Pro Life Summer Reading List

 

It is that time of the year where we all go to the beach, the mountains, take a flight to another city, picnic in the middle of nowhere, and going where the roads will lead us.

I have put together a top 10 (plus a few honorable mentions) pro life summer reading list that can help keep promoting and learning from many pro-life heroes of the past while also polishing up on pro-life dialogue and also learning how to defend life form the moment conception until natural death.

1) Persuasive Pro-Life Trent Horn

Published in 2014 and using first hand experience during campus visits, CatholicAnswers.com's own Trent Horn shares first hand some of the dos and don'ts in engaging and challenging pro-choicers' viewpoints.

2) Unplanned Abby Johnson

Once a rising star for Planned Parenthood, Abby Johnson saw firsthand a defenseless life being killed by an ultrasound guided abortion in 2009. She recalled the times she saw volunteers for 40 Days for Life pray in front of her work at Bryan, TX. It would soon lead her to be a pro life advocate and a Catholic convert.

3) Single Candles Brendan Lyons

West Chester, PA native Brendan Lyons writes  a series of narratives form a chain of events that link several characters, all of whom demonstrate compassion and bravery in their commitment to the sanctity of life. In one piece, a senator defies his own political party; in another, a neonatal surgeon is asked to compromise her principles. Although the stories are fictional, the passion that informs the characters’ conviction is very real.

4) Rising with Roses Monique Ruberu

Dr. Monique Ruberu thought she was pro-life until she realized that she was prescribing birth control. Because of the help of many pro-lifers in Philadelphia, she reverted back to her Catholic faith and now promotes Natural Family Planning.

5) A Voice for Victoria: A memoir of healing from post-abortion trauma- Geraldine F Jacobs

A Voice for Victoria shares the author's journey toward understanding how childhood messages and current events played a part in her abortion decision and path to healing from post-abortion trauma through God’s forgiveness.

6) The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Neil Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch thoroughly assesses the strengths and weaknesses of leading contemporary ethical arguments for assisted suicide and euthanasia. He would argue against the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicie while using Netherlands and Oregon as prime examples. 

7) Johnny Got His Gun Dalton Trumbo

This anti-war novel, written in 1938, shares how a WWI solider who wakes up from his hospital bed with no limbs and half destroyed face. After his wishes of showing the country of the horrors of wars, he reflects on the realities and myths of war.

8) All Quiet on the Western Front-  Erich Maria Remarque

A German veteran of WW1 recounts the physical and mental stress while fighting in the war. It also shares  how detach from civilian life they were following the war's end. 

9) Racketeer For Life Joe Scheidler

A former monk recalls his early involvement in the pro-life movement. He has debated media personalities, politicians, abortion workers, and even fought the culture of death at the Supreme Court.

10) Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer- Ann McElhinney

Ann McElhinney details everything that happen inside of Kermit Gosnell's house of horrors in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Even advocates on both sides were horrified at the heinous committed by the most notorious serial killer of the abortion industry.

Honorable mention:

Love Unleashes Life Stephanie Gray

Stephanie offers a fresh approach to abortion dialogue. This time reaching the heart and minds of abortion minded people.

You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir Melissa Ohden

Melissa Ohden shares first hand how she survived a saline abortion attempt. Learning at the age of fourteen, she went on a journey to search for her biological parents. She would soon have a change of heart.

Bernard Nathanson

Aborting America- shares how he changed his views on abortion.

The Hand of God- Dr. Nathanson hared how he found God and began promoting life after performing 61,000 abortions, including his own son.

40 Days for Life- David Bereit

Started as a small group outside of the Planned Parenthood in Bryan, TX, this life-changing endeavor recalls how it has converted workers, changed hearts, and shut the doors of abortion facilities with prayer, love, and fasting.

Humanae Vitae- Pope Paul VI

Written in 1968 and celebrating 50 years, the encyclical Humanae Vitae is an eye-opening read written by Pope Paul VI as he foretells the repercussions of a society that accepts sexual promiscuity, abortion on-demand, and artificial birth control.

Hard list to put together, for sure. However, there are many pro life books to read such as any written by Scott Klusendorf, Ron Paul, Fr. Frank Pavone, Janet Morena, Janet Smithand so many more.