The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Here’s a taste of what I’ve been reading:

Fiction

Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Muller. Basically, this is “Little House on the Prairie” told from Caroline’s point of view rather than young Laura’s. Muller filled in some gaps in the story (I’m guessing by using primary sources, as this novel was authorized by the Wilder Estate) and did well with the attention to historical detail (right down to the question most readers of historical fiction always have but never ask: how did they go to the bathroom?). It got a little tedious and repetitive sometimes, though, especially in the parts where Caroline and Charles’ relationship comes up. If you’re not a “Little House” fan, don’t bother.

One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg. Rylan, a culinary school instructor still smarting from the loss of her bakery and her boyfriend two years ago, can’t stand student Colin, who has the knack for making a mess but also a culinary genius and instinct she lacks, despite her technical skills and knowledge. He strikes a deal to help her wow a local chef in the hopes of reopening her bake shop and brings her home to his family just before Christmas, where both of them must let old wounds heal. Second in a series.

One Enchanted Noel by Melissa Tagg. Third and final in the series, this Christmas romance brings recovering addict Leigh together with Seb, who remembers her at her lowest point. Seb’s in town to renovate the local movie theater for his grandfather’s business so he can earn enough money to save his friend’s ranch. Leigh hopes to kick-start a career as an event planner so she can move on from her job as an assistant manager at a restaurant. Leigh’s teenager daughter, suspicious of her mom’s motives and worried she’ll relapse, complicates everything when she remembers Seb from years ago.

Silver Bells by Deborah Raney. Set in the early 1970s, this novel brings together Michelle, who’s trying to forget the guy who dumped her just before leaving to serve in Vietnam, and Rob, her boss’s son at the newspaper where she’s trying to make a name for herself as a reporter. You can’t help but want the two of them to get together — they’re just so cute. When they encounter one of Michelle’s former schoolmates who’s in an abusive relationship, they’re caught trying to figure out ways to help her that won’t get anyone in trouble. Great dialogue, clean romance (though it’s hard for me to get around the idea that a book set in the 70s is considered historical fiction!) I read this one on Carolyn Astfalk‘s say-so.

A Cliche Christmas by Nicole Dees. Georgia, who lives in Hollywood and writes Hallmark-style Christmas movies for a living, returns to her home town at Christmas at her grandmother’s request to help a little girl with cancer. Problem is, the guy she’d always crushed on is also involved in this project, and she can’t let go of the humiliation she felt the last time they worked together. I read and enjoyed the second book in this series before I knew it was a series — both of these work as standalones.

Calm & Bright by Autumn MacArthur. Returning to his hometown in Idaho to spend time with his 4-year-old son, workaholic Brad can’t strike a good balance between work and parenting, which is what broke him and Maddie up to begin with. A possible new job (requiring even more of his time) and possible reconciliation with Maddie are at odds, as Maddie loves living in the small town where she grew up. Good story of a struggle with priorities.

Nonfiction

A Heart Like Mary’s by Edward Looney. For the past few weeks, I’ve kept this little book tucked in my bag, and I’ve made a special effort to get to the 9 AM Mass a little early instead of sliding in at 8:59, so I can spend a few quiet moments pondering the day’s reflection. With 31 chapters, this book is a month-long mini-retreat that you can start reading anytime. Each day’s entry contains a Scripture passage, reflection, prayer to Mary our intercessor, and an action item: a step toward living with a Marian heart. This book doesn’t feel like it’s “once and done.” I’m not in any hurry to put this one on the shelf and forget about it. (Review copy received from publisher.) I’m running a month-long series of memes based on the prayers in this book.

Making Room for God: Decluttering and the Spiritual Life by Mary Elizabeth Sperry. Some decluttering books are written by people who act like they have it all together. Those books are not for me. Sperry readily admits that she has a lot of work to do, and that her home is not perfectly neat and tidy all the time. I like the connections made between homemaking and the spiritual life. This book addresses necessary topics like spiritual discipline, reconciliation, prayer, and materialism. The best chapter, in my opinion, is the one where the author draws parallels between clutter and sin. (Advance review copy received from publisher; this book will be released February 2.)

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links.

Follow my Goodreads reviews for the full list of what I’ve read recently (even the duds!)

Visit today’s #OpenBook post to join the linkup or just get some great ideas about what to read! You’ll find it at Carolyn Astfalk’s A Scribbler’s Heart and at CatholicMom.com!

Copyright 2018 Barb Szyszkiewicz