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.