Welcome to the April 2019 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!
With his new job, my husband is spending more time traveling and therefore enjoying more audiobooks. He’s been listening to some Stephen King novels he last read in the 1980s, which have helped him complete our library’s winter reading program. And, self-serving as it may sound, he’s been listening to a couple of my audiobooks, including Rightfully Ours. (I know when he’s listening because he sends me messages about this or that familiar-sounding event or some detail that doesn’t jive.) Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk (me!) is a coming of age story about two teens in Williamsport, Pennsylvania who are drawn together by grief and circumstances. Together, they embark on a treasure hunt for lost Civil War gold, falling in love in the process.
I’ve been listening to Hurt Road by Bruce A. Stewart, a (mostly) easygoing story set in Lousiana in the 1960s and ‘70s. An orphaned teen moves from Detroit to the South to live with his grandparents, whom he hardly knows. The family farm on Hurt Road proves to be the place where Hank matures and falls in love. Likeable characters, light romance, and some suspense. I recommend this professionally-narrated novel.
No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ’s Passion by Edward Sri is the paperback companion to the Ascension Press Bible Study I’m participating in this spring. While it complements the workbook and video series well, it can be read as a standalone. Although filled with biblical typology, it’s not a series of dry and dull references. The insights have opened my heart to Christ’s passion in a new and deeper way.
My teenager picked up Darth Plagueis: Star Wars Legends by James Luceno on a recent library visit. I later breezed past the book lying on the dining room table and said, “Ooh, Death Plagues,” for which I was laughed at. Master of Careful Reading, that’s me. I was then schooled in the whole master/apprentice system by which the Sith endure. (For those not in the know, Darth Plagueis was Darth Sidius/Emperor Palpatine’s master.)
In my daughter’s fifth grade class, they are reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, which is the recipient of many awards. A privileged Mexican girl’s family experiences a reversal of fortune, forcing young Esperanza to work on a California farm during the Great Depression. Her mother’s illness and a labor strike further complicate matters for Esperanza.
While my oldest was choosing his Star Wars book, my first grader grabbed a couple of joke books and Cat Poems by Dave Crawley. We picked up the book on a whim, and I’m so glad we did! The poems are clever and sweet, and the illustrations are delightful and include a guide to various domestic cat breeds featured in the book.
My kindergartener is now privileged to bring home books from the school library. You and Me, Little Bear by MartinWaddell tugged on my heartstrings. In it, Big Bear (the Daddy) is too busy to play with Little Bear. Little Bear tags along with Big Bear while he completes his chores, then busies himself while Big Bear dozes before finally getting to play with his dad. But play they finally do. A sweet picture book that most parents and children will enjoy.
What are you reading? Share it at An Open Book and find new book recommendations too! #openbook Share on XWant more details on An Open Book? You can also sign up for An Open Book reminder email, which goes out one week before the link-up. No blog? That’s okay. Just tell us what you’re reading in the comment box.
I don’t think I’ve ever really read one of the (many) Star Wars books out there, but Darth Plagueis sounds interesting-I may have to pick that up sometime! And I bet my toddler would love that Cat Poems book!
Yes, I’ve read only a couple Star Wars novels, but this one intrigues me too. And, yes, your toddler would probably enjoy the cat poems. And picking out all of the different types of cats.
I was thinking the same thing as Anne Marie. Darth Plagueis…what a cool name! You are brave to let your husband listen to your audiobook. That would make me nervous.
We still have You and Me, Little Bear! The boys are teens so I have no one to enjoy it with, but some things you just can’t part with! But Cat Poems sounds mighty cute!
Yeah, when my son was explaining the whole master/apprentice thing, it intrigued me because at some time, the apprentice must kill the master in order to become the master. It’s such a villainous system! I’m not even a cat lover, but I did enjoy those Cat Poems!
I will have to add the Edward Sri book to my list! I’ve done one of his studies and really enjoyed it!
It’s very well done. I’ve learned a lot.
Carolyn, I love the how you keep these brief and to the point. I am much too wordy with my reviews–and perhaps I give too much away. Are you okay with how I wrote about Ornamental Graces? Were there spoilers that bothered you? Let me know and I will edit some details out!
I enjoyed Ornamental Graces and will be putting Rightfully Ours in my “to read” pile. Thanks for using your writing talents to tell stories that show the power of our beautiful Faith–and for hosting this link-up.
Thanks, Laura! I keep these short because I’m cramming lots of little summaries in here, but my reviews are usually a bit longer. I so appreciate you taking the time to write one for Ornamental Graces! I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t see any spoilers there.