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
With the dual settings of Paris during the French Revolution and Louisiana only a few years later, To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo brings to life two periods of European and American history I wasn’t very familiar with. Alix de Morainville lives a charmed but complicated life as a lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette—and the author doesn’t skimp on the details of palace intrigue as she spins a tale of forbidden love, danger, and fear as French government and society implode in scenes of unimaginable terror, anguish, violence, and loss. The story, told in split time, alternates between these scenes and a journey through the bayous of southern Louisiana as Alix and a party of settlers seek to make their way in an area of the South that depends on the slave trade and all the oppression that implies. Louisiana also holds the key to reconciliation for Alix, provided she can survive the trip and forgive herself for events and situations in Paris that she wasn’t entirely responsible for. A beautifully written story I didn’t want to see end. Releases May 1 from Chrism Press. (ARC provided to members of the launch team)
A fascinating piece of metafiction, No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister follows a debut novel from its creator through the tragic lives of a disparate group of readers that are unexpectedly connected, one to another, until finally coming full circle. Each reader finds different meaning in the novel and each is affected in surprising ways. I’ve never read a book like this!
Lisa Wingate’s Shelterwood is set in Oklahoma in the early 20th century as well as 1990, and is the tale of several “lost” children: orphans in 1909 who must fend for themselves while trying to stay safe from adults who neglect them at best and abuse them in terrible ways, and a modern-day discovery of three sets of juvenile human bones in a national park—along with some teenagers who don’t have it much better than their 1909 counterparts did. In both time periods, compassionate women find themselves getting too involved in the situation. A story of resilience and a reminder that, sadly, some things never change. (Netgalley review; available June 4)
Those were all pretty heavy. Now for some light reading!
Because I enjoyed My Phony Valentine last year, I was eager to read My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh—if only to see if she could top that epic meet-cute. This is a grumpy/sunshine romance, and the main characters really do dig in to their personalities. There’s some fun tongue-in-cheek humor, plus lots of great banter in this story of a hockey star in a city he never wanted to live in and his assistant who only wants to make things right for him … but goes overboard again and again. I’ve never seen a hockey game, but this series makes me want to watch one. I definitely recommend that you read My Phony Valentine before diving into this one, since you’ll meet all the characters properly that way. This can be a stand-alone, but why would you want it to when book 1 is just so fun?
In The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains, we meet gardener Savannah, who’s recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease her fiancé doesn’t think he can deal with. Between jobs and with nowhere else to go, she visits an elderly aunt she hasn’t seen in years and finds that her irrepressible Aunt Eleanor has become homebound after an injury. As Savannah and her aunt’s neighbor work to rebuild her aunt’s treasured lending library in the backyard, she discovers that her path might not include the job she’s supposed to take in a few months. This was a sweet story, but it seemed to be missing something; you’re dropped right into the middle of things—and Aunt Eleanor would have made the better main character. I’d love to see the back story about her backyard library. (Netgalley review; releases in April)
YA/Children’s
Author Anthony Barone Kolenc is well-known for his Harwood Mysteries series for slightly older readers; Penny and the Stolen Chalice stars an 11-year-old protagonist but is perfect for readers 8 and up. Penny, a non-Catholic new kid in a Catholic school, can’t help but try to find out who stole a chalice during a school Mass when the fire alarm went off just after Communion. Along the way, she learns—and comes to believe—how the Eucharist truly is the Body and Blood of Christ. She also makes some friends, and I hope they’ll appear in future books in this series. While this is a children’s book, there are adult characters who are key to the story. Among them are Penny’s recently widowed mom, her grandfather who has terminal cancer, the school’s principal and custodian, and the ever-suspicious religious sister who runs the nursing home where Penny’s grandfather lives. This story would make a fun read-aloud in a Catholic-school classroom or for a parent and child to enjoy together. (ARC received from publisher)
Set in England during World War II, A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus is the story of two orphaned siblings who are basically left to fend for themselves after their grandmother dies. Shipped out of London to the British countryside along with many other city children, the two bounce around among homes promising them shelter and, in many tragic ways, not delivering. All the while, they can’t let anyone know they are orphans. It’s listed as a children’s book for grades 4 through 7, and it’s a beautiful book—but tenderhearted young readers might need consolation while reading this story. This is one of my 12 Books for this year and it was a wonderful read.
Nonfiction
Amy J. Cattapan combines her gift for encouraging teachers with the Church’s gift of the Communion of Saints in A Saint Squad for Teachers:45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You Through the School Year, a powerful book that will help teachers do more than just get through the rest of the year. Amy has assembled a saint squad with the usual suspects: Thomas Aquinas, Don Bosco, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, and Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as some saints whose connection to teaching is surprisingly strong: Charles Lwanga, Bernadette, Servant of God Thea Bowman, and Blessed Solanus Casey are among the 45 “heavenly friends” teachers can call upon for encouragement, strength, and inspiration. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter invite teachers, homeschoolers, and catechists to consider what they can learn from the example of each of these exemplars. Whether you’re looking for help getting creative, building relationships, dealing with challenging students, advocating for change and justice, going above and beyond, teaching in tough times and times of crisis, embracing lifelong learning, persevering in prayer, or following your vocation, Amy can introduce you to saints who will help you along the way. (Netgalley review)
Whether you’re a Rosary veteran or Rosary-reluctant, The Family That Prays Together Stays Together by Fr. Willy Raymond, C.S.C. is a lovely invitation to ease yourself and your family into this way of praying. Fr. Willy suggests praying one Mystery of the Rosary each day, completing a set of Mysteries over the course of a week. Along the way, he introduces you to the life of Venerable Patrick Peyton, who grew up praying the Rosary, received a miracle cure from the Blessed Mother, and dedicated his priestly life to helping families pray. Encouraging and inspiring words from Fr. Peyton are included in the book, and the concluding prayer for each Mystery of the Rosary is a beautiful addition to prayer. If you order this book from Ave Maria Press, use coupon code FRPEYTON to get 20% off the cover price through the end of this year. (Netgalley review)
The updated Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Book by Sr. Marie Paul Curley, FSP, has earned a permanent spot in my Adoration tote bag alongside my journal and a New Testament with Psalms. This beautiful hardcover is lovely to hold in your hands during prayer. Inside, you’ll find not only guided holy hours but also prayers of all kinds, instruction about the Eucharist, and a selection of psalms and other biblical passages. I’ve bookmarked a few favorites (the book includes one ribbon bookmark, too), but there’s always something new to be found when I open this book. One section I’ve turned to again and again is “In Adoration with Mary,” possibly because I am reminded by the Marian art in our Adoration chapel. This would make a beautiful gift for any regular adorer, or a donation to your Adoration chapel library. (ARC received from publisher)
There’s also a smaller paperback by the same author, Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayers, that fits easily in your handbag or glove compartment, if you like to have a prayer book in the car for those moments when you’re waiting in the car line after school or activities. This book is the perfect size to carry along and use for quiet moments of prayer before and after Mass. It includes the psalms and biblical passages mentioned above, as well as “In Adoration with Mary,” and many other beautiful prayers—as well as a guide to the sacrament of Reconciliation. (ARC received from publisher)
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Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.
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 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission
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