As I’ve begun my journey as a novice oblate living by the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict, a number of books have offered insight and inspiration. Here’s a list of titles, ordered by the authors’ last names, then by title.

• The Prayers & Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica. Raymond Arroyo, ed. Doubleday, New York, N.Y., 2010. ISBN 978-0-307-58825-8.
• The Rule of St. Benedict in English. Timothy Fry, O.S.B., ed. The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 1982. ISBN 0-8146-1272-5.
• A Good Life: Benedict’s Guide to Everyday Joy. Robert Benson. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2004. ISBN 978-1-55725-356-9.
• That We May Perfectly Love Thee: Preparing Our Hearts for the Eucharist. Robert Benson. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2002. ISBN 1-55725-300-5.
• The Faces of Jesus: A Life Story. Frederick Buechner. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2005. ISBN 1-55725-455-9.
• Strangers to the City: Reflections on the Beliefs and Values of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Michael Casey. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2005. ISBN 1-55725-460-5.
• Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict. Esther de Waal. The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 2001. ISBN 978-0-8146-1388-7.
• The Oblate Life. Gervase Holdaway, OSB, ed. The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 2008. ISBN 978-0-8146-3176-8.
• The Intentional Life: The Making of a Spiritual Vocation. Basil Hume. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2003. ISBN 1-55725-326-9.
• The Complete Julian of Norwich. Fr. John-Julian, OJN, ed. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2009. 978-1-55725-639-3.
• Bread in the Wilderness. Thomas Merton. The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn., 1986. ISBN 0-8006-1912-9.
• Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life. Kathleen Norris. Riverhead Books, New York, N.Y., 2008. ISBN 978-1-59448-996-9.
• The Cloister Walk. Kathleen Norris. Riverhead Books, New York, N.Y., 1996. ISBN 1-57322-028-0.
• The Wounded Healer. Henri J.M. Nouwen. Image Books, New York, N.Y., 1972. ISBN 0-385-14803-8.
• Benedict’s Way. Lonni Collins Pratt and Father Daniel Homan, OSB. Loyola Press, Chicago, Ill., 2000. 0-8294-1376-6.
• Oblation: Meditations on St. Benedict’s Rule. Rachel M. Srubas. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2006. ISBN 1-55725-488-5.
• How to be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job. Brother Benet Tvedten. Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass., 2006. ISBN 978-1-55725-449-8.
• Mysticism. Evelyn Underhill. Digireads.com Publishing, Stilwell, Kan., 2005. ISBN 1-4209-2501-6.
• The Spiritual Life. Evelyn Underhill. Ariel Press, Marble Hill, Ga., 2000. ISBN 0-89804-165-1.
• Desiring Life: Benedict on Wisdom and the Good Life. Norvene Vest. Cowley Publications, New York, N.Y., 2000. ISBN 978-1-56101-182-7.