--- title: "Faith through Fiction: Finding Purpose" description: Catholic Teen Books hosts author Leslea Wahl (The Perfect Blindside) to discuss the theme of finding purpose. --- [![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/2019/05/16/faith-through-fiction-finding-purpose/#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Faith through Fiction: Finding Purpose May 16, 2019 6:30:55 PM  |  by [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) ![](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Faith-through-fiction.jpg) Courtesy of CatholicTeenBooks.com. Background image credit: [Pixabay.com](https://pixabay.com/photo-2929646/) (2017), CCO/PD. All rights reserved.[/caption] Do you struggle to find reading material for your tweens, teens, and young adults that is both entertaining and edifying? Something that’s fun to read but isn’t filling their minds and hearts with toxic values, explicit sex, or dark/occult themes? If you do, then the authors at Catholic Teen Books are a lot like you! These award-winning fiction authors are mothers, teachers, homeschoolers, and more - all seeking to provide young Catholics with engaging but wholesome novels. They write stories that mirror the struggles today’s teens face through a variety of genres that appeal to both young men and women. **Why fiction?** *Don’t underestimate the power of a story. *A well-written story takes us into characters’ lives and lets us live through them for a while. Faith-filled fiction can entertain and take us on an exciting journey, but more importantly, it can change lives. Strengthen our resolve. Help us grow in virtue. And bring us closer to God. In the monthly video series *Faith Through Fiction*, Catholic Teen Books authors T.M. Gaouette (*The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch*) and Leslea Wahl (*The Perfect Blindside*) discuss a topic relevant to today’s teens then share insights from a special guest author. They also share reading recommendations based on those themes. For more information on Catholic Teen Books and other reading recommendations, visit [CatholicTeenBooks.com](http://www.catholicteenbooks.com). In this month’s episode, Catholic Teen Books hosts author Leslea Wahl (*The Perfect Blindside)* to discuss this month’s theme of finding purpose. The featured book is *An Unexpected Role, *a mystery/adventure set on a South Carolina island where 16-year-old Josie spends the summer trying to forget her trashed reputation back home. https://youtu.be/pz-LIEPjF6Y Previous episodes of *Faith Through Fiction* are [available online](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK3FLolcsjSW1eHsZU6WUAAJYurHwrUZO). Topics featured in prior months include making friends, bullying, putting God first, and sacrifice. For more information on Catholic Teen Books and other reading recommendations, visit [http://www.catholicteenbooks.com](http://www.catholicteenbooks.com). ### Books mentioned in this episode: - [*I Am Margaret*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910806064/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1910806064&linkId=0dc05eb9e1507898b08eed223c72ff79) by Corinna Turner - [*8 Notes to a Nobody*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1938092481/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1938092481&linkId=24324467f14e10ee3fd97cb270c65791) by Cynthia T. Toney - [*Fight for Liberty*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0996816887/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0996816887&linkId=1a37dad743f9a0b31f2b29b6281a8b63) by Theresa Linden - [*Treachery and Truth*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/081987535X/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=081987535X&linkId=f3c741e84b74c837187a9236c20e7f59) by Katy Huth Jones - [*Saving Mount Rushmore*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1947327194/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1947327194&linkId=22b33ed647f2b6fc641aa46f2083dfde) by Andrea Jo Rodgers - [*Freeing Tanner Rose*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1494305062/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=carolynastf02-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1494305062&linkId=29ad65f791e3e053206dadccf3c19059) by T.M. Gaouette --- *Copyright 2019 Carolyn Astfalk for Catholic Teen Books This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author. * ### 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%2F2019%2F05%2F16%2Ffaith-through-fiction-finding-purpose%2F%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%2F2019%2F05%2F16%2Ffaith-through-fiction-finding-purpose%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F05%2F16%2Ffaith-through-fiction-finding-purpose%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Faith%20through%20Fiction%3A%20Finding%20Purpose) [![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%2F2019%2F05%2F16%2Ffaith-through-fiction-finding-purpose%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F05%2F16%2Ffaith-through-fiction-finding-purpose%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/CAROLYN%20ASTFALK.jpeg) ### [Carolyn Astfalk](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/carolyn-astfalk) Carolyn Astfalk is a wife, mother of four young children, and a writer. Her contemporary Catholic romances are available at Amazon.com. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, a Catholic Teen Books author, and blogs at My Scribbler’s Heart. Visit [CarolynAstfalk.com](http://www.carolynastfalk.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Faith Through Fiction: Katy Huth Jones Discusses Courage Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/08/15/faith-through-fiction-katy-huth-jones-discusses-courage/) [ "Faith Through Fiction" Christmas Special Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/12/19/faith-through-fiction-christmas-special/) [ Faith Through Fiction: Summer Special Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/07/18/faith-through-fiction-summer-special/) ## 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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