Tag: An Open Book

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An Open Book: May 2024

franciscanmom2 Comments

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

nullEmma’s Hero by Carrie Walker.

One word sums up this book and that is HOPE. So many of the characters are seeking that bright spark of hope in their lives, and in various ways, they end up bringing that hope to each other. When you look at the synopsis and see that the story is about a mom with a baby who has a life-threatening condition, don’t assume that means this is a downer of a story. In fact, the tears I cried while reading this were happy tears!
I loved seeing the transformations in each character—Emma, Ben, and Mason—that happened because of hope. I cannot wait for future books in this series.

 

nullThe Oystercatcher of Southwark by Erica Colahan.

This split-time novel tells the story of Mary, a young first-generation Italian-American woman living in South Philly and working at a sweatshop while she helps her father manage the grocery store for which he’s beholden to mob boss Rocco. Mary has captured the hearts of three men: the brutish Rocco, who insists Mary’s father “owes him” and must let him marry her; Cenzo the kindly fishmonger; and Jakob, a young Jewish man who becomes embroiled in shady business deals after Mary becomes pregnant and they elope and set up housekeeping in Newark, NJ. The present-day story line follows Bella, who’s brokenhearted after a recent divorce and shocked to learn that some of her ancestors were Jewish: this story had never been told to the younger generations. Together, Bella and a newfound older cousin piece together the story of Mary’s eventual return to Philadelphia with her children.
It’s lovely to read historical novels when the scene is set so well. As I read, I felt like I could very well have been walking those streets of South Philly where this novel takes place. Erica Colahan has taken the true story of her own great-great-grandmother and brought the people as well as the place to life. The novel explores the life of a young mother and tells how she, driven to desperation, seeks to protect her children from all harm. I can’t wait to read this novel a second time! (Advance review copy received from the publisher, but I’ve already preordered my own copy from Chrism Press. Releases July 2024.)

 

nullLove in the Eternal City: A Swiss Guard Romance by Rebecca W. Martin.

At last: a heroine who isn’t perfect and doesn’t try to pretend she is! Elena’s fiance and best friend betrayed her professionally and romantically, and her confidence is shaken by continuing panic attacks after a terrifying cyberstalking situation. Seeking a new start, she heads to Rome with a scrubbed social media profile and a new job, only to meet Benedikt (Beni), a Swiss Guard who’s spent his life failing to measure up to his father’s expectations.
Working in the Vatican, Elena and Beni are in frequent contact with highly-ranked clergy, including the pope, and both the pope and Elena’s boss inject wisdom and humor in difficult situations. Those two characters charmed me from their first mention, and one of them has made it his mission to get the Elena and Beni together.
There’s a surprising espionage subplot, a couple of kindly landlords, and a not-so-little stepsister who becomes a BFF to Elena and a friend to her older brother Beni.
All in all, this is a charming novel with engaging characters–and I guarantee you’ll be hoping those characters get engaged, pretty much as soon as you meet them. It’s a lovely read. (Advance review copy received from the publisher, but I’ve already preordered my own copy from Chrism Press. Releases August 2024.)

 

nullCanary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Set in Britain during World War I, this novel follows the lives of several young women who work as “munitionettes,” assembling explosive shells in a converted sewing-machine factory, frantically trying to keep up with demand for ammunition as they support their families and try to ignore their worsening health due to the poisonous effects of the TNT they’re packing into the ammunition each day. The yellow color of their skin (a symptom of liver dysfunction caused by the TNT exposure) earns them the nickname “Canary Girls.”

Anything but delicate or birdlike, these women are strong and determined, hoping to keep morale up by forming football (soccer) teams and supporting each other. This book, along with others like The Radium Girls, brings home the truth of the sacrifices made by women on the home front, underscoring how they often took invisible but extreme risks to support the war effort.

 

YA/Children’s

nullBecause of You by Hannah Currie.

When 16-year-old Chloe sets out on the mission trip she’s looked forward to since the age of 10, she doesn’t know what to expect, and the boot camp held by the Christian organization running the trip didn’t prepare her much. But when she arrives in an extremely primitive orphanage for girls in a remote part of Thailand, she’s also not prepared to lose her heart to the 40 young children who’d been rescued from traumatic situations and, in some cases, saved from lives of human trafficking.

Chloe has to learn survival skills like washing her dishes, clothes, and hair in an icy-cold river—and her ability to make friends is tested by one of her fellow teen missionaries, who spends most of the time crying and complaining that she misses her mom. Some of the most valuable lessons Chloe learns have nothing to do with orphans, Thailand, or survival: they’re lessons of trust, faith, and friendship.

Definitely recommended for any teen hoping to participate in a mission or service trip! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll be checking out her backlist after reading this one. (Advance review copy received from publisher WhiteSpark Books; releases May 15).

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

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An Open Book: April 2024

franciscanmom6 Comments

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

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski. You don’t see a lot of mainstream fiction with Catholic characters who are more than culturally Catholic, but Claire Swinarski delivers on that in this wonderful novel centered on a group of elderly northern-Wisconsin women who cater (free of charge) all local funerals. (This is not something they do here in NJ, but it’s a beautiful practice.) When the deceased ex-wife of a famous TV chef is returned to her hometown for burial, the funeral ladies take pity on Cooper (the celebrity chef’s son) and his younger sister and find them a place to stay at an AirBnB owned by one of the ladies’ single granddaughters. This isn’t just any old meet-cute, though: the novel digs deep into the topics of grief, PTSD, and what it really means to be a parent.

 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This was one of my 12 Books for the year. What an excellent story! It’s a long novel, at more than 600 pages, and takes a split-time approach to the story of a group of women who’d been recruited by the British government to work as codebreakers during the Second World War. They couldn’t tell others about the work they did, so they essentially led double lives, kept unbelievable hours, and truly felt the weight of the world—and the war—on their shoulders as they realized how their loved ones and neighbors could be affected if they didn’t break the German codes in time for the Allied forces to deter a planned attack. A few years after the war, a mysterious letter brings the women back together in a race against time, seeking to protect one of them who’s been confined for several years to the psychiatric facility that had formerly been their codebreaking headquarters. Beautifully written, and highly recommended.

 

Jennifer Lamont Leo’s Love’s Grand Sweet Song (Windy City Hearts Book 3) tells the story of Francie a waitress, who has big dreams of singing in operas like the ones on the records the restaurant owner plays during her shift. But Francie feels the heavy responsibility of supporting her younger brother as well as her mother, who can’t hold a job but always has money for booze. Already rejected by one college boy, Francie finds a way to get voice lessons and falls for another rich college guy whose father openly disapproves of their relationship. As the Great War begins and Francie gets that shot at the opera stage she’d desperately wished for, the two have to handle the possibility that their life paths will diverge. This one seemed a little more far-fetched than the other two books in this series, but the author tells a good story and it was an enjoyable read overall.

 

All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore.  Escaped slave Charlotte and her father (who can pass for white) settle in 1837 Philadelphia, but it’s definitely an “always looking over their shoulders” situation, and Charlotte has to pretend she’s her father’s servant. She befriends Nell, an idealistic free young Black woman who wants to work for the abolitionists’ cause. Charlotte pushes Nell and other women who oppose slavery to take more action when Evie, a friend from her slave days in the Carolinas, arrives in the city and seeks a way out of her own situation. A fascinating look at what life was like in my local area almost 200 years ago: I learned quite a bit about history from reading this novel. Couldn’t put it down! (Netgalley review; now available)

 

YA/Children’s

The Holy Spirit and the Greatest Adventure by Gracie Jagla, illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz. I imagine it would be very difficult to write a children’s book about the Holy Spirit, so this rhyming book about Pentecost and the mission of the apostles was a wonderful surprise. The story continues through the early years of the Church, noting the martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and the long line of popes, saints, visionaries, and other holy people, wrapping up with us today as we receive the sacraments and pray with our families. My favorite illustrations are on the pages where hearts are mentioned: those images include red hearts with yellow borders, which call to mind the flames of the Spirit at the first Pentecost. What a lovely way to teach children to invite the Holy Spirit into all the ordinary moments of their day. New from OSV Kids. (Review copy received from publisher)

 

Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney. This book was absolutely charming. Most of it is written in the form of list-based journal entries by a fifth-grader whose incredible memory for detail can sometimes put her into complicated situations. She believes that something she said is the reason the family suddenly picks up and moves from her beloved Brooklyn neighborhood to a small town in upstate New York, where she and her older brother need to make new starts in new schools while her parents fret continually over the budget. The list format worked better than I expected—the characters were surprisingly well-developed and the storytelling was terrific.

 

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang. Chinese-born Lina wants nothing more than to fit in, but she doesn’t have the right clothes, doesn’t always say the right words, and doesn’t have access to a smartphone or social media. Add in the typical 10-year-old puberty issues and you have a child who’s motivated to do just about anything to feel a part of things. When Lina, her sister, and some friends start making videos to promote Lina’s mom’s small business, they’re introduced to the very situations their teacher is trying to help them avoid: dopamine addiction and cyberbullying. I can’t speak to how realistic this story is, since I’m more than a decade past the time I had a 10-year-old in the house, but from glimpses of the neighborhood kids on their phones as they wait for the school bus, walk down the street, and even ride their bikes, it’s probably a pretty accurate depiction of what happens when kids who aren’t even in middle school yet are handed smartphones without restrictions.

 

The Quince Project by Jessica Parra. Continuing with the theme of kids and teens living their lives through Instagram filters, this YA novel about a high-school student who overplans everything and has banked her hopes for an education and future career on an internship with a social media-star event planning firm. She takes on the project of a quinceañera for a schoolmate who’s a well-known Disney influencer, lying to her and others that she’s already an intern with the famous firm. But Cas’s project doesn’t go as planned, and she’s left to wonder what’s real, what’s not, and why she feels the need to live her life according to her ever-present planner. I don’t know that the YA audience would read this as a cautionary tale, but parents definitely should. (Netgalley review; releases 5/28).

 

Walking in Circles by Amy Matayo. Such a sweet story! Emma Lee grew up watching her dad beat her mom, and sometimes was beaten herself. When they finally get away—far away—and move to a small town on the other side of the country, she has a hard time trusting the elderly neighbor who’s truly a kind soul, never mind the cute guy across the street who’s an athlete but not the stereotypical player. Shane, meanwhile, is dealing with a loss he doesn’t want to talk about either, and he’s been carrying that burden by himself for too long. When they’re finally able to trust each other (thanks, in part, to that elderly neighbor—I’d love to read more about him!) a tragic accident brings Emma to the point of acknowledging just how much the people she’d come to trust really dod matter to her. This is labeled YA, but adults shouldn’t skip this one just because of a label.

 

Nonfiction

For Love of the Broken Body by Julia Walsh, FSPA. Also one of my 12 Books for 2024, this is a spiritual memoir by a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, detailing not only her soul’s journey through the formation process of becoming a religious sister, but also her physical recovery from a hiking accident that left her disfigured: nearly every bone in her face was broken. In this book, Sister Julia ponders the meaning of her vocation and how God wants her to live that out. Her discernment process mirrors the physical transformation she undergoes as she endures several surgeries and the trauma following her accident. I met Sr. Julia about a year ago at the LA Religious Education Congress and helped interview her for the Catholic Momcast. Her enthusiasm and heart for the poor are as evident in this book as they are in her discussion on the podcast.

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

 

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An Open Book: March 2024

franciscanmom6 Comments

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!

 

nullLisa 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!

nullBecause 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?

 

nullIn 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)

 

nullSet 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

nullAmy 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)

 

nullWhether 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)

 

nullThe 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)

 

nullThere’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)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

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An Open Book: January 2024

franciscanmom10 Comments

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

nullThe Spectacular by Fiona Davis. A terrific novel about the Rockettes in the mid-1950s, this book is both a coming-of-age story and a thriller. Marion Brooks wants more than the life of a well-heeled housewife, so she puts her lifelong dancing lessons to good use and secretly auditions for the Rockettes. But along with the rest of New York City, she finds herself terrorized by a serial bomber—and unwittingly joins the search for the killer, along with a psychologist using a new profiling technique. There were wonderful secondary characters in this book as well, including the demanding dance coach who’s surprisingly fatherly and concerned for the girls.

 

nullA Paper Snowflake Christmas by Maddie Evans. Because Marlie didn’t choose a professional path that met her parents’ expectations, she’s left behind when they attend a destination wedding on a cruise over Christmas. Marlie’s friends decide to spend Christmas together and make the holiday fun for her—led by childhood mischief-maker Devin, who now has custody of his traumatized 4-year-old nephew. The friends decide to show the little boy the wonders of Christmas, but no one suspects the depths of the child’s troubles. And Marlie is challenged to get over her assumptions that a onetime troublemaker could never change. As with all Maddie Evans’s books, the dialogue is terrific and the characters real enough that you can easily picture them and their hometown.

 

nullThe Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer (YA). One of my favorite “bookstagrammers,” Katie Fitzgerald, recommended this one, and I’m so glad I got a copy. Written in 1997, it didn’t feel dated (I didn’t even miss the lack of cell phones, Google, and social media.) It’s clever and hilarious, and the dialogue is terrific—there’s even a smattering of linguistics banter in there, which thoroughly delighted me. Kate, a high-school student, stars in the romance novel she’s writing with the help of a guidebook (the key to all the tropes) with her older brother’s best friend as her love interest. Along the way, she gains insight about a fair-weather friend and sympathy for others who missed out on the kind of family experiences she’s taken for granted.

 

nullThe Charter Class by Anne Faye. As a graduate of a college that had very similar beginnings to The College of Our Lady of the Elms, I thoroughly enjoyed this look at the origin story of a hundred-year-old educational institution. This novel covers the first year of the college’s existence, and focuses on the (fictional) experiences of three of the 36 original students. From crushing on a roommate’s brother to fulfilling a mother’s dying wish to seeking an escape from an abusive father, the young women face challenges beyond the academic ones. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

 

Nonfiction

nullScott Hahn and Ken Ogorek have put together a book that takes Sunday Mass prep to the next level. Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics not only offers reflections on the Sunday Mass readings that helps readers understand how all the readings for each Sunday Mass fit together, it also features quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that provide even more background information and connection to the life of the Church. As a parish musician, at Sunday Mass I’m a bit distracted because I’m always listening for the next musical cue. Whether it’s your service at Mass or your young children that diverts your attention from the readings each Sunday, reading this book at home can help you not only stay caught up on the readings from Mass, but enrich your understanding of them with background information from the Catechism. This book can be used to prepare for Sunday Mass or to recap what you heard at Mass later in the day or week. Read my full review.

 

nullCome to Me: Living the Nine First Fridays by Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP, is a fascinating devotional that takes the often off-putting, flowery language surrouding some Catholic devotions and puts the ideas into plain English. It’s designed to be read one month at a time for nine months, to help the reader complete the practice of making the Nine First Fridays. The beginning of the book introduces the practice of this devotion and explains that this is not a vending-machine kind of practice, but one that fosters a relationship with Jesus that will awaken our hearts in new ways so we can love and serve Him through our daily lives. In the second part of the book, there are nine guided meditations, meant to be read and pondered during a holy hour. The final part of the book contains history of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, plus prayers that can be prayed during Adoration, or before or after Mass. I’m finding this book refreshing in its simplicity, and on every page, the author’s deep love for Jesus shines through.

 

nullThat Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week by Carla Lalli Music. My older son, who’s a terrific cook, gave me this book for Christmas. I immediately started a list of recipes I want to try. This cookbook is designed for intermediate to advanced cooks, and has a feature with every recipe that I really appreciate: a “spin it” note that offers variations on the recipe. The beginning of the book is an excellent introduction to building a pantry and planning meals, so I’d definitely recommend reading that even if these recipes aren’t the types of food you normally cook. On my list of recipes to try from this book: braised short ribs with pasta, sheet pan chicken with tomato and chickpeas, chicken with burst tomato sauce, pasta with cacio and walnut, plus broccoli rabe with cheese and brussels sprouts with sesame.

 

nullThe Heirloomed Cookbook: Made-from-Scratch Recipes to Gather Around for Generations by Ashley Shoenith, with photography by Heidi Harris. This cookbook is definitely a social-media-driven project; the photos and recipes are clearly curated with a particular vibe in mind (beyond “delicious homemade food”). While the pictures are beautiful, a filter is used on all of them that washes out or desaturates the color, which makes many of the foods look less appetizing than they likely would on your own table at home. There’s definitely a focus on Southern recipes here: okra, grits, boiled peanuts, sausage gravy all make an appearance. I’m looking forward to trying the shrimp scampi, cast-iron sauteed brussels sprouts, parker house rolls, and baked salmon with sriracha soy sauce, to name a few. And the deviled egg salad sandwich sounds interesting, too! I did love that the author recommends interviewing elder family members and friends and getting them to teach how to make their favorite recipes. That’s a wonderful practice that will help preserve those traditional family dishes! (Review copy received from publisher.)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

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!

 

 

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Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images copyright 2023 Carolyn Astfalk, all rights reserved, used with permission

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An Open Book: July 2023

franciscanmom8 Comments

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

nullBeyond Betrayal by Bette Lee Crosby. Widowed suddenly, Susan is devastated to learn that her husband has been unfaithful to her and that his mistress is expecting his child. She copes with her anger by turning to alcohol and makes life-changing decisions on a whim. But as is the case in so many of Bette Lee Crosby’s novel, it’s good friends who are able to help Susan turn things around. It’s easy to relate to the characters in this book—Susan as well as the various friends who help her, from her neighbor Jamie who shows up with casseroles, to Blanche who brings the tough love and convinces Susan to go out of her comfort zone, to Nina, a four-time widow who’s not afraid to risk her heart for husband number five. Despite the difficult situation at the beginning of the novel, it was a joy to read about the different ways these women used their gifts to minister to their friend.

 

nullI Think He Knows: A Romantic Comedy (Donovan Family Book 2) by Katie Bailey. This author’s books are described as “closed-door romantic comedies,” which I think is accurate. In this story, single mom Lana Mae agrees to a fake social-media engagement with Carter, her BFF who’s also her secret crush—and who just happens to be one of the hottest of the hot Hollywood actors. Her daughter, Allegra, is a scene stealer in all the best ways. There’s great chemistry between the characters, plus plenty of banter and inside jokes, and even a bunch of Gilmore Girls references. A fun, light read, with the expected “happily ever after.”

 

nullThe Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh. A university researcher who makes keeping to herself a way of life (jeopardizing her professional advancement along the way) decides, on her 30th birthday, that she’ll poke holes in the theories she finds in a magazine article that details ways to be happy. Her goal is to prove that doing all the things listed in that article will not make her (or anyone else) any happier.

It’s easy to see that this research project won’t turn out the way Isadora expects it to, but that’s because of the very unexpected people she encounters as a result of her research.  This novel was a great read with characters it’s easy to connect with.

 

nullWedding at Sea (Muir Harbor book 3) by Melissa Tagg. Wilder has spent the 5 years since his father died trying to solve the mystery of how Lilian, as a toddler, appeared on Maggie’s front porch. Lilian, now an adult, has never gotten along with Wilder, but Maggie asks them to work together to plan her wedding … and in the process, the two have to confront the truth of a secret Lilian has been keeping, as well as the demons Wilder faces. In addition, someone’s been lurking around Lilian’s office and Wilder’s houseboat, and their guess is that not only is he seeking to solve the same mystery, but he’s not above putting them in danger to do so.

I’m a little sad to see this series end, because there were some side characters in this book who would have interesting stories, too. This is the final book in the series, and I definitely recommend reading them in order. (Netgalley)

 

nullThrough Thorny Ways (Wisteria House book 1)  by Jennifer Q. Hunt. A brother and sister with a challenging past move into the dilapidated family home they’ve inherited, just after World War I ends. Arilee is raising her brother’s children because his wife has been committed to an asylum; their other brother died in the war. An old acquaintance is hired to renovate the home and given a place to live on the property, and his startling discovery threatens to bring (more) scandal to the family. There was an interesting subplot involving a character with juvenile diabetes and the discovery of insulin, without which the disease is a death sentence.

I enjoyed this story of new beginnings and healing of old wounds, and will look for more by this author.

 

nullAll’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon. A hilarious story that would easily make a terrific movie (I’d watch!). Mackenzie works in an office where, each year, a promotion is tied to a competition over who has the most Christmas spirit. This year, her boss pits Mackenzie against Jeremy, who’s determined to win because he’s raising his twin niece and nephew, and needs the money for their education. Mackenzie has a secret crush on Jeremy but thinks he doesn’t know she’s alive—and now she’s battling for career advancement by dragging in Christmas trees and one-upping him after disasters involving baked goods. A fun read. (Netgalley; releases September 5, 2023)

 

YA/Children’s

Charting the Course by Leslea Wahl. This novel, set during Christmas vacation, makes a fun summer read. Leslea Wahl’s characters are fun-loving and real, and Liz, the main character in this novel, is no exception. She’s missing Christmas week with her friends back home while on a Caribbean cruise with her dad, and she’s not happy about it at all. But the combination of a cute guy her own age, some mysterious notes that appear to be a scavenger hunt, and a karaoke contest make the trip better than she’d planned–and even an opportunity to grow in faith.

(Contains spoilers from Into the Spotlight. This novel is a standalone, but if you haven’t read Into the Spotlight first, I recommend that you do—because you’ll want to get to know Josie and Ryan, who star in that book.)

 

nullThe Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. This is a beautiful story I’d recommend to adults and teens alike. It’s listed for ages 9 to 12, and I thought that was a little young given the subject matter: Coyote and her father, Rodeo, live in a school bus that’s converted into an RV of sorts, and criss-cross the nation, with one exception: they never return to the home town (or even the state) they left 5 years ago when Coyote’s mom and two sisters died.

Everything seems fine until Coyote learns that the park where she and her sisters had buried a time capsule is being bulldozed—so she tries to find a way to trick her dad into driving thousands of miles to get to the park in time to retrieve the last memories she has of her family. Along the way, they pick up an interesting band of passengers, including a musician, a mother and son fleeing an abusive relationship, a young girl whose parents kicked her out because she’s gay, and Gladys … a goat. The story was lovely, but very sad, as Coyote has had to grow up way before any kid should, since her dad is emotionally incapable of dealing with his grief. Would I give it to a fourth-grader? No. I’d say middle school and up is a better age range for this story.

 

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz

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An Open Book: May 2023

franciscanmom2 Comments

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

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon (Hope Harbor #9). Ashley decides to start over by purchasing a possibly haunted house with the intent of opening a special-event venue. The mysterious former owner, who lives on the property, and the equally mysterious and battle-scarred neighbor and landscape designer bring unexpected friendship and possible romance into her life. Eventually Irene Hannon will get tired of writing the Hope Harbor stories, and when that happens, I will miss them. I enjoy the recurring characters, which include main characters from previous novels in the series, the minister and priest who enjoy a friendly rivalry involving Bibles and donuts, Charley the artist/taco truck driver with more than his share of insight, and the seagulls Floyd and Gladys. (And it’s fun to speculate about who will figure in the next book, since there’s usually a hint or two.) One thing that has disappointed me, and maybe it’s a requirement of her publisher or something, but there are never any Catholic characters in the series except the priest. Jonathan, in this book, is estranged from religion until he has an eye-opening conversation with the Catholic priest—yet when he returns to church, it’s at the Christian church, not the Catholic one.

 

Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano. A funny novel about a midlife divorcée who buys a beach house—which is being overshadowed by over-the-top new construction next door. Part of the story is told in emails to community leaders. It’s over-the-top and overly long; it felt like it was much longer than 304 pages and could have done with a good edit. But it would make a great beach read for the summer, especially if your beach umbrella is in the shadow of an enormous, ugly new AirBnB that ruins everyone’s view. This was a “Kindle First Reads” that I got for free as an Amazon Prime member. (Available June 27.)

 

Love Songs Suck by Becky Monson. I loved that each chapter of this book had a song title—I knew almost every song, and they all went well with the action of that chapter. Louella met Finn, a boy-band singer at a Nashville concert and felt an immediate connection, but she had a boyfriend. The singer recorded a hit single based on their meeting, and when it accidentally came out that she was the inspiration of the song, she’s swarmed by papparazzi, to the dismay of her extremely secretive now-fiancé. Kurt does not support her as she deals with instant seclusion, but instead she’s rescued by Finn. You can probably tell where this is going, but despite that predictable plot, this clean romance is an excellent, fun read.

 

Who Am I to Judge? by Emily Hanlon. This new cozy mystery from Chrism Press features a couple of Church Ladies in a hilarious personality clash, trying to clear the names of two of their favorite parish priests in the murder of a fellow parishioner. This story is populated by a cast of very quirky characters, almost over the top, and that’s all part of the fun. The mystery kept me guessing, and the characters’ foibles and fumbles kept me reading. And let me give you a little hint about Chrism Press: when you preorder the ebook directly from the publisher, you get it earlier than you would if you buy it on Amazon, but the price is the same! I love supporting a small publisher in this way.

 

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon. Deborah, who had been bound out as an indentured servant since the age of 10, comes of age during the American Revolution and decides to pursue her dream of serving her country as a soldier. The only way to do this is to disguise herself as a man. I almost didn’t read this because I was afraid it would be an agenda-driven gender-bending kind of novel and I don’t have time for that, but I’m glad I put those preconceived notions aside: the book was not at all what I expected. Deborah was clearly playing a role, putting on a costume so she could do something that society wouldn’t permit otherwise. More than anything, I was impressed by her character’s emotional journey throughout the course of the story.

 

Cara by Maddie Evans (Always a Bridesmaid, book 4). Maddie Evans is particularly talented at writing dialogue that feels real, reveals the characters, and explores what makes a healthy relationship. In Cara, you’ll find a young woman relishing her hard-won independence, the man who tried to mold her in his image, a few side characters who deserve stories of their own, and a villain—a type of character who doesn’t always get as much space on the page in Evans’ stories, but who provides plenty of entertainment in this one.

 

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox. A split-time story centered on a tiny local grocery store that’s been in a family for generations. 60 years ago, pregnant and unmarried Glory Ann was forced into a marriage of convenience with the store owner (not the baby’s father). In the present day, her newly widowed granddaughter Sarah decides to rebuild her life by returning to her hometown and joining the family business, only to find that her mother was in the process of closing and selling the store. All three generations of women in the family have kept secrets, and all three have wounds that only the truth can heal.

 

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter. Writer Sadie leaves New York for the summer, headed for the Carolina coast where she’s tasked with writing a book in a new-to-her genre to cover an advance on a previous book contract that didn’t sell. But she has no inspiration to write romance, so she decides to feature her handsome neighbor in the novel’s plot, as the two of them seek to find the rightful owner of a beautiful engagement ring Sadie found inside a book. Yes, this clean romance is packed with so many clichés, but it’s definitely a fun summer read.

YA/Children’s

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino. Terrific story, well told. I didn’t want to stop reading! I appreciate that it was a clean romance (kissing only) and that there was minimal swearing. The author did a good job showing where dialogue was signed rather than spoken—this is a challenging thing to do in written work and I thought her solution was clever. The story was a good exploration of both the challenges that people who are Deaf or have hearing loss face in the world in general and with each other, and the various ways they can choose to communicate, without being heavy-handed. I was inspired to think more about how I respond to people with hearing loss, and how I can do better. I’ll look for more by this author. (Netgalley review; book will be available in July 2023)

 

nullJersey Girls Don’t Rule by Lisa Hess. I’m a big fan of Lisa’s fiction for adults, and I was sure she’d do just as well with a middle-grade/YA story. This one, featuring a 12-year-old main character, didn’t disappoint. Keesha’s dad is remarrying a woman with two younger daughters, and Keesha feels caught in the middle: she’s living with her dad and resents that his new wife and children are getting what she and her mother never did. Lisa excels at portraying characters with big feelings as they learn to express them. What I’m not a fan of is the Kindle Vello platform, where this story is available. It’s designed so you’ll read on your phone (which I don’t prefer) and you buy the story chapter by chapter.

 

Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings. A young adult with ADHD embarrasses herself in front of a cute guy on a transatlantic flight, only to learn she’ll be working closely with him all summer long and that he’s autistic. I’ve seen books with one neurodiverse main character before, but this is the first one I’ve come across with two, who fall in love with each other. Bundled beautifully into the story line is good advice about being aware of others’ needs and open to discussing your own. Heads up: also features homosexual relationships, premarital sexual relationships, and some crude language.(Coming in August 2023; Netgalley review.)

Nonfiction

Caring for a Loved One with Mary: A Seven Sorrows Prayer Companion by Theresa Kiser. A beautiful book that I’m still praying my way through (it’s meant to be savored slowly). It’s rare that I’ll recommend a book I haven’t yet finished yet, never mind purchase a copy to give to someone else, but that’s exactly what I did with this prayer book by Theresa Kiser (new from Our Sunday Visitor). Read my full review. 

 

Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart: Ten Ways to Build Stronger, More Loving Relationships by Emily Jaminet. This is a down-to-earth, concrete book that shows you 10 habits you can develop that will bring you closer to Jesus. Emily Jaminet once again has found a way to share her love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with today’s reader. This book from Ave Maria Press is packed with do-able advice for building spiritual muscle while you build up your relationships. I like the reflection questions at the end of each chapter, which you can use for journaling or for group discussion. (Netgalley review)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz

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An Open Book: April 2023

franciscanmom6 Comments

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

Fiction

nullYesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White. A World War II novel set in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with a little touch of espionage—plus a split-time plot that takes place in England during the Great War. There’s an offshore U-boat, a mysterious intruder, an injured English guest at a family inn who’s supposed to be tracking a German spy, and a beautiful young innkeeper who clearly has secrets of her own to hide. So good! I loved that characters from some of White’s other novels make brief appearances here; that was a fun little touch.

 

nullThe Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I think I saw this reviewed in a newspaper; it’s definitely not my usual genre, but the premise grabbed me: a writing professor learns that a promising but annoying student has died, and after no posthumous publications are made, uses a writing sample from that student’s college days as the basis for his own bestselling novel. Then he begins receiving anonymous messages: “You are a thief.” The suspense was incredible, and I kept changing my mind about who the mysterious note-sender could be. Warning: language, and some rather nasty (unnecessary) digs at Christianity, the pro-life movement, and crisis pregnancy centers.

 

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem. In this suspense-packed novel based on a true story, a group of amateur spies works to take down the Nazis who are infiltrating Hollywood during the 1930s. Leisl Weiss, a single mother supporting two children, her ne’er-do-well brother and stubborn mother, was fired without cause by the Jewish studio owners. She is recruited to work as a spy to help undermine the Nazis by infiltrating one of their organizations, at the cost of her longtime friendship with a Jewish neighbor. Interestingly, some of the spies who worked together were unknown even to each other. Highly recommended!

 

nullFinding Home by Irene Hannon. A sweet story of a romance between a construction supervisor and a single mom whose middle-school son has ventured onto the construction site too often for the supervisor’s liking. Both Scott and Cindy face professional challenges, and Scott has an elderly, ailing grandmother on his mind as well. Lovely setting and interesting characters. This book is the second in a series, but I haven’t yet read the first one (I will, though) and there was no problem jumping right in.

 

nullMemory Lane by Becky Wade. One trauma survivor helps another when reclusive artist Remy spots an apparent shipwreck victim in the sea outside her home on a remote Maine island. After she rescues him, she discovers that her mysterious guest (who acts like an aristocrat) can’t remember anything, including his name. Finding out his true identity, and how he came to be on a life raft in the Atlantic, puts the two on a dangerous path.

 

nullMy Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh. This book was worth it just for the opening scene, in which Poppy sees an old nemesis in a coffee shop and pretends to be in a romantic relationship with the handsome, athletic man behind her in line—and he goes along with it. Poppy is trying to save her ego and her failing restaurant, and Dallas is a hockey pro whose public reputation does not at all reflect the real man. The banter between these two characters was terrific.

 

(From the “judging a book by its cover” department: what do you think of these illustrated covers on sweet romances? Normally I read them on Kindle anyway, so I don’t really see them as I go, but I’m not sure I like the whole faceless-character vibe that seems to be in cover-art fashion right now. The comments are open, so go ahead and weigh in!)

 

YA/Children’s

nullThe Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda van Stockum. After The Plot, I needed a literary palate cleanser, and Catholic Mom writer Katie Fitzgerald recommended this one in an article I was editing. I’m not above picking up a children’s book when I need a reading break after something very intense. This is a really sweet story—just right for independent readers who are on the younger side of middle grade, or perfect for a family or classroom read-aloud. Like Katie, I loved that the mom in the story isn’t shown as the perfect stay-at-home wartime mom with dresses and pearls and everything going right without a hitch; she’s overwhelmed by her circumstances but digs deep to be resilient and resourceful. And Joan, the older daughter, is both responsible and vulnerable—very much like her mother.

 

Nonfiction

nullFrom Prodigal to Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father’s Embrace by Fr. Goyo Hidalgo (Ave Maria Press). A touching story of a man’s path away from the Church, and then back into it after a moment of awakening while watching the funeral of Pope John Paul II on TV. Throughout the book, you’ll see how Fr. Goyo’s mother’s love and prayers were the key to his journey. This memoir is both a quick read and a book I wanted to linger over. I read the whole thing on a cross-country flight, but have found myself going back to it, mostly to savor the “Prayers of a Prodigal” that end each chapter. Many of those would make beautiful songs, which makes sense, since Fr. Goyo is a singer-songwriter in addition to serving as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and a social media evangelist (follow @frgoyo). Review copy received from publisher.

 

nullGlorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I. by Michael Heinlein (OSV). I’m not done reading this biography yet, but it’s a fascinating story of a cardinal who lived and served during my lifetime (Cardinal George passed away in 2015). Stricken with polio during eighth grade, Francis George almost saw his dream of becoming a priest melt away when the Archdiocese of Chicago rejected his application to the seminary because of his physical disabilities. Yet George’s resilience and his academic abilities helped him to successfully pursue ordination with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate just as Vatican II began. This biography recounts the challenges George faced as a cleric in the post-Vatican II era and his eventual return to Chicago as its archbishop. This book is both a biography of an interesting priest of our era and a portrait of the Church during this time. Review copy received from publisher.

 

Etc.

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

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 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Image copyright Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.

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An Open Book: Self-Improvement Edition

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#OpenBook: (Month, Year) Reads

The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. Since it’s January, “new year new you” and all of that, I thought I’d focus on some self-improvement books that have come my way recently.

I read these differently than I read fiction, dipping into and out of them and flipping around, rather than diving in (as I do with a novel) and not coming up for air until I’ve finished.

A different kind of planner

nullI was offered a review copy of The Saintmaker Catholic Life Planner, and I’m always willing to try out a new planner. This is different from any planner I’ve used before. First of all, it’s a quarterly book (and it’s as big as a full-year week-at-a-time planner already). It has daily, weekly, and monthly planning sections as well as goal-setting sections, a generous notebook section (that’s my “bullet journal” for various lists, monthly meal planning, things like that. There are three ribbons to help save my place in the different sections of the planner as well as three virtue tracker bookmarks, one for each month the planner covers.

There’s a lot in here, as you can see from this photo of the 2-page daily spread. I have not used all of this in the course of a day, but as the week has gone on, I’ve tried these various sections—appointments, to-do list, notes are my big three, and there are also gratitudes, daily cross, devotions, meditation journal, and examination of conscience. Slowly I’m figuring out what works for me. Even with all the structure this planner has, there’s room for flexibility and customization, which I appreciate!

Bonus features include weekly examination of conscience worksheets, discernment journal, prayer intention list, Catholic themes for day, week, and month, and novena starter guide. I’ll be sharing more about The Saintmaker planner on my social media as the quarter goes on.

You can save 10% on The Saintmaker planner with affiliate code FRANCISCANMOM.

 

Habits of Freedom

nullI am not very familiar with Ignatian spirituality, but I have heard it said (more than once) that the saint was very practical-minded, and I am all about that! Habits of Freedom: 5 Ignatian Tools for Clearing Your Mind and Resting Daily with the Lord by Christopher S. Collins, SJ (Ave Maria Press) is an excellent book for a new beginning.

Discerning how to proceed with life—not just with big decisions, but with more immediate habits of daily living—is crucial if we want to stay on track. To be happy. To be free. To be free enough to love and to live fully. (ix)

Each chapter ends with Exercises to Cultivate Habits of Freedom. These are great journal prompts. And at the back of the book, there’s a small-group discussion guide that makes me wish I were part of a small group reading this book.

My friend Deanna Bartalini has been dedicating episodes of her Not Lukewarm Podcast to a chapter-by-chapter discussion of this book, and I’ve enjoyed hearing a second perspective on what I’d already read on my own. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

 

Ignatius on Forgiveness

nullIt’s pretty curious that two Ignatian books have landed in front of me at the same time, but sometimes that’s how things happen, and that often means God’s trying to tell me something. The Ignatian Guide to Forgiveness: 10 Steps to Healing by Marina Berzins McCoy (Loyola Press) is an excellent guide to letting go of the paint that keeps us from moving forward with forgiveness, and with our lives.

The author walks you through stories from Scripture, Ignatian teaching, and real-life stories in each chapter, concluding the chapters with prayers and (often) practical ways to apply the principles described in each chapter.

I’m still reading this one, bit by bit in the Adoration chapel. This is definitely a book that lends itself to this approach.

 

Too Busy? Read this one!

nullI moved The Busy Person’s Guide to an Extraordinary Life by Deacon Greg Kandra (The Word Among Us Press) to the top of my “to be read” pile when I realized I’d purchased it more than a year ago and never gotten around to reading it. There’s no excuse! I’ve been a longtime fan of Deacon Greg’s work because his writing is clear, precise, simple, and accessible. There’s nothing complicated here; Deacon Greg is a terrific writer and inspiring storyteller.

Chapters are brief and can be read in any order. They include a meditation, which sometimes comes with an anecdote or three; “Consider This” with long quotes to ponder; “Try This” with a challenge; and “Pray This.”

 

This Bible Is Much More than a Pretty Face

nullThe brand-new Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible from Ave Maria Press is undoubtedly beautiful, inside and out. I don’t know who did the book design for this, but the design team outdid themselves on this one.

I think it’s good to have a beautiful Bible. First of all, beauty invites you to look inside, and the first step to reading the Bible is opening the Bible. There are lovely touches throughout, from colorful headings to invitations to further reflection to the “Women of the Word” and “Living in the Light of Faith” and several other series of reflective essays sprinkled throughout the book. These essays, along with the boxes labeled “Take It to Heart” and the ruled journaling space on nearly ever page, offer opportunities to personalize this Bible by frequent reading, reflection, prayer, and writing. If you want to read the Bible more this year, this is the Bible for you. (Review copy received from publisher)

 

Visit the January #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 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where noted, books are review copies. If that is not indicated, I either purchased the book myself or borrowed it from the library.

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An Open Book: October 2022

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The first Wednesday of each month, Carolyn Astfalk hosts #OpenBook, where bloggers link posts about books they’ve read recently. It’s been quite a while since I’ve done these! I always enjoy recapping the books I’ve read … but sometimes things get away from me. So here’s a taste of what I read this summer. Mostly, this is a Kindle recap, because if I got a library book that I’ve since read and returned, all bets are off.

Recently I reread In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read this book. The Kindle version I purchased had a fascinating introduction that I’d never read before and isn’t included in my print edition. Rumer Godden is an amazing storyteller and this is one of her best; it’s so easy to lose yourself in the story of a woman with a late vocation, entering a Benedictine monastery in rural England in the early 1950s. (And while Philippa is clearly the main character, another principal in the story emerges as the heroine for me: Abbess Catherine, who famously prayed, “I can’t, so You must.” Best prayer in a novel, hands down.) I’d give it 10 stars out of 5.

 

nullI grabbed a Netgalley offer for a cookbook and I’m glad I did. Tastes Better from Scratch: Easy Recipes for Everyday Life by Lauren Allen introduced me to a new recipe source. I liked that the book was packed with pictures, because I like to see what I’m going to be cooking. The author also included hints for modifying the recipes to allow for different cooking methods (make-ahead, make from frozen) and also modifying for different tastes. These recipes were easy to follow and left the door wide open to personalization. This is a good family-style cookbook. 4 stars.

 

Victoria Everleigh’s The Hope We Vow completes her Vows for Life series. Sadie Rosati, sister to the main character in The Love We Vow, has returned to the faith and is trying to figure out what God wants for her life after her boyfriend doesn’t react well to learning the secret that’s burdened her since her teenage years. Sadie’s explorations lead her not only to new relationships but to the possibility of consecrated life; exploring that possibility opens a door for her to use her musical gifts in a new and unexpected way. A satisfying end to the series. 4 stars.

 

The debut novel Grieving Daughter’s Club by Andrea Bear brings together a cast of characters who might not ordinarily meet (much less become friends) but do so because of a book discussion group at their church. Many of them share the bond of having lost a parent. This is a wonderful story of developing friendships, and of women who literally come to the point of being willing to lay down their lives for each other. By the end of the book, you’ll feel as if these characters are your friends too. Worth a reread! 5 stars.

 

I don’t remember how I heard about Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, but this middle-grade historical novel set in Depression-era Kansas was a delightful read, despite the hardships 12-year-old Abilene has endured in her lifetime. Sent to Manifest on her own by her father, Abilene sets out to find out what really happened during her father’s childhood and unlock the long-buried secrets of the town. The side characters are just as winning as Abilene. 5 stars.

 

The dads take over the PTA in Schooled by Ted Fox, a hilarious novel about rival stay-at-home dads running a cutthroat campaign for the presidency of the PTA in the socially competitive school their young children attend. If you thought PTA moms were bad, they’ve got nothing on Jack and his childhood nemesis Chad, who seems willing to stop at nothing to make sure he wins this election. Plenty of politically-correct everything, but the story is worth getting past all that. 4 stars.

 

And in a completely different vein, The Girl They Left Behind by Roxane Veletzos is a deeply tragic World War II story, which begins in Bucharest when a three-year-old is found on a doorstep, abandoned by her Jewish parents who hope someone will care for the child while they hide in a neighbor’s attic. They think it will be just for a little while, but things don’t work out the way they had hoped. The story follows Natalia into adulthood and is an eye-opening look at life behind the Iron Curtain. Compelling, but be sure to have a light read afterward as a palate cleanser. 4 stars.

 

One of the best books I read this summer was Amy Matayo’s They Called Her Dirty Sally. Journalist Finn Hardwick arrives in a small Arkansas town reluctantly, assigned to cover the 30th anniversary of a tragic hospital fire that killed several newborns and young mothers. He encounters unexpected resistance from the locals who are unwillling to give up the town’s long-held secrets, and discovered that the hospital fire seems to have a tie to his own life as well as to the reclusive, mysterious woman known as “Dirty Sally,” who has not spoken a word to anyone since the day of the fire. 5 stars.

 

In Perfectly Human, Joseph Dutkowsky, M.D. describes his journey from engineering student to pre-med and on to a series of academic and professional opportunities that led him to dedicate his medical career to caring and advocating for persons (mostly children) with disabilities. It’s evident from the very first page that Dr. Dutkowsky loves his work, and that his patients have been as much a gift to him as he has been to them. Dr. Dutkowsky looks into the eyes of his patients and sees the eyes of Jesus looking back at him. One of the best parts of this book is the love story of the doctor and his wife. If you’re a teacher or the parent of a child with special needs, don’t miss this one. (Review copy received from the author)

 

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!

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

Where indicated, books are review copies provided by the author, publisher, or Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Copyright 2022 Barb Szyszkiewicz, all rights reserved.

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An Open Book: July 2022

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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

Shadowed Loyalty by Roseanna M. White. Sabina, daughter of a Chicago mob boss in the days just before Al Capone’s rise to power, discovers she’d been played: the handsome young man who’d been secretly courting her is actually a government agent seeking to take down her father. But Sabina’s secret love life is unwelcome news to the young man who’d loved her since childhood—her fiancé, who puts aside his own code of ethics to get Sabina’s father out of legal trouble. A fascinating story. 5 stars.

 

For a Noble Purpose by Kelsey Gietl. Built on a premise from an episode in the Book of Tobit, the novel follows a young woman whose seven husband all died mysteriously shortly following the wedding, before the marriage could be consummated. Immediately after the death of the seventh, Sarah and the slave woman she grew up with run away to join a wagon train led by Tobias Lark and his brothers, a family of men with extraordinary gifts who seek to start a new community in the Washington Territory. An interesting look at wagon-train life from a privileged woman’s perspective. 4 stars.

 

So THAT Happened: An Accidental Romantic Comedy by Katie Bailey. Instagram posts from this author finally got me to buy this book, and it was a fun story. After a flight cancellation, Annie winds up having to share a hotel room—and a bed—with her handsome but grumpy seatmate from the plane, and she even pretends he’s her new boyfriend when she encounters her old boyfriend and his pregnant girlfriend in the airport. But she figures they’ll never see each other again … until she arrives at her new job Monday morning and discovers he’s the CEO. This clean romance would make a hilarious movie. 4 stars.

 

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson. Assistant-editor Savannah works at a publisher whose CEO considers romance novels too pedestrian for their lineup, but she’s secretly working on one to pitch to a competitor. After hiding her manuscript in a secret room, she returns later to discover someone’s been editing it—and making it infinitely better. This begins a back-and-forth, complete with scheduled secret-room runs so author and editor will be guaranteed never to meet. All the while, Savannah wonders who else knows about the room, and who’s working on her book. Thorougly enjoyable. 5 stars.

 

Beach Wedding on the Rocks by Maddie Evans. Noah and Elsie, known for their pranks during their high-school days and former high-school sweethearts, team up against the guy who was the cause of their breakup 8 years ago. During the week before the wedding, they stage elaborate schemes to dish out some cold revenge, and find themselves battling old feelings while they’re thrown together in hilarious situations. As always, this author’s greatest strength is her characters’ banter. 4 stars.

 

Not Until Someday by Valerie M. Bodden. Grace has a plan to renovate the house she just inherited from her grandfather into a bed-and-breakfast. She also has a life plan, right down to all the qualifications and characteristics of her future husband. When former NFL great Levi shows up as the contractor for her project, she resists her attraction to him because he doesn’t check the boxes on her list. This Christian romance was heavy on the Christian, sometimes to the point of getting in the way of the story. 3 stars.

 

Last Summer Boys by Bill Rivers. I’m not even sure how I found out about this one, but what a gem! In this novel set in 1968 rural/Appalachian Pennsylvania, a young teen seeks an opportunity to save his oldest brother from being drafted. He and a cousin, sent to spend the summer outside riot-plagued Chicago, plan an expedition to find a fighter jet that crashed in the area several years ago. Plenty of local color and flavor of the time, when developers sought to take over formerly rural areas and kids could roam for hours in the woods and hills. 5 stars.

 

Blackberry Beach and Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon. While I love the mainstay characters of the Hope Harbor series, I’m starting to feel as if it’s jumped the shark. Nevertheless, these are easy, sweet reads—just right for relaxing during the summer, and solid 4-star tales. I heard there’s another one releasing this fall, and yes—I’ll be looking for it. Because sometimes, this kind of book is exactly what you need.

YA/Children’s

Love and Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean. A medical condition after an injury ends Britt’s soccer career and dreams of going to college. Offered an opportunity to spend a week in England for a contest that could net her the money she needs to replace her lost athletic scholarship, she travels around the country on a competitive scavenger hunt culminating in a Canterbury-Tale themed final project—and meets a young British man on a life quest of his own. This clean YA romance was a terrific read. 5 stars. (Netgalley)

 

Nonfiction

Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God by Allison Gingras. Interspersed with stories of Allison’s own spiritual journey as she and her husband adopted a profoundly deaf young child from China is “sneaky evangelism” about grace and the ways it’s shown to us—and the ways we hold our faith in our hearts. Allison had to make the faith visible and tangible to her daughter, but the Church made that easy for her through its traditions of sacred art and sacramentals. This book contains not only a fascinating testimony but also an invitation to make your faith personal, by incorporating meaningful devotions, developing relationships with saints, and learning to see God’s grace and providence in every aspect of your life. I want to read it again—this time with my journal near at hand. 5 stars. (Netgalley; available September 30 but you can preorder it now.)

 

Beginning Well: 7 Spiritual Practices for the First Year of Almost Anything by Joel Stepanek. I can never resist a “do something for a year” book and this one is a refreshing take on that theme—and a way better idea than making recipes from the same cookbook every day for a year (yeah, I read that one, AND saw the movie; bet you did too). In this new book from Ave Maria Press, Joel Stepanek offers seven spiritual practices to get you through times of transition. It’s a small book, and the author writes in a very down-to-earth, uncomplicated, conversational style. I recommend this easy, encouraging read, no matter what kind of transition you find yourself in. 5 stars. (Netgalley)

 

Links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. Your purchases made through these links support Franciscanmom.com. Thank you!

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 2022 Barb Szyszkiewicz