Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh - Our book club selection this month. Well-written, but I just couldn't feel comfortable reading about family life from a woman who had so much privilege. How lovely to have two weeks alone at the beach to contemplate your life as wife and mother! How much easier it would be for the rest of us to see the beauty in our lives if we could get away from it and have as much help as she did. I actually loved this book when I first read it, many years ago, perhaps before I had children. (purchased used)
Eric Sloane's Weather Book by Eric Sloane - link to my post (purchased new)
Lives from Plutarch (Hillside edition) - This is a great early introduction to Plutarch, suitable for middle school readers. It's part of the Mater Amabilis lesson plans for Level 4 (eighth grade), but I assign it differently, so that my student finishes it in one year. (purchased new)
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters by N. T. Wright - The newer edition of this book is called Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon for Everyone. N. T. Wright is an Anglican priest and an expert on Paul. Using his own translations, he provides Scripture in short selections (but with nothing missing) and then thoughtfully reflects on them, always including a relevant story from his own life. For the most part, Wright's commentaries have nothing contrary to the Catholic faith, but it is good to have a knowledge of the major differences between Anglican and Catholic beliefs when reading, like the differences between the recognized books of the Bible and those of Jesus' immediate family. (purchased used)
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini - This is the fourth book in the Inheritance series. If you read the first three, you will probably read this one. It's a satisfying end that also leaves a lot of questions unanswered to ponder, discuss, and hope for more books. (First Daughter's purchased copy)
The Diary of a Country Priest be Georges Bernanos - First Son was reading this in Kansas Dad's class in college this year, so I decided to read it as well. This was my second time reading this book, and it was less confusing than the first time. It's a powerful argument for grace in a quiet life and the love of God, but it is a difficult read. The priest's thoughts aren't always well connected (though this makes the diary more authentic). I also often felt like I didn't understand everything the people were actually saying. I think this book is one of those that benefits from additional readings and gets better each time you read it, especially as the reader matures in years and faith. It's worth reading even if you don't understand everything. (Kansas Dad's copy)
Judges and Ruth (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible) - I read this alongside one of my high schoolers. She wanted more context than just the text, and the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible has extensive notes at the bottom of each page as well as some commentary before and within the books. I think my preferred series would be the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, but they haven't gotten to Judges or Ruth yet. (purchased new)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro - In this dystopian, but not futuristic, England, children are raised merely for their organs. The question I saw woven quietly throughout the book is, "What is it to be human?" (library copy)
Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty - In this languorous novel, a young woman gets married amidst the love and chaos of her large family. I should have made a list of all the family members as they appeared, because I had trouble remembering which one was which. I loved how no matter what happened, the family members just kept right on preparing for the wedding and loving each other. (library copy)
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