An Open Book

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Welcome to the April 2021 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

Immortal Combat

My husband has just begun reading Immortal Combat: Confronting the Heart of Darkness by Fr. Dwight Longenecker. Books on spiritual warfare seem to have risen in popularity lately, and this book is part of that trend. It calls on Christians to show heroic virtue in the face of evil while rejecting a feel-good, nonconfrontational gospel.

All That Really Matters

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese is superb! Deese, whose work I have always enjoyed, has become one of the best in her genre (contemporary Christian romance/women’s fiction), in my opinion. All that Really Matters is a timely tale that examines the superficiality of life lived behind a screen. There is so much to reflect on in Molly’s journey from YouTube beauty influencer to, well, you should read it and find out. While Molly is the force behind the novel, Silas, the director of a transitional home for young adults, has his own engrossing story.

Is It Any Wonder

Courtney Walsh’s latest novel, Is It Any Wonder, pairs Coast Guard officer Cody Boggs with his teenage love, Louisa Chambers, as they uncover the secrets surrounding the death of Cody’s beloved father. Both are carrying a heap of guilt related to his death, and ultimately Is It Any Wonder is a story of forgiveness and letting go of the residual anger that can keep us from truly living. A well-written Christian romance.

Be Bold in the Broken

Be Bold in the Broken: How I Found My Courage and Purpose in God’s Unconditional Love is Mary Lenaburg’s follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Be Brave in the Scared. Her author voice is characterized by humor and authenticity, which make her books so easy to read and relate to. This book pairs stories from her childhood and adulthood that show how pinning her worth on others’ opinions and expectations ultimately failed her.

Crumbs of Passion

If you like witty cozy mysteries, look no further. Georgiana Daniel’s Crumbs of Passion is the first in a series. I enjoyed this mystery and its cast of sometimes-kooky characters. It kept me guessing and laughing. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

The Circus of Stolen Dreams

The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn is a well-written, imaginative middle grade novel that veers occasionally into the creepy. Twelve-year-old Andrea must unravel the lies and secrets keeping kids trapped in both dreams and nightmares under the guise of a “one-night” circus. It examines the perils of trying to escape suffering indefinitely rather than facing it head-on.

Before Time Runs Out

Amy Matayo’s Before Time Runs Out is a fun, clever, time travel romance/adventure. This Dickensian time hop is the first in a series and features modern-day Bree and 20th-century war veteran Theodore as they try to discover a way back to their respective eras. As you might guess, that decision is complicated by their growing affection for each other.

Candide

Candide by Voltaire is my oldest son’s selection for independent reading in his literature class. His description: a naïve young man gets mixed up in crazy adventures in 18th-century Europe and the Americas. The humor holds up better than he thought it would in the 21st century.

Crusader King

My daughter is reading Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades by Susan Peek in tandem with her history studies. This is the only little-known saint novel of Susan Peek’s that I’ve yet to read. Baldwin IV suffers from leprosy, and I’ve been peppered with a dozen or so questions about the disease. Apparently, it’s the most striking element of the book so far, and I’m anxious to see what my daughter thinks of the entire story and to read it myself.

Harriet Tubman Freedombound

After seeing it recommended elsewhere, I read Harriet Tubman: Freedombound by Janet Benge and Geoff Benge aloud to my children. I realized rather quickly that I knew shockingly little about this revered woman. The biography covers Harriet Tubman’s childhood through her escape from slavery and travels on the Underground Railroad to her death. It’s appropriate for children without minimizing the brutality and inhumanity of slavery or the complicated nature of politics.

We're Sailing Down the Nile

We’re Sailing Down the Nile: A Journey Through Egypt by Laurie Krebs is a rhyming picture book about both ancient and modern Egypt. The simple story is followed by several appendices with more information about geographic and historical locations, ancient scripts, and various gods and goddesses. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and fun.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the March 2021 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

Consecration to St. Joseph

Like many others, if what I’m seeing on social media is any indication, my husband and I began reading Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Donald H. Calloway. My husband is thoroughly enjoying this consecration, and I appreciate that it seems more accessible (read: easier to understand amidst distractions) than some of the other consecrations we’ve completed. We recommend it for developing a devotion to this great but often-overlooked saint during this year dedicated to him.

Praying with Jesus and Faustina

We’ve also been turning daily to Praying with Jesus and Faustina during Lent and Times of Suffering by Susan Tassone. Each day’s entry is short but filled with wisdom from St. Faustina that blends beautifully with the penitential lessons of Lent. I’ve learned so much about and from St. Faustina through Susan Tassone’s daily devotionals.

Star Wars Art

Star Wars Art: Ralph McQuarrie caught the eye of my Star Wars fan of a husband years ago. Look at the price tag, and you’ll see why it took a while for him to pull the trigger on this purchase. The set includes two large, hardcover books with full-color artwork that has inspired Star Wars in all of its incarnations. A great gift for the die-hard Star Wars fan in your life.

This Life

I’ve just begun reading Jennifer Rodewald’s next release, This Life (Murphy Brothers #4). This second-chance romance between a married couple is, I think, also a road-trip story. Nothing like putting characters on the brink of divorce in a confined space and seeing what happens! This couple, Jacob and Kate, have played minor roles in the other Murphy Brothers books, and they were not very likeable characters, so I’m enjoying how the author has broken their hearts open for the reader to see and for God’s hand to work in their lives.

Homestands

Speaking of unlikeable characters, Sally Bradley had a couple of those to work with in Homestandsanother second-chance romance. I picked this book from my virtual shelf as I was searching for more baseball-themed books. Mike is a major league ballplayer whose marriage to Meg ended badly. Both have behaved terribly to one another, but their son helps them open the door to forgiveness and reunion (though it’s a rocky path). There’s also an added element of suspense, which keeps the story progressing at a nice clip.

Tidewater Bride

Laura Frantz writes lovely, sweeping historical novels, and the early colonial Jamestown setting of Tidewater Bride really appealed to me. Xander is a widowed tobacco farmer with close ties to the Powhatans, and Selah is the daughter of a merchant and a neighbor to Xander’s plantation. There is an element of mystery and suspense to the story, and the lush setting is wonderful. I’d hoped for a little more to the story, as it didn’t grip me near as much as Frantz’s other books, but it was still enjoyable.

Treasures

While I contributed a short story (“Danke”) to the Catholic Teen Books Anthology Treasures: Visible & Invisible, I hadn’t read the stories, connected by a treasured object linked to Saint Patrick, from start to finish until I gave it a final proofread. How thrilled I was at how these stories, set over the span of more than a thousand years and in two continents, fit together so well. Timed for Saint Patrick’s Day, these stories in a variety of genres are suited to middle school-age readers on up.

Rolf and the Viking Bow

My seventh grader read The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French, which covered the same ground as some history she’d been studying. Rolf sets out on a quest to prove that his father’s death was unlawful. There are Christian values in the story though she says the story is accessible to anyone.

Lent One Day at a Time

For Lent, she’s also picked up Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens by Katie Prejean McGrady & Tommy McGrady. Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens by the same authors enriched the Advent season for her, so she was pleased to discover this book as well. It’s also introduced her to the convenience of ebooks since she can complete the short devotions, Scripture readings, and reflections conveniently on our iPad or my iPhone.

Crochet Cute Critters

As a birthday gift from her cousin, she received Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns by Sarah Zimmerman and loves it! Amigurumi is a Japanese term for the art of crocheting or knitting stuffed toys. So far, she’s made a beloved zebra for her little brother and is eager to try a jellyfish next. (There is a critter pattern for each letter of the alphabet.)

Saving Mount Rushmore

My youngest daughter has begun reading one of her Christmas gifts: Saving Mount Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers. She’s already enjoying this adventure, which includes historical intrigue that reminded me a bit of National Treasure. I like that she gets a little history lesson with the fun story.

Ferdinand

Just about the whole family re-read Ferdinand by Munro Leaf as one child was studying Spain, another child was looking to fill the “book-to-movie” category of his library BINGO card, and a third wanted to cross off the “nostalgia’ box for the same BINGO. This story of a peaceful bull who shuns bullfighting was a childhood favorite of mine. Can anyone tell me if the movie adaption is worth watching?

The Story About Ping

One of the kids was studying Asia and another is about to study China, so The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack came home from the library with us. Ping, a duckling left behind on the Yangtzee River, separated from his family, is a delightful story I could read over and over again. I’d glossed over the illustrations of the cormorants fishing for fisherman in previous readings. I’d recently read about the traditional fishing method and was pleasantly surprised to see it depicted in the picture book.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the February 2021 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

Consoling the Heart of Jesus

My husband has been reading Consoling the Heart of Jesus: Prayer Companion from the Do-It-Yourself Ignatian Retreat by Michael E. Gaitley during his weekly Adoration hour. The book is compact—easily portable—and offers some short meditations for reading and reflection. I see my husband is highlighting passages, which means he’s finding it valuable. And since there haven’t been any in-real-life retreats happening for the better part of a year, this seems like a fruitful option.

Secrets of the Sacred Heart

I’ve been wanting to read Emily Jaminet’s latest book, Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life, for a while, and a CatholicMom Book Club was the impetus I needed to get started. I’m taking it a couple of short chapters at a time, watching the author’s videos, using the free journal I downloaded to accompany it, and reading the CatholicMom reflections on it. We’ve been dipping our toes into this traditional devotion for a while with a lovely painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (given to us by the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus who had been residing in our parish) and beginning the First Friday devotions. I’m looking forward to doing an enthronement in June, and this book will be our guide.

The Truth About Romanic Comedies

I enjoyed The Truth about Romantic Comedies by Sean C. McMurray, a smoothly written Young Adult romance featuring Tim, a fatherless teen who spends much of his time tending to his grandma, who has Alzheimer’s and is undergoing cancer treatment. The cancer center is where he meets Rachel, a Christian girl who changes her hair color with her mood and is a firm nonbeliever in teenage love. It’s both humorous and poignant and rings true from my memories of teenage years.

Everything Behind Us

Jennifer Rodewald has become one of my favorite contemporary Christian romance authors. Everything Behind Us is an atypical marriage of convenience story, one motivated by listening to and obeying God’s direction. It’s a deeply moving story that reveals the beauty of married (not necessarily synonymous with romantic) love. I’m not much of a crier when it comes to books, but I’d recommend tissues for this one.

The Work of Our Hands

I highly recommend The Work of Our Hands: The Universal Gift of Creativity by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur to anyone, but especially to artists of all stripes. The short, unique reflections provide a deeper understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God, the Creator.  As a bonus, it gave my creativity a little boost too. Worth reading and pondering.

The Boy Who Knew

The Boy Who Knew (Carlo Acutis) by Corinna Turner is the first book I’ve read about Blessed Carlo Acutis, my new go-to guy for tech problems. He’s so much more than that though. This author has a way of drilling down to the meaning and purpose of life using the high stakes matters of life and death, not just in this book but in many of her other books as well. Blessed Carlo’s story is told through a British teen faced with a leukemia diagnosis and grappling with his mortality. This book is also noteworthy for being set during a recent event: the October 2020 celebration of Carol Acutis being named Blessed. While the subject matter is necessarily a bit heavy, it’s a great introduction to Blessed Carlo and his life.

Crush and Color Keanu Reeves

My oldest son is beginning Hamlet with his William Shakespeare class. It’s premature for us to discuss it or start watching movie adaptions, but the time is right for coloring the Hamlet page from Crush and Color: Keanu Reeves: Colorful Fantasies with a Mysterious Hero by Maurizio Campidelli, which made its way into our house as a Christmas gag gift. The coloring pages themselves are interesting, and the romanticism is hilariously over the top. If you’d have told my late 1980s high school self that Keanu Reeves would be even more popular now than he was then, I’d have laughed. But here we are!

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz-Ryan was a gift for my daughter. She’d previously read Esperanza Rising by the same author. In Riding Freedom, Charlotte has nothing to lose when she runs away from an orphanage disguised as a boy. The story is especially appealing to horse lovers and is based on the first U.S. woman to ever vote—disguised as a man.

Nocturne

Traer Scott’s Nocturne: Creatures of the Night is filled with beautiful photos of nocturnal animals and interesting facts about them. My seventh grader picked this up for a research paper on the fennec fox, but this book appealed to everyone in the family. Just a pleasure to look at and so much to learn about God’s amazing creatures.

The Story of William Penn

The Story of William Penn by Aliki is the second children’s book we picked up about William Penn. The first was filled with too many details, and both the children and I thought it was confusing. This short book was well-written and provides a basic overview of the life of the founder of Pennsylvania (“Penn’s Woods.”)

Our Lady's Wardrobe

We recently received Our Lady’s Wardrobe by Anthony DeSefano as a gift, and I’m delighted with it. It is a lavishly illustrated introduction to several of the most common titles of the Blessed Mother, most of which are tied to Marian apparitions. The illustrations are paired with mellifluous rhyming text that gives a thumbnail sketch of the locale and circumstances of each apparition.

Squirreled Away

Squirreled Away (The Dead Sea Squirrels) by Mike Nawrocki (Veggie Tales) is a recommendation I picked up from another An Open Book post. This eight-book chapter series begins with Michael and his friend Justin accompanying Michael’s dad to an archaeological site. The boys get lost in the Dead Sea caves. They discover some seemingly dead squirrels, Merle and Pearl, which then become re-animated.

Madeline

It had been a while since anyone in the house had read Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. The story of the little French girl who has her appendix removed was a childhood favorite of mine, and it fit perfectly with my young son’s study of Europe and his sister’s study of France. I’d not previously noticed so many Parisian landmarks in the illustrations. The story remains a favorite.

Angelo

Angelo by David Macaulay is another picture book set in Europe. Angelo restores an Italian church façade, and over the course of his years’ of work, befriends a pigeon. It’s a poignant story about craftsmanship, friendship, and what we leave behind.

Shackleton

I knew nothing of Ernest Shackleton until I read the graphic novel Shackleton and the Lost Antarctic Expedition by Blake Hoena with my son. (Another gap in my knowledge discovered. There are many.) The book covers Shackleton’s failed expedition to the South Pole, recounting the amazing story of Shackleton and his team’s survival. I can barely imagine the conditions these men endured.

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Welcome to the January 2021 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

From Afar

If you’re looking for something to read for the Feast of the Epiphany (today!), I’ve got the perfect book for you. From Afar by Roger Thomas is a fictionalized (but realistic) account of the Magi based on Scripture, history, and modern research. I had to set the book aside to tend to some other projects but am eager to dip back into the story as the three wise men are setting off on their journey.

Mistletoe and Murder

Mistletoe and Murder: A Christmas Suspense Collection by various authors including Nancy Mehl and Lynn Shannon, is a priced-to-sell introduction to a variety of Christian suspense authors. For 99 cents, you get ten novellas, which is quite a deal! I expect the story quality to be a little uneven over that many authors, but there are sure to be some here I’ll love. From what I’ve read so far, these stories can be enjoyed any time of year.

The Beautiful Pretender

My daughter and I have been listening to The Beautiful Pretender ( A Medieval Fairy Tale) by Melanie Dickerson while riding in the car, peeling potatoes, or coloring Christmas pages. It’s a fairly simple retelling that’s a little Beauty and the Beast and a little Princess and the Pea. Geared to a younger audience, it’s enjoyable, if predictable, and I love sharing audiobooks with my almost-teenage daughter.

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian

The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season One) by Phil Szostak was a Christmas gift to our oldest son, who’s a huge Star Wars fan. We’ve all enjoyed the glimpses of artwork from The Mandalorian that is shown during the end credits of the series. The book is a large, beautiful hardcover, and he’s enjoying savoring each page.

Oryx and Crake

For an independent school project, my high school senior has chosen Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. His take at the very beginning is that it is “good but weird.” I’m intrigued by the description, which reads, in part: “In search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic engineering ride.”

Book of Norse Myths

My seventh grader read D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths by Ingrid D’Aulaires and Edgar Parin D’Aulaires as part of her schoolwork and thoroughly enjoyed it! She was able to have a great discussion with her father and brother about mythologies, Norse myths, Marvel superheroes, and the storyline of the video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The D’Aulaires’ myth books are well-done!

The White Stag

The White Stag by Kate Seredy is a Newbery Medal winner about Attila and the Huns. The Huns and Magyars follow an elusive white stag to their promised land at the direction of their pagan gods. This also worked into my daughter’s curriculum and was a short read.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

I think I came across Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham in another blogger’s An Open Book recommendations. The time period (colonial America) suited my daughter’s interests, so I checked it out of the library for her. She loved this story of a genius of sea navigation. I’d like to read this one as well.

A Christmas Carol

This same daughter, who out-read all of us this month, also read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for the first time. (I only read it for the first time myself last year.) She noted Dickens’s style of using long descriptions, running pages long in some cases, but still enjoyed this Christmas classic.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson aloud to my three youngest children. Only one had ever read it (several years ago). I looked forward to each chapter of this short book, enjoying the antics of the rotten Herdman siblings. Despite the humor, there’s a lot to think about at the conclusion of the book, especially how our familiarity with the Christmas story allows us to gloss over the details and the import of it. The Herdmans, heathens that they are, take the story to heart, and everyone is the better for it.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Before listening to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, we read the picture book Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Anna Harwell Celenza. I knew little of Vivaldi, so this was an education for all of us. Did you know that Vivaldi was a Catholic priest? I didn’t. Knowing more about him and the genesis of the music made me understand and appreciate it more.

The Spider Who Saved Christmas

The Spider Who Saved Christmas: A Legend by Raymond Arroyo was a Christmas gift for my youngest son. We were not familiar with the legend of the Christmas spider beforehand. I enjoy legends in general, and this one did not disappoint. The illustrations are dark but rich and a bit magical, and the story builds on the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. I like how Joseph is portrayed in his role as protector, and Mary is both gentle and wise.

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Welcome to the October 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

Complaints of the Saints

Complaints of the Saints: Stumbling Upon Holiness with a Crabby Mystic by Sister Mary Lea Hill, FSP, aka The Crabby Mystic, arrived in my mailbox, and I promptly handed it over to my favorite complainer, my husband, who took to it readily. It’s filled with short, easily digestible sections. I’ll read this eventually too. It’s comforting to know that sainthood is attainable despite persistent character flaws because we all have those.

Elizabeth Seton

My audiobook listening, already greatly diminished during the pandemic, has taken another hit as we’ve transitioned to homeschooling. It may well take me the better part of a year to get through the long book I’m listening to! Even so, I’m sticking with Elizabeth Seton: American Saint by Catherine O’Donnell. This isn’t a hagiography, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, one of my longtime favorite saints, is portrayed very much as a woman of her time. I’m less than a quarter through, but I’m enjoying learning the details of her family life. It’s also interesting that characters in this book intersect with those portrayed in the novel The Whiskey Rebels, William Duer being one of them. I’m looking forward to the remainder of this biography.

The Number of Love

I completed the final two books on my short summer reading list. The first is The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White. Set in London during World War I, the characters are involved in code breaking and espionage efforts. There is an element of suspense and a lovely sweet romance, but the characters really shine in this story. The heroine, Margot, is unique in her affinity for numbers, manipulating them with more ease than she can navigate relationships with others. Her friend, Dot, suffers from social anxiety, but they support and care for each other well, as does Dot’s brother, Jake, who loves each of them as they are.

The Rum Runner

The last book from that summer to-be-read list is The Rum Runner by Catherine Marciniak. This prohibition-era novel highlights a WWI veteran who has added running liquor to his family’s scallop-fishing business. Traumatized by his wartime experience in France, Hank’s solitary life suits him fine until his brother’s new romance forces him to repeatedly cross paths with police officer Alice. She’s eager to work a case instead of being relegated to a desk, and he’s eager to discover who’s killed a fellow fisherman/rum runner. A very enjoyable clean historical romance.

Interior Castle

I needed a new book to take along to Adoration, so I began reading St. Teresa of Ávila’s Interior Castle. I’d avoided this book, thinking it was all lofty, difficult-to-understand prose about spiritual ecstasy. Turns out it’s more down to earth than that. It strikes me as a precursor to a million modern memes in which you try to identify which category you fit into.  A good portion of the book is also St. Teresa going on about how unqualified she is to write the book, so I’m not sure what I think of it yet, but it’s a spiritual classic and there are many salient points within, so I’ll read on. The hardcover edition from OSV’s Noll Library is also a beautiful book with a wonderful introduction by Teresa Tomeo.

Macbeth

My oldest son is reading one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, Macbeth. I keep asking him if he’s gotten to the handwashing yet. (He’s almost there.) I like seeing how much he enjoys these plays (and how much better he is at comprehending them than I was). He recommends what he’s seen of the 2010 film adaption with Sir Patrick Stewart.

Jurassic Park

He’s also been reading Jurassic Park, the second book of Michael Crichton’s that he’s read. I think we all know the storyline. He’s been most impressed by how quickly the reader is brought into the action. I read the book many years ago, and remember it being a page-turner and far better than the (very good) movie.

The Woman in the Trees

My daughter has been enjoying her favorite genre, historical fiction. She recently read Theoni Bell’s debut novel, The Woman in the Trees. It tells the story of Slainie, a Belgium immigrant girl, whose life intersects with Adele Brise, an immigrant catechist visionary. The novel touches on the American Civil War, and culminates with the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. It is a fantastic introduction to Our Lady of Good Help, the only approved Marian apparition in the United States.

The Bronze Bow

In conjunction with her history studies, my seventh grader is also reading The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. I’d never heard of this book, then, as so often happens, saw it mentioned twice within a week. My daughter hasn’t read biblical fiction before, so she is really enjoying this novel set in Palestine at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

The Green Ember

We’ve been reading The Green Ember by S.D. Smith aloud at night, and my girls are enjoying the story. It doesn’t hold my youngest son’s attention, but then I can’t think of a single novel I’ve read aloud that did. The rabbit characters à la Watership Down drew me into this action-packed story. History and intrigue in this rabbit world are being revealed bit by bit as brother and sister (now, likely orphans) Heather and Pickett hop from one adventure to another.

Paddle to the Sea

In her study of Canada, my youngest daughter has been reading Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling, a Caldecott Honor book about a boy who carves out a canoe and takes it through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It provides a great overview of Canadian geography.

Armadillo Rodeo

Jan Brett books are all so beautifully illustrated, and my second grader has read a couple of them lately, including Armadillo Rodeo about a young armadillo who mistakes a red boot for a friend. It fits nicely with his study of native North American animals.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the September 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

In Spite of Ourselves

In Spite of Ourselves by Jennifer Rodewald is what I call a marriage of inconvenience story.  A drunken, quickie Vegas marriage of strangers can’t just be forgotten by either Jackson or Kenz. What follows is a sometimes funny, always heartfelt story of God writing straight with crooked lines. Jackson is an inspiring model of God’s faithfulness, and this book is one of my favorites this year.

Always You

I had to go back and read the first book in the Murphy Brothers series by Jennifer Rodewald:  Always You. This novel is less dramatic that In Spite of Ourselves, a gentle friends-to-lovers novel with real and relatable problems being obstacles to a new romance.  There are seven brothers in this family, so there is much more good stuff to come!

Eyes Unveiled

Crystal Walton has freshened up her first series, and I was happy to read Eyes Unveiled. It evokes all the confusion of burgeoning adulthood: discovering who I am, what I want to do, and my place in the world.  It’s a story of self-discovery and sweet romance with the challenge of a bit of a love triangle.

Just Like Home

Each book in Courtney Walsh’s Harbor Point series is better than the last. Just Like Home is an unlikely romance between professional ballerina Charlotte and high school football coach Cole. Gruff, rude, hurt, and angry Cole ends up being a perfect, endearingly sweet and romantic match for sheltered Charlotte, who is seeking love and acceptance in the wake of her long-distance friend’s (Cole’s sister) death.

Help from Heaven

Help from Heaven: True Stories of Rescues, Miracles, and Answered Prayers from a First Responder by Andrea Jo Rodgers is a collection of some of the author’s experiences as an EMT over the past several decades. Interspersed with Bible verses and short reflections, these are the kind of short tales that become addictive. What kind of predicament is it? Will they get to the hospital in time? Will they make it?

Teachings for an Unbelieving World

Teachings for an Unbelieving World: Newly Discovered Reflections on Paul’s Sermon at the Areopagus by Pope John Paul II renewed my appreciation for one of my favorite saints. Decades before he’d become the Holy Father, themes central to his papacy are evident in these short and easy-to-read reflections.

Bigfoot!

Bigfoot!: The True Story of Apes in America by Loren Coleman provides a good overview of the popular and cryptozoological history of Bigfoot for the casual observer. I read this as research for a novel I’m writing and found it a solid and enjoyable examination of the phenomena heavily concentrated on the 1960s.

Nation

For his summer reading assignment, my high school senior chose Nation by Terry Pratchett, an author new to him. He seems reluctant to part with this book, even though it has to go back to the library. This multi-award-winning Young Adult novel concerns Mau, the last surviving member of his nation, alone on a desert island. Then he meets Daphne, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Themes include death and nationhood.

The Call of Cthulhu

Curious about H.P Lovecraft, he downloaded and quickly read The Call of Cthulhu. The description calls it a “harrowing tale of the weakness of the human mind when confronted by powers and intelligences from beyond our world.” My son said it was okay but that he didn’t find it scary, except in a Dracula sense, which I take to mean suspenseful, where what’s unseen is scarier than what is presented.

Fire Starters

My daughter has mostly been finishing series she’d begun this summer, first Percy Jacskson and the Olympians, then the follow-up to Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, The New Chronicles of Rebecca by Kate Douglass Wiggin, which she found a bit disappointing, and then Theresa Linden’s West Brothers series. She’s currently reading Fire Starters, which is great preparation for Confirmation, still more than a year away for her. The West Brothers—Jarret, Keefe, and Roland—were away from the Church and have missed being confirmed, and their friends are on hand both to help them prepare and solve a mystery involving their parish church.

Treasure Island

She also read the classic Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. We seem to have a family of pirate-lovers, and she enjoyed this as much as the rest of us have. It didn’t hurt that we found a fancy hardbound version with a ribbon bookmark and gold-trimmed pages at the library. It’s the little things.

Super Rabbit Boy

I’ve been slacking off a bit with the little kids this past month, but my youngest read his reward book from the library’s summer reading program, Super Rabbit Boy vs. Super Rabbit Boss by Thomas Flintham. It’s the fourth book in the series, but that didn’t seem to bother my second-grader. He loves all things video games, and this book, heavy on illustrations, suited him just fine. He’d like to read the other books in the series.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the August 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

We’ve been doing a lot of reading this summer, especially since our local libraries have re-opened, at least in part. Let’s face it: there aren’t a whole lot of entertainment options this summer, so in addition to hanging out at the pond/creek, my kids are enjoying reading good books.

Grant

While his time on the road has been greatly diminished, my husband did begin listening to Grant by Ron Chernow on his way to and from Scout camp. Intrigued by a History Channel series on Ulysses S. Grant, he was eager to learn more about this former general and president of the United States.

Love and a Little White Lie

Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray is a very well-written inspirational romance novel of healing, hope, and spiritual awakening. I love the direction the author is taking with this story, which reminds me a lot of one of my favorite novels, The Grace Crasher by Mara Faro. I also love this striking cover.

The Bird and the Bees

I was moved by this debut novel by Neena Gaynor, The Bird and the Bees, a Christian romance set mainly in Erie, Pennsylvania. The patient, stalwart third baseman Ketch Devine serves as a model of God’s unconditional love. There is a lot to ponder here about what it means to live and to whom or what we anchor our lives.

Ranger Redemption

Ranger Redemption by Lynn Shannon is a well-executed romantic suspense novel with an intertwined small-town cast of characters that add layers of complicity and multiple suspects to the lineup. The story is well-paced with a sweet second-chance romance at its center.

The Crushing Depths

I enjoyed the second installment in Dani Pettrey’s Coastal Guardian series, The Crushing Depths. It’s uniquely set on an oil rig off of the Virginia coast. There’s a big cast of characters and multiple crimes. If you’re looking for a fast-paced crime novel with a sweet romance, this one will fit the bill.

Though War Be Waged Upon Me

Though War Be Waged Upon Me: A Saint Michael Treasury of Prayer and Reflection by Carol Puschaver is a short prayer book that will deepen your knowledge of the familiar prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.  It also includes information on how to pray the St. Michael Chaplet.

The Dunes

The Dunes by A.R.K. Watson is a short novella with a Twilight Zone vibe. This short fiction features a married couple and is set on the beach. Saying much more may ruin if for you, so you’ll have to check it out for yourself. At 99 cents, why not?

The Jabberwocky Princess

The second book in The Desperate Forest series by Cece Louise is at least as fun as the first. The Jabberwocky Princess is a historical YA novel with a contemporary feel and a little light magic (think dragons!). This is a fantastic series of clean romances for teens that have a bit of a fairy tale quality to them. More on that in the interview I did with the author last month.

Shadow in the Dark

I enjoyed reading Antony Kolenc’s Shadow in the Dark, new from Loyola Press.  This historical novel for tweens and teens is set in medieval Europe and centers around a spooky mystery: Who or what is the shadow roaming the abbey grounds at night? The angel of death or a wayward monk? Such begins the series featuring young orphan Xan (short for Alexander) and his friend Lucy.

Star Wars Myths & Fables

My oldest son is procrastinating on his school summer reading project by reading more from the Star Wars universe. He picked up Star Wars Myths & Fables  by George Mann on our first trip to a bookstore this year! This attractive hardcover features various Aesop’s fable-like stories including various Star Wars characters in different times and places. He appreciated the artwork at the beginning of each chapter too.

Thrawn

We have a slew of decades-old Timothy Zahn Star Wars paperbacks in the attic, but my son was drawn to a more recent release by the same author at the library. Thrawn is short for Grand Admiral Thrawn, an officer in the Imperial Navy. The story follows his rise through the ranks in the early days of the Empire when many alien races are oppressed. This is the first book in a trilogy he plans to read.

The Lightning Thief

My seventh-grade daughter chose The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan as her reward for completing the reading portion of the library’s summer reading program. This series came recommended by her older brother, and she has been tearing through it greedily as fast as she can get the remaining books from the library. In a world where Greek gods and demi-gods roam the earth, Percy  Jackson discovers he’s the son of Poseidon, which puts his life in danger. When someone steals Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy must find it.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare came recommended by a librarian based on my daughter’s interest in colonial America. A young girl, Kit, flees her home in Barbados and arrives in Connecticut. Kit befriends a Quaker woman the local Puritans consider a witch.

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Knowing how much my daughter loved Anne of Green Gables, I picked up a copy of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin from the library, and she loved it, informing me that this book actually was written before Anne and influenced L. M. Montgomery and various other authors. Imaginative Rebecca comes to live with aunts in Riverboro, where she comes of age.

George Washington's Socks

George Washington’s Socks by Elvira Woodruff was required summer reading that my daughter liked (but didn’t love). Several kids time travel to Revolutionary War times where they witness General Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and try to get home. My daughter was a little frustrated by the magical rowboat plot device.

Girls with a Voice

I ordered some (wonderful!) Usborne books and products for my kids this summer and grabbed Girls with a Voice and Girls with Courage by Ann Turnbull and Adele Geras. In Girls with a Voice, set in the 18th century, a girl dreams of becoming an opera singer. She’s sent to boarding school when her father loses a large amount of money on a failed investment, jeopardizing her musical education. In Girls with Courage, set in the 19th century, a girl is sent to her uncles’ home when her mother is having another baby. She must ride with her eye-patch-wearing uncle to discover what’s happened to her mother. (To buy, check in with an Usborne Books & More consultant.)

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter

My third grader picked out a huge book from the library that she is steadily reading aloud to the rest of us (whether we’re listening or not). The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter includes all of the classic tales of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin, and more with the original illustrations.

The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare

We brought home a slew of Berenstain Bears books from the library too.  All four of my kids have loved the Berenstain Bears, and we read these books again and again and again. As a parent, I’ve always appreciated the honest but gentle and humorous way they tackle common childhood problems. One of the favorites this go-round has been The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

The Wind in the Willows

I’ve begun reading The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame aloud to the kids. It’s been a while since I read this one, and the chapters are pretty long for a children’s book. I enjoy introducing the kids to this world, which they connect with a particular area of the children’s garden at the nearby Hershey Gardens.

Potterwookiee

My youngest son has been reading Potterwookiee: The Creature in My Closet by Obert Skye. In it, the main character puts both books and a chemistry set in the closet and some amazing creatures result. This one was handed down from his older brother. Illustrations à la Diary of Wimpy Kid make it a fun read.

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the July 2020 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

I’ve been squeezing in a lot of short reads lately, so let’s get right to it!

The Machine Stops

Science fiction isn’t usually my thing, but I heard about The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster on The Catholic Reading Challenge podcast and downloaded a copy. In this dystopian future, humans exist entirely in their government-assigned apartments, interacting with others only via button and screen. Sound familiar? The thing that most gave me pause about this story is that it was written more than 100 years ago!

The Boden Birthright

The Boden Birthright by Mary Connealy is a novella prequel to The Cimarron Legacy series, which I plan on reading soon. It provides an introduction to some of the characters in this Texas ranch series. While I think understanding this bit of back story will enhance my enjoyment of the books, I found it a little lackluster.

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan is a children’s classic I never read. I had no idea it was so short—and deceptively simple. It paints a lovely portrait of frontier life told from a young girl’s point of view as her widowed father welcomes a mail order bride of sorts into their family. I think my daughters will love this one.

The Lost Letter

The Lost Letter is the second book I’ve read by Mimi Matthews. It was a perfect distraction on a beautiful Sunday afternoon when the world was going crazy. Well-developed characters and a second-chance Victorian romance tugged on my heart in the best way.

The Matrimonial Advertisement

I immediately switched to The Matrimonial Advertisement, also by Mimi Matthews, the first book in the Parish Orphans of Devon series. This shares some superficial similarities to The Lost Letter (mainly a wounded veteran of an Indian (as in India, not American native) uprising), but this story amid the rugged seaside cliffs with its dilapidated abbey drew me in. With a touch of the Gothic, the quality of this Victorian romance ensured I’d be reading the remaining books in the series.

Ladies of Intrigue

I won Ladies of Intrigue: 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery by Michelle Griep in a Goodreads giveaway, and I’ve been tardy in reading and reviewing it. I love the author’s novels, and these stories were enjoyable, even if not as moving . Length is a factor here. These were quick reads though with well-developed characters and a good sampling of the author’s style. I enjoyed the mystery aspect in each of the stories, particularly the first story, “The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady.”

Courting Morrow Little

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz came recommended to me on several fronts, and I’ve been meaning to read it for quite a while. Still looking to immerse myself in something other than current events, I dove in, loving the lush Kentucky wilderness world that the author created. The sweeping romance delves into the simple lives of late-18th century Americans complicated by the competing interests of natives, pioneers, the British, and the French –not to mention the threats of disease and deprivation. The romance between a Kentucky pastor’s daughter and the half-native man whose life has been intertwined with hers since childhood is tender, heartfelt, and passionate.

St. Anne's Day

I zipped through two novels by Catholic author Janice Lane Palko in a few days.  St. Anne’s Day, set in Pittsburgh, was a little like visiting home with its casts of characters that speak and act like the people I was surrounded by growing up, from their down-to-earth frankness to their uniquely Pittsburgh quirks and cultural Catholicism. There’s a lot of levity to this book even though it deals with some grave topics. The romance is between a fallen-away Catholic/avowed bachelor bar owner and the visiting nurse tending to his ailing, aged mother. Their path to a happily ever after is anything but straight.

Our Lady of the Roses

The sequel, Our Lady of the Roses, is hard to put in a box. Is it a comedy? Yes. Does it deal with serious spiritual matters? Yes. Is it Christian fiction? Yes. Does it fit the Christian Booksellers Association mold for Christian novels? No. And a little diversity among my Christian fiction is good, I think. The story follows superficial, promiscuous Janetta to Rome as she accompanies boring Bob, a salon client, on a business trip (with a side pilgrimage). Bob is the steady, honorable guy Janetta needs but doesn’t think she deserves.

The Runaway Bride

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund, second in the The Bride Ships series, takes place at the same time as the first book as a ship of prospective English brides arrive in British Columbia. I like the prodigal son aspect of this story as developed in the hero, Pete. A lowly baker, Pete sets his sights on the aristocratic Arabella, running from what all but certainly would’ve been an abusive arranged marriage. I’ve seen others refer to this story as involving a love triangle, but there never seemed to be any real competition in that regard, at least not one I couldn’t see easily resolved, so I didn’t classify it that way.

Dooku: Jedi Lost

My teenage son enjoyed listening to the audio drama Dooku: Jedi Lost by Cavan Scott, which chronicles Dooku’s life as a Jedi before he turned to the Dark Side, while taking his daily walk. It was like listening to a movie, he said. It’s now one of his favorite Star War books.

Life Changing Love Cover

My middle-school daughter is working her way through Theresa Linden’s West Brothers series, most recently Life-Changing Love. I’ve read the book myself, but it was interesting to see it through my pre-teen daughter’s eyes as she discerned the good and bad relationship choices the characters were making. What a great opportunity for her to see real-life consequences in a fictional setting where no people are harmed!

She also enjoyed a book I’m going to read as well: Beneath Wandering Stars by Ashlee Cowles, which I think I first saw recommended by Catholic Teen Books author Leslea Wahl and made part of my summer reading list. Honoring a vow to her wounded soldier brother, Gabriela walks the Camino de Santiago with her brother’s best friend, whom she despises.

Across Five Aprils

Across Five Aprils is a historical novel set during the Civil War that I saw recommended on an An Open Book post and knew immediately would appeal to my daughter, who loves American history. It follows young Jethro Creighton, starting in 1861, through the Civil War as his family is pulled into the conflict between North and South.

Heavenly Hosts

I read two stories from Heavenly Hosts:  Eucharistic Miracles for Kids to my now-third grade daughter, in bed each night. She enjoyed listening to the stories set in various centuries and throughout the world. The fictional details Kathryn Griffin Swegart adds to the true miracles make them more interesting and engaging for young readers. A few editing details could be cleaned up in the text but didn’t detract from my daughter’s enjoyment.

This is the third child in the household reading the Origami Yoda series, and she is currently reading The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger. These are fun books for my Star Wars fans, who usually ending up grabbing paper and attempting to make little origami creations.

Secrets of Winter

After purchasing books through a recent online Usborne party, my two youngest are re-discovering the Shine-A-Light books they enjoy. The new favorite seems to be  Secrets of Winter by Carron Brown. If you have young kids in your life and you haven’t discovered these, they are such fun! Hold a flashlight behind the page to reveal a hidden part of the illustration.

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