) (Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 2023) 279 pages.