November Book Bracket 2025

Book Bracket for November 2025

There were multiple books that were disappointments this month, and several that I wouldn't end up recommending, but there were also books that were meaningful and some that were just plain fun and a delight to read. 

Philothea or An Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales

A saint explains in detail how to make a start in living one's life for God.

Why I picked it up: This is what one of my small book clubs chose for this round. I had read it before...or had I? It turns out I have because I remembered two specific features that did eventually show up in the text, but I had forgotten most of its content.

My impressions: This is a book to sit with and do some good reflection and meditating on to get the most from it. I felt called out by quite a bit of it and sped through the meditations early in the book, but at the end I did try to sit with the concluding meditations at least a little bit. I feel like I'm a far cry from holiness, which is probably a good feeling to have occasionally. Some of the saint's words seemed a little strict - at least, my struggles with scrupulosity won't have me following everything he said about confession, etc. The parts that I felt most understood by and understanding of were those regarding anxiety and sadness. I think St. Francis de Sales does a great job covering a lot of ground, including the basics of discernment of spirits, so far as consolations and desolations go - I hadn't appreciated what I was reading at the time of my first encounter with this book. This is a great Catholic classic that high schoolers and older could appreciate.

Surviving the Applewhites, by Stephanie S. Tolan, narrated by Robert Sean Leonard**

This Newbery award finalist follows the artistic and sometimes odd Applewhite's struggles to put on a musical production shortly after taking a troubled youth into their unschooling lifestyle.

Why I picked it up: I think I've seen the cover in different places, and that Newbery Award finalist medal is usually a good indicator of a book that's at least worth trying (in my opinion). This one was available as a free audiobook through my local library.

My impressions: The odd, zany, creative characters are the big draw for this story, but it doesn't hurt that there's Jake, a rough-around-the-edges bad boy who's learning what life is like here, and an attempt to put on a musical - "The Sound of Music"! One of my favorites! I enjoyed the plot and seeing the tough kid change from his contact with this imperfect but wildly unique family. I also really appreciated E.D., the very structured girl his age who just doesn't fit in with her very artistically-inclined family. There's so much to love and enjoy about this book; it's a rollicking ride where you don't necessarily know what's happening next, but can start to see things coming as certain elements appear. I did notice that several characters practice an Eastern mysticism - one being a guru - that feng shui is mentioned, that the wider powers of the universe are called upon in a family blessing of a meal, but no characters that are overtly Christian, so that was a downside for me. Though no specific swear words are used, we definitely know that there is a lot of swearing going on, so that could be a downer for some readers. A boy spends some of his time thinking about and looking at pretty girls; he thinks something about a girl not having a figure yet. This book would probably be good for upper elementary or middle school aged readers, but with some of the warning tape that might accompany The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. 

Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World, by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane

The researcher who developed the 5 Love Languages co-authors a book on how to parent children in an age where there is so much - sometimes too much - focus on technology.

Why I picked it up: A coworker mentioned this book to me after I gave a presentation at work on the dangers of excessive screen time. I borrowed it from her and read it during a professional development day.

My impressions: If you're going to read a book that speaks to the dangers of excessive technology and what parents can do to guide their children through this digital era, this is probably the best book I've seen so far. It draws from almost all the books by authors I've been reading this year, is highly readable, and includes great practical advice and strategies to implement. Although it explains a few different studies, it's not very heavy on referencing all the research. So, if you're looking for a lot of studies, you might reach for a different book. Other than that, I think this book is great for anyone who wants a summary of the issues and could use some ideas to apply. This book has at least one section that is written within the framework of the Five Love Languages, so it's pretty clear at that point, at least, of the psychological paradigm from which it operates. One note - I skimmed the chapter that focused on single parenting because it didn't feel very applicable to me. One of my favorite parts was the "Top Ten Questions and Answers" chapter at the end of the book. The first question asked how to know if your child is ready for a smartphone, and it listed almost a dozen tasks a child needs to be able to do responsibly and without a lot of nagging. They're not pushover tasks, either - they include contributing regularly to household responsibilities, caring for a pet, cooking a meal by themselves, and doing well in school, amongst numerous others. I think it's a good reflection of how weighty the decision is to hand someone a handheld computer and communication device. This is a good book for high schoolers and older to read, and while I'm confident the reading level is approachable to readers younger than high school, I don't know if they'd necessarily find it interesting, since it is written for parents.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, by Chris Colfer

Brother-sister twins Alex and Conner have lost their father to tragedy, but find adventure when they fall into their Grandmother's magical Land of Stories book and must collect magical fairy tale items to return home.

Why I picked it up: A family member mentioned he'd read this series and really enjoyed it, so I decided to check it out from the library.

My impressions: This is a fun take on the fractured fairy tale, in which readers get to meet numerous characters from classic fairy tales with Alex and Conner, but the morals guiding this story are fractured, too. It was exciting to see fairy tale characters interacting with each other, and considering how they might live in their "happily ever after" phase, or how child characters, now teenagers or older, might act. There were plenty of chases and escapes and close calls, and a unique storyline happening alongside the twins' quest to get home. Unfortunately, this is another one of those stories where we can't just let evil characters be evil - well, at least one of them. There's an exploration of one villain's backstory and how it motivates her evil deeds, with something of a failure to establish what was happening with that look. It felt like we're supposed to understand the Evil Queen (Snow White) was villainized by her circumstances...but I couldn't help but think she still made plenty of decisions that were still very evil. They empathize with the Evil Queen, and that seems to be the end of it. Some of the "good" characters aren't very good, either, with Goldilocks living her own life of crime, on the run, and seeking to kill another character in an act of revenge. I have plenty more to say in this area, but I'll leave it at that. The writing wasn't great, with lots of showing and telling, and some jokes and descriptions that I didn't appreciate (describing that there was a passionate kiss, a character showing too much skin, etc.). There were even a few instances of swear words, and multiple uses of the Lord's name in vain. It's unfortunate, because there are 5 more books in the series, and I was intrigued enough by this one to look up what happens in the next books. I knew I wouldn't continue the series after this first book (I have way too many others to get to), but the flaws of the book confirmed me in that decision. I don't recommend this book.

Essays on Woman, 2nd Edition, Revised, by Edith Stein

This collection of essays contains this Catholic philosopher saint's ideas on Woman, including her role in salvation, the Church, and the society of her time.

Why I picked it up: This was the book a friend and I agreed to read together as our book-club-of-two. This is one she had access to even as she moved towards pursuing a completely different potential life path.

My impressions: This book has a mix of accessible, albeit academic, essays, and essays which are heavy on the philosophy, lengthy, and harder to follow. I absolutely loved the first essay in the collection, "The Ethos of Women's Professions", and found much to like in her other essays, although some ideas are restated throughout. I felt St. Edith had much to say that was applicable to her time, but also to contemporary times. At the same time, some of her ideas, especially on the schooling system in Germany during the time of writing, felt more foreign to me since they were so connected to education as it was in her day. I am certainly thinking about education and, for women, emotional education in a different way. I see ways in which I've perhaps not developed a mature emotional life, as seen in my extreme sensitivity to "depressing" parts of books and movies. Edith saw men and women as different in very real ways, and I think it's helpful to follow her thinking in those regards. I am curious about what current Catholic philosophers would say in conversation with Edith's works. This book would be best for those who can handle academic and, at times, philosophical language, and some ideas that may seem dated...but are not therefore automatically incorrect.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall, narrated by Susan Denaker**

Four sisters, their widowed father, and the family dog vacation in a cottage behind a mansion and many adventures are had by all as they try to help their new friend, Jeffrey, avoid an army school fate.

Why I picked it up: I've heard this series is great and it was really talked up by Sarah Mackenzie of the Read Aloud Revival podcast. This audiobook was available through my local public library system.

My impressions: There were moments when I was invested in learning what happened next to these unique girls, but it's the kind of mostly plotless book that doesn't hold my attention well - kids experience family dynamics as they have some kiddy adventures during the summer. I can see how this could be a charming read for some folks, but it's just not my cup of tea. I liked that the sisters were all unique, but I felt like the radically different interests each one has doesn't line up with the families I know - at least, I don't feel like I often encounter families where one kid is an absolute math and science nut, and another the author type, and another the shy and sensitive one, etc. In any case, the characters and situations had a sense of realism and the personality clashes played out in ways that seemed likely to occur. I didn't appreciate the fact that the kids shot arrows at a target painted with the face of a highly disliked adult, and that they fantasized about doing things to unlikable folks for revenge, even if it's something that a kid might actually do. A family situation is discussed, in which it is said a certain marriage was a mistake from the beginning, and the woman was remarrying, and a boy had never known his father - just mentioning it because parents might want to be aware the situation comes up. I also thought it a little odd or off that a good chunk of time is spent considering the oldest daughter's crush on a boy 6 years older than her. Though completely innocent, I just don't think I would want my young kids reading too much about having crushes...but that's just me. Though probably one of the better books of this type in some areas, it's not a book that I found super interesting and I wouldn't recommend this one.

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home, by Henry Cole

This heavily-illustrated novel follows a little mouse and how her life changes as she is found and cared for by John Audubon's assistant, Joseph, and as she seeks to establish herself in a place that is truly her home.

Why I picked it up: I went through another round of looking at Read Aloud Revival book list recommendations, and this one sounded interesting. I've been more interested in Audubon's bird paintings over the last several years, and I thought this would be worth a try.

My impressions: I wasn't impressed by this book. The historical fiction side of it wasn't super strong, and I didn't feel invested in Celeste's journey of finding a permanent home. I generally like stories with little critters as characters, but this one didn't do anything for me. It was a book I probably should have put down, but I figured I'd go ahead and finish it because it was an easy read. I didn't find anything objectionable in this book, but I did note that birds are killed and then pinned or wired into poses for the artist to depict the birds, so sensitive kids might struggle with those parts. The illustrations felt inconsistent, with some looking more realistic and some looking cartoony. This book might be really great for some folks, but it definitely wasn't for me and I don't recommend trying this one out.

Knights vs. Dinosaurs, by Matt Phelan

An illustrated novel for young readers follows a group of four knights and a squire as they face off with dinosaurs before traveling forward in time to return to King Arthur's court.

Why I picked it up: I learned of the title and thought, "Say no more." Partly inspired by a relative who loves knights and dinosaurs, I knew I had to try this series out (there are three books total).

My impressions: This book is a fun romp with lots of dino chomp and knightly deeds. There was some cross-dressing that happened (females hiding their femininity when participating in roles historically reserved for men), but it was innocent and wouldn't have made me uncomfortable if it weren't for all the gender ideology craziness of the last however many years. There were knights. There were dinosaurs. There was plenty of action and some growth and lessons learned. The main five characters were all unique and they were a lot of fun to follow through this story. I didn't expect to find King Arthur characters in this book, but their inclusion helped create a pretty tight story. I think this book is pretty fun for middle and upper elementary readers, depending on grade level.

Knights vs. Monsters, by Matt Phelan

Sequel to Knights vs. Dinosaurs finds the formidable company of five traveling to Scotland to face off against monsters which are magicked up by Queen Morgause each night.

Why I picked it up: This one came home with me the same time as the original book. Quick reads, so this one opened up very soon after the first one closed.

My impressions: This book works more Arthurian characters into the warp of the tale, but the monsters were sometimes creepy and just not as much fun as the dinosaurs. I liked learning about more people who animated Arthurian legends - and finding out this story stayed close to the legends in some ways. I didn't like the feeling that an intellectually delayed character was a literal throw-away character (killed by being tossed off a cliff), but there wasn't anything else that made me too uncomfortable. Some characters and monsters were a bit creepy, so sensitive readers might not handle this book as well as the dinosaurs in the original, but it wasn't too bad for me. Readers who enjoyed the first book can consider this one as a potential next read.

Knights vs. The End (of Everything), by Matt Phelan

Third and final book of the Knights vs. trilogy, which picks up some time after the second one concludes, but continues where the threat of last villains left off.

Why I picked it up: I had the other two and this one was at the library as well.

My impressions: This one had a different feel from both of the books before it, and while it had some adventuring elements like the previous story, it felt less action-packed and somewhat disjointed. A cool character from Arthurian legends is introduced, but his storyline is concluded prior to the climax. More Arthurian legends and characters are woven into this tale, which makes the experience pretty fun for someone like me, who has encountered some of these stories before. The main villain in this book, Ash, the king of Faerie, didn't feel as menacing as some previous antagonists, although a lot more time is spent on him than on Morgause, who is still plotting the downfall of Camelot. I did love that the final battle incorporates an element that throws back to the original book in the series, which made my heart very happy. This book is a good conclusion to the series, although I don't think I'd say it's the finest of the three books.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente**

The youth September is spirited away from WWII-era Omaha, Nebraska, to Fairyland, where she encounters many folks of fairytales and has many adventures, such as being forced to serve a cruel Marquess to save her friends.

Why I picked it up: This book was highly recommended as the comfort read of Haley Stewart, and I figured I'd use and Audible credit on it and give it a try.

My impressions: There are many things I really liked about this book, but there were also elements that I'm not on board with and make me too uncomfortable to recommend it. The writing in this story is excellent - it's top-notch, and makes me want more writing like this. The author narrates the audiobook and nails it. However, there were some elements that made me really uncomfortable, such as two witches marrying the same werewolf dude - but saying it's okay because one married the wolf side, and the other marrying the human side. Yikes. No thanks. There's a chaotic blending of all sorts of staples from fairytales and folklore all over the world, including some I've never heard of before, but it all works together. Another weird part is a discussion of "not being really naked" even with all your clothes off...and there are several parts where the main character is described as not having clothes on (in a bath house, and when she removes her dress to make a sail). There's also discussion of a mythical creature being the offspring of a dragon and a library. It's just awkward, man. But wow - the ending is incredible! The villain's backstory is a gut punch, and no mistake. Incredible writing in a fun-and-serious adventure with high stakes, but enough questionable content in it to prevent me from recommending it.

The Sherlock Society, by James Ponti, narrated by Mark Sanderlin**

Alex, his sister, and two friends decide to be detectives for their summer job, but find adventure while searching for Al Capone's missing million dollars in a highly polluted pocket of the Everglades.

Why I picked it up: This book was connected with the book fair that came through the school at my parish, and a relative told me they were reading it.

My impressions: This fun mystery adventure is a great, well-paced example of the middle grade genre. I learned a lot about Miami and appreciated the naturally-occurring discussions of personal character that emerged amidst realistic tween-teen episodes of pushing boundaries. There is some discussion of characters experiencing parents divorcing, but it certainly wasn't discussed as a positive event in itself, and there's a great example of the happy marriage of the parents of the main character siblings. As with most middle grade novels I seem to read these days, the middle schoolers sometimes choose to do things that their parents wouldn't approve of, or choose to do things that are illegal or not entirely honest. However, I think it ends up being clear that those weren't good or safe things to do, and there were serious consequences in the offing. Tons of fun, and I didn't think any of the parts were slow. This would be a great book for upper elementary and middle school readers who want a fun mystery.

Bracket Play

How great to have a month with a big book count and no books put down after a month where it seemed like I was mostly starting and putting down books before I finished them! As always when there are many books competing in the bracket, I paired weaker books with stronger ones so the winners are pretty self-explanatory.

In the second round, St. Francis de Sales' spiritual work beat the fictional middle grade novel about a troubled youth finding his passion in theater. There was some non-Christian spirituality in Surviving the Applewhites that wasn't balanced with Christian expressions, and it just couldn't compete with the great spiritual lessons found in the saint's work. The mystery The Sherlock Society beat the second book in the Knights vs. trilogy - it was the better work and had some really great aspects to it. And, as much as I loved Knights vs. Dinosaurs, it certainly couldn't hold a candle to St. Edith Stein's essays that she wrote about Woman and her role not only in earthly life, but also in salvation.

From the second round, St. Edith's essays had a bye. St. Francis' work also beat The Sherlock Society, but I leaned towards Essays on Woman being the winner this month. It is something that sparked much reflection in me and is something I'd like to read again someday, and have others read so they can be in discussion with her work as well. Introduction to the Devout Life, however, would certainly be a great first-place pick, too - it's just not the one that hit me as hard at this time in my life.

Deep Dive: St. Edith Stein's Essays on Woman

 Deep Dive: Essays on Woman, by St. Edith Stein

When I inherited this book from my sister, who was giving away all her belongings to join a religious order, I'm sure I thought to myself something like, "This will be good to read someday, but I'm not going to get around to it anytime soon."

I'm so grateful now that a friend opted to read these essays as the next installment of our 2-person book club. After reading the first essay, I am reminded of how much academic reading actually does suit me. I may never be a professional intellectual, but there is a refreshing reminder of how it feels to exercise my brain. It must do the work of tackling more formal grammar, structured progression of thought, and building upon foundational defined terminology. It is a joy to use the brain that God gave to me, and I think it will be a blessing to once again have a work that I can reflect upon more deeply.

Essay 1: The Ethos of Women's Professions

I love St. Edith from the beginning of her writing. She takes the time do define "habitus", but then jumps into some thorny topics: Is there a vocation or work natural to woman? Are there jobs which are considered "feminine?" In spite of how this issue generally raises my hackles when anyone else writes about it, Edith gently disarms my prickly predispositions and calmly makes reply. Yes, the natural vocation of woman is wife and mother, and it would take someone far gone into aggressive ideology to deny that a woman's very body and all of history make this evident. And yet, any work that can be done by man is appropriate for women to do. Some work is indeed more "feminine" insofar as woman gravitate towards "that which is living, personal, and whole" (p. 45), and certain professions provide more opportunities for women to exercise those feminine tendencies. If you ever noticed that the fields of education, social work, and nursing lean heavily female in their demographics - there's a reason for that! Edith seems to be working from a place in which it is a "given" that women and men operate differently, and we can see these differences in the way we live our lives.

I appreciate Edith's explanation that women can work in any field, including those which are more "masculine" and abstract by nature, for even here, women can exercise their natural female inclinations and make a very intellectual field more humane by their efforts to build relationship, nurture growth, and focus on the whole person. The work can be done regardless of someone's sex, but the way in which it is performed will look different, depending on whether the worker is a man or a women.

A special section for me was the paragraph in which Edith explains that wives experience the call to be a companion to their husbands, which includes taking interest in the husband's work. This work may not naturally be of interest to the wife, but she takes an interest in it for the sake of the person she shares the relationship with (46). This paragraph is a reminder to me to try to truly be present to my husband and others when they are sharing with me, because by taking the time to really care about their experiences, I can build them up and send them out into the world ready to do more of what God has called them to do.

Perhaps the last thing I will reflect on for this essay is Edith's consideration of how fallen human nature plays out in consideration of femininity. She showed that for several of the ways that a woman naturally inclines, there is a way that inclination can be warped from the ideal. For example, a natural propensity for a personal aspect will tend towards vanity and self-absorption. Likewise, the yearn for the whole can result in a jack-of-all-trades, master of none situation with personal skills, and a desire to dominate rather than serve. I felt very called out by the jack-of-all-trades comparison! It is good to be reminded that these natural feminine inclinations also have a dark side that show how the effects of the fall can play out.

Essay 2: The Separate Vocations of Man and Woman

This essay sees St. Edith diving into Scripture and considering what the "calling" of men and women would be based on what we see in Scripture, as well as in human experience. She spent a bit more time talking about Man taking preeminence in the order of creation - I did get a bit of a "rubbed the wrong way" sensation here - but when she talked about how things are distorted by the fall and that men and women inherently have the same vocational qualities, but they're in different degrees and combinations, I felt a bit more peaceful. 

I especially enjoyed Edith pointing out that the Protoevangelium (Gen. 3:15) tasks Woman with the charge to battle evil - not saying that men don't have this, but that little girl part of me who fell in love with St. Joan of Arc, and the more mature girl who has been fascinated by Eowyn, wanting to fight evil herself, and the adult Jessica who realizes that Mary is the original "female warrior queen," in a way - all these parts of me were very happy to think about that connection Edith makes.

I feel it's trite to say that an author from early in another century has observations that are equally applicable in the modern day...but that's the case here. Edith has much to say about culture changing for the better so that women can more easily exercise skills or qualities that may have been neglected at other times in favor of more immediate survival needs. She repeats that there are no vocations (in this sense, "jobs") that are only for men or only for women, but she does except the priesthood. She is so knowledgeable. She gave some history on the role of women in the Church, remarking that women were, early on, sometimes ordained to the deaconate, but never to the priesthood. This essay was well-developed but also, clearly, spans a wide range of knowledge.

My final thoughts on this essay center on Edith remarking yet again that the realm of abstract knowledge is more within the domain of men than it is of women. I thought, "How interesting that a female philosopher should say this. Isn't philosophy one of the most abstract topics you can think about?" And then I remembered some learning I did about her when I audited classes at my alma mater 5 years ago. Edith trained in the philosophical school of phenomenology, which a quick Google search reveals to me is a philosophical vision that is grounded in personal experiences. These personal experiences are at the opposite end of the spectrum from pure abstractions. Perhaps it is no wonder that this specific school of philosophy was the one in which Edith made herself at home!

There are many wonderful lines worth taking note of from this essay, and I'm not sure that I'm going to write any of them down. This is certainly an essay that will be worth visiting again.

Essay 3: Spirituality of the Christian Woman

This one was read over the span of a week, so it's a lot harder for me to remember my impressions. From literature, she draws examples of women and shows that something like emotional education is a major part of women's development? I'm sure there's more to it than that, but the examples show there needs to be formation of a woman's soul, and that it can be formed incorrectly or left unformed, to great detriment.

Part two considerations what that formation might consist of. Perhaps this is the part that has more to say about emotional formation. Skimming through this section has just reminded me that I read a book earlier this year - The Anxious Generation - that spoke at length about "contagious" emotional states, and Edith says that emotions can be contagious. She was certainly an intelligent and astute woman.

The third section considers feminine vocations; I leave off skimming because she's spoken so beautifully about it in other places. The fourth section considers "Women's life in the light of eternity," and the part that stood out to me was her discussion of the married state, the religious vocation, and the unmarried woman living in the world, and how their lives can be lived most fully in God's love. Also, I appreciated her specific comments on marriage, including how we must turn always to God, the inexhaustible source of life, for carrying us through the daily trials and sacrifices of marriage. 

I know I'm missing much, but this essay - though lengthy - has some excellent points.

Essay 4: Fundamental Principles of Women's Education

This essay lays out Edith's idea of what the ideal education of women looks like, as well as the practical aspects of how to set up a system to implement this sort of education. I had a bit more trouble tracking with this essay, which I was mildly bummed about, considering how significant I find the issue of education. However, there were some points that stood out to me. For example, I found it interesting that Edith stressed the importance of practical application alongside theoretical work; there is a place for both, and both are necessary for different reasons - theoretical work to grow the intellect, and practical application because the world needs women who can apply practical skills in both jobs and in family life. This certainly made sense to me.

I also appreciated Edith stating that education ought to be individualized at some level to work with the natural talents and inclinations of the individual woman. There should be theoretical work, but how much and in what field may depend more on what the teacher sees in the girl. I am not sure that I agree fully with her vision - of women being funneled into specific vocational schools based on their predispositions. This may, perhaps, be a result of growing up in a culture in which, firstly, it's not unusual to go to college and not know "what you want to be when you grow up" yet, and secondly, in which people change careers - not just jobs or positions, but careers - multiple times throughout their life. I'd be concerned about being directed to pursue a certain job or subset of careers, and receive all my schooling in that area, only to find that I don't want to work in it at all when I graduate. Perhaps there's an element of trust needed to make this model work - a trust that the teachers know their students well enough to make those recommendations, and perhaps trust that there can still be options if one line of work doesn't pan out after all.

Essay 5: Problems of Women's Education

Frankly, this essay was so long and read over so many spurts that I don't have anything really to put down here. I know it would be worth my time to go through it again someday, but it's not going to happen right now.

Essay 6: The Church, Woman, and Youth

This essay spends a good amount of time considering Woman and her role in the Church, and in salvation (including discussion of Mary's role and Mary as role model). Edith then goes on to explain how women are so important to the life of the Church, especially in regards to education. She goes so far as to say there are some things that are better for girls to receive from women than from a priest in an educational role (specifically, I think she means this in reference to educating girls about periods, etc.). I think she also emphasizes that the point of education is formation as a child of God. I say "I think" because it's been over a week since I finished reading this essay. That alone is a point worth pondering for a good while. This is a great line:

"Millions of children today are homeless and orphaned, even though they do have a home and a mother...Who else than our great holy mother the Church should open her arms wide to take these beloved of the Lord to her heart? But for this she needs human arms and human hearts, maternal arms and maternal hearts." pp. 250-1

Essay 7: The Significance of Woman's Intrinsic Value in National Life

St. Edith begins with some history on the movement of women's emancipation or the feminist movement, and then moves on to some of the pitfalls inherent to the character of women, and how to address those shortcomings. I found it interesting that she considered objective work to be a good antidote, and that objective work could include not just math and science, or a trade, but housework. It is good for people to work! And St. Edith communicates here that it is important for women to have useful occupations, too. The longer I live, the more I see that in my own experience. However, she also emphasizes that God's assistance is necessary. Only after covering these points does she move on to considering Woman and her role in the life of a nation. She recounts the roles in which women find themselves: as wives and mothers, as teachers and professionals, and as politicians. I'm not sure what conclusions I draw from the essay overall, but it was an essay that felt more approachable than one or two of the earlier ones.

Essay 8: Mission of the Catholic Academic Woman

I half-smiled throughout this book whenever St. Edith discussed women religious or single women working in the academic field, because she was both, although somewhat more at different times in her life. It is a short essay, but one that I think could be very meaningful to women who find themselves single in the world of academia.

Conclusion

There's food for thought here that makes this book well worth rereading, and I hope to make time to do that someday. There are plenty of other books to look into before the time comes to pick this one up again, but reading this book makes me wish more Catholics - theologians and academics included - were engaging her thought and making it part of Catholic discussion today. I've never read something in which the writer was able to calm my "raised hackles" about ideas of femininity in the way St. Edith has, and I think we'd be able to have some sane and beautiful conversations about the role of Woman in the Church if we used these essays as a starting place.

October Book Bracket 2025

 Book Bracket for October '25

Fun fact: two of my October books have "April" in their titles. What do you know! Although one of the worst months for picking up and putting down books, it still ended up being a good completion number - 10 for this month - and a good experience, since I wasn't tied down to finishing a lot of books that I wouldn't have ended up being glad that I pushed all the way through to the end. I was also pleased with how many books were physical copies that I made it through this month.

Across Five Aprils, by Irene Hunt; narrated by Terry Bregy**

Jethro experiences the Civil War, but from his farm home in Illinois, while older family members leave to fight.

Why I picked it up: I obtained this book a while back, I'm sure because I saw it recommended on some reading list at some point. I feared this children's historical fiction would be too sad for me, so I never picked up the copy. However, when I found out it was available for free via the Audible subscription, I figured this was an easier way to try it out than it would be to make time to pick up the physical copy on my shelf.

My impressions: I'm glad I tried this one out, because it ended up being sad in parts, but not depressing overall, and I really enjoyed the gravity of the moral quandary he found himself in. I heard recently - maybe on a podcast - that someone didn't like WWI or WWII stories unless they were "homefront" stories, which looked at the lives of noncombatants back home. After listening to this one, I can absolutely understand the appeal. There were references to the war, some descriptions the gore of battle, and reports of the deaths of loved ones, but it felt a bit more distant - it wasn't the main character seeing the carnage himself. I'd also not thought much of what the homefront would look like in a civil war, in which family members might end up on both sides of a battle, so it was interesting to me throughout to receive that perspective. I compared it mentally with Rifles for Watie, and in the final reckoning, I believe I like this one the better of the two. I recommend this book for middle school and older, but more mature younger elementary readers might be able to handle some of the sadder and more violent parts of this book.

Boy of the Painted Cave, by Justin Denzel

Tao, a young teenager of prehistoric times with a crippled foot, lives in disfavor on the peripheries of his clan, but befriends the local wandering shaman and hopes to learn how to paint animals on cave walls - a role given to those honored, not outcast, in his community.

Why I picked it up: This one, like many children's historical fiction books, just found its way onto my to-read list one day. I was shocked to find it at a library sale in Nebraska in the summer, and decided I wanted to make some inroads on the books sitting on my shelves.

My impressions: This book was alright, but I didn't get the atmospheric sense of a different time and place I expected from this story. Sure, there were wooly mammoths walking around, as well as other extinct creatures, which is fun, but other elements felt like they could have hailed from early Britain or another society that, though ancient, was situated within a more recent past. In any case, I was interested by the story, but spent some time thinking that all the clan's taboos were probably more or less the fruit of the imaginings of the author...since, these times being prehistoric, we don't have written records about what the societies were like back then (although I'm sure some could be known from archaeological artifacts). On a side note, this book reminded me that, long ago, I'd read another book about a prehistoric teen and I was bothered that I couldn't remember the name. And yet, a little Google research one morning brought up the title! That was pretty cool. This book would probably be fine for middle school readers and above, as well as more mature younger readers, but it would probably be good to know there's discussion of demons, taboos, and practices that wouldn't align with Christian morals, such as some people leaving crippled kids in the wild to die, and finding a wife in a raid on another clan, etc.

The Last Mapmaker, by Christina Soontornvat

Sai, an apprentice mapmaker, hopes to work around the limitations of her social status and home life by joining an exploratory voyage to seek out uncharted land.

Why I picked it up: I saw this book in passing at some point, and then my nephew read it and said it was pretty good - or something like that. I was curious, and wanted to give it a try.

My impressions: This book had some good elements, but it also had some that didn't work as well for me. The author had a simple way of creating the feel of a whole society by a simple, tangible sign of family origins, which was some very efficient world-building. I came to understand the main character very well early on, as well as other characters throughout the book. The slow reveal of different characters' motivations helped push the story along and was well-done. The elements that didn't work so well for me included the use of (made up) curse words and some bathroom humor insults. Several characters were born out of wedlock - not uncommon in books for teens and adults, but something I'd be sensitive to if I had kids reading it. The family drama may also have detracted from the action/adventure element that I love so much - at least action and adventure were present. I wished that one loose end about a father could have been tied up. This is a second book that I've read in a few months that has been fine with leaving a father's whereabouts unknown at the end, and that doesn't sit well with me unless the intention is to have another book that completes that storyline. I feel like it implies a father isn't necessary, that it's alright to have them off and doing their own thing beyond the peripheries of a child's life. Well, that may be overthinking on my part, but that's my current take on the situation. This book had some good elements to it, specifically characterization and motivation, but I don't feel it's one I'd actively recommend. Middle school and above could read it, but with caution on some of the elements listed above.

The Shadow of His Wings: The True Story of Fr. Gereon Goldmann, OFM, by Fr. Gereon Goldmann

This autobiography details the life of Fr. Gereon Goldmann, a Franciscan seminarian who was drafted into the Nazi army and even into the SS, and how he lived out his Catholic faith in the face of persecution and roadblocks to ordination. 

Why I picked it up: My husband and I had to be out of town for a series of surgeries and were blessed to find housing with a local woman. She is a bookworm, and this book - which had been on my to-read list for a while - was on her shelves. I ditched the 15 or so other books I'd brought to dive into this one when I was having trouble getting sleep a few nights before the first surgery.

My impressions: If you have read and enjoyed Fr. Walter Ciszek's He Leadeth Me, this might be a book you consider looking into. It didn't have the deep impact that Fr. Ciszek's book had on me, but it felt similar, in which it follows a young man as he lives out his priesthood through some nearly unthinkable conditions. I was uncomfortable with some of the ways Fr. Goldmann obtained the Holy Eucharist to distribute to the sick and dying, as well as his involvement in an attempted assassination on Hitler - I'm pretty sure that's not morally sound activity - but I always had the sense he was doing the best he could in all the situations in which he found himself. Some of the story gets dark at times - not surprising, considering how much action he saw in the war, and the horrors of prison camps he endured - but he has a remarkable story that shows the hand of God very clearly at work, and His Will being accomplished through the faith, prayer, and suffering of many individuals and consecrated religious upon Fr. Gereon's behalf. I loved also his special connection with St. Therese of Lisieux, a beloved friend of mine, too. I probably won't ever read it again, but those adults and possibly high schoolers with an interest in World War II stories, especially of how individuals act when placed in situations that are antithetical to peacefully living out one's faith, may want to consider this book.

The Cabin Faced West, by Jean Fritz

Ann is having trouble adjusting to pioneer-settler life in the wilderness west of the mountains, but learns how invested she has become when a big storm strikes and she has the chance to go back East for the winter.

Why I picked it up: This one had been on my to-read list for a while...and it was at the library sale in Omaha! 

My impressions: I am trying to pay attention to the craft of a story, and this one is well-written. The tension of being far West and yearning for what was left in the East plays through the entire tale. There's not much plot, but I really enjoyed this tale in spite of that. The story is situated solidly in pioneer farming life, with simple but effective characterizations. I loved a touching part in which Ann basically almost loses it and decides she's going to have a fancy tea party, and her mother joins in the moment. I recommend this book as an excellent example of writing and also as good historical literature for colonial and pioneer America.

Peacemaker, by Joseph Bruchac; narrated by Sean Taylor-Corbett**

This take on the legend of Hiawatha comes from the perspective of a young man, Okwaho, who nurses a desire for revenge when his dear friend is kidnapped by a warring tribe - but the arrival of the Peacemaker and his message changes everything for the warring Iroquois nations.

Why I picked it up: This was an Audible freebie and I recognized the author. I thought the book would be about the transformation brought about by the preaching of the Christian message of peace.

My impressions: Well, I made an assumption about who the peacemaker would be, and I was wrong. Good aspects of this book include the perspective of a youth who has been affected by life as it has been and has a stake in seeing changes happen - it makes the situation more compelling. I enjoyed the relationship between the main character and his friends, and the characterization of different people who join in the action. Native American folk tales have a flavor all their own, and there were plenty of them sprinkled throughout the book. The message of peace was beautifully proclaimed and pursued. My biggest area of discomfort with this book was the origin story of the Peacemaker, a savior figure who shared a tale about his birth from a virgin mother and his great grandmother's three attempts to kill him because she was convinced he - an infant - was evil. One weakness of the book was that there was conflict, but not really driving action for much of the book. The conflict was resolved by a show of unity and peace talks, which works well for the story, but it had a lot less climactic energy than the story's opening scenes. The uncomfortable origin story of the Peacemaker prevents me from recommending this book to any and all readers, but it could be good for getting a sense of what life may have been like in a war-torn Native American society prior to the arrival of Europeans.

100 Cupboards, by N. D. Wilson

A fantasy tale about a boy who lands with his aunt and uncle in a little nowhere town in Kansas, but finds adventure - and especially danger - behind the cupboards in his attic bedroom, which connect with other worlds.

Why I picked it up: I thought some children's fantasy might be a good break from the spiritual, academic, and taxing fiction works I've been reading lately. There's not much children's fantasy in my house that I haven't already read, and I didn't want to pick up another historical fiction novel - at least, not right then.

My impressions: This book had exciting parts, cool other-world fantasy parts, and some definitely creepy or scary parts. It concludes well and the climax felt like it had the right pacing, although the book definitely sets up for a sequel - not all is concluded. I felt that the story took a while to really get going - at least, as far as the fantasy element was concerned, but it makes sense insofar as getting a good sense of the main character and the way he needs to grow into the adventure. I did have to put down the book about halfway through - just for a day - because some of the scary parts were getting to me a bit, but I was brave for the remainder of the book. One downside was that I noticed the story's conclusion left me with more of an impression of being disturbed by the darker parts than of being delighted, filled with wonder, or excited to read more. I don't think that makes the book bad or not worth reading, especially since the good characters are good and wholesome, and the evil characters are recognized and fought as such. There's a lot of good in this book, but it's not the level of The Hobbit or The Chronicles of Narnia, the latter of which is a much closer comparison to this book. Upper elementary and middle school readers could definitely enjoy this book, but I'd just want to make clear that there are some pretty scary parts in it - at least, there were for me.

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again, by Johann Hari

A journalist investigates a variety of reasons why we, individually and as a society, might be experiencing more fragmented attention than ever before - and what we can do about it, as individuals and a collective.

Why I picked it up: This one has professional interest for me, dovetailing with the issue of overexposure to screens. I borrowed this one from a family member to read during my convalescence.

My impressions: Oh, there's a lot of food for thought here, with some of it perhaps needing a grain of salt, and some of it having too much detail regarding matters related to sex, and the possibility for there to be areas that were not considered - but the parts that the author researchers are deeply considered. I appreciated that, not only did Hari explain some of the research he cited, but the talked about when an issue was controversial in the minds of experts and the reasons why. It was like having a lot of stats and research from The Anxious Generation but in a format that was much more approachable. Hari looked at screens and social media, but he also considered our diet, pollution, trauma, sleep, changed reading and play patterns, the ADHD diagnosis epidemic, and desirable or different states of attention. For the screens/social media chapters, I felt like I was having my eyes opened again - social media sites are free because of the advertisers who pay for my information, which helps them create a profile to better target me. Screens keep you up late not necessarily because the blue light is like daylight, but the shutoff of that powerful light simulates sundown, when people usually have this burst of energy to get stuff done before bed - at least, that's the explanation he gives. There were some political and moral issues on which the author and I would disagree, but for the most part, he writes compellingly. He ends the book with a list of websites to visit so readers can add their voice to the collective projects that are trying to hold Big Everything accountable. While I really liked learning about these topics, I was made uncomfortable by how often issues related to sex came up, and the detail that came with them. These moments happened throughout the book and often enough that I can't really recommend reading this book - reader beware.

The Ides of April, by Mary Ray

A murder mystery set in ancient Rome leads a slave on the run and a soldier on leave into a plot that is deeper than they can handle alone.

Why I picked it up: I was going to read another book by this author while in NE, but it looked like it was a sequel to this one, which I don't own. I don't think now that it would have made a difference, but on my first trip to the library, this was one of the five books I checked out.

My impressions: It's fun to read a murder mystery - and I think the ones for middle grade readers or young adults might be more my speed than mysteries written for adults (unless it's Sherlock Holmes mysteries). It was a unique setting - ancient Rome - but that alone, and the peril the murder posed to the slaves of the household, helped make the stakes high. It was an exciting read! I really appreciated that this wasn't a murder mystery that just happened to take place in Rome 62 A.D. - the action is integrally tied to the time and place. The characters seek justice and desire to save the innocent, but the way they go about it is sometimes problematic - lying, deception, etc. There's a character who commits suicide to save another's reputation, so that also was concerning, as was the ending, in which a main character ultimately decides to save his marriage, but only after considering divorce and thinking about how easy it would be. Much of the book would be fine for middle school readers and even upper elementary, but some of the topics of concerns might make this book appropriate to have check-ins and discussions about, or to wait until the reader is mature enough to know the views expressed by characters are reflections of Roman beliefs of the time.

What We See When We Read, by Peter Mendelsund

From what I gather, the author designs book covers. This is his reflection upon how we imagine characters, actions, voices, buildings, and more when we read.

Why I picked it up: I came across this one on the local library's app, but I picked up a physical copy on a library trip during which, on a whim, I decided I needed to check out five separate books, none of which are the ones looking accusingly at me from my shelves (and floor) at home.

My impressions: This man must have spent a lot of time thinking about how we imagine things described in books, because I felt like there was a depth and level of observation here that wouldn't be possible without intense dedication. This is not a scientific overview, and as such, I feel fine not agreeing with everything he said. However, it is a good closeup of how he and others build an image based on a read description. He talks about narrator perspective like a camera angle, which is, in fact, how I think about narrator perspective (first, second, third person), but he gets away from that a bit, so my opinions ended up diverging from his. He talks about imagining a house, but I fault him with failing to tackle landscape descriptions. Oh well. I feel like I learned many separate, individual factoids about writing from reading this book, such as character facial are usually pretty nebulous if you sit down and really think about your mental image. We usually hear voices far more clearly than we imagine faces or houses. The way an author describes specific features, and only those features, can have a lot to say about the character. The author spent quite a bit of time talking about Anna Karenina, from the titular book, and some other works that I've never read and probably will never be comfortable reading, so that wasn't my favorite. This book is a fast read because it is so illustration heavy (makes sense), but at least one picture had a nude image or two in an illustration. This book could have some good takeaways for writers.

Noteworthy Book

Castle, by David Macaulay

This author/illustrator walks through the process of building a fictional castle based in research of how real-life castles were constructed.

Why I picked it up: I needed a boost of encouragement to feel better about the ratio of books started and completed to books put down, so I picked this one up. I'd bought it several years ago at a local bookstore and never read it, although I tackled this author's book about creating the book Cathedral just earlier this year, in the summer (or was it last summer?).

My impressions: This is a great book for anyone who loves castles or medieval times. It makes me want to pick up some of the author's other works, many of which I find are in my local library system. There's one spread that explains how toilets worked in castles; I know there were little figures seated on the toilets in the illustration, but I didn't look closely, and the figures were small, so I don't know if there was too much showing or not. Minus that uncertain detail, I'd recommend this book to any kid who wants more medieval castle stuff - although they'll appreciate the pictures a lot more, I think, if they can read the accompanying text.

Bracket Play

Another high-number book month, so the first round was structured in such a way that weaker books were matched with much stronger books to make the decisions easier. Of course, I had to have the two books with "April" titles battle each other. Two nonfiction books, a fantasy book, and two historical fiction works made it to the next round. Of the nonfiction books, it was easy to decide the Catholic book about a Franciscan seminarian staying true to his faith in Nazi Germany would win over a book about how we picture book descriptions, although the latter book had some interesting reflections. The Cabin Faced West had a bye, and the other historical fiction work about the Civil War, Across Five Aprils, won its battle with the modern fantasy work 100 Cupboards. Jean Fritz's children's historical fiction about life in the wilderness after the Revolutionary War ended up winning the penultimate round because it was so well written and enjoyable; Fr. Gereon's book was understandably tough to read at times.

In the final round, it was the two children's historical fiction books that dueled for the win. The Cabin Faced West took the prize home this month. It was atmospheric, enjoyable, and really tight writing. It was worth looking for for a long time and very rewarding to finally have tracked down and read.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Owls in the Family, by Farley Mowat

A Canadian boy and his friend find some owls and take them home as pets.

Why I picked it up: This book was on a recommended list somewhere - maybe Honey for a Child's Heart. I think I'd put it on my to-read list and then decided I didn't want to read it after all. Well, I got to look at our hostess' collection of books and recognized that one as being a title I'd been interested in in the past.

Why I put it down: I have too many other books I want to get to in the near future. It seemed like a very chill and homey kind of book - a story about kids having (mis)adventures with fun animal friends - but it didn't strike me as a book I needed to keep reading. I bet it would be a great book for upper elementary readers, and maybe even a decent read-aloud, but I just wasn't into it this time.

The Secret Library, by Kekla Magoon

Dally grieves the passing of her grandfather, especially since her strict, business-minded mother doesn't understand her - and discovers a connection to a magical library that allows her to travel to different times.

Why I picked it up: It was recommended to me by someone and I wanted to read it because of that connection.

Why I put it down: It had a decent start, but then LGBTQ+ content surfaced. I probably could have pushed through it, but I don't appreciate authors pushing this agenda, especially in books written for kids. There are plenty of other books I'd like to try. I don't recommend this one.

The Tigress of Forli: Renaissance Italy's Most Courageous and Notorious Countess, Caterina Riario Sforza de' Medici, by Elizabeth Lev; narrated by Edita Brychta**

This biography covers the life of a remarkable and powerful Italian woman during the Renaissance.

Why I picked it up: This one was recommended by a friend, and as it was written by the same woman who wrote an impactful book about post-Reformation Catholic art and its importance, I was excited. I used an Audible credit on it ages back and finally started listening to it.

Why I put it down: The book got very detailed about a disturbing event of a sexual nature and I was not ready for it. It was enough to make me just put it down. Hopefully that was the worst to be found in the book, but I don't want to keep trying it.

The Ascetic of Love: Mother Gavrilia 10th February 1897 - 20th March 1992, by Nun Gavrilia

This book is part biography and part collected letters and writings of an Orthodox saint, whose life sounds in many ways like the life of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Why I picked it up: I have a lovely Orthodox friend in a book club and asked her recommendation for a book to read about an Orthodox saint - this was for the summer reading challenge for a local book store. This is one that she said her husband had enjoyed.

Why I put it down: The main reason is that I couldn't finish the book in time and I'd like to get around to reading others. This woman led an interesting life, and it's worth pondering how God works in the lives of His servants, Western and Eastern and Protestant. I read through the first 100-some pages and learned about most of Nun Gavrilia's life, but it was slow going. Most of the rest of the book looked like it would be a collection of letters she'd written or conversations she'd had throughout her life. I believe it would have been instructive, but it just isn't for me at this time.

The Lost Library, by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

A book told from the perspective of a fifth grade boy, a cat, and a ghostly librarian, in which Evan plunges into the mystery of how his small town's library burned down - and tries to prove that his father didn't cause the accident.

Why I picked it up: I thought that this book might be on a Battle of the Books list for a family member, and since I'd mistakenly reserved it at the library, figured it would be worth a try.

Why I put it down: I was unsettled by the realization that some characters in the books were ghosts. I think it's probably leftover uncomfortable feelings from reading Greenglass House, but I'm really not super comfortable with ghost characters. I did skip to the end to find out what happens, and I think that I would have been fine if I'd just pushed a little more and ignored the discomfort, but I'm a little fragile right now with health things and figure that it's fine - there are plenty of other books laying around that I want to get to reading anyway. I think the ghost element is harmless enough and this book would be fine for upper elementary and middle school kids to read, but it wasn't a good fit for me right now.

God or Nothing: A Conversation on Faith with Nicolas Diat, by Robert Cardinal Sarah*

A Catholic cardinal from Guinea discusses his life, experiences of different popes, and his thoughts on faith in a conversation with journalist Nicolas Diat.

Why I picked it up: This one had been on my to-read list, and it was available through the Formed app. I started it on a roadtrip to visit my younger sister's religious order.

Why I put it down: This first 20% or so of this book was good - it was about Cardinal Sarah's life, and his thoughts on the popes who were Vicar of Christ during his life. However, I was struggling to keep going about halfway through the book because there didn't seem to be tons of structure - it seemed to be more questions and answers about Cardinal Sarah's views on the faith and the struggles the Church faces today. I think he has a lot of good things to say, but I was not up to reading it through cover to cover. 

Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie, by O. E. Rolvaag

A family of Norwegians immigrates to the wide open plains of the Dakotas and stakes a claim with just a handful of other immigrant families, and they must learn how to thrive - or just survive - in the madness-inducing flatness of the country.

Why I picked it up: This one is for a book club. It looked like it had potential.

Why I put it down: The wife was getting kind of (or clinically, diagnosably) depressed, and I was wondering when she'd snap out of it. I looked up a synopsis online because I'm recovering from surgery and thinking I need to be more careful with what I read...and I don't think things necessarily look up. Bummer, but good to know now instead of trying to push myself further into it.

How to Destroy Western Civilization: And Other Ideas from the Cultural Abyss, by Peter J. Kreeft**

Catholic philosopher professor looks at the philosophical shortcomings of today's secular society and the way they counteract our ability to live freely and fully in God's love.

Why I picked it up: I recently learned that Ignatius Press has a free app and you get access to one ebook, audiobook, and movie a month - at least, that's my understanding.

Why I put it down: I could have pushed through to the end, but I wasn't really enjoying this one - so why make myself finish it? I think there's a lot of Kreeft's work that I could appreciate in future, but this one wasn't doing it for me right now, and that's okay.

September Book Bracket 2025

 Book Bracket September 2025

Looking at the books this month, I feel that I didn't have a great four weeks of reading. Yes, I got through 10 books in October, a month that I feel historically has fewer rather than more titles completed depending on the year. However, I can't look back on most of the books this month and consider many of them excellent reads. I think this is the result of trying to make the most of the free titles on Audible and attempting to finish off a few more slots on a last reading challenge for the year. There were one or two books that were good, though, and I'm happy to share about those.

Louis and Zelie: The Holy Parents of Saint Therese, by GinaMarie Tennant

This children's chapter book describes the lives of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Why I picked it up: I've been meaning to read this since we received it as a wedding gift from a cousin, but hadn't gotten around to it until a summer reading challenge pushed me to finally read it.

My impressions: This is a great book for anyone, child or adult, to pick up to learn about the lives of these saints. It covers their lives, from moments in their childhood, through their meeting, marriage, and raising a family together - all the way to their deaths. The writing is straightforward but includes events that were important in their lives. I knew many of the stories from reading some of their letters and books like A Family of Saints, but it was nice to not have to try to piece things together from what was described in letters, which sometimes provide a fragmented picture of what happened. It is a sweet book, and though several hundred pages, not too difficult of a read for kids. I'd recommend it to those who want a thorough introduction to the lives of these saints.

Lad: A Dog, by Albert Payson Terhune; narrated by John McDonough**

A collection of stories about a purebred collie named Lad.

Why I picked it up: I recognized the author as the one who wrote The Heart of a Dog, and thought it would be fun to try on Audible.

My impressions: I was shocked to learn these were stories about a dog that had actually lived; perhaps there was some stretching, since Lad ended up sounding like super-dog throughout, but they are fun. I think these could be enjoyed by a whole family, and they have the wholesomeness of Lady and the Tramp and other animal stories like it. 

Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars, by Nathalia Holt

This history book describes the accomplishments of the female coding mathematicians and engineers of Pasadena who helped form and forward the United States' space program.

Why I picked it up: I think I might have heard somewhere that my great grandmother, a resident of California, may have worked with rockets. I needed a book on American history to read for a summer reading challenge, and figured this one - which was on my to-read list - would be worth a try.

My impressions: For a book about rocket science, this work was much easier to read than I anticipated. It's a hefty book, of almost 300 pages, but it moved at a pretty good rate. It was interesting to see how rocketry developed, starting in the '50s in the U.S., and seeing how they could get chunks of metal into space by calculating the math by hand. Just crazy! It was also eye-opening to consider how often things went wrong with launches. I guess that, when you make only so many of a certain kind of highly specialized vehicle, there's a lot more opportunity to get things wrong since there's fewer chances to test them. Some parts were a bit slower than others, but I appreciated that mathematical patterns and scientific phenomena were often described with incredible ease. It was cool to see how a group of women formed a tight community in a time and place where women in the workplace just weren't supported like they are today, but I was saddened to read about the divorces some women experienced. There was a description of a coworkers' office with scandalous photos in it, but nothing explicit. There was also a short but positive blurb about the "benefits" of birth control that I certainly disagree with. There was certainly a feminist lens applied in this work, but it wasn't heavy-handed; at least, I recognized it, but it didn't irritate me. This could be a good book for readers interested in learning about this specific party of space exploration history, but it wouldn't hurt to skip over paragraphs here and there. I'd say this is a good book for mature readers, but some high school students might tackle this one, minus those paragraphs here and there, just fine.

Light and Peace: Instructions for Devout Souls to Dispel Their Doubts and Allay Their Fears, by R. P. Quadrupani

This spiritual classic is a practical guidebook for those Catholics who lean more towards scrupulosity.

Why I picked it up: This is a book that came from my younger sister's collection and it looked like it would be a good one for me to read. 

My impressions: This book is probably joining my lineup of books that I'll reread for my morning meditation time, or my spiritual reading in general. This book hits all the right notes, and even though it pulls extensively from St. Francis de Sales, it works. It's like getting a little primer on everything St. Francis de Sales wrote that is applicable to this subject. Maybe it doesn't have everything he wrote, but I feel it sets me up for my next spiritual read, which is, in fact, going to be St. Francis de Sales! I recommend this book to Catholics who struggle with scrupulosity, but it might also be helpful to discuss this work with a spiritual director.

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond**

An anthropologist provides his theory on why some peoples were able to dominate others during the course of human history.

Why I picked it up: I first saw this book while I worked in a university bookstore, and it looked interesting. I saw it was available as a free selection on Audible and decided to give it a try. It won a Pulitzer in nonfiction.

My impressions: As a theory on why some peoples grew into civilizations that were later able to influence and dominate others, it does have the feeling of being a theory. While I think the author is right in some aspects, I think it's hard to say his take on civilization and the development of history takes all factors into account. There were some parts that discussed how people domesticated foods and animals, and that part was the most interesting to me - not surprising, really, considering how interesting I found Lost Feast and books about extinct animals. I can't say I'd recommend this book, but I wouldn't warn against reading it, either. It would probably be most appropriate for adults to read, although I'm sure high schoolers could handle it reasonably well. There might be some ideas that could be useful for world-building if one leans in authorial directions.

At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe, by Tsh Oxenreider*

A wanderlust-filled wife and mother of three writes about their nine months spent traveling the globe.

Why I picked it up: I'd heard of this before, and even marked this book for my "to-read" list on my library's ebook system. It was a corner spot on my last reading challenge, so I figured I could squeeze it in to get one last bingo or two.

My impressions: Travel narratives are not my thing - this book has helped me realize that - but this one seemed pretty good. It was cool to read about a whole family traveling, and seeing how that influenced their experience. It was really neat to learn about how different places can be. It sounds silly to say that, but I take for granted the exotic locations people live in because I hear names all the time or see movies filmed in those crazy, beautiful, amazing places. It gives me some ideas for where to look for inspiration in worldbuilding, if I ever do get around to writing that fantasy adventure. I would be very uncomfortable traveling the globe, but this book provides a good window into the lives of people who are magnetically attracted to roaming through places that require you to have a passport. I think this book would be fine for high schoolers and older to read, but there are a few very brief comments about more adult topics (for example, descriptions of billboards in one country discouraging inter-generational sex) and some grappling with issues of faith (not doubting God's existence, just trying to deal with life's difficulties).

The Art of War, by Sun Tzu; read by Aidan Gillen**

A classic on...how to war.

Why I picked it up: I've been curious about this work just from a general "If I were to write a battle scene, this would probably be a good book" perspective. It was free to listen to through Audible.

My impressions: This wasn't groundbreaking, and some of the information seemed common-sense or familiar from reading battle-featuring books like the Redwall series, but it has some good qualities. It is short, too the point, and considers many aspects of battling a foe, from the treatment and discipline of soldiers, spies, the lay of the land, and deceptive tactics. This work doesn't come with a Christian background, so some of its morals don't play well with Christian sensibilities - war is one of the worst things in the world, so doing it well...well, I leave it to other readers. I could see myself revisiting this work sometime, but not anytime soon, and not for mere enjoyment. High schoolers, and even middle schoolers, and above could read this.

Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World, by Maryanne Wolf

A research scientist of reading and the brain presents her thoughts on the impact digital reading has on the brain, and what we could and should strive for going forward.

Why I picked it up: This is a continuation of my professional interest in the impact of screens on children's language and other abilities. I started reading this on a self-guided professional development day.

My impressions: There is some good information here, but the writing style wasn't for me, and the book felt guided more by the author's opinions, at times, than research. Specifically, her views on what we should try to establish going forward definitely have the feel of, "I think this is how it's going to play out, so we should take [x] steps now." The author draws from plenty of research - that's true - but some sources are not cited in such a way as to make it easy to track them down. Her writing style is very allusive to literature and bears the marks of someone whose writing style has been influenced by those great authors. Wolf is clearly well-read, but I felt her more difficult prose style makes the book a little less accessible to those who want to learn about this topic. I was surprised by her opinion that we should try to develop strong tracks in the brain for both physical and digital texts, with kids learning which texts are betting for which form of delivery. On the one hand, if her ideas here are right, I think we can just tweak some things with our current culture and basically be there - I feel like I have a good grasp for both forms of reading, and that came with a slow- to moderately-paced introduction to technology as I grew. On the other, I don't know that her anticipation of this dual-reading model, with an encouragement of digital reading to a degree, is something that will benefit all kids who are becoming readers these days or has research to back it up. I suppose that she, a reading researcher, probably ought to know out of anyone. I guess I'm pretty set in my anti-digital, non-screen mentality. To that point, I'll try to look up one study which she referenced as showing that some kids are just naturally better at reading and prefer print, and some are just naturally better at reading digitally, and prefer it. This book would be something an adult would read, but it's not my recommendation if you want to get a good sense of what's going on in the screen-versus-print debate. On the other hand, it references at least one study that shows digital media could be a better avenue for some struggling readers, and it's the first pro-digital research I've come across in my reading. My apologies for the lengthy review.

Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon, by Tracey West

Book one of a fantasy series for some of the earliest readers that centers on Drake being whisked away to the king's castle to discover he's a dragon master, someone who has a connection to a dragon.

Why I picked it up: My nephew sent me home with it. He is so good about talking to me about whatever books he's reading and enjoying that, with this being such a short book, I felt I should read it for him.

My impressions: If you want a child to get an early taste for fantasy, this could be a good option. This first book, at least, was very gentle, while still having some hallmark elements of a fantasy story. It is a very simple tale, but makes sense, considering the audience, and sets up nicely for a book to follow (many have followed, in fact!). It's not a book I'd recommend to read to adults or upper elementary, but it could be a good story for someone who's not an advanced reader yet.

Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature, by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson

This reference book was made for Christian homeschooling parents who are interested in teaching their children in large part through reading, inspired by the model put for by Charlotte Mason.

Why I picked it up: This book ended up on my to-read list, and I stumbled across it at a massive weekly library sale when in Nebraska.

My impressions: I read the original version, from the 80's, rather than the 2002 revised edition, so some recommendations felt dated, but I still finished with at least a dozen books or authors to add to my to-read list. I skipped or skimmed some sections that weren't as relevant to me, but was intrigued to find which books were recommended, and why. If this book were to be written today, I'm curious about what changes would be in it, but I suspect the biographies would look much different, as many are out of print. I sensed a Protestant Christian rather than Catholic Christian viewpoint, so it seemed like famous figures that are more familiar to Protestants were present in place of saints that would sound more familiar to Catholics. I also thought that some of the books recommended were not the best representative work of the author - for example, one by Rosemary Sutcliff that I'd never heard of was mentioned several times, and there was no mention of The Eagle of the Ninth, which has been turned into a movie. Likewise, I noticed The Princess and the Goblin wasn't the MacDonald work recommended highest - rather, The Princess and Curdie was mentioned, as was, I believe, At the Back of the North Wind, neither of which I find as good as the former work, even with Curdie being a solid sequel. I was glad to get the chance to go through this. However, rather than recommending this book, I'd recommend the more recent version (in spite of that one's 20+ year age, it is at least newer than the original).

Bracket Play

It actually was a little tricky to figure out the first round placements, as there were few books that I really enjoyed this time around. In the offset section, the glowing book about the collie lad lost to Quadrupani's spiritual work, although Lad could have definitely earned a spot in the second round elsewhere. The remaining round one winners easily beat their opponents, as did the round two winners, although Louis and Zelie was far different from the reference book Books Children Love. In the final round, it was the spiritual work for anxious souls that faced the children's chapter book about saints. As much as I enjoyed the throwback feeling that I had when reading saint stories as a kid for summer ice cream treats, I gave the win to Light and Peace because it definitely had some of the feel that Fr. Jacques Philippe's Searching for and Maintaining Peace has. I have already made plans to offer to loan it to a friend, and I imagine I will return to it someday myself.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Echo North, by Joanna Ruth Meyer, read by Elizabeth Evans**

A fairy-tale in which a girl with a scarred face leaves the cruelty of her stepmother and agrees to live a year with a mysterious white wolf in exchange for saving her father's life.

Why I picked it up: This book hit my to-read list at some point. It was available for free through the Audible subscription.

Why I put it down: This book was heading in the direction of a YA romance and I was not on board with that. Nothing inappropriate at the time of reading; just definitely not looking for that right now.

The Lifegiving Parent: Giving Your child a Life Worth Living for Christ, by Clay & Sally Clarkson, read by James Anderson Foster and Ann Richardson**

Christian father of four remarkably creative kids, who has lived a lot of life in his marriage and in ministry, reflects on practices to make Christian homes places where God is truly present.

Why I picked it up: Free on Audible; generally like or am okay with Clarkson content; why not?

Why I put it down: I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't feel like listening to this book just to check it off and not really get anything from it - at least, not at this point in my life. I might come back to it later, but it just wasn't for me right now.

Miss Buncle's Book, by D. E. Stevenson*

Dowdy Miss Buncle writes pseudonymously about her neighbors and becomes the subject of great fame abroad and great ire locally.

Why I picked it up: I was looking for a beach-read-type book to help complete a bingo for a summer reading challenge. This one sounded promising and was recommended by a friend.

My impressions: Man, I was really enjoying this book! And then I started reading something into one aspect of the book and it basically ruined the read for me. I couldn't recapture the charmed feeling I had toward it and keep enjoying it. Maybe I can come back to it someday (hopefully after forgetting what bothered me initially), but it was one I had to put down for now.

Persuasion, by Jane Austen

Jane's last completed novel, about Anne, a woman who followed a friend's advice to end her engagement to a sailor with uncertain future, and her experiences of finding him back in her neighborhood years later.

Why I picked it up: This one was for a book club.

Why I put it down: One reason was that I've read it before, and as much as I've enjoyed it in the past, I have plenty of other books waiting to be read. There was another reason, but I won't get into it here.