September 2025 Book Reports

The Song at the Scaffold by Gertrud von le Fort - This book of historical fiction imagines the life of Blanche de la Force, who enters a convent full of fear, a fear that is perhaps her very gift to God as the French Revolution's Reign of Terror comes for the convent. It's based on the true stories of the Carmelite nuns of Compiègne, who sang as they were taken to the guillotine, offering themselves as a sacrifice. (purchased copy)

A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science by Brother Guy Consolmagno - Brother Guy is one of my heroes. I've read many of his books and they all speak eloquently of the wonder of creation, and how science can lead us to a deeper relationship with God. This book is full of gorgeous photographs and a bibliography of more wonderful books. Highly recommended. (received as a gift from my son)

The Rule of St. Benedict - Excerpts of the Rule are included in the second volume of the Mater Amabilis religion readings, but I decided to read the whole thing as it's not very long. This is a foundational text for the Catholic faith. (Kansas Dad's copy, but freely available online)

The Modern Scholar: Tolkien and the West: Recovering the Lost Tradition of Europe by Michael Drout - Professor Drout is an enthusiastic and enjoyable lecturer. I picked this up during a sale after listening to his another lecture series from the Modern Scholar, The Anglo-Saxon World (which is one of the honors texts for Mater Amabilis high school history). I enjoyed learning more about Tolkien, especially since I had recently read his essay on fairy tales. (purchased audiobook)

1066: The Year That Changed Everything by Jennifer Paxton - This is one of the Great Courses available on Audible. I'm sure I picked it up during one of the 2-for-1 sales (love those). This series is only about three hours long, but was fascinating as someone who has studied English history with my kids through many levels. (purchased audiobook)

Ode to Saint Cecilia - a Radio Theatre production from the Augustine Institute. I bought a few of these radio dramas during a sale because I thought the kids might enjoy them. It's well written, well performed, and well produced. Recommended! (purchased audiobook)

Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney - I listened to this as an audiobook based on a recommendation. It's a poem describing the end of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. To be honest, it's not my favorite book from the Pinkneys, but it might make a good complement to a fuller study of Marting Luther King, Jr. (purchased audiobook)

Othello by William Shakespeare - I do not assign Othello to my high school students, but I have always wanted to read it myself. So I did! You can find lots of excellent information on Shakespeare and Othello online, so I won't try to write anything fancy. Read Shakespeare! The more you read, the better it gets! (purchased copy)

The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton - I've had this book on my shelf for ages after picking it up at a library book sale. I think I was finally inspired to read it by references in the Drout lectures on Tolkien I listened to earlier this month. Chesterton wrote this epic poem as a romance, a story to inspire a love of country and of faith. It's not my favorite epic poem (I suppose that would have to be The Odyssey, though I don't read epic poetry much for fun.), but I'm glad I read it. (purchased used copy, available free online)

Andy Catlett: Early Travels by Wendell Berry - This is a short novel set in Berry's Port William community when Andy Catlett is nine and takes a trip by himself to his grandparent's house. Told from his point of view at the end of his life, it's a book steeped in family and gratitude. I think Berry glosses over many of the difficulties in the small community life he champions, but he writes beautifully and it is still good to be reminded of what we can appreciate and value in times past and in modern times. (Kansas Dad's copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

June 2025 Book Reports

Rhetoric Alive! Senior Thesis Student Workbook by Alyssan Barnes - First Daughter used this workbook as a guide while writing her senior honors thesis. It provides a structure and a plan to tackle a large project. It's an optional resource scheduled in the Mater Amabilis lesson plans for a senior thesis. I know a lot of families in the group that don't use it, but we found it helpful. (purchased copy)

Piccadilly Jim by P. G. Wodehouse - Wodehouse is my go-to when I need something witty and fun to break up my school or serious reading. I collect them on audio because they all have narrators with lovely English accents. (purchased audiobook)

Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell - I read this with my book club, and we had a fascinating discussion about personal responsibility, forgiveness, and mercy. It felt a little more preachy to me than I remembered from the first time I read it, but I still enjoyed it. (purchased copy)

The Secret Garden: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Hanna Luechtefeld - The Secret Garden is one of my very favorite books of all time. I have it on audiobook and play it at night if I am feeling too anxious to sleep. I don't think a graphic novel could live up to the original, but that's probably my bias. The biographical information at the end about Frances Hodgson Burnett was interesting. (library copy)

The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love by St. Augustine - You can find this book online. I won't link to any copy because I can't tell which of the reprints are decent. I read an old copy of Kansas Dad's translated by J. F. Shaw, but I don't know if the translations differ much. It's a very good summary of the faith. We use excerpts of it in the Mater Amabilis high school religion readers, but it's not too long so I read the whole thing. (Kansas Dad's copy)

Perelandra by C. S. Lewis - link to my post about the whole trilogy (received as a gift from my brother-in-law)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

Spiritual Battles: The Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis

The Space Trilogy

Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength

by C. S. Lewis

The Space Trilogy is C. S. Lewis's foray into science fiction, but the other-worldly locations and experiences allow Lewis to explore our relationships with each other, society, and God.

In Out of the Silent Planet, Professor Elwin Ransom is kidnapped and taken to another planet. He suspects he is to be a human sacrifice. Once there, he escapes his captors and wanders the alien world, making friends with some of the creatures and being introduced to angelic beings who are able to reveal truths about his home planet and its captivity by a malevolent being.

Ransom is returned to earth, but has now a higher purpose. He is transported to Venus in Perelandra. Here, he meets a beautiful woman, a kind of Eve. When evil follows him to Perelandra, he believes he must convince the Lady to reject the arguments of evil, but an exciting and unexpected twist brings him physically into battle.

Finally, in That Hideous Strength, modernity is feeding the growing evil on our own Earth. Ransom leads a community of believers who make themselves available to the Oyéresu, the angelic beings, who (presumably) battle through intergalactic space and all of time on behalf of the one true God.

If you are interested in action, the theological and philosophical discussions will slow down the plot, but they are, of course, the main point as far as Lewis is concerned. 

As always, I liked the books better once I read a paper my older son wrote for a philosophy class about That Hideous Strength. I also found this essay by Dr. Stephen Stallard interesting, especially his point about living in counter-cultural communities (churches, or perhaps, The Church), forming ourselves for our mission in the world, whatever that might be.

I may have mentioned before that C. S. Lewis is not my favorite author, and these books haven't changed my mind. However, I rarely regret reading anything he's written. There's always something I hadn't considered before.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links. I bought these three books years and years ago with a gift card.

A Great Escape: The Eighth Arrow

The Eighth Arrow: Odysseus in the Underworld

J. Augustine Wetta

In The Eighth Arrow, Father Augustine imagines what would happen if Odysseus, trapped in the eighth circle of Dante's Inferno, decided to escape. He convinces Diomedes to go on another great adventure, one which might provide a path to redemption to a man who doesn't even realize his need for salvation.

My kids introduced me to Epic: The Musical which reimagines Odysseus as a man more of modern sensibilities. The Eighth Arrow doesn't reimagine Odysseus; it gives Dante's depiction of Odysseus a chance to show us what he might have learned in three thousand years in Hell.

This book was an absolute delight from beginning to end, witty and fun. If you've read the Odyssey (and you should) and Dante's Inferno (again, you should), this book will be like dessert. 

Highly recommended.

I have received nothing in exchange for this review. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links. I received this book as a Christmas gift from my son.

St. Benedict's Rule Like You've Never Seen It: Humility Rules

Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's 12-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem

by J. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B.

FatherAugustine was a juggling, surfing lifeguard who gave it all up to become a Benedictine monk. In this delightful book, he applies the heart of St. Benedict's Rule to modern life for those of us who aren't called to religious life (and perhaps to some who will be called). Through his own experiences and stories, he shares how the Rule has shaped his life and how its wisdom can show us what's most important.

Everyone comes to a point in his life when he must choose between fun and joy. and to choose the former over the latter leads to a whole lot of emptiness. (p. 96)

The book is light-hearted and funny, full of ridiculous illustrations in full color, but the guide is serious.

Highly recommended.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links. I borrowed this book from my parish library. 

March 2025 Book Reports

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow - Kansas Dad picked this book and encouraged me to listen to it. The authors present a preponderance of evidence to show that early civilizations throughout the world are not what we were taught. Early people organized themselves in myriads of ways. The forms of government did not lead inexorably to the "states" that we have today. Besides the obvious interest in learning what life in early societies was like, this is a fascinating proposition, because it shows that the way our governments work (like representative voting in democracies governed by majority rule) are not the only ways for large communities of people to live in harmony, and may even reveal ways to increase harmony. The other really startling aspect of this book is how researchers for generations, faced with the same evidence presented in the book, were constrained by their initial impressions and assumptions, unable to see how the evidence did not fit the stories they were telling themselves, and all of us. Frankly, the examples were so numerous, it was almost redundant and repetitive listening to them all, but that just struck home this point more forcefully. You may think, this book could have been much shorter, and yet, many of the assumptions crushed by the book are still commonly taught. It took me ages to listen to this whole book, but it was worth it. (Audible audiobook)

Emma by Jane Austen - I listened to this with my daughters. You can never go wrong with Austen, though Emma is one of my least favorite heroines. I do love how more than most, she grows in self-understanding and compassion through the events of the novels. My girls and I have listened to three Austen novels together, but I fear this is the last as my older daughter goes away to college in the fall. I cannot recommend enough listening to Austen with daughters, such a job. We will watch a movie version of Emma soon, and good options abound. (Audible audiobook)

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - This book, of course, was read with my book club. It was at least my third time reading this book, and it honestly gets lovelier every time. I wept for the fathers and sons, for the lives gone astray, and for the strength of those who try to quietly follow the will of God amidst great uncertainty of the best way forward. (purchased copy)

The Fair American by Elizabeth Coatsworth - This is the third book of the Sally series. Every once in a while, I like to pull a book off the shelves that will just brighten my heart. I read the first of this series aloud to the kids, but I think only my older daughter read them all. They are perfect for an elementary age reader. In this one, Sally and Andrew sail with Andrew's father to France and end up rescuing an aristocrat's son. It's a brief little introduction to the French Revolution without being too upsetting. (purchased copy)

The Gift of Peace by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin - Cardinal Bernardin wrote this brief little book as he was dying of cancer. It is a book of great love and comfort. I picked it up at a library sale years ago. When I heard two different people mention it within a few weeks of each other, I decided I should read it. I can imagine revisiting it again and again. (purchased used)

Laurus by Eugene Vodolazkin - Kansas Dad bought this book when it was new, but I didn't get around to reading it until I needed a translated book for my homeschool mom reading challenge bingo card. (I got a blackout in the first quarter!) I had so many questions when I finished it! I overwhelmed Kansas Dad with all the big ideas roiling around in my head. Sadly, it had been too long since he read it for him to really talk with me about it. I would love to read this book again with a group of people. (purchased copy)

Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery - I thought I had read every L.M. Montgomery book in my youth, but I didn't remember this one at all. I think Pat is slightly less loveable than Anne, but it is always nice to spend some time filling my mind with Montgomery stories. I am looking around for a copy of the sequel, because I'm sure I haven't read that one, either. (PaperBackSwap.com)

February 2025 Book Reports

Gilgamesh retold by Stephen Mitchell - I picked this book off my shelf for a reading challenge of my local homeschool friends for "a ballad or epic poem". The introduction of this book gives some good background information on the epic of Gilgamesh, but it often treats Biblical stories as if they were mythical or legendary rather than true, just like Gilgamesh. The version is a retelling, but it sounds like it flows better than a more literal translation. Interestingly, Mitchell doesn't read any of the original language of Gilgamesh and has instead relied on a wide variety of translations. I suppose that means this isn't the edition you want if you are looking for a more academic version, but his extensive notes (more than 80 pages) probably provide more information that most readers care about. (I didn't read them myself.) I ended up with this edition because it's the one that came available on PaperBackSwap, and it was quite enjoyable. There are some versions of Gilgamesh appropriate for children; this is not one of them. We don't even assign Gilgamesh to high schoolers, but I suppose I would allow a mature teen to read this retelling if he or she was particularly interested. (PaperBackSwap.com copy)

The Art of Dying Well by St. Robert Bellarmine - This was a pre-read for a four-year series of religion readings Kansas Dad is compiling. Hopefully we'll include it in future Mater Amabilis high school religion plans. It's a brief book exploring how we should live so that we are prepared to die well, prepared to be closer to our Lord. (free online)

Dune Boy by Edwin Way Teale - I read this back in 2010. It's a delightful book, but it's currently showing as $50 at a number of online bookstores; don't pay that! This is Teale's wonderful memoir of his youth, mainly focused on the time he spent working, dreaming, and learning on his grandparents' farm near the sand dunes in Indiana. It's nature study, natural history, memoir, writing treatise, and American history. I read it aloud to the kids over the past few years. (Finding time to read all together is much harder when they start taking classes at college and participating in so many sports and activities.) (received from a member of PaperBackSwap.com)

Women of the Catholic Imagination edited by Haley Stewart - I received this as a gift for Christmas. This book includes essays about twelve different authors who were either Catholic or wrote in the Catholic tradition, all from the past two hundred years. I was unfamiliar with three of them entirely and learned a great deal about the lives and writings of the them and the others. Of course, the major problem with a book like this is that is expands your to-read list exponentially, but at least you know the books you are adding are worth your time. As a side note, this Word on Fire edition is beautiful. It's well-made and a joy to read. There's an art to printing a good book; Word on Fire is always a quality publisher. (gifted copy)

Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather - Our reading Bingo included a white elephant category. We each recommended a book which was put on a randomized wheel online. Then we each spun to get our white elephant read. (I put The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery on the list.) My selection was Shadows on the Rock, which was perfect because I'm slowly reading my way through all of Cather's novels. In this one, we trace the life of one girl of Quebec in 1697 as she grows from a girl into a woman. It's beautifully written, though it does have the flaws you would expect of a novel of early America in respect to the Native Americans. There were also a few times when I thought to myself, "I would never send my daughter on an overnight river trip with a grown man." But those are flaws partly imposed by our modern eyes rather than inherent in the novel. I did not like it as well as Death Comes for the Archbishop, but still lovely. I really like the Vintage Classics editions of Cather's novels. (purchased used)

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff - Multiple people in different parts of my life happened to recommend this book around the same time. Looking for something lovely and short, I bought the audiobook. First, I was surprised to find it a series of actual letters (and not a work of fiction), and epistolary books are always questionable to me. Though her letters to a London bookseller begin as relatively benign requests for worthy books, Helene's vibrant personality soon breaks through to become friends with the employees. She shares in their joys and sorrows. It's sweet, but like life, it doesn't always have neat and tidy endings. People come and go, and sometimes you never learn how they ended up. Parts were funny, much was uplifting. I'm not sorry I listened to it, but I don't know that I'd overwhelmingly recommend it. (Audible copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

January 2025 Book Reports

Some homeschooling moms proposed a bingo card reading challenge for the year. We all picked some categories and made a card. I was inspired and started reading a lot more!

My God and My All: The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by Elizabeth Goudge - This was my book club book for the previous month, but our group pushed the date back because of Christmas, so I finished it in January. The beginning seemed slow to me, but it was a comforting read. Goudge writes beautifully of the landscape of Italy, especially around Assisi. I was disconcerted by her style, though. The book is historical fiction, as she imagines St. Francis's life unfolded, but she wrote it like a biography, so I was constantly thinking to myself, "She's just making all this up!" It would have been easier for me if it had been more obviously fictionalized. (purchased copy)

The Little Juggler by Barbara Cooney - We've had this book for many years, and I read it to the children when they were younger. When I realized they didn't remember it, I read it aloud to my teens this Christmas season. This delightful French tale retold and illustrated by Barbara Cooney is out of print, and vastly more expensive than when I picked up a used copy solely because I love anything Cooney and (for a time) bought anything with her name on it. In the tale, Barnaby (also the name of one of Cooney's sons) is a young orphan who knows only one thing, performing acrobatics and juggling, which he does to earn a few coins. In the winter-time, no one wants to watch a juggler, so he is cold and hungry, but a kind monk invites him to the a monastery, where he receives shelter. In imitation of the monks, and in gratitude for the love of God, he performs before a status of Mary and the Christ child as his Christmas gift. God wants nothing more from us than that we return his gifts out of Love. You can more easily find other versions of this tale, like The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola, but Cooney's will always be my favorite. (purchased used)

The Blackbird and Other Stories by Sally Thomas - link to my post (purchased copy)

You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir by Melissa Ohden - Melissa is an abortion survivor. She tells her story of self-destruction, redemption, forgiveness, and hope with great compassion for her mother and all who seek an abortion. (free e-book for Plough subscribers)

The Pearl by John Steinbeck - I read this with my book club. I do not like Steinbeck's books. He writes beautifully, but his characters suffer terribly, both of which are as true of this book as of the others I've read. I dreaded reading this book because I remembered enough of it to know it was tragic. Kino is assaulted on all sides after he finds The Pearl, and his life is destroyed through little fault of his own. I don't think there's a way to read this story and find a way to live or a way to make the world better or the truth of our redemption. (purchased copy)

The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer: How to Pray and Why by Lawrence G. Lovasik - This book gives many examples of the results of productive prayer and examples of actions you can take to begin praying or move more deeply into prayer. I still like The Hidden Power of Kindness better, but this would be a good option for someone interested specifically in prayer. (purchased used)

Just Stab Me Now by Jill Bearup - My daughter has followed the author of this book for a while. I borrowed this book from her to fulfill a Bingo card category for a reading challenge I'm doing with some homeschool moms, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's funny, sweet, and has happy endings for all the good guys and unhappy endings for the worst of the bad guys. It's a good thing I read it when we were still slowing transitioning out of winter break, because I finally just gave up on all the things I should do and read until I finished the book. (borrowed from my daughter, who pre-ordered it)

Just Don't Fall: A Hilariously True Story of Childhood, Cancer, Amputation, Romantic Yearning, Truth, and Olympic Greatness by Josh Sundquist - The author shares his story with humor and heartfelt thankfulness. I can understand why he made a young reader's edition; there were a few parts with references and language I wouldn't want to share with younger kids, but the story itself is wonderful. The author seems like a down-to-earth, hard-working, fun guy. (You've probably seen his Halloween costumes, even if you don't know who he is.) He endured a year of chem after the amputation of his leg, cancer scares later, and then his mom had chemo for her own cancer. His family is amazing. His faith stays strong, and he is brave enough to seek therapy and treatment when he needs it. Making an Olympic or Paralympic team takes enormous amounts of perseverance, practice, and money, and is worth celebrating, even when an athlete doesn't earn a medal. One of my favorite parts is in the acknowledgments, "I wish to acknowledge my many Winter Park and Paralympic teammates and coaches, all of whom I will never forget, and all of whom will be justified in their inevitable doubts as to whether my short and lackluster skiing career deserves to be recorded in a book."  (PaperBackSwap.com)

33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy Consecration by Michael Gaitley - I read this on the recommendation of a friend. Hopefully I can put some of it into practice. (gift copy from my friend)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie - Some of the local homeschool moms came up with a reading challenge bingo game for the year. One of the categories was a classic detective book and this one was recommended. I didn't remember reading it, but had a solid guess for the murderer within a few chapters...which means I did read it before, probably in high school, because I am terrible at guessing the murderer. It was fun to read, though, especially when I was sick and wanted something to distract me without being too heavy. (library copy)

The Father's Tale by Michael D. O'Brien - This enormous (and relatively expensive book) was a book club selection. It was far longer than it should have been. Some paragraphs impressed me, but the writing was not as excellent as one would hope given it's enormous length. In the book, a rather distant father, with sons who seemed shockingly uncaring, abandons his safe life to follow his younger son, fearing he has been caught up in a cult. He travels through Europe and into Russia on his trail. When he's finally about to give up and go home, he's attacked and ends up stuck in Russia after his long recovery. Then he gets stupidly sucked up into international intrigue. Before he makes it home, he experiences a profound closeness with the crucified Lord and learns God may have used him to save oblivious Western countries from Russian military forces, somehow. I was so anxious early on for his son I almost couldn't keep reading, so be assured his son is alright. I'm not entirely sure I recommend this book. There are those moments of insight and brightness...but it's so very very long. (purchased copy)

The Gods of Winter by Dana Gioia - I like to think of myself as the kind of person who reads poetry, but I rarely pick up a book of poems collected, prepared, and published by a single poet. It's a different experience than an anthology, and probably one I don't understand as well as I could. Dana Gioia is a prominent American Catholic poet, so this book seemed a good one to try. I liked some of the poems more than others, but they all made me think. (purchased used)

Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This is a re-read of a book I adored as a girl, and it did not disappoint. It's a lovely retelling! (borrowed First Daughter's copy)

Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene - I picked up this book because I suspected it was one I remember from my teens that I haven't been able to identify. It wasn't, and there are some hard parts of the book. Patty is abused and neglected by her parents. She finds solace in the friendship and kindness of an escaped Nazi soldier. (library copy)

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde - A re-read, and a delightful one. (discovered in a Little Free Library)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliates links.

December 2024 Book Reports

The Aeneid by Vergil, translated by Sarah Ruden - I read this with my book club. I'm certain I read it back in 2019, or rather, listened to an audiobook version, because First Son was reading it that year, following the beta version of the Mater Amabilis high school English plans, but I can't find it on my blog. (Shock!) It was nice to have a refresher a year before Second Son will read it. I thought Ruden's translation was lovely and readable. The Odyssey may still be my favorite, however. (purchased copy, though I later found my son had a copy of this translation for his college Great Books class).

If you are looking for help in understanding The Aeneid, I highly recommend Elizabeth Vandiver's The Aeneid of Virgil, which also isn't on my blog but should be!

Still Alice by Lisa Genova - This novel portrays an active intelligent Harvard professor who suffers from early onset Alzheimer's disease. It's tragic but also hopeful. (from a fellow member of PaperBackSwap.com)

Strange Gods Before Me by Mother Mary Francis - I love A Right to Be Merry and was happy to see this book back in print when I had some birthday money to spend. Mother Mary Francis wrote this book in the years following Vatican II, as contemplative communities (and the whole Church) grappled with its ramifications. She writes against the "strange gods" of the modern world who distract us from our devotion to God and his will. I found this a fascinating book to be reading alongside a brief study of Vatican II with our adult ed church class and reading some of the Vatican II documents with my older daughter. Anyone discerning a religious vocation will find much to ponder in the book, especially those interested in contemplative orders. The insights into a rich spiritual life, though, are useful to anyone, not just someone in religious life. This book is worthy of its own post, but I am squeezing it in here because I'm trying to catch up! (purchased copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

October and November 2024 Book Reports

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger - This was our book club read for the month, and I absolutely loved it. I read it at the airport and on a couple of flights, finishing it in just over 24 hours. I will definitely be reading it again. (purchased copy)

The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church by Rachel L. Swarns - Kansas Dad recommended I read this book. "In 1838, a group of America's most prominent Catholic priests sold 272 enslaved people to save their largest mission project, what is now Georgetown University." It echoed many of the themes in The History of Black Catholics in the United States, but with even more modern sources. It is good to be aware of the sins of the past and to think deeply about how we can be a part of the reconciliation process. (Kansas Dad's purchased copy)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers - This is one of the novels recommended for Level 6 Year 2 (twelfth grade) in the Mater Amabilis English plans. I read it a little ahead of First Daughter. I haven't read any other Peter Wimsey novels, but I enjoyed this one. As I neared the end, I certainly neglected some of my chores because I was eager to read more. First Daughter loved it and promptly checked out every Peter Wimsey book she could find at the library. (shared by a member of PaperBackSwap.com)

Paul for Everyone: Romans Part One by N. T. Wright - I read the older version of Romans for Everyone, and am not entirely sure I should count it as its own book since there's a Part Two. (I'll get to that one, too.) I'll quote what I wrote about a different book in the Paul for Everyone series:

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)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop and Amazon are affiliate links.

July 2024 Book Reports

The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis - Read on the recommendation of Kansas Dad and just about everyone, this is a metaphorical book about heaven and hell. Risking alienating all of my friends (though luckily not many of them read this blog), I will admit that I don't love reading Lewis. (I can't even read the Narnia books anymore, though I do like to listen to them.) This book was fine. I have no real argument with it. (First Son's copy)

No Bullet Got Me Yet: The Relentless Faith of Father Kapaun by John Stansifer - link to my post (purchased new)

A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict by John Baxter - This book was kind of fun, especially if you know a lot of authors in science fiction or in Australia, but he spent too much time collecting books of the sort I wouldn't allow in our home. I do not recommend it, and I've decided not to link to it. (purchased used)

The Borrowed House by Hilda van Stockum - This is the author of some of my favorite middle grade books like the Mitchells series and The Winged Watchman. This book is also set during World War II. Janna is the daughter of actors who are living in the confiscated home of a Jewish family, though Janna doesn't understand that at first. Janna must confront her German indoctrination when she meets a member of the Dutch underground. This book provides many perspectives and helps us ask of ourselves, how would we behave in a situation like this? I have often thought it likely that I would not be as brave as I might hope. (purchased copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop and Amazon are affiliate links.

Faith in a Time of War: No Bullet Got Me Yet

No Bullet Got Me Yet: The Relentless Faith of Father Kapaun 

by John Stansifer

Servant of God Emil Kapaun is from our diocese, so I basically buy every book published about him. Stansifer's book is well-researched and delves deeply into Father Kapaun's time in Korea.

Father Kapaun was a farm boy in Kansas who enlisted as a chaplain. He served in World War II and in Korea, where he was captured while heroically staying behind with wounded men and later died in a prisoner of war camp. After the war, soldiers who knew him and those who only heard about him, told stories of a man of courage and compassion that (we believe) prove he's a saint.

Stansifer interviewed many veterans, but he also had access to some amazing primary sources with stories of Father Kapaun I'd never heard, and I try to read everything about him. 

I had a few quibbles with the text. I was disappointed the author used the term "native" to refer to the people of some Asian countries where Father Kapaun was stationed. These weren't quotes from letters or documents of the time, but author's words. It felt disrespectful to me. I also felt like sometimes it was difficult to tell if the author was quoting someone else. Sometimes there were quotation marks. Sometimes the text was indented. Sometimes an entire section seemed to be from an interview or a letter, but there weren't any quotations or indentations, so I wasn't sure. He also mentions at one point that a pope invokes papal infallibility at a canonization Mass, which is not official church teaching. (I'm married to a theologian, so I can't let that go.)

Despite my pickiness, this is an excellent book for the adults in your life. I ultimately decided my upcoming eighth grader (Level 4) would read A Shepherd in Combat Boots, which is sadly out of print. Both are good, but A Shepherd in Combat Boots is a little less graphic in its descriptions of war and the prison camp, so I thought it a better fit for a middle school student.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I purchased this book. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

Education, Parenting, Relationships, and Christ: Patterns for Life

Patterns for Life: An Orthodox Reflection on Charlotte Mason Education

by Lisa Rose and Laura E. Wolfe

Kansas Dad and I don't often buy each other gifts, even for Christmas and birthdays, but on a date night he noticed me eyeing this book and deciding not to buy it. He snuck back to the bookstore and bought it for me. I hadn't wanted to spend so much money on a book about Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education because we are nearing the end of our homeschooling days. 

I cannot tell you how glad I am Kansas Dad went back for it. This book is not only my favorite Charlotte Mason book ever, but honestly a book I think might be the best parenting book I've ever read. I now recommend this book repeatedly in my Charlotte Mason groups and think any new Charlotte Mason family should read it and Know and Tell as early in their homeschooling journey as possible.

The authors of this book are Orthodox, but their understanding of Charlotte Mason's philosophy and how it intersects with a life of faith is a Catholic one. Catholic readers will probably understand most of the religious references, more than Protestant ones, but I think the book is valuable for all Christians.

The authors believe there haven't been many books that clearly explain Charlotte Mason's ideas for modern readers. You can now easily find her original writings. One of my favorites to recommend is Karen Glass's Mind to Mind, in which she abridges Charlotte Mason's most important book, Towards a Philosophy of Education. There have actually been quite a few books written on Charlotte Mason's methods, most of which I've read, but I agree that Rose and Wolfe have done it more thoroughly and more beautifully than any of the others.

Modern society's methods and goals for education flow from and lead to a consumerist mentality that is completely at odds with the Christian ideas of the human person and the goals of a Godly life. The authors see Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education as an ideal alternative. In the first half of the book, they explain Charlotte Mason's philosophy of the human person and education. In the second half of the book, they show how that philosophy leads to methods we can employ as parents and educators. They also address some timely difficulties like the use of technology by our children and in our homes.

They spend a significant amount of time explaining the difference between the system of modern education, which the authors reject, and the "patterns for life" they have found in Charlotte Mason's philosophy shaped by their faith.

We want the instruction manual that tells us the exact steps to take, the exact books to read, the exact curriculum to use to produce the products that we want. That is precisely what Charlotte Mason refuses to give us. Instead, she models a slow, deliberate, and compelling way to think about our children, and this is why she differentiates between a 'system' of education and a 'method' of education. (pp. 17-18)

Charlotte Mason recognizes that children are "born persons." They have been created as unique individuals with the capacity to learn and grow. Honoring their dignity means the way of education is one of relationships and love.

As we focus on relationship, we also begin to understand that education happens from the inside out. The discovery and cultivation of relationships draws out of a person his or her own contribution to the connections formed; it brings out the music that always exists in the child as a unique person. A child's mind is the instrument of his education and as such is already functional. Our job, as parents and educators, is to help the child learn how to use this instrument to the best of his ability, how to keep it in tune, conforming to the pattern set forth for its use, all the while remembering the purpose of letting his particular melody sound forth. (p. 19)

One of the aspects I appreciate most about this book is the nuanced explanations and examples. They explain and model the ideal, but also encourage us to be compassionate with ourselves when we think we have failed.

There is a treasure in our hearts: the picture of a perfect homeschool day, the perfect homeschool week, the perfect homeschool year. It is precious and longed for. But it rarely, if ever, actually materializes. You must keep this in mind when you read these pages, or any parenting or education book for that matter. We are clay in the Potter's hands, not a finished project. And even when we are broken, He continues to work with us to His glory. (p. 156)

They also hold firm against the influencers and curriculum providers who lead us to believe their way is the best way for everyone. God has called us as individuals and families, and his will for our lives and those of our children may not be the same as his will for others. 

Rose and Wolfe have an intimate and thorough understanding of Charlotte Mason's philosophy and methods. They admire her and show how we can follow Mason's precepts today, but they do not idolize her or take all of her statements as Truth. They have carefully considered every aspect and clearly articulate areas where Mason's understanding was incomplete or where we have simply learned more about how the world works and how to be in relationship with one another. 

I whole-heartedly recommend this book. It's everything I ever wanted to say about Charlotte Mason and home education today.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Kansas Dad bought this book for me. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

March 2024 Book Reports

The Art of Conflict Management: Achieving Solutions for Life, Work, and Beyond by Michael Dues (Great Courses audio lecture series) - When First Daughter and I met for lunch with a local lawyer to learn about law school and law careers, the lawyer recommended learning conflict management skills. I found this series of recorded lectures from the Great Books program to add to her civics course. The 24 lectures cover a wide range of strategies for understanding conflict and communicating within relationships (or as a mediator) to find win-win solutions. I personally found it helpful in my own relationships and thought it was a great addition to the civics course. (purchased audiobook)

A Severe Mercy: A Story of Faith, Tragedy, and Triumph by Sheldon Vanauken - I read this with my book club. It was my second time reading the book, and I still didn't like it. Vanauken writes of the tragic loss of his young wife to illness after their conversion to Christianity, a conversion he didn't experience fully until after her death. More than anything, I think their love was flawed from the beginning when they decided children would come between them, so they wouldn't have any (though I acknowledge that decision might have changed after they became Christians if Davy hadn't already been suffering from her long illness). I guess it seems like the book is inward focused rather than other-focused, which is odd for me for such a *Christian* book. My favorite part is the afterward in which the author reveals Davy gave a baby up for adoption before their marriage. It completely changed my perspective on Davy and made me wish to understand her better from her own point of view, rather than her husband's. Overall, I think there are better books exploring the meaning of our faith in the face of suffering. (purchased copy) 

Two in the Far North by Margaret E. Murie - Murie was the first female graduate of the University of Alaska in 1924. She married a biologist, Olaus Murie, and together they worked and traveled in the wilds of Alaska. In later years, they traveled all over the world. In this book, she writes lovingly of their adventures in Alaska and the wilderness. Sometimes she and her husband traveled and worked alone; other times with colleagues and even their children. I am not an adventurous woman, but I love to read these kinds of adventures. Murie's describes the natural world with joy and a great thankfulness to be a part of it, even when they struggled. This is a classic of the conservation movement. (an older edition from PaperBackSwap.com)

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibanez - This historical fantasy romance was recommended in a local book group I follow just when I was looking for a light read for between book club books, so I requested it from the library. A young woman travels to Egypt after hearing of her parents' tragic deaths and ends up attacked by those who seek to pillage Egypt of its ancient treasures. Honestly, I found the writing painful, the plot convoluted, and the characters uneven. I suffered through the book to give myself closure, only to be disappointed because the author is planning a sequel (or a series). (library book)

Transforming Your Life through the Eucharist by John A. Kane - I have recommended this a number of times since I first read it. I didn't find it quite as striking the second time through, but it's still a good solid book on the Eucharist. (purchased copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

February 2024 Book Reports

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg - I came across this book at a library used bookstore. In this novel, an elderly Swedish woman, Doris, writes her life story in order to inspire her niece, Jenny, who is struggling in the throes of motherhood. It was an engrossing read, but ultimately not one I recommend. The woman's one true love is unreliable and untrustworthy, which always annoys me. And Doris mostly lives a selfish and self-centered life. (purchased used)

True Grit by Charles Portis - This was my book club book for February. It was such a fun read! I have a lot of questions about the reliability of Mattie Ross's account, not to mention reservations about her decisions, but thoroughly enjoyed the book. My book club chose the John Wayne version for our annual summer movie night, another fun event! (purchased copy)

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather - I love Cather's writing; I find it achingly beautiful, and love how it often reminds me of the landscapes of Illinois, my birth state, and Kansas, my current home. I am slowly collecting and reading all of her books. This novel is one of sacrifice, hard work, and tragedy. (PaperBackSwap.com)

Call the Doctor: A Country GP Between the Wars: Tales of Courage, Hardship and Hope by Ronald White-Cooper - This is a book of bits and pieces of writing by a British doctor collated and organized by his granddaughter and intermingled with letters he received from his patients. His personality shines through the candid stories. I didn't always like what he had to say, but it was honest. It's a fascinating book, a bit of primary source material, for anyone interested in British life and specifically the medical field in Britain in the interwar period (and a bit beyond). (purchased used)

Fides et Ratio by St. Pope John Paul II - This encyclical is scheduled in the Mater Amabilis lesson plans for Level 6 Year 2 (twelfth grade). I assigned it to First Daughter in eleventh grade because she had read one of the earlier ones. (We assigned some Vatican II documents her seniors year.) I love that encyclicals are included in the lesson plans. They become much less intimidating for students once they start reading them. I hope it helps them feel confident and interested enough to keep reading new ones after they go on to college. Fides et Ratio is such an important one for our times, as it discusses the relationship between faith and reason, something much misunderstood amongst many young people. (free on the Vatican website)

How to Listen to and Understand Great Music by Robert Greenberg (Great Courses audio lecture series) - link to my post (purchased audiobook)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

December 2023 Book Reports

 

Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Devorah Heitner - link to my post (library copy)

Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh - I don't read many mysteries because I can never figure them out, but I enjoyed another one by Marsh so thought I'd read more. I didn't figure it out! But it was a fun read. (PaperBackSwap.com)

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence - I read this book back in 2020, but this time read it with my book club. This book is easy to read in short snippets. It's also good to be reminded that we can (and should) turn to God throughout the day, that anytime our mind wanders, it would be better to pray than to pick up our phones. (purchased copy; I bought the Well-Read Mom edition, which is fine, but I find it frustrating that independent booksellers are not allowed to carry it, so I've linked to another edition.)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

October 2023 Book Reports

Charis in the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans - This was the second time I read this book (first review here). This time I wasn't recovering from Covid and I was able to read it with my book club. I enjoyed it just as much. Charis is able to see the glory and beauty of Creation, and to feel God's loving presence, even in the midst of pain, suffering, and abandonment. I know she's not real, but she is my hero. (received as a gift)

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - This was another re-read for me, but I hadn't read this one since I was in high school. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Writing this little review now, more than a year later, I am reminded that I wanted to read more of the robot books. Asimov is a master storyteller and a giant in the sci-fi genre. Everyone should read at least some of his books. (library copy)

Goodnight Mind: Turn Off Your Noisy Thoughts & Get a Good Night's Sleep by Colleen E. Carney, PhD, and Rachel Manber, PhD - This is a nice helpful book on the importance of sleep and the strategies for assessing your sleep and improving it. The part I remember best was the research that showed a person's impairment after a restless night is almost always not as bad as they thought it would be. I have felt so much freer when I can't fall asleep to stop worrying about it, and even sometimes to get up and read a book or watch a little show. I wanted to share it with my kids, but then I found one geared toward teens. I bought that one and my kids will read it as part of their high school Health course, but I actually haven't read it myself. I would also suggest recommending prayer to kids who can't sleep, which isn't mentioned in this book. (library copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

September 2023 Book Reports

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, written by Himself - This classic of American history is now one of our assigned books in American history. (You could also include it in civics readings.) I assign it in Level 5 Year 2 (tenth grade) in addition to the Mater Amabilis readings. (purchased used)

The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini - I'm a new Inheritance Cycle fan and had to check this book out from the library. The stories are fun little dips back into Eragon's world. (library copy)

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - I love Dickens! David Copperfield is an orphan who seeks his own fortune, sometimes making mistakes, but always meeting interesting people, some of which turn out to better or worse friends than you might first suspect. This book is assigned in the Mater Amabilis lesson plans in Level 6 Year 1 (eleventh grade). My daughter and I both got so invested in the story we couldn't limit ourselves to the assigned readings. (purchased used) (The inked copy is not the one I own, but is probably a safe edition. Be cautious in your edition; many of the reprints are poor quality.)

Seek that Which is Above by Pope Benedict XVI - This is one of the recommended spiritual reading books for Mater Amabilis in Level 6 Year 1 (eleventh grade). It's the shortest of the recommended books and a good option for a student that wants to complete the readings at adoration. (purchased used)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

July 2023 Book Reports

Into the Deep: An Unlikely Catholic Conversion by Abigail Rine Favale - I first read Favale's newer book, The Genesis of Gender. I bought this book and read it quickly when I thought I would be able to hear her speak at a conference. Sadly that didn't work out, but the book was worth reading. It's the heart-wrenching story of Favale's conversion. She was raised evangelical, discarded that belief for postmodern feminism and intellectualism, but surprised herself by converting to Roman Catholicism. Favale writes with skill and humility of her failings and yearnings. Anyone who has struggled with balancing feminism and faith may find her book illuminating. (purchased copy)

How to Attack Debt, Build Savings, and Change the World through Generosity by Amanda and Jonathan Teixeira - link to my post (purchased copy)

Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be by Haley Stewart - This is a perfect book for anyone who loves Jane Austen. It discusses each of Austen's main books (Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion) with a focus on a virtue. I read it on my own, but it would be fun to do with a book club. It would also make an excellent companion for a teenager reading all of Austen's novels. It does have spoilers, so I recommend reading the Austen novel before the corresponding chapter. (received as a gift)

Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington (Nugi Garimara) - This is an excellent book for the Mater Amabilis high school geography course that includes Australia. It is based on the true story of three sisters who escape from the government to return to their Aboriginal family. The events are sometimes heart-breaking and frightening, but it provides insight into a world my children have never known. (received from a member of PaperbackSwap.com)

Tales of Japan: Traditional Stories of Monsters and Magic illustrated by Kotaro Chiba - This book is part of a series of Tales from Chronicle Books. The book is a lovely hardcover with dramatic illustrations. It is recommended in the Mater Amabilis curriculum for Level 3 Year 2 (seventh grade). It is indeed a book full of monsters and magic, and some of the stories would be frightening for young or sensitive readers. Second Son did just fine with them; in fact, he enjoyed them. I don't know enough about Japanese tales to say if they are good choices but the sources in the back do seem to be Japanese. (purchased used)

Losing Our Dignity: How Secularized Medicine Is Undermining Fundamental Human Equality by Charles Camosy - link to my post (purchased copy)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.

June 2023 Book Reports

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)

I have not received anything in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.