Reading Plan
As my first post of the new year, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Let us pray that we might all draw closer to Christ and become more saint-like in 2010.
I usually make some type of resolution for the upcoming year, and this year is no different. My main resolution is to get more organized in my reading. I read dozens of books each year, but there is no rhyme or reason to what I read (except when I’m reading something for my Master’s classes). I usually just pick whatever catches my fancy at the time. This year I’ve decided to have a reading plan. I have divided my reading into five categories:
1) Scripture
If this is not included in a reading plan, you are not Christian. I plan on mostly using the Navarre Bible this year in my study of Scripture, as I appreciate its recognition of the Spiritual senses of the text.
2) Theology
Usually my reading is almost exclusively in this category, so it shouldn’t be too hard to keep up with theology reading.
3) Philosophy
This is going to be a challenge. I have basic philosophical training, but I admit that I don’t enjoy reading philosophy books. Any suggestions anyone has for good books in this category will be appreciated.
4) Literature
I recently read a biography of St. Thomas More, and it noted that More believed that good literature was very important in the education of a Christian. I have found this to be true, so I’m going to commit to reading more good literature this year. So far I have Paradise Lost (Milton), The Idiot (Dostoevsky), The First Circle (Solzhenitsyn) and Frankenstein (Shelley) on my list, but any suggestions in this category would be helpful as well.
5) Lives of the Saints
I always tried to include the lives of the Saints in my reading. Since the whole point of everything we do is to become saints, I figure it can’t hurt to see how others did it, right?
I’ll try to remember to update everyone at the end of the year to see if my plan was successful!
Also, if anyone is looking for a suggestion for their 2010 reading list, might I humbly suggest a book coming out this fall from Our Sunday Visitor about Christ as he is presented in the Gospel of Matthew? I’ll be sure to let everyone know when it becomes available. 
When I was first looking into reading philosophy (and I have no formal training in this regard!) Peter Kreeft was recommended.
I”m not sure if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s been good for me so far.
I would like to get into the more classic sort, but that’s where I”m rather lost. I”m not sure I’m up to it…that mental discipline thing…
I’m a philosophy newbie myself; here are some of the things I’ve enjoyed recently.
Peter Kreeft has some neat introductions to various philosophers in his Socrates Meets series.
I’ve enjoyed Edward Feser’s books, especially his introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas.
For a general overview, I’ve begun reading Copleston’s History of Philosophy; so far, I’ve enjoyed it considerably.
I liked Jacques Maritain’s Introduction to Philosophy
What’s your particular goal in studying philosophy?
Will,
Thanks for the recommendations.
I have no great master goal other than a broader understanding of philosophy. I study mostly theology now and of course the better one understands philosophy, the better he can understand theology.
I have taken a few philosophy classes, but I’m terrible at reading philosophy books on my own. So hopefully this year will be different.
This is just a quick couple, i’ll have more for you.
“Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan” by Fr. John Hardon (pray for his cause!)
And for literature, try Dean Koontz, esp. “From the Corner of His Eye”, “One Door Away From Heaven” and the “Odd Thomas” series. Though he is known for the scary suspense, that’s just the hook into a thoroughly Catholic vision of the banality of evil, and the ultimate triumph of Good in all Its transcendent mystery and joy.
Your reading plan is a good and ambitious one. I assume that by the “Navarre Bible” you mean the Navarre Bible commentary. This commentary is currently the best modern comprehensive, Catholic Bible commentary available. If you want a commentary by the Doctors of the Church, then consult Aquinas’ Catena Aurea. There are several English translations available, which you can use if you do not read Latin.
Copleston’s mutli-volume work is still the classic account of the history of philosophy. It serves better, however, as reference work than as a book to read from beginning to end.
Aristotle’s philosophy is the foundation of Catholic philosophy and theology. If your goal is to understand theology better by studying philosophy, then you must read Aristotle’s extant works, specifically the Physics, Metaphysics, and De Anima. Use Hippocrates Apostle’s matchless translations to do so. Each translation includes a glossary and commentary to aid in understanding the text. Begin by reading the Categories and then go on to the works listed above in the order given. Reading Aristotle is difficult and very slow-going, at least at first, but it is well worth the effort.