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Please note that many of these books are also available in electronic format.

A Catholic Study Bible:
If you have been using the Ignatius Study Bible Old Testament Series or Navarre Series, see the Year D book list for which volumes to purchase for Year D.

Reflections on the Psalms, by C. S. Lewis.  ISBN 9780062565488.
While not Catholic, Lewis is known for being a great defender of the Christian faith and is a favorite of many CBSM students.  His mid-20th century British English is challenging for some people, but if you like Lewis or have always wanted to read him, this is a great opportunity to do so as he ruminates on his experiences praying and studying the Psalms.  150 pages.
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Answering God: The Psalms As Tools For Prayer, by Eugene Peterson.  ISBN 9780060665128.
If you enjoyed Run with the Horses by Peterson in Year C, you will enjoy this book as well.  His writing style does not follow a clear outline, which some people find challenging to read.  Yet, he packs meaning into his meditations. He is a Presbyterian pastor and Scripture scholar who has a gift for making the text engaging for our lives today.  140 pages.
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Becoming the Psalms: A Spirituality of Singing and Praying the Psalms, by Kathleen Harmon.  ISBN 9780814648599.
Dr. Harmon is known for her academic studies and publications on Catholic liturgy and music in Catholic worship.  In this book, she shares her insights to the role of the Psalms in Biblical times and for us today. Her writing style reflects her extensive professional background in liturgical theology, yet she includes a strong personal application for those of us who sing the Psalms at Mass.  93 pages.

The Gospel of John, by Francis Martin and William M. Wright IV in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series.  ISBN 9780801036477.
This duo of authors provides us with a book that is concise yet filled with helpful information for reading John from a Catholic perspective.  Typical of the other books in this series, this one has extensive CCC references, looks at each verse, and includes application and reflection at the end of most sections.  It includes the NABRE translation of John. 368 pages.
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John, by Rodney A. Whitacre, in the IVP New Testament Commentary Series.  ISBN 9780830840045.
This is a 500-page in-depth study of John’s Gospel.  While Whitacre is not Catholic, he does not dismiss the Catholic interpretation of John as some Protestant scholars do.  We like this book because Whitacre focuses on cultural background and key words, breaks the text down into manageable chunks, and writes in an easy-to-follow style.  Through this work, he helps us to dive into the world of the Gospel and to apply the Gospel to our lives today.

Breaking the Code, by Bruce M. Metzger.  ISBN 9780687492008.
Metzger offers an engaging overview of Revelation.  He does not address every verse, but he hits the key points and themes of each major section of the book.  CBSM students have found this book to be a great guide for working through Revelation without getting lost in details.  110 pages.
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Revelation, by Peter Williamson in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series.  ISBN 9780801036507.
Similar to the other books in this series, this one works through the entire text of Revelation by looking at what it says, what it meant at the time it was written in terms of cultural background and language, and what it means for us today.  Rather than taking one view of how to interpret Revelation, Williamson integrates the various methods of interpretation while keeping with Catholic theology. For those who want a more in-depth study of Revelation, this will be a great resource at just under 400 pages.

Many of our reading assignments in the Old Testament are lengthy (10-20 chapters per week), so consider your schedule and interests as you discern whether to purchase optional books.

Carmelite priest Fr. Murphy provides an introduction to the Psalms that reveals his interest in studying the text.  In the first half of this book, he begins by reminding us of the impact of translations, looks at key interpretive concerns, and then moves into major theological themes of the Psalter.  In the second half, he provides a useful half-page commentary for each of the Psalms. (Note: we read the psalms in four weeks.)
ISBN 9781565634749

If you want a guide to the Psalms that isn’t as detailed as Fr. Murphy’s above, Dr. Bergsma’s introductory text may be for you! This easy-to-read book is filled with Dr. Bergsma’s popular stick figure drawings, charts, and simple explanations. The first half of the book has overview information, and the second half unpacks each of the five books within the Books of Psalms.  (Note: We read the Psalms in four weeks.)
ISBN 9781594717932

Kreeft is a popular Catholic apologist and philosophy professor.  In this book, he analyses the messages of Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs. This is not a reflection or interpretation so much as a philosophical study of the books and their authors. While a short 140 pages, some of Kreeft’s points take time to think through. Students who stick with the reading tend to appreciate the insights shared within.  (Note: We read Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Songs in four weeks.)  ISBN 9780898702620

Fr. Murphy takes us on a tour of Wisdom Literature excluding Song of Songs.  This is an introductory level textbook, so it focuses more on language and theology than on application.  At the same time, Fr. Murphy’s love for the material shines through his writing. The 2nd edition includes 2 supplements that add further insights from scholarship and his own teaching for each of the previous chapters.  300 pages.
ISBN 9780802839657

Although your studies with CBSM are almost completed, you may find one of these two books a useful reference tool to have as you study the Bible more in the future.

Professors Pitre and Bergsma are known for their easy-to-read books on the Bible. Now they team up to present this academic introduction to the Old Testament. This is not a verse-by-verse commentary, but it does serve as an excellent reference guide.  For each book of Old Testament, the authors provide a synopsis of the content, an explanation of theological themes, a look at historical issues addressed in recent Scripture scholarship, and how the book is used in the Lectionary.   This is a great resource for people who have the time and interest in more in-depth reading. ISBN 978-1586177225.

Beloved Catholic apologist, philosopher, and theologian Dr. Kreeft helps us face the Bible without fear in this easy-to-read guide. This does not go in-depth, but, in approximately six pages for each book, you will get highlights of plots, theology, and purpose. ISBN 9781586170455