If you’ve been trying to read more these days, then this episode is for you. Our guest is author Nick Ripatrazone, whose latest book is titled “Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction.” In the book, Nick explores how two major strands of Catholic writers--practicing and cultural--intertwine and sustain each other.

Nick talked in-depth with host Mike Jordan Laskey about Nick’s three favorite authors from his book: Flannery O’Connor, Don DeLillo and Toni Morrison. Nick also played book concierge, suggesting seven books for seven different quarantine moods.

If the conversation makes you want to talk literature with Mr. Ripatrazone himself, you’re in luck. Nick is also the facilitator of our online Jesuit Book Club. Our selection for May is the novel "Mariette in Ecstasy" by Ron Hansen. Get more information and sign up to participate at jesuits.org/bookclub.

Buy Nick's book here: https://bookshop.org/books/longing-for-an-absent-god-faith-and-doubt-in-great-american-fiction/9781506451954

Check out his website here: http://nickripatrazone.com/home.html