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)

January 2025 Book Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pirates and Treachery: The Sea-Hawk

The Sea-Hawk

by Rafael Sabatini

Sir Oliver Tressilian is a nobleman of Elizabethan England who makes his fortune as a pirate for the Queen. In proper swash-buckling romance fashion, he is accused of murdering his fiance's brother who was actually killed in a duel by Sir Oliver's brother. The brother, weak-minded and fearing his brother is as weak-willed as himself, arranges for him to be kidnapped. Years later, we find him a converted Muslim and high in the ranks of the Barbary pirates.

Not high literature, but tremendously fun. I told my twelve year old daughter she could read it but probably would have waited another year or two if I had read it first. There are allusions to harems and rapes, though these are mostly away from the action. The Christians, Jews, and Muslims all are portrayed committing actions inconsistent with their faith, but not necessarily inconsistent with history.

I've added it to our optional historical fiction list for high school (Mater Amabilis™ Level 5 Year 2, 10th grade, to coincide with British history readings of Churchill).

I have an edition reprinted by The American Reprint Company, an old library copy. Many of the available copies on Amazon look like poor quality reprints, so be wary. It is also available free for the Kindle.

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I purchased the book used from a seller on Facebook. Links to Amazon above are affiliate links.

For Love of a Prince: Katherine

Katherine

by Anya Seton

I found this book on my shelves while trying to thin by collection. (I have to make room for three more years of school!) I don't know if it was my grandmother's, or if my mom picked it up somewhere; I certainly don't remember buying it myself. After a quick glance at the summary and reviews online, I decided to read it. Coincidentally, it matched perfectly with my ninth grader's readings in British history and his third term introduction to The Canterbury Tales.

Katherine, the heroine of the novel, was a minor noble during the time of King Edward III. His third son, John of Gaunt, employed Geoffrey Chaucer. Katherine's sister married Chaucer. She herself was John's mistress, the mother of four of his children, and eventually his third wife. John of Gaunt was never king, but his son (from a previous wife) became Henry IV of the House of Lancaster.

The novel is one of adultery, healing, and redemption. Katherine lives many years as John's mistress, quite in the open and with the inevitable knowledge of his lawful wife. Their actions fulfill their own desires, but cause sorrow and heartache for many. Katherine suffers a great shock and loss. She is contemplating the end of her life when a strange priest draws her away from a cliff. He introduces her to Julian the Anchoress who shows her the great love and forgiveness of the Lord. With their assistance, she renounces her sinful ways and rebuilds a life of honor and dedication to her home and children.

What a weary time it took to learn how homely and direct the answer was, that it needed no thunderbolts and flaming wonders for Him to fulfill His promise, I will keep thee full securely. That He had as many ways of loving as there were droplets in the ocean, the ocean that was yet all one sea.

It's a magnificent depiction of life of the times of Geoffrey Chaucer and the English monarchy. It covers the Peasants' Revolt and much royal intrigue. Reading it alongside our Churchill helped me immensely in keeping the royal family members straight and in imagining what life was like during that time.

At first, I considered adding this book to our list of potential historical fiction for ninth grade. I think if one of my children (in ninth grade or high school) asked about reading this book, I would allow it. It's certainly one that reveals the insidiousness of sin and points toward confession and redemption, but it is a book in which the acts of adultery are a key point of the plot. Some of acts of infidelity are described a little more explicitly than I might wish for my fifteen year olds. So I would allow it, but I don't think I'm going to add it to our independent reading list for ninth grade. I do, however, recommend it to any homeschooling mom who is looking for historical fiction of this time period.

I have received nothing for this post which contains only my honest opinions. The link to Amazon above is an affiliate link.

August 2014 Book Reports

The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith (library)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a current hit amongst teens and others, especially with the movie recently being released. I found it a well-written account of the love that develops between two teenagers with fatal cancer diagnoses. While it's not particularly religious (some may even say anti-religious), I found the response to the question of the meaning of life to be wonderfully consistent with faith and even intriguing. It's definitely a book for mature teenagers, but I think it would be quite interesting to read and talk about with young adults. (library copy, reviewed on another website)

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is another teen book I reviewed for another website. It was also fun to read, though the ending is quite dramatic and terrible. Again, this would be a book for older teens, though not one that had quite as much interesting questions to discuss. (library copy)

A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup is a fun book I picked up thinking First Son might like it. It's the first in a series and full of jokes and quips as well as exciting twists and turns. I think it'll be on the recommended list for next summer (between fifth and sixth grade) but I might read the others in the series first. (library copy)

The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell is the story of a boy who finds the most tremendous pearl when diving in a cave that supposedly belongs to an unnaturally large and malevolent manta ray. What follows offers an interesting number of questions about fear and faith and presumption. I'm not sure what the right age for this book is, but it might be acceptable for First Son to read next summer (before sixth grade). I think he'd be ready to think about some of it. (library copy)

101 Famous Poems ed. by Roy Cook is a book of poems I picked from the library nearly at random. I recently decided I'd like to read a poem or two every day and just wanted something with a variety of poems. It was acceptable, but not nearly as enjoyable as other anthologies. I do like reading some poetry every day, though, and think I'll continue. (library copy)

The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen (Kansas Dad's copy)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• Open Mind, Faithful Heart by Pope Francis (January 2014) 
• The Education Of Catholic Girls by Janet Erskine Stuart (February 2014)
• Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (February 2014)
• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller (April 2014)
• Genesis: The Book of Origins by Albert Mary Joseph Shamon (July 2014) 
• Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus (August 2014)
• Revolutionary by Krista McGee (August 2014)
• Norton Anthology of English Literature Vol 2 (sixth edition) (August 2014)
• The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri Nouwen (August 2014)

Reading 2013: A Year in Review

Well, I have finally finished posting about all the books I read in December in all the extra time I had because I wasn't posting on the blog, so it's time for the annual favorite books post. Because I liked Brandy's post, I decided to do something similar here.

The book covers below are affiliate links to Amazon. I've linked the book titles to my book reviews here on the blog or to the monthly book report for the month in which I read the book.


Favorite Book of 2013

A Right to Be Merry by Mother Mary Francis 

After reading this book, I realized anew how blessed I am to be Catholic and how blessed we all are by the cloistered communities around the world who pray for us.

Best Fiction and Best New-to-Me Author

Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

If I weren't so tied to my books-to-read-list, I would plan to read at least one book by Berry every month until I'd read them all. And then maybe I'd start over again. I liked this one so much, I asked for it for Christmas so I could own my very own copy.

Best Non-Fiction

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

Best Classic Book I'd Never Read Before

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

After I read this, we listened to an audio CD of it from the library. Everyone liked it and now we have the continued pleasure of a three year old singing, "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!"

Best Book I Pre-Read for School

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome 

Book that Made Me Cry

Yeah...I can't really pick one here. Just about every book I read makes me cry at some point. Eventually the children are going to get used to this. Or give up on me and read the books aloud themselves.

Book that Made Me Laugh

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom and its sequel, The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle, by Christopher Healy

I've recommended these books to everyone I know with a middle grade reader. I'm just as excited as First Son to read the final book in the trilogy when it comes out in April.

Best Homeschooling or Education Book (also Most Challenging)

Poetic Knowledge by James S. Taylor

Best Book I Read Aloud

Canadian Summer by Hilda van Stockum

The whole Mithcells series was wonderful. This was one of the more difficult categories because there are so many wonderful books to read aloud. Adam of the Road was another fantastic book, perfect to share with just about any child.

Best Kansas Book

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Best Book on Faith

Story of a Soul translated from the original manuscripts by John Clarke, O.C.D.

(other than A Right to Be Merry, of course)

My Other Favorite Books
They may have been beaten out by one of the books above, but they still deserve a mention as one of my favorite books read in 2013.  In alphabetical order by title, for lack of a better system:

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Call It Courage by Armstrong Perry
The Children's Homer by Padraic Colum
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
Half Upon a Time by James Riley
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Saturdays (Melendy Quartet) by Elizabeth Enright
Something Beautiful for God by Malcom Muggeridge
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Woman Who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde

I was also really pleased to read Macbeth and The Tempest this year. Reading the plays myself is the best part of studying Shakespeare with the children.

February 2013 Book Reports

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (library copy)

My First Book of Saints by Kathleen M. Muldoon and Susan Helen Wallace, FSP (a review for The Catholic Company)

Walk the Worlds Rim by Betty Baker is the tale of Chakoh, a Native American who travels with three Spaniards and a black slave shortly after the discovery of the New World by Europeans. I found it thought-provoking and reasonably well-written, but it is a novel for someone ready to face some of the abuses, misunderstandings, and wrongs of the Church. There are a lot of things the novel brings up like how missionaries converted the Native Americans and in the ways they failed to convey the true meaning of our faith. Finally, I think there could be a lot of good discussions about slavery and freedom. I don't think I'll read this one aloud, but I do think there could be some good discussions with a middle school or high school student who was reading it independently. (library copy)

Daisy Dawson Is on Her Way! by Steve Voake is one I picked up somewhere and am so glad I did. It's a sweet little chapter book about Daisy, who is learning too much on her way to school to be there on time. She pauses to rescue a butterfly from a spider and is rewarded with a marvelous gift. There's just enough adventure to be exciting for little ones. I intend to ask First Daughter to read this aloud to me next year in first grade. There are five Daisy books so far and, if they are like the first one, this would be a great series for very young readers ready for chapter books. The illustrations are well done, too. (purchased copy)

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman tells the adventures of a spoiled prince who runs away, dragging his whipping boy along with him, in search of freedom and, perhaps, a friend. It's a bit like a tall tale and would probably appeal to boys who are young readers. I intend to ask First Son if he'd like to read it, but I wouldn't assign it. (It's also below his reading level at this point.) I can't imagine why it won the Newbery medal as I'd say it's merely acceptable. Fleischman's By the Great Horn Spoon! is far superior. (library copy)

Mieko and the Fifth Treasure by Eleanor Coerr tells of Mieko, a ten-year-old talented Japanese calligrapher whose arm is badly injued by the Nagasaki bomb. I will share it with my third grade son this year if I decide to cover the atomic bombings. It gently touches on how the bombs changed a child's life without being too scary. It is also a sweet story of courage, friendship, perseverance, and personal growth. Ms. Coerr was born in Canada, but visited Japan as a young woman and lived there for a number of years. (purchased copy)

Simple Living - 30 days to less stuff and more life by Lorilee Lippincott is a short Kindle book with exercises for each of 30 days ranging from clearing off your counters (of everything for at least a week) to unsubscribing from email lists if you don't read them regularly. There's even a little section on facebook. I didn't find anything here I hadn't heard before, but I think it's nice to have little reminders of things I can do to ease the clutter in our lives. I was inspired to move a few things around and pass a few things on to others who can use them. (read for free from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library)

Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz (library copy)

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen is the story of a middle-school student, new and bullied, who is intrigued by the mystery of a running boy. In the end, he makes some friends, stands up to the bullies, and learns a little about caring for his home (wherever that is). I enjoyed it, but it's certainly a book I would reserve for older children. There are instances of physical abuse and neglect in addition to the struggles with bullies, a topic incredibly difficult to address. (copy received for free in a book promotion)

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery (purchased copy)


Books in Progress (and date started)

• The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey (October 2012) 
• Destination: Bethlehem (December 2012)
• The Cloister Walk (January 2013)
• Ice Age (February 2013)
• Love in the Little Things: Tales of Family Life (February 2013)
• "B" Is for Betsy (February 2013)
• The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money (February 2013)
• Blood Will Tell: A Medical Explanation for the Tyranny of Henry VIII (February 2013)

Book Review: The Blue Castle

The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

L. M. Montgomery is best known for her Anne of Green Gables books. My favorite of these is Rila of Ingleside. If you never made it that far in the series, make the effort. You can even read the Kindle version for free.

This post, however, is about The Blue Castle, which is far and away my favorite Montgomery book. Valancy Stirling lives a dreary life, unloved even by her mother, until the day she learns a fatal heart condition leaves her only a year to live. Realizing she has never lived, she embarks on a personal journey. She is no longer afraid. After shocking all her family by suddenly saying what she's been thinking all her 29 years, she leaves them completely dumbfounded when she hires herself out to care for a dying disgraced young woman. While there, she comes to know Barney Snaith as more than the resident ne'er-do-well.

Is it predictable? Absolutely. Even the twist at the end is entirely expected. Would many people today be disappointed that Valancy's courageous struggle to be independent of her family includes a desire for marriage? Probably, but we must remember it was first published in 1926. Many of Valancy's actions were quite unladylike at that time.

In high school and college, I read this book about once a year. I even tried to convince Kansas Dad to name one of our children Valancy. (He refused.) I read it one day recently (a day in which I spent a great many hours in a waiting room) and found it as lovely as ever.