Hope

The most beautiful day? Today.
The biggest hurdle? Fear.
The easiest thing? Being wrong.
The biggest mistake? Giving up.
—Mother Teresa

Here is the only autobiography ever to be published by a sitting pope. Hope was originally intended to come out posthumously, but if you haven't noticed, things are going to hell in a handbasket, so he released it early. If you are feeling anxious about our current state of affairs—and honestly, it would be scary if you weren't—this book is the antidote.

I particularly loved his thoughts on the importance of women and his complete condemnation of the "inhuman barbarity of war." His call to love and serve the poor, with an emphasis on migrants, was very moving.

He takes head-on the evil done to children by certain priests and his commitment to ensuring that no silence or concealment will be tolerated around this abuse.

This book restored my hope in leaders, convincing me that they do exist and that Pope Francis is an incredible gift and example.

P.S. You do not need to be Catholic to read this book!