Books are a Bridge

At the beginning of this Ave Explores series, Pope Leo told the Vatican Publishing House that books are bridges of encounter. By the series' end, he told writers that books help us more deeply explore what it means to be human.

In this concluding episode, Katie reflects on how reading has shaped her own life and faith, and why great literature has the power to transform us. She also shares a curated list of the books recommended by each of the guests, offering listeners a reading guide to continue the conversation long after the series ends.

Three Takeaways:

• Books act as relational tools that open a direct line of communication to the hearts and minds of others.
• Reading allows us to cross boundaries and fully immerse our imagination in unfamiliar worlds.
• Great literature confronts us with truth, disrupts our comfort zones, and forces us to reconsider the world around us.

From the Vatican:

• May 7, 2026 Address of Pope Leo XIV to Members of the Editorial Offices of the Vatican Publishing House
• June 24, 2026 Address of Pope Leo XIV to the Vatican Publishing House

Download the recommended reading list here.

Books from Ave Authors

Andrew Swafford:

• Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism with C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity
• Next Stop: The Afterlife: Unveiling the Truth of Heaven and Hell with C. S. Lewis's The Great Divorce
• Wiser Than Serpents: Unveiling the Truth of Sin and Sanctity with C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters

Kaitlyn Facista:

• Into the Heart of Middle-earth: Exploring Faith and Fellowship in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

Haley Stewart:

• The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture
• Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be

Claire Swinarski:

• Girl, Arise!: A Catholic Feminist's Invitation to Live Boldly, Love Your Faith, and Change the World
• In Full Bloom: Finding the Grace and Grit to Thrive Wherever You're Planted

Marcie Stokman and Colleen Hutt:

• The Well-Read Life: Nourish Your Soul through Deep Reading and Intentional Friendship

Katie McGrady:

• Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus
• Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens
• Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens
• First Reconciliation and Beyond: A Family’s Guide for Learning and Living Forgiveness
• First Communion and Beyond: A Family’s Guide to Eucharistic Joy

Katie Prejean McGrady is host of the Ave Explores podcast, the Like a Mother podcast on Hallow, and The Katie McGrady Show on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel.