All About Awareness: Everything Is Tuberculosis

Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

by John Green

My older daughter is a huge fan of the Green brothers, so she pre-ordered this book to get an autographed copy. She took it with her to college, so I had to read one from the library.

Mr. Green alternates personal stories of tuberculosis patients (past and present, but most often a young man named Henry from Sierra Leone whose cheerful tour of a hospital focused Mr. Green's interests on tuberculosis) with historical facts and numbers about the disease. His treatment of about everything is necessarily broad rather than deep. 

One omission, for example, is an acknowledgement of the complex process of drug development: basic research, detailed studies, approval, and manufacturing. He argues there's a problem with the way markets drive the pharmaceutical industry:

When markets tell companies it's more valuable to develop drugs that lengthen eyelashes than to develop drugs that treat malaria or tuberculosis, something is clearly wrong with the incentive structure. (p. 130)  

And thinks we should have a different system: 

And so we must fight not just for reform within the system but also for better systems that understand human health not primarily as a market, but primarily as a shared priority for our species. (pp. 174-175) 

I agree there are real conversations we should have about our modern decision to leave all drug development and manufacturing in the hands of for-profit companies, but this book doesn't do more than say we should have the conversation.

My daughter assures me Mr. Green has done extensive videos covering these kinds of questions. I think his decision to mention these issues in the book without providing an in-depth analysis was therefore a strategic one. Those kinds of conversations can happen after he gest people to even care enough to ask the questions.

In my college days, I read books about diseases for fun more often than I read novels. I also have a degree in biology. This is not a scientific book; it's not even a history of science book. This is a chatty book with a single goal: to increase how much people in rich countries care about helping cure tuberculosis. 

This book is written at a middle grade level. There are, of course, descriptions of illness and tragedy. There are also some references to more mature topics, so you may want to have your kids wait until high school to read it. I did not assign this book to my older daughter, but I did include it in the list of resources for health in her narrative transcript. I would do the same for my other kids if they read it.

I respect Mr. Green's dedication to his chosen cause. I believe he's doing a lot to bring the tragedy of tuberculosis to the attention of many Americans. The recent dismantling of USAID has sadly derailed much of the work that was benefiting those with tuberculosis, and we can expect a drastic increase in death and suffering for many years to come from tuberculosis and other diseases. Hopefully this book helps encourage people to demand their congressmen and congresswomen return to the fight against infectious disease around the world.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop and Amazon are affiliate links. I checked this book out of our local library.

August 2025 Book Reports

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

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - A friend and I both read this book in preparation for the Netflix movie. Then she and her husband came and watched with my and Kansas Dad, which was fun. I was surprised to realize I had never read it before. It's a much more philosophical book than I expected, with relatively little "action." There are a lot of important questions raised by the book about moral development, scientific advancements, responsibility, mercy, and forgiveness. I'm glad I read it. (library copy)

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder - I picked this up at a library sale years ago. I was thinning our easier chapter books and decided to read it myself. April has to deal with some pretty heavy topics (neglect and a murderer on the lose), which surprised me. Overall, my younger son and I agreed that it was just an ok book, and not worth the shelf space anymore. (purchased copy)

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Deah - This book was recommended by a local bookstore owner for a summer reading challenge. He actually recommended it for my 17 year old daughter, but I ended up reading it instead. I think I would let her read it, if she wanted, but I didn't hand it over to her. The book alternates between Leningrad in 1941 and modern day America. Marina, a Russian immigrant, is suffering from Alzheimer's, and her past and present become more confused in her mind. It's beautifully written, though tragic. (purchased copy)

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan - This is a lovely book tracing the path of a magical harmonica through the hands of three children during the second world war. I listened to the audiobook edition, and the inclusion of musical performances throughout elevate the audiobook; it's one of the few books that are truly better as audiobooks. I was so absorbed in the story that I found myself hiding in my bedroom long after I finished folding clothes to keep listening. Though this book is enjoyable for all ages, it's definitely written at more of a middle grade level. Highly recommended. (purchased audiobook)

Humility Rules by J. Augustine Wetta - link to my post (parish library copy)

Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain by Dasha Kiper - This book, written by a therapist for caregivers of loved ones with dementia, explores how the healthy functioning of the human brain in the caregiver can exacerbate friction in the relationship, mainly by preventing the caregiver from reacting "logically" to the actions of their loved one. It's written with great compassion for caregivers and their struggles. (library copy)

Memory is so integrated into every aspect of life--from thinking, to communicating, to forming and sustaining relationships, to creating continuity, meaning, and coherence--that its disappearance is incomprehensible. We simply have no cognitive framework that allows for its absence in others. (p. 19)

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

July 2025 Book Reports

10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War by Philip Caputo - I have assigned sections of this book to my Level 4 students for twentieth century history from the beginning. My youngest finished Level 4 this year, and I was preparing my history resources to sell. I decided to quickly read the whole book before getting rid of it. I don't know very much about the Vietnam War, but overall I think this is an excellent overview and two-page deep dives into lots of different issues. I felt like it gave multiple points of view for lots of the issues as well. (purchased used copy)

James by Percival Everett - This was a recommendation from Kansas Dad. It's a retelling of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Jim, the runaway slave. In this book, slaves have much more agency over their actions and emotions, though not much more over their fates. Neither of these books rank among my favorites, but I am glad I have read them. (Kansas Dad's copy)

All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot - I always turn to Herriot when I want something uplifting. He often encounters difficult cases and difficult people, but all of his stories confirm the underlying goodness of creation and people. (purchased audiobook)

Very Good, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse - This Wodehouse is part of the Bertie and Jeeves series. I love listening to Wodehouse when I want something lighthearted and witty. Always entertaining. (purchased audiobook)

Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagle - This is a play interweaving the life of a Native American woman on Wall Street during the 2008 mortgage crisis with her and her family's ancestors living in the New York City area at the time the Dutch arrived. (found copy of the play online)

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

April 2025 Book Reports

Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim - This was recommended after I enjoyed The Enchanted April. I was surprised to find it's not fiction, but rather a kind of diary of a year in a German garden. Elizabeth finds solace in her making her garden beautiful, though she must do so through the hands of gardeners. Behind the garden record are comments and frustrations of life in Germany for an English woman with many small children and a haughty husband. A love of gardening will increase your enjoyment of the book. (purchased audiobook)

Life Among the Savages by Shirley Jackson - This is another book I selected when looking for something light and funny. There are some absolutely hilarious stories in the book, but it's also a glimpse into the life of an amazing woman in rural Vermont with her growing family. (purchased audiobook)

September 11, 2001 by Brendan January - The library discarded the book my older children read in Level 4 (eighth grade) on the attacks on the World Trade Towers, so I had to find another one for my youngest. This is a short read perfect for one or two lessons that covers the attacks from many angles. (library copy)

Pinocchio with Reflections on a Father's Love by Carlo Collodi, reflections by Franco Nembrini - I read this with my book club. I read Pinocchio aloud to my kids back in 2016, when they ranged from 11 to 6, and it was perfect. The book club edition includes little essays after each of the chapters to make connections between the story and our modern lives. The reflections were mixed. Some comments were helpful and some less so. (purchased copy)

The Eighth Arrow by J. Augustine Wetta - link to my post (received as a gift from my son)

Tales from the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien - link to my post (Christmas gift); read in February 2025, but left off the post, so included here.

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

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)

November 2023 Book Reports

All Hands On Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World by Will Sofrin - I saw this at the library and thought it might be a good high school geography book. I liked how it described the discomforts, excitement, and working life of someone on an 18th century sailing ship, but I often found the author's personal life distracting. No offense to him, and it's about him on the ship, so that makes total sense. I also decided against using it or recommending it in our curriculum because there are references to drugs, romantic intimacy, swearing, and mature jokes. (library copy)

Great Myths of the World selected and retold by Padraic Colum - This book is scheduled in the Level 5 and 6 English lesson plans for Mater Amabilis (ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades). It works well in the curriculum because it gives the student a glimpse into tales from all over the world in short readings without overwhelming the lesson plans. It's a nice break from the Shakespeare, ancient epics, and Dante that dominate the first couple of years. (purchased copy)

Dracula by Bran Stoker - I read this with my book club. I had listened to the audiobook a few years earlier. (I have heard since that many authors mispronounce names in the audio versions; I don't know how my copy would compare.) I enjoyed reading it again and discussing it with my book club. (purchased copy, from my childhood, not the one linked)

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

Reframing Our Experiences: The Expectation Effect

The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World
by David Robson

The brain interprets visual signals based on what it believes is being perceived. Sometimes, it adjusts what you perceive based on the signals, but sometimes, "its predictions may be so strong that it chooses to discount some signals while accentuating others." (p. 13)

This book surprised me on every page. It's not just that we are deluding ourselves, or, rather, that are brains are deluding us, but that our brains actually create physiological changes in our bodies in anticipation of a physical response that creates the physical response. That seems confusing, but the evidence is there. If, for example, you believe you will have a headache in the morning, your brain may literally initiate physiological processes in your body that manifest as physical pain. You do have a headache, but perhaps it's only because your brain has caused it.

Friends, I have had headaches daily since I had Covid in December 2020. Years of headaches. I tried medicines, but the side effects were worse than the headaches, so I've just muddled through. Reading this book hasn't cured my headaches, but I started reminding myself every time I felt like my head hurt that this pain is temporary, that I will not always have headaches. And honestly, I think they've gotten better. Whatever part of these headaches is caused by my belief that I'm going to have a headache - I want to be done with that part.

This book provides examples, evidence, and recommendations for how to reframe our experiences to expect better outcomes. It doesn't promise better outcomes, but gives us the opportunity to imagine and anticipate them, encouraging our brains to work for our best interests across social situations, our education and career goals, and our physical and mental health.

I almost believe this book is essential reading. I intend to add it to our health curriculum.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I borrowed this book from the library and later purchased a copy at regular price. Links to Amazon, Bookshop, and PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

Be the Good: Therese

Therese
by Dorothy Day

I read this with my book club and did purchase the Well-Read Mom edition from Ave Maria Press. The design of this book is beautiful - lovely cover, good margins, nice quality paper. I do think it's odd that it seems to be only available through Ave Maria Press's website. I stopped by a local Catholic bookstore to find a different book in the Well-Read Mom edition and was told they were not allowed to carry it in stores, even though they wanted it and had people asking for it. It would be so nice to be able to buy all the book club books from a local brick-and-mortar store. I've linked the one from the same publisher which you can find online, which seems to have everything except the Well-Read Mom portions.

Surprisingly, my favorite parts of this book were the forward and the afterward. In these, Robert Ellsberg (in the foreword) and John Cavadini (in the Afterword), draw a direct connection between Dorothy Day's advocacy for peace and St. Therese's little way. 

From Therese, Day learned that each sacrifice endured in love, each work of mercy, might increase the balance of love in the world. She extended this principle to the social sphere. Each protest or witness for peace--though apparently foolish and ineffective, no more than a pebble in a pond--might send forth ripples that could transform the world. (p. ix)

Dorothy Day wrote that St. Therese's shower of roses, her spiritual force, and presumably the works offered by all those who try to follow her little way, rise up against the fears and horrors of the twentieth century.

We know that one impulse of grace is of infinitely more power than a cobalt bomb. Therese has said, "All is grace." (p. 192)

John Cavadini continues in a similar way. He says these blessings challenge the lie that Love will fail.

If I had encountered this idea before, that St. Therese's Little Way was more than just a way for us to grow in virtue, that it could combat the evil of the world one little good deed at a time, I had forgotten it. As a homeschooling mother who does little more than one little good deed at a time, this is an important lesson.

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

Hard Truths: The History of Black Catholics in the United States

The History of Black Catholics in the United States

by Cyprian Davis

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to any American Catholic. While I think the books my children have read do a relatively good job of talking about some of the hard truths of our history, none of them explore the history of our faith in America from the point of view of black Catholics like this one does.

This book is a treasure trove of amazing research. I imagine Cyprian Davis spent years reading letters, journals, newspaper articles, baptismal records, and other primary sources. He also conducted many interviews. The breadth and depth of this work is astounding, as is his humility. He reminds the reader regularly that more research is necessary.

The book was first published in 1990. I'm sure there have been great strides in scholarship at times and places, but I'm not sure there's been another book attempting to pull it all together in the way that this author does.

Reading the book, I found a recurring cycle of Catholics, even some in authority, speaking out the truth of the Gospel and how blacks, slave and free, should be incorporated as full members of the Church, but Catholics in practice deluded themselves into serving their own interests. As Fr. Cyprian points out, the black Catholics also spoke eloquently and repeatedly on their own behalf:

For the first time [in 1853] but not for the last, black lay Catholics had spoken out for themselves expressing both loyalty and love for the church and anger and dismay at the racist practices of those within the church...Still, the pattern of appeal to Rome regarding the plight of black Catholics, both on the part of blacks themselves and on the part of those who labored among them, will eventually result in a Roman response that will change the American church decisively. (page 97)

You may look at the text of this book and the number of pages in dismay, anticipating a dry academic treatise. Do not fear. Fr. Cyprian writes clearly but engagingly. I marveled at how eager I was to keep reading and how quickly the pages turned. 

I don't intend to assign this book to my high schoolers, simply because it is rather long, and the history curriculum is already pretty dense, but I will keep it prominently on our shelves and encourage them to read it. I'm making a list of books to gift my seminarian son if he becomes a priest (to begin building his library), and this is the first book on the list.

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

September 2022 Book Reports

Talking Leaves by Joseph Bruchac - link to my post (library copy)

The Foundations of Western Civilization by Thomas F. X. Noble (Great Courses audiobook) - This is one of the honors selections for high school history in the Mater Amabilis plans for Level 5 and Level 6. It provides an overview of the history of Europe from the flourishing of Mesopotamia through the beginning of the modern world. (The history plans then introduce a few other audiobooks for more recent history.) I listened to these lectures relatively slowly alongside my student and enjoyed them. (purchased audiobook)

Works of Mercy by Sally Thomas - link to my post (purchased copy)

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe - I didn't assign this book to my older three kids, but decided to assign it to my youngest in Level 3 for one of his classic books. (We recommend three a year in Level 3.) Most of the book was rather slow, compared to more modern books, but there was value in reading it. (copy received from another member of PaperBackSwap.com)

Herodotus and the Road to History by Jeanne Bendick - I read this aloud to my kids back in 2016. I never assigned it for independent reading, so I read it aloud once more for the benefit of my youngers. (purchased copy)

Post Captain by Patrick O'Brien - This is the second in the Captain Aubrey series, which begins with Master and Commander. Sometimes I think I miss half of what goes on in these novels, but I love them. They're exciting and funny, though certainly not for young ears. (copy received from another member of PaperBackSwap.com)

Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass R. Sunstein - This book points out all the ways our judgment is flawed, and not just for the kinds of biases you anticipate. Despite finding it a bit repetitive at times, I am glad I listened to it and definitely think about how my current state of mind or circumstances can make a difference in how I'm making decisions. It's a worthwhile book to check out. (purchased audiobook)

The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink - This book by the author of Caddie Woodlawn was recently republished. I saw it shared on Facebook and asked our local library to buy a copy, which they did! It's a fun little story with a fair bit of excitement and adventure, parents who are a bit flakey, and kids who discover all the answers. There is a black character depicted in a way that is friendly, but not up to modern standards. The publishers have a little explanation and warning in the publisher's note before the story. I enjoyed this little book and encouraged my younger kids to read it on their own. (library copy)

Walking the Nile by Levinson Wood - Mr. Wood wrote this book about his attempt to walk the length of the Nile from its source to the Mediterranean Sea. His struggles with the weather, the terrain, and the people remind the reader that traveling in Africa still presents difficulties to the earliest European explorers. It's riveting. At first I was considering including it in the geography supplemental reading for my high school students, but by the end I decided the violence and griefs were a little too real. There is also a documentary, but I haven't watched it. (library copy)

Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare (No Fear Shakespeare edition) - I read this ahead of the school year because I decided to assign it to my younger daughter (eighth grade, Level 4). It was a nice change from our usual selections. (purchased copy)

Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness by Kevin Nye - link to my post (library copy)

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

Immigrants Today: Out of Many, One

Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants

by George W. Bush

Former President George W. Bush has taken up a paintbrush in his retirement. He creates colorful and vibrant portraits reproduced in this book, featuring immigrants from all over the world.

There are a few pages at the end of the book that discuss the kind of immigration advocacy work former President Bush supports, which I found interesting and encouraging.

My only quibble with the book was the wish that there were a few more immigrants who were just ordinary people, even decades after they immigrating. Most of the people in the book are celebrities, wealthy and successful business owners, or important political figures. I suppose those are the sorts of immigrants most likely to be introduced to a former president, and they make excellent stories to highlight the great contributions immigrants continue to make to life in the United States, but immigrants who struggle to make ends meet, working a couple of jobs and raising children, are also worthy of respect and dignity. (Not that I think the former President disagrees, of course; they just aren't in the book.)

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

Talking to Ourselves: Chatter

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It

by Ethan Kross

I heard about this book on an episode of The Happiness Lab (great podcast for older teens and adults with regular advice on choosing wisely for what will really make us happy, even if they don't acknowledge the benefit of a benevolent and merciful God). 

Dr. Kross is a psychologist who studies how we talk to ourselves and how we can use our will and reason to adjust that inner voice for our short and long term benefit. He begins with a few chapters describing what the inner voice is and research on how it important it is.

...we use our minds to write the story of our lives, with us as the main character. Doing so helps us mature, figure out our values and desires, and weather change and adversity by keeping us rooted in a continuous identity. (p. 15)

When our inner voice descends into "chatter," however, it can damage our ability to solve problems and destroy our peace. Sharing about the illness of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, Dr, Kross explains:

What her experience shows us in singularly vivid terms is how deeply we struggle with our inner voice--to the point where the stream of verbal thoughts that allows us to function and think and be ourselves could lead to expansively good feelings when it's gone...Not only can our thoughts taint experience. They can blog out nearly everything else. (p. 19)

The author then goes through all sorts of ways we can address our own chatter and ways others can help us (and how we can help others). These are presented with plenty of background information and advice, but the end of the book includes a section called "The Tools" which clearly and succinctly presents all the tools. You should really read the book to learn how best to implement these, but you can just flip to the back of the book for a quick burst of information. You'll find tools you can implement on your own, ones that involve other people, how to receive support, and how to modify your environment to reduce chatter.

This book provides a great synthesis of all sorts of research and advice I've seen here and there. It's also extensively researched, with copious endnotes and references to published studies. (I did notice one reference to a student who learned during her genealogical research that she is a descendent of George Washington through his slaves. This surprised me greatly and a brief search online found these claims are highly contested. I imagine they took her word for it, but I would probably have left that bit of her story out of the book.)

It is also a book of its time, supportive of nontraditional lifestyles and, while appreciative of the psychological benefits of being an involved member of a faith community, dismissive of the possibility of an actual greater being who bestows peace or grace on anyone. This attitude was not unexpected or  overbearing.

If any of my remaining homeschooling children want a high school psychology course, I will include this book. I will probably add it to our health course as a free read (but required reading) for all the others. I believe the knowledge of this book would be a great asset for college students and young adults (and everyone else, too).

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop are affiliate links. I borrowed this book from our library (though I intend to acquire a copy for our homeschool).

General Advice: The Temperament God Gave You

The Temperament God Gave You

by Art and Laraine Bennett

I originally thought this book might fit in a health course, but ended up deciding against it. After reading the whole book, I decided it didn't actually offer that much of value. I know a lot of people rave about this book, so I'm probably in the minority in my assertion.

The authors provide descriptions of four major temperaments (choleric, melancholic, sanguine, and phlegmatic). They also describe major combinations of the temperaments. Then they attempt to give advice about how to take temperament into account when building relationships with people (mainly children) who might have different temperaments.

I easily identified myself as a melancholic:

They are skeptical about what may appear to be simplistic labels and categories -- such as the four temperaments. (p. 33)

Yes, I am indeed skeptical of the simplistic labels of the temperaments. The authors even admit that almost no one is easily identifiable as a single temperament (me being one of them). I therefore find it less helpful than one might hope to know a temperament. Once you start combining them in different proportions, you end up diluting any benefit from knowing the temperament.

The biggest problem I had was the generality of the advice. For example, for one of the temperaments, they insisted that nagging would be useless, or even counterproductive. Readers, let me assure you, nagging is ineffective for everyone. That's pretty much how I felt about chapter after chapter. 

Much of the advice, however, is generally good. From John Gottman's Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, they share:

the key to success is that for every one negative comment or interaction, there should be five positive ones. (p. 72) 

Reader, again, this is excellent advice for all relationships, not just marriages.

The authors are not unaware of the caveats. At the end, they remind readers that nobody has to do what their temperament inclines them to do, we are more than our temperament, and everyone is unique. I would argue, those caveats are larger than they believe.

 If you're looking for something useful in building good relationships with others, I'd recommend instead How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk. I dearly wish the authors of that book would publish an edition entitled How to Talk so People will Listen and Listen so People will Talk. All the same advice, more generalized.

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

April and May 2021 Book Reports

The Sacraments: Discovering the Treasures of Divine Life by Fr. Matthew Kauth - link to my post (purchased copy)

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna by Joseph Lemosolai Lekuton - link to my post (library copy)

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (No Fear Shakespeare edition) - I wanted a short fun Shakespeare play for First Daughter's third term in eighth grade, when she was hoping to audition for our local Shakespeare in the Park company. This play fit the bill. It's silly and ridiculous, often making me laugh out loud. Two sets of twins, each identical pair sharing a name, meet as adults. Despite the travelers (one of each set of twins) being on their journey for the purpose of searching for the other pair, it never occurs to them the local townspeople might be confusing them with the twins who live in the town. Almost complete nonsense from beginning to end, but fun nonsense. It's optional for First Daughter, as she read two plays and Doctor Faustus already this year, but she loves Shakespeare so she might make time for it. I'll probably assign it to Second Daughter in the next couple of years. She loves Shakespeare, too, but reads quite a bit more slowly, so shorter plays for the middle school years are good options for her. (purchased copy)

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow - link to my post (library copy)

The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day, edited by Carolyn Kurtz - link to my post (requested from  PaperBackSwap)

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas - link to my post (library copy)

My Heart Lies South: The Story of My Mexican Heritage (Young People's Edition) by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño - link to my post (purchased copy)

The Ghost Keeper by Natalie Morrill - link to my post (purchased copy)

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear - link to my post (purchased copy)

The Saint Makers: Inside the Catholic Church and How a War Hero Inspired a Journey of Faith by Joe Drape - This book reveals a bit of the process of completing the research, interviews, and paperwork for telling the story of a person's life in order to prove to the Vatican offices and the Pope that a person deserves to be called a blessed or a saint. Mr. Drape followed that process for Servant of God Emil Kapaun, a military chaplain from rural Kansas and our own home diocese. I am interested in anything about Servant of God Emil Kapaun, but I found the book a bit difficult to read. The author, despite being raised Catholic, began the exploration with a rather limited understanding of the faith and the process, which is fine, but he didn't seem to understand his faith any better by the end of the book, continuing to make statements that were out of step with the catechism and liturgy. After all his investigations, interviews, and reading, he came to believe very strongly that Emil Kapaun deserves to be a blessed (and also a saint), but I did not believe his own faith in God or the trustworthiness of the Church was any stronger for the example. (borrowed copy)

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat - link to my post (library copy)

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

Justice, not just Generosity: Winners Take All

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World

by Anand Giridharadas

Mr. Giridharadas was pleased to be named a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute. He attended events and talks surrounded by other bright and idealistic professionals. As time passed, however, he became uncomfortable with the message and methodology of the fellowship.

It bothered me that the fellowship asked fellows to do virtuous side projects instead of doing their day jobs more honorably. [...] Instead of asking them to make their firms less monopolistic, greedy, or harmful to children, it urged them to create side hustles to "change the world." (p. 266)

This book argues essentially that large corporations create enormous profits for a minority of people by taking advantage of the poor and marginalized, creating or exacerbating problems of poverty, unemployment, and violence. Then, rather than changing their business practices, they donate a small portion of their profits to organizations of their own design to address the effects of their business practices without accepting responsibility for their role in the problems. 

By refusing to risk its way of life, by rejecting the idea that the powerful might have to sacrifice for the common good, it [today's elite] clings to a set of social arrangements that allow it to monopolize progress and then give symbolic scraps to the forsaken--many of whom wouldn't need the scraps if the society were working right. (p. 7)

The elite decide what to fund, how to address change, and how to measure progress.

For when elites assume leadership of social change, they are able to reshape what social change is--above all, to present it as something that should never threaten winners. In an age defined by a chasm between those who have power and those who don't, elites have spread the idea that people must be helped, but only in market-friendly ways that do not upset fundamental power equations. (p. 8)

Even with the best of intentions, inviting companies and their owners to be involved in addressing inequity or poverty immediately limits the creativity and revolutionary aspects of change. Not many board members are willing to entertain solutions that might inhibit their ability to pass on their wealth to future generations or that might disrupt the very companies that lead to their financial success.

Moreover, the charitable world is now described in the language of business, rather than something like justice or human dignity. Politically, for example, we have fewer people rising in the ranks of government organizations but are filling leadership positions with men and women from the business world, asking them to "regulate" their former colleagues and employers.

Young people who want to change the world are easily drawn into the narrative:

What threads through these various ideas is a promise of painlessness. What is good for me will be good for you. [...] You could help people in ways that let you keep living your life as is, while shedding some of your guilt. (p. 38)

Not only are capitalists able to assuage some of the problems, the prevailing wisdom is that they are better able to do so. However, the author argues this situation merely allows the winners to continue winning and pull even farther ahead.

There are still winners and losers, the powerful and the powerless, and the claim that everyone is in it together is an eraser of the inconvenient reality of others. (p. 50)

One of the key points of the book is how the large corporations manage to impact the messaging from speakers and authors. Many who begin by criticizing the current methods of philanthropy end up adjusting their talks and books as they are invited to conventions or retreats. As their income is more and more dependent on the wealthy, their words transform from calling for radical change to ones calling for change within the current system.

Inspire the rich to do more good, but never, ever tell them to do less harm; inspire them to give back, but never, ever tell them to take less; inspire them to join the solution, but never, ever accuse them of being part of the problem. (p. 155)

Then, not only do they continue to amass wealth at the expense of the week and poor, but they turn around and tell them something like "We know how best to solve your problems."

Leave us alone in the competitive marketplace, and we will tend to you after the winnings are won. The money will be spent more wisely on you than it would be by you. You will have your chance to enjoy our wealth, in the way we think you should enjoy it. (p. 164)

Interestingly, the book describes some companies that were designed to more directly benefit clients.

A company not run purely in shareholders' interests risked lawsuits from its investors. The dominant interpretation of corporate law, as we've seen, has since the 1970s come to regard companies' first duty as being to earn a profit for shareholders. (p. 248) 

Mr. Giridharadas provides many examples showing how the current ideology (allowing capitalists to determine our goals and methods for social change) is failing. He argues we need more government discussion of corporations and their behavior to address the root problems of inequity. I believe he would like to see more government regulation, but what he argues for is actually a more explicit and amicable public discourse on the causes of inequality and the methods for addressing it. Bringing those conversations out of private elite conferences and into the public arena allows everyone to participate.

It is solving problems in ways that give the people you are helping a say in the solutions, that offer that say in equal measure to every citizen, that allow some kind of access to your deliberations or at least provide a meaningful feedback mechanism to tell you it isn't working. It is not reimagining the world at conferences. (p. 227)

This book is written for elites, most of whom are firmly in the American left, politically. Some of the arguments, therefore, are along the lines of, "This is why Trump won the election," in ways that conservatives may find distasteful.

I think it's worthwhile to ask whether the weakest members of our society are making any progress and tying our goals and assessments of progress towards those goals to measurements of the quality of life for the least powerful.

Now that I've read this book, I find myself noticing evidence of its arguments in articles and TED talks. It has helped me to be more critical of those who are promising to change the world without changing our lifestyles or our hearts.

Benedict XVI's Caritas in Veritate offers a rich contemplation of walking in love and solidarity with the poor and marginalized. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in charity or societal change, even if not Catholic. 

For Catholics, though, changing the world is a matter of bringing forth the kingdom of God. Charities and governments can participate in that transformation, but what it requires most of all is allowing the love of Christ to change our hearts and then go forth to love and cherish every human person. Those of us who are comfortable in our lives must learn to sacrifice our own luxuries for the benefit of the marginalized if we want to follow Christ. Part of that sacrifice might mean admitting the deficiencies of our society's status quo.

Generosity is not a substitute for justice... (p. 182)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Bookshop are affiliate links. I checked this book out from the library. 

Martyrs in England: God's Secret Agents

God's Secret Agents: Queen Elizabeth's Forbidden Priests and the Hatching of the Gunpowder Plot 
by Alice Hogge

This book was recommended multiple times by a friend of mine (Sally Thomas) so I was thrilled when I was offered a copy on PaperBackSwap.com (not an affiliate link). 

How could you tell apart the man who behaved like a secret agent and was a secret agent, from the man who behaved like a secret agent, but was a man of God (even if you, yourself, had forced that mode of behaviour upon him by your laws)? (p. 296)

The answer, according to God's Secret Agents, is not very well. 

This book thoroughly explores the context and conditions of the Catholic priests of the English Reformation. The extensive research reveals thoughts and declared intentions of Catholics in England, government officials, Queen Elizabeth, and the priests caught between them all. It's an invaluable book for anyone interested in the Catholic Reformation, and an excellent background for books like Edmund Campion by Evelyn Waugh. The Gunpowder Plot is actually only a small part of the book, though as an American Catholic, I found those chapters as enlightening as the rest.

One of the interesting things I have noticed about English history and literature is how often being Catholic is just unacceptable to proper Englishmen. For example, Winston Churchill's History of the English-Speaking Peoples seems to frown worriedly at any Catholic he mentions. According to Ms. Hogge, it began centuries ago, as a Catholic invasion from Spain was thwarted on their very shores.

What remained unclear, though, was how many of their countrymen would still be prepared to welcome them in, now that Catholicism had been linked so strongly with un-Englishness in the public consciousness. For if to be Catholic was to be an unnatural Englishman, then to draw attention to that unnaturalness in the weeks and months following the Spanish Armada was tantamount to signing your own death warrant. (p. 98)

Late in the book, she argues such bias continues today. She recounts how newspapers published a flurry of worrying articles when the Prime Minister was spotted in a Catholic cathedral in 1998.

It was as though the voices of long dead Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian MPs, churchmen, and pamphleteers had suddenly crackled into life again and centuries on were venting their old bias. (p. 391) 

The author did a magnificent job presenting all sides of the issues arising in the course of the book. The martyrs are heroic in their service to their countrymen, the politicians are often simply trying to make peace and smooth things over, and the pope doesn't always ease the situation.

Pope Pius V, responsible for excommunicating Elizabeth in 1570, and releasing her subjects from their allegiance to her. This act, more than any other single event, defined the English Catholic dilemma of divided loyalty. (second photo insert)

It was a time when men and women of much and little learning were working out their salvation amidst uncertainty, mortal and immortal, with wise and trusted individuals often disagreeing about not just the proper response to questions, but the relative importance of the questions themselves. It is a reminder not just of the danger of easily vilifying (or idealizing) people of the past, but of the present as well.

St. Nicholas Owen was one of the most fascinating people in the book. A brilliant carpenter and devoted Catholic, he designed and crafted priest holes all over England. Eventually, he was captured and martyred under torture, apparently without divulging any of his secrets.

In life he had saved them, in death he would too: not a single name escaped him. (p. 365)

I love his example of humble craftsmanship in service to God, and he's now one of my new favorite saints. (Coincidentally, an artist recently recommended in the Mater Amabilis Facebook group, offers a lovely icon of him with St. Joseph.)

There are graphic depictions of torture and gruesome deaths, not for the faith of heart, though many of these public executions led to conversions of heart also described in the book.

I do wish there had been some sort of a list of people in the back of the book to reference. Many men appear and reappear in the pages, sometimes with different names (those English have a distressing habit of becoming Lords or something and getting a new name). If I had known how very many there were, I would have made my own list as I read.

I wouldn't assign this book to a high school student, but only because it's rather long. You would have to dedicate a substantial amount of time to the English Reformation to justify it. I will definitely include it on a list of recommended reading for an interested student.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I received this book from PaperBackSwap.com (not an affiliate link). Links to Bookshop are affiliate links.

March and April 2020 Book Reports

Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World by Charles J. Chaput - link to my post (inter-library loan copy)

The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol by Nikolai Gogol, translated and annotated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky - link to my post (Kansas Dad's copy)

Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright - This book would probably be better titled "How Successful Mindfulness Meditation Practices Seem to be Explained by Recent Scientific Research" but that's not quite as catchy. While the author takes some time to explain Buddhist philosophy, he's really only interested in the aspects of it that define and direct mindfulness meditation. Anything "religious" (Buddhist/Christian/etc.) is set aside, though respectfully. The supporting relationship between recent research and scholarship and mindfulness medication practices is fascinating. Kansas Dad (who was the first to listen to the book) was immediately asking questions about the Truth found in this modern research and how it might be related to what we know is True through our Catholic faith. He also found interesting lines of thought in considering past failures and potential successes in evangelizing amongst those who follow Buddhist philosophies. I am still thinking about this book and its implications. (purchased Audible book)

The Stand by Stephen King - Believe it or not, I didn't seek this book out in the midst of the impending pandemic. It literally just happened to be next on my list. I enjoyed reading it and found some scenes presented in unexpected ways. Overall, however, my view of the great battle between Good and Evil varies considerably from that of King which led directly to a feeling of dissatisfaction with the ending of the novel. I also know just enough biology and genetics to be distracted by what are probably inaccurate predictions of how such a deadly epidemic would happen. Of course, he didn't have the "luxury" of coronavirus in his past at that point. (library copy)

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin - I picked this book up at our library sale. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it's certainly not for the young or sensitive reader. I was surprised at how thoughtful Steve Martin is and at the honesty with which he shared some of the difficulties in his life while still being respectful of the privacy of some of those closest to him. It was a good read. (purchased used)

Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge - This book is Mr. Muggeridge's comments on Mother Teresa and his interviews and television recordings with her. It's more a collection of thoughts than a focused book. It was interesting to read as a glimpse into how St. Teresa of Kolkata was viewed and understood in her own lifetime, but it's not a comprehensive book on her life or her philosophies. I enjoyed it, but it will not be the book I offer to my Level 4 student next year. (library copy)

The Last Whalers: Three Years in the Far Pacific with a Courageous Tribe and a Vanishing Way of Life by Doug Bock Clark - link to my post (library copy)

The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare (No Fear Shakespeare) - This is one of the recommended Shakespeare plays for high schoolers in the Mater Amabilis™ curriculum. (See the English course here.) While this play is much lighter-hearted than Hamlet, which First Son and First Daughter just finished reading, it still surfaces questions about marriage, fidelity, trust, and responsibility toward children. I'm not sure I'd consider it one of the top ten plays a student should study in high school, but if you've already read many of the more common ones, it's a good option. It's not too long and contains one of the most unusual stage directions of all time: "Exit, pursued by bear." (purchased copy)

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait by Fr. Leo Maasburg - link to my post (library copy)

It's Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke - This was one of the better Audible originals offered free to members. I've never watched the author's YouTube channel, so her story was entirely new to me. I enjoyed her youthful voice and her ability to speak authentically for the blind and other disabled people. Her story includes some tough struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation, which could be difficult for some people to hear, but are shared to support and encourage others. (offered free to Audible members in August 2019)

Theatre of Fish: Travels through Newfoundland and Labrador by John Gimlette - I read Gilmette's Wild Coast and requested this because I enjoyed that one so much. Theatre of Fish is a little more depressing overall, though it has similar moments of witty remarks and insight. There are quite a few references to multiple instances of terrible abuse at the hands of priests or religious. (requested from PaperBackSwap.com)

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez translated by Gregory Rabassa - link to my post (requested from PaperBackSwap.com)

I have received nothing for this post. All opinions are honest and my own. Links to Amazon or PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

Traditions in the Modern World: The Last Whalers

The Last Whalers: Three Years in the Far Pacific with a Courageous Tribe and a Vanishing Way of Life

by Doug Bock Clark

I happened upon this book at our library, before it closed for the pandemic, and immediately wondered if it might be a good choice as a geography supplemental book for Level 6 in Australasia.

It's exactly the kind of book I was hoping to find. It's an honest and personal description of a group of people struggling to find a balance between their traditional way of life and the modern world. It's respectful of their past and open about their struggles and problems.

Life in Lamalera might be materially poorer, but the people who mattered to him [Ben] were there. The more disillusioned he became with the modern world, the more he wanted to invest in the traditions of the Ancestors, which, after all, had offered a fulfilling life to his father and other older relatives no matter how little money they had.

The author tries to be objective, but is honest about his own feelings. In that sense, it's a great "living" book because the student can easily see what the author's feelings are and ask himself or herself if the author is correct.

One thing to note, for Mater Amabilis™students, is the depiction of the Catholic faith. The Lamalerans are Catholics, but their faith is described with some irregularities. It's not clear if this is confusion (by the local priest, the members of the tribe, the translator, or the author) or if it means they are actually incorrect in their understanding of the faith. For example, the author says that "their Catholic faith permitted no possibility of remarriage." At the very least, it seems the Catholic faith they follow has been intermingled with their previous religion and traditions. These are great topics for discussions with high schoolers.

Plenty of research shows how hunters and gatherers and those living in more traditional societies are often actually happier by objective measures than those of us entrenched by the modern world and its technological barriers to personal relationships. The author asks an additional and slightly different question. Is there a benefit to all of humankind if these traditional societies continue to exist at all.

There are also some interesting descriptions of conflicts between conservationists and indigenous tribes. Here in the States, we usually view those opposed to conservation as being focused on material gain, though anyone paying careful attention as they drive through Native American reservations around (but not including) Grand Canyon National Park, can see how the conversation is a necessary one.

[T]he creation of most of the earth's six thousand national parks has been accomplished by curtailing indigenous tribes' traditional livelihoods or by forcing them from those territories -- usually so their lands can generate ecotourism revenue, the majority of which often ends up in the pockets of local officials and businessmen, and not with the displaced tribes.

In the end, this book bluntly puts to the reader a sentiment we have addressed again and again in our homeschool's history and geography studies. What does it mean that a modern culture derived mainly from Western or European societies seemed to be spreading inexorably around the world through violent or economic conquest? As members of this society, how are we do address those who are not?

The modern industrial lifestyle did not colonize the world because it was best at fulfilling the emotional and spiritual needs of human beings. No, it conquered everywhere because advanced societies were stronger than traditional ones, and those in power rapaciously sought peoples, territories, and resources to further enrich themselves. Once industrialism had established itself, it offered enough significant advancements in material wealth, education, and healthcare to ensure that there was no going back. The benefits of modern states still prove irresistible to indigenous peoples in the contemporary world, often luring them away from their traditional lifestyles.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both traditional and modern ways of living. The Lamalerans are trying to navigate between the two, allowing innovation while maintaining what is most important of the traditional ways. Clark's description of their lives and struggles is illuminating and through-provoking. It's on our list for Geography in Level 6.

I have received nothing for this honest post. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I checked this book out from our library.

February 2020 Book Reports

Mother Teresa: An Authorized Biography by Kathryn Spink - link to my post (from PaperBackSwap.com)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - This is a beautifully written book with a dissatisfying ending. I felt only sadness for the characters at the end. Endings don't have to be happy, but if unhappy, they must be meaningful. I suppose it might work as a commentary on war, but I felt only disappointment. (library copy)

How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer - I was considering adding this to our health reading for high school, which First Son is doing right now in tenth grade. It covers some useful information about how emotions and intuition can be beneficial when making decisions and when to set them aside and focus instead on more mathematical or logical considerations. The later chapter on morality was more problematic, mainly by discounting the possibility of natural law and an absolute truth. While not unexpected, it makes the book incomplete. Much of the earlier information is covered by other books and readings I have already scheduled, so we'll skip this one for school. (library copy)

The Merchant of Venice (No Fear Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare - First Daughter is reading this play now (seventh grade) and I wanted to refresh my memory by reading it again, if I ever read the whole thing. I do remember seeing it performed when I was in middle school. I think First Daughter will (mostly) love Portia. Shylock remains a baffling character. (purchased copy)

To Say Nothing of the Dog: Or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last by Connie Willis - This may be my favorite audiobook of all time. I enjoyed every single minute of it, invented chores so I could listen to it, and was both delighted with the ending and sorry it was over. It's a quirky tale of time-travel, Victorian England, the Blitz, and romance, "to say nothing of the dog" (and cat). (purchased from Audible during a sale)

A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain - This was one of those free audiobooks Audible offers to members each month. It is the fictionalized tale of Marie Curie as a struggling student in Paris. Frankly, I found it frustrating to listen to the narrator tell me how Marie Curie was feeling rather than showing me through action. I have no idea what it was really like for Curie in Paris as she met and finally married her husband, but I rather hope it wasn't like this book describes it. (free Audible book in March 2019)

Come and See: A Photojournalist's Journey into the World of Mother Teresa by Linda Schaefer - This photographer is more talented at photography than writing. While the pictures are a fascinating peek into Mother Teresa's work in India, the book overall falls short of what I would want to give my children for the Level 4 twentieth century biography. (library copy)

West with the Night by Beryl Markham - link to my post (library copy, then requested from PaperBackSwap.com)

I have received nothing for this post. All opinions are honest and my own. Links to Amazon or PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.

January 2020 Book Reports

Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen - This book tells the experiences of Audrey Hepburn under Nazi occupation for five formative years in the Netherlands. It's a fascinating description of life for the average person during the war and shows how Hepburn's feelings and actions during her adulthood as a Hollywood star and celebrity were shaped by that time. (library copy)

Food: A Cultural Culinary History (The Great Courses) by Ken Albala - link to my post (purchased from Audible)

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland - This book of short stories highlights important moments in the "life" of a hidden Vermeer painting, moving backwards in time. Parts of it were lovely. (library copy)

Golden Gate by Valenti Angelo - This is a sequel to Nino. Nino travels with his mother and grandfather to join his father in California. I believe it's based on his own experiences as a child so there are some episodes that might seem jarring or inappropriate for children in today's culture. For example, Nino and his friend discover the body of a deceased Chinese man on his boat, a man they considered a friendly neighbor if not actually a friend. There are also many descriptions of Native Americans and immigrants that don't conform to modern standards. All that being said, I just love the voice of the story and the delightful illustrations. I would happily read it aloud to my children and will allow them to read it on their own. We have lots of discussions that would address anything inappropriate. (purchased copy)

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo - link to my post (library copy)

Burmese Days by George Orwell - link to my post (copy from Paperbackswap.com
PaperBackSwap.com)

Doomsday Book by Connis Willis - The young historian, Kivrin, is mistakenly sent back to the time of the Black Death in the environs of Oxford. Her experiences illuminate the extraordinary in ordinary lives. This was my second time reading it and it was just as wonderful (and sorrowful) as the first time. (library copy)

An Introduction to the Universe: The Big Ideas of Astronomy by Brother Guy Consolmagno - link to my post (purchased from Audible)

I have received nothing for this post. All opinions are honest and my own. Links to Amazon or PaperBackSwap are affiliate links.