--- title: 4 Conversion Stories for Your Summer Reading List and a Bonus description: From memoir to fiction, Lindsay Schlegel shares her favorite conversion stories to inspire growth in your faith this summer. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/05/23/4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus#) # 4 Conversion Stories for Your Summer Reading List and a Bonus May 23, 2017 2:30:37 PM  |  by [Lindsay Schlegel](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lindsay-schlegel) [!["4 conversion stories for your summer reading list" by Lindsay Schlegel (CatholicMom.com)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/4-Conversion-Stories-for-Your-Summer-Reading-List.jpg?width=720&height=340&name=4-Conversion-Stories-for-Your-Summer-Reading-List.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/4-Conversion-Stories-for-Your-Summer-Reading-List.jpg) Created by the author in Canva using Canva stock image. I love reading about other people’s conversions. I’m always interested in what aspect of the Faith drew someone from life as he or she knew it to life within the Church. I share my favorites here with the hope that you’ll find something to love and that notes in the comments will lead me to my next inspiring read! ### [***The Case for Christ*** by Lee Strobel](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0310345863/catholicmom) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/case-for-christ.jpg?width=195&height=300&name=case-for-christ.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/case-for-christ.jpg)I was so excited to win a copy of this from a giveaway here on [CatholicMom.com](http://catholicmom.com/2017/04/07/case-christ-win-book-check-movie/)! I have seen the trailer for the movie, and expected a personal narrative. When I opened the book, though, I found a series of interviews presenting popular skeptics’ arguments to super-qualified experts in history, archaeology, psychology, and medicine. I had no idea of the academic scholarship behind most of these issues, and was wowed by the evidence presented. Did you know it’s physically possible to sweat blood? That line isn’t meant to be read just figuratively, like I’d thought! Faith doesn’t come from the intellect alone, but reason is part of our existence and how we were made. This book makes clear it is not to be ignored.   ### [***Mere Christianity*** by C.S. Lewis](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B002BD2UR0/catholicmom) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/mere-christianity.jpg?width=199&height=300&name=mere-christianity.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/mere-christianity.jpg)After seeing [a play about C.S. Lewis’s conversion](http://catholicmom.com/2017/03/28/youre-going-want-see-c-s-lewis-onstage-reluctant-convert/) to Christianity, I was hungry for more about this literary phenomenon’s life. I’d been hesitant to read this book for years, thinking it would be some dense theological treatise I wouldn’t be able to wrap my head around in the pockets of time I get to read. Wrong! The book is a collection of radio talks Lewis was asked to give during World War II, when many British folks were struggling to find meaning in the state of their lives. I love that he starts at the very beginning—what makes sense, based on how we exist?—in order to draw a conclusion honestly and gracefully.   ### [***Something Other Than God*** by Jennifer Fulwiler](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B01N8XSGCC/catholicmom) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-somethingotherthangod.jpg?width=200&height=300&name=cover-somethingotherthangod.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cover-somethingotherthangod.jpg)If you’ve ever read Fulwiler’s blog or listened to her show on SiriusXM, you know that she’s smart, funny, honest, and inspiring. This story of her conversion as an adult touches on a lot of common misperceptions in our culture about what’s important in life from work to family to personal fulfillment. It’s well written and engaging—and checking in to her blog or show when you’re done is like having a perpetual sequel!     ### [***Brideshead Revisited*** by Evelyn Waugh](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B008745B32/catholicmom) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/brideshead-revisited.jpg?width=193&height=300&name=brideshead-revisited.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/brideshead-revisited.jpg)The good news is my husband, John, just read this and enjoyed it. The bad news is that I read it three years ago and am foggy on some of the details. Still, I’ve enjoyed asking John each evening over the last two weeks or so what just happened and what he thought of it. We’ve had a kind of dinner table book club, and I love that the kids are hearing us get excited about good literature together. John doesn’t read a lot of fiction, so when he does, I jump on board. I noticed he left our copy on the counter. I think that’s a hint that it’s time for me to reread . . .   ### [***Getting Past Perfect*** by Kate Wicker](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B01N10Z4NB/catholicmom) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Getting-Past-Perfect-625-1.jpg?width=194&height=300&name=Getting-Past-Perfect-625-1.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Getting-Past-Perfect-625-1.jpg)This is not exactly a conversion story, but it’s the last great thing I read, and I couldn’t resist. The elements of a good conversion story are there: the realities of what the world presents as truth and the coming around to Truth with a capital T in the midst of life. It’s not about coming to faith as much as it is about deepening faith. We are called to conversion every day, every moment. I love this book for its honesty, humor, and humility. Add it to your list and visit [CatholicMom.com's *Getting Past Perfect* book club](http://catholicmom.com/getting-past-perfect-book-club/)! [tweet "#summerreading for #Catholic grownups: 5 suggestions from @lindsayschlegel"] ***What are you reading this summer?*** [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png?width=702&height=336&name=Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336-235.png) **Buy these books through our Amazon links and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase!** **Be sure to check out [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).** *Copyright 2017 Lindsay Schlegel* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2F4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2F4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2F4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=4%20Conversion%20Stories%20for%20Your%20Summer%20Reading%20List%20and%20a%20Bonus) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2F4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2F4-conversion-stories-summer-reading-list-bonus%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lindsay Schlegel](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lindsay%20Schlegel.jpg) ### [Lindsay Schlegel](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lindsay-schlegel) Lindsay Schlegel is a daughter of God, wife, mom, editor, and speaker. She’s the author of *Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God* and host of the podcast *Quote Me with Lindsay Schlegel. Lindsay seeks to encourage, inspire, and lift others up to be all they were created to be. Connect with Lindsay at her website, LindsaySchlegel.com.* [**](https://www.facebook.com/LindsaySchlegelAuthor/) ## Related Blog Articles [ A Heavy Dose of Hope: "Awful Beautiful Life" by Becky Powell and Katherine Reay Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2020/04/28/a-heavy-dose-of-hope-awful-beautiful-life-by-becky-powell-and-katherine-reay/) [ A Beautiful New Way to See Our Lady of Fatima Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/06/26/a-beautiful-new-way-to-see-our-lady-of-fatima/) [ Don’t Forget to Say Thank You Virtual Book Club Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2020/05/01/dont-forget-to-say-thank-you-virtual-book-club/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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