As our own cultural moment in the United States has included some prominent conversions to Catholicism, what might we learn from some of the more prominent converts in British Catholic history?

D. J. Waldie's strikingly beautiful book in 1996 about what it was like to grow up in Lakewood, Calif., "Holy Land," is one of many writings by this chronicler of Los Angeles's past and future.

In several chapters of his new book "Hope: The Autobiography," Pope Francis directly addresses readers, looking back on his pontificate and urging all to keep the hope.

David Lodge's novels—as well as his many works of nonfiction—made him an important figure in 20th-century British literature. He also captured well the angst of many lay Catholics in the aftermath of Vatican II.

As a young Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown," Timothee Chalamet captures some of the iconic singer's enigmatic yet magnetic personality.

Oscar Hijuelos's 'Mr. Ives' Christmas' doesn't start out as a cheery story—but in the end, this parable of good will lost and good will regained is a perfect Christmas tale.