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.

An Essential Book: Searching for and Maintaining Peace

Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart
by Father Jacques Philippe

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

The more our soul is peaceful and tranquil, the more God is reflected in it, the more His image expresses itself in us, the more His grace acts through us. (p. 5)

Part One puts forth the reasons we should seek interior peace above all else. Part Two addresses the difficulties and experiences that steal our peace, providing page after page of encouragement and advice. Part Three includes excerpts from writings of saints regarding interior peace.

It's impossible to choose quotations to share, because so much of the book is worth quoting. I haven't mastered interior peace, but Father Jacques Philippe makes it seem attainable.

As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to start over again at the beginning. I've talked about this book with random people I don't know at events around town and hear the same thing from many of them. They have all read it multiple times. I plan to have all my kids read it. I may even gift them each their own copy.

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

Forming Our Will and Calming Our Fears: Wisdom from the Lives and Letters of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Wisdom from the Lives and Letters of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal

edited by Louise Perrotta

This small book contains excerpts from letters from the two saints, some to each other, but also from each of them to other people.

The excerpts are collected in chapters according to general themes. Some example chapter headings are:

• Friends on the Road to Holiness
• Bloom Where You're Planted
• Total Trust
• When God Seems Far Away
• So You're Not Perfect

Because many of the letters are written to those outside a convent or monastery, there is inspiration for anyone.

Suppose you have a little pain in your head or stomach, or you've made a great blunder, or you've been upset...But when you offer it to him, don't look on your trouble so much that you magnify it and confirm that you have good reason to complain. (p. 33)

It's good to be reminded that we are called to follow God's will in the life we are given, not that which we imagine we should have.

We are not to desire the means of serving God which we do not have. Instead we are to use faithfully those which we have... (p. 42)

As a homeschooling mom, I'm constantly spreading a feast of stories of great men and women before my kids, which is important and necessary, but sometimes it's hard to remember that those stories are not reflective of the vast majority of people. Most of us live quiet lives, building relationships with the people in our families and our communities.

There were also many letters that encouraged peace of mind. Those of us living "quiet" lives still face tasks and to-do lists that can feel overwhelming.

Focus on what is in front of you and not on those far-off dangers you see....To you they look like armies, but they are only willow branches, and while you are looking at them you may take a false step. (p. 106)

I loved the image of willow branches rather than armies. How often the things we fear don't happen at all!

When tomorrow arrives, it will in turn become today and we can think about it then. (p. 106) 

If you're looking for something to pick up and read a few pages at a time, perhaps at adoration, this book would work well. 

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