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.

May 2025 Book Reports

The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor - I received this book as a gift years ago and have only read stories here and there. This year, I decided to read all of the ones I had never read. Flannery O'Connor shocks, and that's true in every one of these stories. Some are definitely better than others, which is probably why there are a few I've read a dozen times while others remain relatively overlooked. My favorite story is still "Revelation," but O'Connor isn't the kind of author I could read all day long for weeks on end (like Jane Austen). (copy received as a gift from my husband)

King Lear by William Shakespeare - This was my second time reading King Lear, this time with my book club. We had a lively discussion of this play, with its depictions of flawed relationships between fathers and children. It is one of the most violent and depressing of Shakespeare's plays, so my children read it in twelfth grade. I read my No Fear Shakespeare copy, which is the series I've mostly collected for my kids. Now there's a revised/updated Folger series I really like, though we only have one or two of them. Look for the larger paperback size (about 5.5" x 8.25") rather than the mass market paperback size. I'm not sure every play is available in the larger size yet. (purchased copy)

Paul for Everyone: Romans Part Two by N. T. Wright - I read the older version of this edition. This is the second half of Romans. (I finished the first half back in 2024.) The Paul for Everyone series covers a lot of the New Testament books. (purchased used) Here's what I wrote about the series before:

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.

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

The Mindful Catholic: Finding God One Moment at a Time by Dr. Gregory Bottaro - I read this book far too quickly, trying (and failing) to stay ahead of my daughter who read it one chapter a week. I included it in our Health course in high school because it does a great job presenting mindfulness from a Catholic standpoint, showing how it is compatible with the Catholic faith and a robust prayer life. I should really return to it and take the time to put the practices into action. (purchased copy)

We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite by Musa Al-Gharbi - link to my post (library copy)

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.

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.

Fairy Stories for all Ages: Tales of the Perilous Realm

Tales from the Perilous Realm

by J. R. R. Tolkien

This book includes five short stories: Roverandom, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wootton Major, and Leaf by Niggle. Tolkien's essay, "On-Fairy Stories," is included as well, in the appendix. I had only read Leaf by Niggle before (still one of my favorites).

The tales were fun, but the best part for me was "On Fairy-Stories." Despite hearing references to this essay often, I had never read it. We have had a book of fairy tales or folktales as a read-aloud continually for more than a decade. When we finish one, we just pick up another. And that's not counting the tales my kids read on their own or as part of their lessons.

I actually...don't like fairy tales or even folktales that much personally, but I believe they are an important part of our culture. They reveal something of our human nature, and reading tales from other cultures can show us some things that are universal and other things that are vastly different. For the most part, however, we read these tales because they were recommended by Mater Amabilis back when I was starting homeschooling (and wasn't an advisory board member). I simply accepted the wisdom of those who had gone before.

Reading Tolkien's essay allowed me to spend some time contemplating the fairy story and its place in our homeschool.

Many people, wiser and more thoughtful than I, have written this essay. Dr. Holly Ordway wrote something for Word on Fire. I'm sure there are others. So I won't waste your time by writing something less interesting myself.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links. I received this book as a Christmas gift many years ago.

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. 

Where to Go: Dream School

Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

by Jeffrey Selingo

My older two kids are in college, but I still have an eleventh grader and a ninth grader, so I'm deep in the throes of college searching. I read Mr. Selingo's previous book, Who Gets In and Why, and checked this one out of the library as soon as it came out.

In this book, Mr. Selingo immersed himself in the admissions game from the perspective of the student and parent. It encourages students to figure out what's most important to them and then to find a college that meets their priorities at a good price. It seems to mostly be written to accomplished students whose parents have too much money to qualify for financial aid, but there's lots of good information in the book for all high school students (and their parents).

I am on the email list for Mr. Selingo's newsletter, so much of the overall information in this book was not new to me, but it is presented in a coherent and readable way. The most useful chapter for me covered how to get a sense of the financial health of a college. Because Kansas Dad works at a university, they are eligible to apply for tuition scholarships at a wide variety of colleges. Many of them are great little regional schools, but some of them are struggling regional schools, and I like to have confidence the school will not close.

The appendix is a list of schools that Mr. Selingo highlights as excellent institutions outside the usual ones people might consider (like the Ivy League). These schools are "accessible and excellent." In addition, students can use the knowledge throughout the book to explore many other schools as well.

Highly recommended if you have high school students who are interested in attending college.

I have received nothing in exchange for this review. I checked this book out from the library. Links to Amazon and Bookshop.com 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)

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.