Looking to go bankrupt in 2014 because of Amazon purchases? Have I got the link for you. The Catholic World Report asked 39 people — poets, writers, bloggers, editors and more — for a list of the best books they read in 2013. As readers know, I love books, and I love lists of great books. At CWR, you will see suggestions from a diverse group of thinkers, including Dana Gioia and Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.

Of the books I read this year, the best for me was Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. It was the first book, in many years, that kept me up well into the early hours of the morning. I also enjoyed Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, which compellingly describes not only Jobs — a fascinating, difficult visionary — but also the rise of Apple. 

Related Posts:

“Spiritual Nourishment — Readers Respond.”

“The Best Books of 2013”

Matt Emerson's essays have appeared in a number of publications, including America, Commonweal, and the Wall Street Journal. The Catholic Press Association named his September 2012 essay "Help Their Unbelief," published in America, as the "best essay" in the category of national general interest magazine for 2012. He is the author of the book Why Faith? A Journey of Discovery (Paulist Press 2016).Articles:Fruitful Searching (Jan. 5-12, 2015)Preambles for Faith (May 13, 2013)Help Their Unbelief (Sept. 10, 2012)Posts at The Ignatian Educator