Welcome to the June 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow by Mimi Matthews is an intriguing gender-swap take on the Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre. John Eyre, a teacher leaving behind a past marred by the death of his friend Helen, arrives to instruct Mrs. Bertha Rochester’s wards at Thornfield Hall. He’s instrumental in restoring the boys’ health from a weakened state, though they do not speak. Mrs. Rochester’s husband, whom we meet in letters Mrs. Rochester exchanged with her friend Miss Ingram, is not so much ill as, well, I don’t want to spoil it for you. Let’s say his malady is not a mental illness but a literary-style curse. While the twists the author introduces are interesting, the book is missing the chemistry of Matthews’ other novels and even of the original classic. I also think the switch in the main characters’ genders weakens their roles, but I’m less than two-thirds of the way through the book, and I may still be swayed. It’s not at all a bad book; as a reboot, it invites comparison.

The third installment of Georgiana Daniels’ KC Crumb Mystery, A Crumby Way to Die, brings KC’s man-bun wearing ex-boyfriend James into the plot as KC and her eccentric pals work to solve another case. There’s been a shish kebab stabbing at the bed and breakfast, and KC and her two canine pals are back to sleuthing. James’ presence has put KC at odds with love interest Officer Antonio Hansom, and she needs to exonerate James and send him packing so she and Antonio can resume their almost-romance. An entertaining cozy mystery!

For his birthday, my college son received the Darth Bane Trilogy (Star Wars) by Drew Karpyshyr. My son prefers to pretend these books are still part of the Star Wars canon and not expunged from the record by Disney. The first book, which he’s begun reading, is Path of Destruction. This series centers on the evil Sith, and it begins by relating Dessel’s transformation from a miner hiding amidst the Sith army to an acolyte in the Sith academy.

In eighth grade, my daughter’s class read Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen. The story is set in late 19^th century Lithuania, during Russian occupation. When Audra’s parents are captured and sent to Siberia, she becomes part of an underground network of book smugglers. While her classmates enjoyed this book because of its intrigue, she disliked it. For one, she was frustrated by the main character’s propensity for changing her mind. Too “flippity-floppity,” she says. She also thought too much emphasis was placed on the necessity of books for preserving the Lithuanians’ heritage.

My daughter was inspired by Helen Keller: From Darkness to Light by Tanya Savory. In fourth grade, I studied Annie Sullivan, Keller’s teacher, for a student game show, and I used to know quite a bit about their story. For my daughter, this book served as a good introduction to Keller’s life as a blind, deaf, and mute person. Her only disappointment came at the end when she learned that Keller, Sullivan, and Sullivan’s husband were all socialists and birth control advocates.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie fit a need for the eighth grade reading challenge wrapping up along with the school year. My daughter loved this mystery, the first she’s read by Agatha Christie. She enjoyed the twists and the detailed clues, which reminded her of the Edgar Allan Poe stories she read in the fall. She wanted so much to talk about the book with me, but I’m making her wait until I read it as well. 

A couple of years back, this same daughter was out measuring the girth of our maple trees to see if they were mature enough for tapping. They were not, but it did not surprise me when she picked up Sugaring Time by Kathryn Lasky. This informational book explains the history and practice of creating maple syrup as well as the differences between the various grades through the Lacey family’s sugaring experience. I also learned the origin of the expression “sugar bush,” which my mother said frequently.

My younger daughter has been consulting Amphibian, a DK Eyewitness Book by Dr. Barry Clarke. We love these DK books for their colorful photographs and interesting details. As you might guess, this one looks at both familiar and unfamiliar amphibians with details about their anatomy, behavior, and environment. Flipping through the book makes me want to take the kids to a pond with a bucket, where we can gather some tadpoles, something I loved doing as a kid.

My youngest son has been reading 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw. Steve Wyatt is a brilliant inventor. So intelligent, in fact, that he can be promoted to high school. In order to avoid skipping ahead, Steve sets out to cause so much trouble he can’t advance. Looks like a fast-paced and funny story for kids.

To Serve and Protect by Leslea Wahl is an adorable story about a family pet who steps into the role of protector while Dad is deployed. The text is simple enough for the youngest children, and the illustrations, including the dog (Siena), are adorable. Follow Siena as she does her best to guard the family from perceived threats. A great story for military families, but any child will enjoy it. (Though if they don’t have a family pet, it may leave them begging for a dog!)

I had heard of Saint Zita, but I didn’t know a thing about her until I read A Miracle in the Kitchen: A Legend about Saint Zita by Pamela Love. This story from Pauline Books & Media emphasizes the ordinary way in which a woman attained sainthood: working hard to serve others, even doing menial tasks, and by being a compassionate friend and caring for the sick. What will jump out at young readers is the miracle in which an angel appears and bakes bread for Zita’s employer in her stead and how that miracle led others to faith.

Want 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.

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Welcome to the May 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

I’m still finishing my summer reading list from 2021. (Don’t judge me.) On it is Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe. I downloaded it to my Kindle while it was on sale after seeing so many rave reviews, despite not having read any of the author’s other books. I don’t think I even read the book description, so each page has unfolded as a surprise—and I quite like it that way. I knew only that it was set in the 1980s. For whatever reason, I expected a traditional Christian romance. That’s not what this is. Under the Magnolias is Southern fiction, a coming-of-age story, a YA romance, and more. I’m just over halfway through, but I’ve grown to love the quirky tobacco-farming family led by eldest daughter Ox, who is trying to raise six younger siblings while her widowed father descends into madness.

Nicole Deese is probably my favorite contemporary Christian romance author, and she’s hit the ball out of the park with All That It Takes (a follow-up to All That Really Matters). Val, a single mom living without the constant support of her parents for the first time, has landed a spot in a prestigious documentary competition that will cause her to come to terms with a past she’s kept well-hidden. She’ll do that while living above (and falling in love with) Miles, a pastor who’s been shuffled out of his megachurch missionary work to a less exciting, less visible role. There’s so much to say about this book and these characters, but its heart for women who come alongside other women in crisis is tender, touching, and a story that needed to be told. I highly recommend All That It Takes.

I also worked in a quick read of Jody Hedlund’s The Heart of a Cowboy, second in a series. A young, widowed scientist, Linnea, travels the Santa Fe Trail with a group of botanists and Flynn, who’s moving a herd of cattle and his younger siblings to his estranged older brother’s Colorado ranch. Jody Hedlund ramps up the chemistry between Linnea and Flynn, so there’s a lot of will they/won’t they throughout the journey. A couple details kept me from identifying fully with Linnea, but it was an enjoyable book, and I’ll be reading more in the series.

Maria V. Gallagher’s Joyful Encounters with Mary: A Woman’s Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary is new from Marian Press. It gave me an opportunity to slow down and contemplate the Blessed Mother’s life through each Joyful Mystery. Through personal stories, the lives of the saints, and gentle questions, Maria Gallagher guides the reader beyond rote recitation of prayers to living the scriptural mysteries alongside Mary. Perfect reading for Mary’s month, May, or as a gift for a Catholic mom in your life.

My eighth-grade daughter finished a book I may have read more times than any other: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. By halfway through, she’d become invested in the story of 1950s Oklahoma greasers and their fateful encounter with the upper-class Socs. It’s such fun when my kids read and love novels that were close to my heart at their age. Now we’ll be able to watch Francis Ford Coppola’s movie adaption together, the cast of which may have had something to do with my love for the book.

In fourth grade, my daughter has been reading the second in a series by Gordon Korman that she began last month. Zoobreak (Swindel #2), as you might guess based on the title, involves animals being broken out of a zoo, where they are badly treated. Then the animals must be hidden. And then broken in to a better zoo.

A slew of Catholic children’s books has passed through my hands recently. One is The Curious Story of Jonah by Bob Hartman from Ascension Kids. This colorful hardcover picture book is a faithful retelling of the biblical tale aimed at young children. While most stories of Jonah focus almost exclusively on his being in the belly of the whale, this story gives equal time to what came before and after. I love the bright illustrations by Honor Ayres.

The Wordless Weaver by Claudia Cangilla McAdam is set before Passover in Jerusalem. Shira, a talented young weaver, wants to create something beautiful for Yeshua. The story follows Shira, who is mute, as she is a witness to the crucifixion and has an encounter with the apostle John. It’s a sweet, hopeful story perfect for the Easter season but enjoyable any time of the year.

Want 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.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

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Welcome to the April 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

I was the lucky of winner of some Lent-themed books from Catholic Mom, and my husband is benefitting. His Lenten reading during weekly Adoration is What Jesus Saw from the Cross by A. G. Sertillanges. The author is a priest who lived in Jerusalem, and the book was originally published in French in 1930. Sophia Institute Press has reprinted this “devotional book [which] gives you vivid and dramatic details not included in the Gospel.”

On the recommendation of Catholic Mom and Daughter, I bought a copy of The Sermons of St. Franics de Sales for Lent. I’ve been reminded why I liked the saint’s Introduction to the Devout Life so much, and I’m doing something I never do: using a highlighter to mark all the bits of wisdom shared. It’s easy to do since De Sales’ sermons are well-organized. It may have been written in the 17th century, but the lessons are still applicable to 21^st-century life.

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep quickly became my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. With great characters, excellent pacing, and nods to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this Gothic romance is a reminder of the importance of full reliance on God. The brother of heroine Amelia Balfour is a noble, tragic “monster,” who becomes a wiling victim of the true monster of the tale, a misguided surgeon. Luckily, there is an honorable, kindhearted hero on hand.

I revisited the 1980s—an era I more frequently wish to return to—with A.J. Pittman’s Pride and Prejudice retelling, Pudge and Prejudice. Beloved nostalgia aside, I enjoyed the parallels to the classic, and I become more invested in Elyse and Billy’s happy ending than I ever was in Elizabeth’s with Mr. Darcy. A 1980s Texas high school setting worked remarkably well, and particularly Billy Fitz’s character (Mr. Darcy), rang true.

My oldest son continues to read through the Star Wars series he discovered in the attic. Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore (The New Jedi Order) takes place twenty-one years after the Battle of Endor depicted in Return of the Jedi, when the New Republic faces a new threat from the Outer Rim. He gives the series a thumbs up!

My teenage daughter has begun reading Cece Louise’s Forest Tales series, beginning with Desperate Forest. She loved the first novel in this historical fantasy series. Princess Roselynn flees to Eternity Forest after the murder of her father and is captured by an outlaw, Jay. He might be her enemy—but he might also be the love interest. We know how that goes, right? I’m so glad my daughter liked this fun, clean YA book. She’s eager to continue the series.

With her eighth-grade class, she is also reading Restart by Gordon Korman. Chase has a case of amnesia after a fall. Apparently, before the fall, he was a jerk. Now he has a chance to be someone different. Someone better, as the tagline would suggest: Lose your memory. Find your life. My daughter is enjoying this book a lot.

My younger daughter is reading another Gordon Korman book with her fourth-grade class. Swindle is described thusly: “Ocean’s 11 . . . with 11-year-olds, in a super stand-alone heist caper.” The stolen item is a valuable baseball card and the obstacles to its safe return are a nasty guard dog, a high-tech security system, and the disadvantages of being 11-year-old kids. Looks fast paced and fun.

We have lots of crossover reading going on here not only with Gordon Korman books, but with this daughter reading Stuart Little, which I’m sure I’ve included here before; The Wild Robot, which her younger brother read a couple of months ago; and Flora and Ulysses, which her young brother is currently reading.

Flora and Ulysses by KateDiCamillo is a Newbery Medal winner about a superhero squirrel named Ulysses, and Flora, the girl who discovers him. The book includes not only text but comic-style graphics and full-page illustrations. It seems that the friendship between Ulysses and Flora and how it affects others is what makes the story beloved.

Just as we eat a healthy diet with some junk on the side, so is my son reading both the old, giant Illustrated Treasury of Children’s Literature and Splatoon Squid Kids Comedy Show by Hideki Goto. I don’t expect much from books based on video games, but he liked this illustrated book, zipping through it quickly. (In true Japanese fashion, it’s read from right to left.)

Finally, I saw What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Problems with Anger by Dawn Huebner recommended in a Facebook group and thought someone in my household could benefit from it. We haven’t worked through the entire book yet, as it has some exercises to do, but it seems practical and helpful. It guides kids and parents through techniques for dealing with anger as it arises— “anger dousing” methods, as they are called. It seems like a positive and productive means of helping a child learn to cool his temper.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

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