Refining My Writing Goal

 Why I Don't Want to Be A Great Novelist

For all my life since at least middle school, I've dreamt of becoming a world-famous author. I recognize that there's much that sounds like pride and vainglory in that statement, but the desire to write a book is something that has been with me for a long time. Though not the typical Anne Shirley-type writer, who needs to write, I've only just within the last year committed myself to write more regularly. 

First, I decided to start a journal to assist my memory of what happened from week to week. I don't always get to it daily, but I aim for as close to that as I can manage. In the late fall, I got off Facebook entirely; this freed up all sorts of time that I had been wasting online. In the spring, I spoke with my spiritual director and committed to writing 5 minutes every day in an attempt to discern if God wants something to grow out of my long-term desire to be an author. I'm now looking for resources to consult as I work to improve my writing skills, and one of those resources I read was called Women of the Catholic Imagination: Twelve Inspired Novelists You Should Know, edited by Haley Stewart, and published by Word on Fire.

As excited as I was to read this book, which had been given to me as a gift, I found myself settling into a train of thought I had not expected: I don't want to be a great novelist. This article is an attempt to clarify what I mean when I say those words.

Reading the Book

The book had lots of good things going for it: its subject was interesting, I am a fan of the editor, and I've appreciated the work of the Word on Fire Ministry and what they've started doing with books during the last five years. I was curious especially about the works of these "inspired" female authors and what it was that was so great about their writing. Essay by essay, I came to know a little bit about another incredible woman and her writing. Chapter by chapter, I grew less enchanted with the idea of being a "great writer." The reason for this experience of diminishing returns upon increased knowledge had to do with the brief encounters I was experiencing with the novels of these writers. I appreciated the brief glances I was treated to of the best writing each woman gave to the world, but those peeks were unsettling rather than encouraging.

Granted, many of the academics who contributed to this book made it quite clear that their subject did not write coddle her readers. For example, the works of Flannery O'Connor are not meant to be "encouraging"; they're intended to be the blunt force trauma to the head which enables the character - and the reader - to see reality for what it is. That is what these women were working at: the awakening of their readers to spiritual realities. As it turns out, the way these novelists primarily worked to make those spiritual realities capable of comprehension was through an investigation of the human state, particularly in its brokenness: the characters (often despicable) pursue their vices and reap the wages of their sin until the consequences - often extremely violent - shake them from the track they have been following.

Each academic explained the elements that made the writing of each novelist "great,"  but I was so burdened with the darkness of some of these stories that I had to skim quotes and even parts of the synopsis in some cases. At one point, I put the book down completely for a few days to allow myself the time to regain enough emotional equilibrium to finish it. In those final chapters, as I neared the time when I would close the cover on the last page, I realized that I needed to write about a conclusion I'd reached throughout this reading encounter.

The Novels I Enjoy

I still would like to be a great writer. I recognize now that I shouldn't pine to be world famous, but I certainly aspire to write well. However, I don't believe I want to be a great novelist, if being a great novelist means writing in the same way the women celebrated in Women of the Catholic Imagination wrote. They wrote with technical excellence and striking prose about universal themes: suffering, sin, life, death, reality, truth, redemption. I would like to do the same. However, when I write, I want my books to be of the sort that I would enjoy if I were a reader reading it.

I must be careful here, because I know that personal taste is not usually an indicator of a novel's worth. That's especially true of me, a sensitive reader who has managed to dislike a good majority of the serious classic novels she's sat down to read. However, the fact that there have been a few classics that I loved reading gives me hope that there is, perhaps, a narrow path that I can travel as I stretch my writing muscles. However, as the list below will show, these books have some marked differences from those that seem to gain the greatest acclaim as novels.

The fiction classics I enjoy sometimes fall in the category of "adventure story", but there are just as many that would go into a different genre. I will focus on the works that generally have adult audiences and greater literary merit. These works include:

- The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni

- The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien

- the works of Jane Austen

- North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell

- Silas Marner, by George Eliot

- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

- A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

The reason I love these books include: excellent plot, engaging characters, adventure, growth in virtue, heroic characters, deep and meaningful interpersonal interactions, and fantastic prose. These works are not fluff; they concern themselves with those universal themes one hopes to find in any classic. Some of them get into heavier topics, such as rape and racial hatred (To Kill a Mockingbird), just and humane conditions for laborers (North and South, A Christmas Carol), revenge (The Betrothed), and hope in the face of despair (The Lord of the Rings). These are qualities shared with the books written by the female novelists of Women of the Catholic Imagination.

However, the main differences that I can identify between my favorite classics and at least some of those of the female novelists are two: overall atmosphere and heroic characters. 

By atmosphere, I refer to the primary feeling that flavors the tale. Is it a story that is refreshing for the reader, even if there are difficult episodes? Is it a book that one looks forward to with anticipation because it engenders positive emotions in the reader, or is it one that a reader anticipates in the same way as someone who cranes their neck to see a car wreck ahead, determine what happened, and wonder who was at fault? Or is it even a book that a reader dreads because it presents its tale in the darkest and starkest colors? This is what I mean by "overall atmosphere." Based on the descriptions I read of many of the female Catholic novelists, it sounds like their works, by and large, dwell more in the "depressing atmosphere" camp than otherwise. The books I gravitate towards do not.

Regarding heroic characters: amongst those classics which I listed above, the only books in which the main character(s) start as despicable ones are Silas Marner and A Christmas Carol, and in both books, the author gets to work rehabilitating these characters in short order. Certainly, the main characters in the remaining books are not perfect, but they are likeable for the most part, even with their flaws, and do the work of growing in virtue or coming to terms with reality in the course of the book. Though harder to judge the characters in the novels of the Catholic women, my encounters with Flannery O'Connor's short stories focus uncomfortably on the corrupt and sinful tendencies of the characters. I know that's the point of her literary methods - but I really don't enjoy it. Some descriptions of the works by those other Catholic female novelists implied that the authors might have used the same strategy. I'm alright with having some pretty terrible people in the books I read - after all, there's not much plot if there's no villain in some stories - but focusing on the darkest corners of the human spirit don't make me look forward to picking up a book and reading it from cover to cover.

Insight

Doing this comparison/contrast between the classics I enjoy and the classics of the finest Catholic female novelists of the last century and a half has given me more peace than I originally had when I finished Women of the Catholic Imagination. Perhaps the greatest novelists trade heavily in dark themes and explorations of depravity. But, there are plenty of excellent novelists who explore deep, meaningful, and sometimes heavy topics with a lighter touch. I do not presume to say I'll ever be a great novelist, or even a near-par writer. However, I do think there is reason I can hope to improve my writing skills and find the works I produce satisfactory to me.

After all, it doesn't seem to me like the novelists in one group are actually superior to the others - they're just different. There are many ways to consider a classic, and while I find it important to try to understand what makes them "great," I by no means feel compelled to enjoy any given work. I cannot change my reading tastes on a whim, and I wouldn't want to. 

With this in mind, I feel confident in moving forward with writing the sort of stories I would enjoy reading. I do not have to suffer a sneaking suspicion that brilliant female Catholics are surreptitiously looking over my shoulder at my compositions and shaking their heads in disapproval. God provides a great variety to the scope of human creativity, and I am grateful to see now that I can stay true to the writing I believe He wants me to do, and hopefully, enjoy doing.

May 2026 Book Bracket

 Book Bracket for May 2026

I didn't intend to be sick with strep throat almost as soon as summer started, but it meant that I had a lot more time and patience to devote to reading. I was able to enjoy a variety of genres this month.

The Borrowers, by Mary Norton

Pint-sized Arrietty and her doll-sized parents "borrow" items from the humans who dwell in the big Victorian house, but when a boy sees Arrietty and her father, the two youngsters strike up a friendship that brings turmoil to their quiet existence.

Why I picked it up: This was another book in my "antilibrary" and I needed my next book.

My impressions: I'd written off this book for a long time, but I'm glad that I tried it! I was drawn in during the very first chapter, and though there wasn't a lot of action, I found that I was invested in familial conflict, which consisted of Arrietty's desires for freedom and adventure clashing with her parents' wider knowledge of the dangers of the world and their desire to keep their home. I thought the writing was good, but it's a subtle sort of good writing. The line illustrations aided the imagination when it came to picturing the characters. I think this book could be a good read-aloud. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it charming and will probably tell a family member about it soon.

Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child, by Anthony Esolen

A cultural commentator satirically describes the best ways to stunt the imagination of children so as to make them materialistic automaton pawns who will submit to whatever the government and the economy demand.

Why I picked it up: I don't remember why this one ended up on my to-read list, but it had been there for a while. I saw it sitting on the shelf of a priest friend, and he generously loaned it to me. I've been reading it slowly for three months.

My impressions: Oh yeah, I'm glad I read this book! It brought together several different hot-take soapboxes that I've encountered and laid out so many things that are wrong with our culture. I did skip about one and a half chapters - about cheapening love so it's all about sex, and denying any difference between men and women - and I'm alright with that. I think this book hit the spot for me because it touched on some deficiencies I've seen in myself. I fault no one, but our society doesn't really help kids learn what they are really interested in. Several of my interests haven't blossomed until I became and adult, and even now, I'm wishing I'd pursued some things more when I was younger - if only I had known! But all shall be well. This is the most palatable satire I've encountered, and it helped to know that it was a work of satire before beginning it. This book would be good for parents and teachers who want to consider what they can do at home to help their children flourish, although I would warn there are a few comments here and there - and those two chapters - which would probably not be suitable for youths.

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers, by Ralph Moody**, narrated by Cameron Beierle**

Ralph Moody and his family move from Massachusetts to Colorado, where they live poor in money but rich in neighbors, ranching, and homesteading experience.

Why I picked it up: This has been on my to-read list, having been recommended in multiple places. I was looking for a wholesome audiobook, and this one was available through my state's e-library.

My impressions: Other than cuss words and different characters using the Lord's name in vain, this was indeed a wholesome book - part Laura Ingalls Wilder feel, part Wild West adventure feel. I loved the character shaping that Ralph experienced through the discipline and love of his father. It was uncomfortable at times, but I grew to love Ralphs' father. The narration was very good in this book, and helped create a picture of Ralph's dad as a soft-spoken but no-nonsense man. I was glad I had a hint about the ending, which I'll say is sad, but it is so powerful too. Minus the language, this would be a great book for youngsters who like the Little House books, or could use more boy-adventure-shenanigans in their reading lineup.

How to Get Away with Myrtle, by Elizabeth C. Bunce, narrated by Bethan Rose Young**

The second book in the Myrtle Hardcastle mystery serious follows the irrepressible "young lady of quality" Myrtle, as she is forced into a seaside holiday with her governess to get her away from the morbid drama of the murder she solved - only to find herself mixed up in another murder mystery.

Why I picked it up: It's pretty dead for me at work and I wanted another audiobook to listen to. I'd enjoyed the first book in this series, and was interested in trying this second one, available through my state's e-library.

My impressions: I think "irrepressible" Victorian young ladies with spunk must hit some secret spot in my reading heart. The first-person narrator voice of the main character is delicious, and it's fun to experience her personality as much through her inner thoughts as through her - often ill-timed - outbursts and conversation. The other characters are also well-developed and well-described. Even the cat, who offers catlike one-word contributions to the discussion, is charming. The audiobook version was beautifully narrated. There was just one point in the book where it got a little dark for me, but that may have been as much a lack of sleep and its resulting sensibility as anything. However, I must note that, as this is a murder mystery, more sensitive children might not find this book to be the perfect fit for them. Myrtle and her governess exhibit an admirable sense of justice in their desire to hunt down the criminal, but they don't always do things aboveboard, such as when they withhold evidence from the dislikable but rightful authorities. There is also a comment that indicates a character kept something for personal use at the end that ought to have been returned along with other items which were originally offered as a bribe. This book would be fun for those who enjoyed the first book - and it really ought to be read only after the first one - otherwise some characters won't make as much sense. Middle schoolers and older who can handle some descriptions of murder scenes and insinuated long-term poisoning and who want to enjoy a murder mystery should look into this series.

Wild Trek, by Jim Kjelgaard

The trapper, Link, and his half-husky, half-wild dog Chiri brave virgin wilderness and animals that do not fear man to save a pair of men who were stranded when their plane crashed in the Caribou mountains.

Why I picked it up: My dad was always a fan of books by this author, and I saw it sitting on my parents' bookshelves. It had been a while since I'd read a book about a "remarkable animal" (although I listened to one, Lad, last year). I also felt like I should get to this one, which has been hanging out at my house for several months, before I got back to working on reading through my "anti-library."

My impressions: I expected more of this book to be focused on the dog than it actually was, but that did not weaken the story. It was, I found out, a survival tale, and I love me a good survival story. The characters' personalities were evident in both their speech and in the thoughts revealed to the reader, but one character spent a little too long theorizing what helped man become the dominant being on earth. There was a lot of action, a lot of wilderness how-to, and a lot of danger. There is some death in this book, and the characters are reduced to pretty dire circumstances (eating raw meat at times), so more sensitive kids might not find a good fit in this book. Middle grade readers and older who like adventure and wilderness living might consider reading this book.

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Gregory Boyle**

A Jesuit priest relates stories and reflections from his ministry to "homeboy" and "homegirl" gang members in a dangerous L.A. neighborhood and in the incarceration system.

Why I picked it up: Way back in the day, this book was the subject of much discussion at my alma mater - maybe when I was a freshman. I wasn't in the honors program, so even though I think the author came and spoke at my little university in the middle of the Great Plains, I didn't read this book or go to the talk. However, something drew me to it recently, and I found it in my local library system's online audiobook collection.

My impression: There's a lot that I really liked about this book, and I feel like that's saying a lot, since it included heavy topics, violence, and the death of many young people. I really didn't feel as if the "homies" were "other" - I loved them along with Fr. Boyle, or "G," as he was often called. The author helps us encounter some really tough customers and see them with the eyes of love. His Jesuit heart really came through here. There were a few things that raised my eyebrows, including an assessment of the issues Jesus would have with both political parties (I'm not saying he's wrong, just not sure I'd reach the same conclusion - or maybe I'm just feeling called out), and quoting all sorts of people and writings, Catholics as well as Buddhists and Nietzsche. Maybe he was trying to show that we can find God's Truth reflected in unexpected places? In any case, there were some amazing stories of the ministry he runs and the people who he has come to know. This is a great nonfiction work and does so much to humanize people who join gangs, but there might be a few elements that readers could find a bit off-putting.

Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull

Kendra and younger brother Seth find out their reclusive grandparents are secretly the guardians of a preserve in which mythical, magical creatures of all kinds live - but disobeying the rules in a magical place can have deadly consequences.

Why I picked it up: This book has been on my to-read list for a while - I think one of my cousins said he loved this series. I finally got a copy from the library when one of my small book clubs' members agreed that this would be our next read.

My impressions: Like later works, such as Impossible Creatures, this fantasy action tale brings together a wide variety of mythological creatures and explores the ways that the human world (mostly doesn't) mix with a magical one. There are definitely two sides, one good and one evil, and some good world building for how even familiar fairy tale creatures act in this specific world. There are some good deep discussions between some characters, an exploration of the consequences of disobedience, and some realistic sibling interactions, including teasing and disagreements. There were also a few pages I skipped because they were too creepy for me - a grown woman. Although the story was engaging - especially when the ante increases around the halfway mark - there were a few things that didn't quite work for me in a moral sense. For example, it's pretty obvious that a character is evil and shouldn't be messed with, and yet the "good guys" go to her multiple times to undo to magic mischief that's been done. I feel like that was sending a little bit of a mixed message. There was also a comment one character made about not finding any religion that contains all the truth - about mythical creatures, presumably, but there are some negative implications about religion there.  Finally, there is mention of demons, and mythical creatures being at best "helpful when it serves them" (if I remember correctly), but no mention of Christianity or truly selfless magical creatures. A cursory look at online review seems to indicate parents like that there's clear good vs. evil messaging in this book, but I find the above elements to be problematic. Also weird: formerly beautiful fairies, transformed into ugly imps (no sex indicated) are cured by being kissed on the mouth by fairies. This isn't a bad book and doesn't have the worst good vs. evil action, but I have found some fantasy books to be better in areas where this one doesn't quite reach the standard for me. This book would be best for middle school students.

The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ, by Brant Pitre

A Biblical scholar and professor describes modern errors in Bible scholarship and explains the good historical evidence for the Gospels being historical ancient biographies by eyewitnesses or their close associates, as well as the context of first-century Judaism that shows Jesus' clear claims to divinity and lordship.

Why I picked it up: This book was sitting on our shelves and I needed a break from a good but heavy book. I liked the other books by this author that I'd read before.

My impressions: This is a great book of Scriptural apologetics. Pitre presents the arguments or thoughts of Biblical scholars who have different theories that downplay the authenticity of the Gospel accounts, or deny that Jesus claimed to be God, etc. He systematically walks the reader through the evidence that these faulty theories - often disturbing to Christians - ignore. This book was at a good level for me - readable, but thorough, and ultimately leading me to ask in awe, "Who is Jesus?" This is a great book for any Christian adult serious about their faith to read. It counteracts so many false claims that come up from time to time and can prepare one to explain the reasons for his or her faith.

The Horse and His Boy, by C. S. Lewis

Shasta and the Talking Horse Bree flee slavery in Calormen for the free country of Narnia, but they and their companions find themselves racing cruel invaders who threaten to destroy the small nation of Archenland.

Why I picked it up: This is the next Chronicles of Narnia book I'm reading in my cousin group.

My impressions: This is my favorite book in the series. I know I often tell myself it's tied with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but right now, it's the best. Maybe the sense of divine providence that pervades the book appeals to me. The story is just such a grand adventure. I love it! There are many great themes explored during the story, and several characters provide great studies for pride. I've read that some people find the depiction of the Calormene people to be a problematic and racist depiction of Islamic culture and Muslim people, so that is something parents might want to be aware of. However, it's not something I ever picked up on when I was reading this in middle school. This would be a great book for anyone who enjoys the Chronicles of Narnia series - they won't want to miss this one!

Mountain Born, by Elizabeth Yates*

Peter shares a special bond with the black ewe, Biddy, who grows from a near-lifeless lamb to the leader of the farm flock.

Why I picked it up: This book has been on my to-read list for ages, and it was never available to me locally. I used some of the remainder of a gift card I got from some Facebook class-action lawsuit thing to purchase an e-book version of this story. I needed something milder than Siberian work camps and French Revolution guillotining late one evening when I was sick, so this looked like a good option.

My impressions: This is yet another beguiling book with little plot that is so cozy that it captures my heart. It's just a description of life on a mountainous farm where sheep are the main source of income, and it describes the little trials and growing-up incidents that happen as a lad ages from youth to somewhere around middle-school age. I learned several things about sheep husbandry I hadn't known before, and just thoroughly enjoyed this quick little read. This would be a great book to read aloud (I've heard), but good for young elementary readers and older - especially those who might lean more towards the James Herriot style of animal story.

No Bullet Got Me Yet: The Relentless Faith of Father Kapaun, by John Stansifer**

This biography of Father Kapaun covers his whole life, as well as the identification of his body and return to the Diocese of Wichita.

Why I picked it up: I first became aware of this book when I saw it sitting in a Barnes & Noble. About a year and a half later, I decided I needed an audiobook to listen to, and this was available through my local library system's e-library.

My impressions: I'm glad I revisited the story of Father Kapaun. Some of the accounts sounded familiar, as I'd probably read them in another biography about Venerable Father Kapaun, but they remain powerful. The saints truly are inspiring. There is a lot of information about moving battlefronts during the Korean War, so I sometimes wouldn't quite catch everything if I was working on other projects, but it was easy to follow otherwise. I liked hearing the actual words he wrote in letters, and his steady communication with his bishop touched me. It's so interesting hearing about events that happened in my part of the world, as well as in faraway places to someone else from Kansas. In fact, the end of the book covered events that I remembered and participated in myself - the identification of his body, and the funeral service when he was returned to Kansas. The one thing that I have mixed emotions on is, I don't think my pronunciation of Fr. Kapaun's name is changing, but the audiobook definitely has his name pronounced the other way. This is a great book for any high schooler or older interested in learning more about Father Kapaun, or wanting to refresh themselves on the details of his life.

The Wheel on the School, by Meindert DeJong

Dutch school children consider why storks don't nest in their town like they do in others nearby, and with help from their teacher and older members of their small community, work to do something about it.

Why I picked it up: This book had been on my to-read list for forever, and I found it available at my alma mater. I know I should be working on my anti-library, but it's nice to cross items off the to-read list, too!

My impressions: I think the writing in this book was pretty good (it is a Newbery Award winner), and several phrases struck me, but it is a slower-moving work without a lot of action. There were a few parts that were more exciting, but it is a pretty slow-paced book. I think what I liked best was seeing the children interact with older members of their communities and see those bonds bring healing and purpose to some who otherwise were lost or lonely. It was a good book for showing how humans can interact positively with nature and how children can take initiative to make things happen. I wouldn't recommend this book - it's not bad - in fact, it enjoys multiple good points - it's just not one that I think everyone needs to make time to read.

A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park, narrated by David Baker and Cynthia Bishop**

A split narrative follows Salva in 1980's Sudan as he endures incredible hardships to escape war and survive refugee camps, and modern-day Nya, who must walk 8 hours every day to collect water for her family.

Why I picked it up: This book was recommended on a list at some point. I obtained a physical copy from a library sale at one point, but as it is part of my anti-library, I needed to work on that pile. This one happened to be available as an audiobook through my local system's e-library, so that's how I'm making it through this one.

My impressions: I'd avoided this one for a while because I was afraid the main character would experience the horrors of being made a child soldier; while he endured a great many shocks that no one should undergo, my original fear was not realized. The split narrative, switching back and forth between two characters who lived in different times, was an interesting storytelling device that worked for this book, although it's not a style I'll seek out. It certainly is a book for making one aware of the hardships that exist in the world, and how many opportunities open up when you're not fetching water for half of your waking hours. I liked how the author showed how Salva's experiences in his youth, as well as his desire to solve problems, led to a meaningful (and life-changing) project for him to work on. This could be a good book to consider reading to make big issues like war and clean water more human and accessible to children. Due to some very sad parts, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under middle school, and even then, this book probably would not be a good match for some more sensitive readers.

Bracket Play

First round: as always, I placed as many weak books against strong books as I could. However, I read quite a few very good books this month, so I was sad to see Tattoos on the Heart didn't make it to the next round. I opted for The Case for Jesus to win over it, since this second book is a very good and well-researched work that explains the faults in some suspect Bible scholarship in the last half century or so.

In the second round, I saw quite a few works go down that I had really enjoyed reading. For example, there was much to love in Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child, but there were a few sections that I found worth skimming, and it just didn't have the excitement of Lewis' The Horse and His Boy. Pitre's book, which had won last round, fell to the Father Kapaun biography, which had a lot of personal interest for me (I'm not saying that knowing that the Gospels have good historical basis isn't personally interesting - it is). In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, Pitre's book could just as easily have won this showdown. It just goes to show how good the books were overall this month. I was also uncertain on the last showdown - the murder mystery almost took the win, but I opted for Mountain Born because it felt like something that might be more universally appealing.

Lewis' work won over the Fr. Kapaun biography, and it also went on to win against Mountain Born. The Horse and His Boy is my favorite of the Chronicles of Narnia series, and it's a strong book in so many ways. It is extremely enjoyable and rereadable. I highly recommend it.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling, by John Taylor Gatto, narrated by ?**

The author of Dumbing Us Down discusses the questionable ideologies that have shaped compulsory schooling in the United States from its inception, as well as the disservice it does to the students who spent twelve or more years in the educational system.

Why I picked it up: Dumbing Us Down had the hottest hot takes on education I've ever heard. I knew I needed to try this next book by the same author.

Why I put it down: Turns out I didn't know what I needed to try. I started this one, but I was bothered by the fact that the author held up as a positive example someone who I certainly would not hold up as a role model. I could have kept listening, but I didn't feel the need to give more time to the book. Perhaps some of the takes are too hot for me (me, a person who works in the compulsory school system he decries). I agree there are problems with education, but I'm not ready to leave my job over it.

Handbook for Dragon Slayers, by Merrie Haskell*

Tilda runs into political intrigue and adventure in a world that is part-Medieval and part-fantasy.

Why I picked it up: It was on my to-read list, but I'm not sure how it got there. It was a relatively recent addition.

Why I put it down: It sounded like there was going to be a bit of a romantic story line, so, considering my current sensitivity, it made sense to put it down. I think it would have been an interesting read, so I wouldn't be upset if I came back around to it someday.

Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis, narrated by Mirron Willis**

Elijah must leave his town of freed slaves in Canada to recover his friend's stolen money.

Why I picked it up: I think this was on a recommended list somewhere, and I found it at a local library's store. However, I was attempting it in audiobook format.

Why I put it down: I just wasn't digging it. I think the author has a lot of flavor - like explaining how the townspeople had tendencies to exaggerate in their storytelling, etc. - but it was taking far too long for the story to happen, and I just didn't think the payoff would be worth it. There was also a lot of time spent talking about a baby spitting up on someone - the story was exaggerated, of course - but more bodily humor like that isn't necessarily my thing.

April 2026 Book Bracket

 Book Bracket for April 2026

Looking back at the month of April, it seems to have spanned a large amount of time. Easter was several days into April? Well, whether it was long or short, I found I had read or listened to a mix of books, with many of them being pretty good or excellent. I also put down a greater number of books unfinished than usual, but I'm quite happy to have tried some of them and now to cross them off my to-read list.

Made for Heaven: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR

This guided Lenten meditation book focuses primarily on the Sunday Gospel reading for the following week's short reflections, and includes reflection questions and space to journal.

Why I picked it up: I was overambitious in thinking I'd participate in my parish's second book club. I didn't attend a single meeting, but I read the reflection most days, and caught up when I'd misplaced the book or forgotten for a few days.

My impressions: This book wasn't my favorite Lenten read, but I think that if I'd put more into it (i.e., done some journaling in response to the questions), I would have gotten more out of it. I liked that Fr. Torres took a deep look at several Sunday Gospel passages, digging into them for the remainder of the week's reflections. He had some good insights, and a few personal accounts that stuck with me or are easy to recall. A few comments made it sound like the book was written shortly after the pandemic event, but it doesn't really date the book or interfere with the content - it's still good Lenten material. This is a good book for Catholics who want short daily reflections for the Lenten liturgical season.

The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love, by Edward Sri

A theologian breaks down St. Thomas Aquinas' commentary on the four cardinal virtues, explaining and exploring what they are, as well as the vices they counteract and other virtues that fall under their heading.

Why I picked it up: I started listening to this as an audiobook because I wanted mostly religious books during Lent, but I read a good chunk of it because I have a physical copy that I picked up a while back. 

My impressions: This book came to me at the right time! I wasn't sure how I'd like it since I wasn't blown away by his book on the Mass the second time reading it (a month or two ago), but this one hit a sweet spot! It spoke to me where I'm at - so I am reminded to not disdain a book because a different one by the same author wasn't everything I was hoping for. This book does a great job of making St. Thomas' work accessible to lay Catholics - I don't know about other people, but I certainly find St. Thomas intimidating. I feel like I have a better understanding of how the cardinal virtues are "cardinal", meaning something like they are umbrellas that house a lot of other virtues within themselves, and combat a number of vices. I was called out, but also encouraged and felt like I was learning a lot. I think this book could speak to many Catholics, probably high school and up, and I'd recommend it to people who know they need to work on eradicating vice and growing virtue in their lives (so, all of us!).

Here is a quote that I liked: Magnanimity is "an inner movement of the soul, a stretching forth toward God and toward whatever great and noble tasks he may be inviting a person to do: fighting against injustices, shouldering important undertakings, serving a pressing need, confronting evils, building something that will serve the Church and bless many...people. Unfortunately, our culture is put off by this Christian heroic ambition. Instead of lifting our eyes toward doing great and noble deeds with our lives, we are sedated by comfort and pleasure. The incessant distractions and amusements of our age lower our vision for life, dull our pursuit of honorable things, and stifle magnanimity. We instead focus our energies on pursuing what is most enjoyable." -pp. 117-8

Glitch, by Laura Martin, narrated by Tara Sands and Ramon de Ocampo**

Regan and Elliot, rival time-travelers-in-training, find themselves forced to team up due to a time-traveling item that warns of future danger and sets of a string of mind-bending efforts to save the past and the future

Why I picked it up: I think I saw this one recommended somewhere, but not sure why this one specifically ended up on my to-read list, especially since time-travel stories aren't quite my thing. This one was available through my state's e-library. 

My impressions: I'm so glad I tried this one out! I should have known from her dinosaur dystopia books that I listened to last year that I like her writing style. Exciting from the start, it incorporates concepts like the Butterfly Effect and utilizes excellent world building. I found the entire first third of the book incredibly engaging - weirdly enough, I felt there was a lull in the middle part of the book, but the ending ratcheted up the stakes with some expected time-travel madness. I liked the start-as-enemies situation and how that developed. There were some questionable decisions made with shady ethical groundings, as well as some moments of lying or deception, but it was mostly free of questionable content. I liked this book so much that I discussed it with my husband as I listened to it and recommended it to a family member who I think will like it. This would be a good book for middle school and older.

Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jonah and other adopted children in his area receive strange letters about being some of the missing, and people coming to get them soon, so he and several children try to unravel the mystery of the letters as well as the mystery of where he came from.

 

Why I picked it up: A relative of mine really enjoyed the book, so I read it to discuss it with them. This copy came from my work's library.

My impressions: It was interesting to pick up a time-travel book after I'd just finished listening to one. I've decided that Martin's style of time-travel story is more my type than this one. The good parts of this were that there were intriguing, mysterious happenings from the start, and the mystery went through most of the book. What was happening? Almost every chapter felt like it ended on a little cliffhanger - I think it's impressive writing if you can do that, but it's not my favorite. I thought the characterizations were a little weaker than in some books, and I wasn't a fan of how the book felt like it had a little more negative of an outlook than other middle grade novels. Disrespect towards parents and deceit were some problematic elements. The book sets up for a sequel - for a whole series, in fact. While the book was interesting enough to finish, I wasn't keen enough on it to want to continue the series; the Wikipedia summary worked out fine for me. I think this book would be fine for most middle school readers, but I'd say go with Glitch over this one if you want a time travel story.

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, by Eugene Yelchin**

Eugene lives with his parents, grandmother, and brother in Communist Russia, finding that his drawings under the table may be a talent that helps make him more free in his country, but still lacking answers to his questions about why people live they way they do in his country.

Why I picked it up: This one was recommended on the Read Aloud Revival website, and sounded interesting. The audiobook version, read by the author, was available through my state's e-library. I listened to this during the time I was reading With God in Russia, by Fr. Walter Ciszek, and both are kind of heavy, so I'll probably be giving stories about Soviet Russia a break for a while.

My impressions: This is a good book to give you an idea of what life would be like for a child growing up in Communist Russia, long after peace had been established post-war. However, there were some comments and descriptions that made me think that some parts would have been more appropriate for an adult audience. A bathhouse experience was described, as were some comments like the author deciding not to say his mom loved a star ballet dancer mare than his dad (she wasn't really in love, just obsessed), and those were some bits that I just wouldn't be comfortable handing over to any kid. I do think that this memoir was well-written - Yelchin had a good sense of how different aspects of his life fit together - his lack of talent, Russia's obsession with talent, his Jewish ethnicity, tensions surrounding the scapegoating of Jews, art, expression, following the rules - so many things wove together really well in this work. I think this is a good book for exploring life in the USSR, but it would probably be good for parents to pre-read or read with their children if a child (probably no younger than middle school) is the one who will be experiencing it. 

When the Sea Turned to Silver, by Grace Lin, narrated by Kim Mai Guest**

Young Pinmei and her friend Yishan leave their burned-out homes to rescue Pinmei's grandmother from the cruel Tiger Emperor, and finds her voice on the adventure as she shares stories with those she meets - and finds the old stories are more than just stories.

Why I picked it up: I wanted to listen to another audiobook, but not one set in Communist Russia. This one was available through my state's e-library. 

My impressions: I don't remember much of Lin's other book that I listened to a few years ago, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, but I do think that I liked this one much more. I liked the interwoven stories that slowly started to come to life. It felt like listening to an anthology of Asian fairy tales that were all tied together by a pretty compelling problem. The imagery and some of the poetic language were excellent, but other analogies didn't flow as smoothly for me. Even with the clear problem and high stakes, I would say that this adventure is still a little slower paced than other adventure stories. It worked for me this time, but I could see some readers having a little more trouble staying engaged with this one. I did not like the deception practiced by one character towards the end of the book, even if it was the big baddie she was tricking - that was an uncomfortable scene. Other than that, I thought the book was free of concerning elements. This could be a good book for fairy tale and folk tale fans middle-school aged and older.

The Silver Chair, by C. S. Lewis, narrated by Jeremy Northam**

Jill joins Eustace in this adventure into Narnia, where they are tasked by Aslan to follow four signs in order to save the missing heir to the Narnian throne, but realize the completion of the task is much more difficult than they anticipated.

Why I picked it up: This is one of the two Chronicles of Narnia books my cousin group and I discussed this month. Yes, I finished it before I finished The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I read a small snippet of it, but listened to most in audiobook form.

My impressions: I used to really dislike this one because I thought the landscape was so dreary, but it's grown on me over time, and listening to it was a real treat! This book powerfully portrays the exhortation to follow Christ, and how difficult that actually is. It shows the struggle of the will to choose to do what is right, even in the face of physical desolation and spiritual attack. It shows the entrancing power of evil, and its ultimate failure in the face of those who rely on grace to resist it. This is a great book that everyone should read, starting with upper elementary and going through any age.

Beyond the Desert Gate, by Mary Ray

This somewhat-sequel to The Ides of April focuses on the youngest of the three sons of Apollodorus the merchant, named Philo, as he and his part-Jewish siblings find their place in a Roman-occupied Palestine of A.D. 70.

Why I picked it up: I needed a book to take with me to work that wasn't set in Communist Russia, and as this one is part of my "antilibrary" (the apparent term for owned books that one hasn't read yet), it seemed an appropriate one to try.

My impressions: This book has the trim focus of some middle-grade novels, but some descriptions of intense injury and violence make this one more appropriate for a slightly older audience. I liked this book better than The Ides of April and found fewer troubling elements in it - and I was pleasantly surprised to find out who the mysterious stranger Xenos was. Though the plot wasn't action driven, it pulled me in enough to have me wondering how things would end. There is a lot of loss in the novel, but I think it had the feeling of authenticity that one would hope for in a historical novel. This book would be best for mature middle schoolers and older, particularly if they are interested in the Roman Empire and the nations occupied by Rome soon after the time of Jesus.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C. S. Lewis, narrated by Derek Jacobi**

Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia with their cruel cousin Eustace in tow, and join King Caspian as he sails east to try to find the edge of the world and Aslan's country.

Why I picked it up: Cousin book time again! I started reading this book as a physical copy, but finished the last 2/3 of it in audiobook form.

My impressions: This book is alright, but the sea log narrative style means there's no driving plot. There are some episodic adventures, but towards the end, it feels more like an account of interesting places and peoples observed by the adventurers. I did come to love Reepicheep more than I have in previous readings of this book. I can't say that the audiobook was amazing - the performance, particularly of Caspian's actions at the end, didn't help me like him more. I was intrigued by the stronger use of religious symbols in this book at the end, but I think it makes sense, since Aslan is preparing the older children to recognize him by the name he goes by in their world. Any fan of Narnia should read this book, but it's not the best one.

Bracket Play

The bracket was a little difficult to figure out this month. All three of the finalists could have been the best for April.

Round one went as it usually does, with similar books being matched up with each other and the weaker ones being knocked out right away. Glitch came in between rounds, and beat the Chinese fairy-tale mashup When the Sea Turned to Silver. This second book was good, but it was a little slower-paced and more artistic. Glitch was exciting from the get-go, but it also had some of those good elements that Lin's book enjoyed, such as high stakes and strong character development.

In the second round, the young adult historical fiction book Beyond the Desert Gate was a pretty decent work, but did not compare with the fantasy classic The Silver Chair, which went on to the finals. It was the matchup on the other side that hurt to decide - Glitch, a middle grade time-travel action adventure, or The Art of Living, a Catholic work about the four cardinal virtues? I opted for the latter title since it was more meaningful than a book that was well-told, but not about things of eternal importance.

The championship round was also difficult to decide. The Art of Living took the title home today. It provided concrete applications and made St. Thomas Aquinas' writing on the cardinal virtues accessible. The Silver Chair speaks to spiritual realities in story form, and it does so at an amazing level of artistry, but it's not my favorite of the Narnian adventures. On another day, it would have won (and maybe Glitch would have), but The Art of Living is the standout book for this month.

Books Attempted and Put Down

The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation, by Rod Dreher, narrated by Adam Verner**

An Orthodox Christian considers the life of the monk, St. Benedict, and how his Rule, written in the sixth century, could help believers build small, strong communities in a wider society that has become hostile to Christianity.

Why I picked it up: I remember hearing this book was causing quite a lot of discussion when it first came out, and I finally decided to give it a go - almost a decade late.

Why I put it down: The book didn't resonate with me and I didn't think I was getting much out of it. I think society is, in some ways, still much as Dreher describes it, but I don't think it's as dire as it was looking in the fallout of 2016. Still dire, yes, but not a given that every good thing is on its last legs - easy to say when I hear about the surprising increase in conversions to Catholicism the past few years. This book may be a great book for some, but I think it spoke to a very specific time in American society, and that specificity has somewhat limited the book's readability.

Bloody Jack: Being the Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary 'Jacky' Faber, Ship's Boy, by L. A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren**

Mary, a British orphan in the time of the Napoleonic wars, disguises herself and finds work as a ship's boy.

Why I picked it up: Oh, I'm sure I saw this recommended somewhere. Like the audiobook above, it was available through my state's e-library.

Why I put it down: This book had too many disgusting descriptions for me. There are details about dead orphans being sold to researching doctors who autopsy the bodies. Too gross for me, and it was sticking with me in a not-good way. Definitely okay with having put it down.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris, narrated by Mark Deakins**

The first book in a trilogy recounting the life of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Why I picked it up: I remember my parents had enjoyed this series enormously.

Why I put it down: Very well researched, about a fascinating subject, but not for me right now...but hopefully it will be someday!

Homer Price, by Robert McCloskey

This series of episodic adventures is about Homer, a single child who lives at a tourist camp.

Why I picked it up: I saw this recommended in several places and acquired it very cheaply somewhere. It was part of my "antilibrary" and the second one for me to attempt reading from this collection.

Why I put it down: I read the first story. It was fine, but it was not super engaging for me. I think some children would have loved it (using a pet skunk to capture four robbers is fun), but I didn't feel the need to finish it.

March 2026 Book Bracket

 Book Bracket 2026

Lent really changed my reading habits, but I'm not upset. I tried to spend more time reading the letters of a saintly friend and listening to religious audiobooks, although I did not do this exclusively. I want to do better about making sure I'm reading religious books more consistently even when Lent ends.

Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry

Fiona is delighted to leave the city for the western Scottish isles, where she'll live with her grandparents as she searches for her lost brother, Jamie, who was mysteriously swept to sea the day her family left their tiny island of Ron Mor.

Why I picked it up: This was a gift from my in-laws, and the gift was the result of discussing watching a movie based on this book. I have still not seen the movie, which has a different name.

My impressions: I've never been super attracted to the sea, but this sweet, simple story is enough for me to at least intellectually understand its appeal. The illustrations are simple but beautiful line drawings (although I must note one shows a young child's bare body - not in a creepy way, but more than I want to see). The story reads very realistically, but there are definitely references to the mythical selkies that populate Celtic legends, in spite of the fact that the word "selkie" is never used. It's a story about place and family and simple living away from the city. It's a gentle story and got off to a little bit of a slow start, but I enjoyed it immensely once I was into the second chapter. This would probably be a fun read-aloud, but it's a sweet story that children and adults of all ages could enjoy.

Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth, by Megan Nix**

The author describes her experience of birthing and raising a daughter affected by citomegalovirus (CMV), the struggles of getting information about her condition, and the resulting advocacy she took on on behalf of other women and children in similar circumstances.

Why I picked it up: This was an Audible pick from a while back. I'd heard about it on the Catholic Stuff You Should Know podcast, and then a close friend told me she'd read it, and it was good. I'd tried it during the summer, but wasn't in the right head space for it then. I tried it again recently, knowing that, if God ever grants us children, I probably wouldn't be able to handle it while pregnant. This ended up being the right time for me.

My impressions: This book is excellent. I enjoy books about people's unique experiences, and this mother's life has so many aspects that I connected with - the desire to write (although my desire is far weaker), the desire to raise happy and healthy children, devotion to faith, and, later, becoming more familiar with the world of ASL and alternative communication. I love how her convictions led her to bring about the changes that would have made an impact for her during her pregnancy. She had beautiful and apt analogies, or imagery, and excellent writing in general. I actually thought for a moment about starting it over and listening to it again, but there are other books I need to get to. I'd say this is a good book for married couples looking to have babies, but with the understanding that I hesitate to recommend it to pregnant women - I think it would be anxiety inducing. I think this book could appeal to a wide audience, and I do recommend it.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy, by Edward Sri

A theologian walks through the different parts of the Mass, making connections to the Bible and explaining the ways in which the new translation of is a better rendering of the original Latin.

Why I picked it up: I've read this book before, but my husband read it during adoration last year and really liked it. I picked it up sometime last year, figuring it would be good to revisit.

My impressions: This book is great for people just getting into wanting to engage more fully with the Mass. I do admit that it was a lot harder to me to stay engaged in this book the second time around - either I couldn't lock in because I'd read it before, or I just wasn't in the right headspace to get the most out of it. Even so, I know that I liked reading this book the first time and I recognized many good things about it during this read-through. This would be a good book for high schoolers and older, and possibly middle schoolers who want to know more about the Mass and why we say and do certain things. This would probably be best to read either in chunks before attending Mass or as material to meditate upon.

The Matchlock Gun, by Walter D. Edmonds

With father gone to help the militia, young Edward is left with the responsibility of firing the old Spanish matchlock gun on his mother's signal if the warring Indians come too near their cabin.

Why I picked it up: This one made it onto my to-read list at some point. I found the book at my alma mater, and couldn't resist picking up this Newbery award-winner. So much for putting a priority on reading through the books I have at home.

My impressions: The story was very short and had more illustrations than I anticipated; a short, solid story, but one in which the characters are all pretty flat. I had the feeling that I was reading something that ought to be a chapter in a much longer story. I enjoyed the information in the preface, but felt it might have been better placed at the end of the book, rather than the beginning, as it contains a few small spoilers. There is use of the "N" word for black slaves, although the slaves are only mentioned, and not depicted as less than human. The Indians are also clearly bad guys in this story, but not portrayed as inherently evil or lesser. The story is fine and geared towards a younger elementary crowd, but not one that I'd say has to be visited; The Cabin Faced West would be my recommendation in its stead.

Purgatorio, by Dante Alighieri, translated by 

This is the second section of the epic poem Dante wrote, in which he travels with Virgil through the penitential processes of Purgatory, and interview souls who are being purified in preparation for Heaven.

Why I picked it up: This one was required for a book club. I went with this version because some minimal research indicated this one had actual rhymes in it, which I figured I'd enjoy more than the prose rendering I first read several years back.

My impressions: Purgatorio was my favorite of the three section on my first read-through, and I think it still holds up after some time and in a different translation. We get to encounter many souls and reflect upon the fitting natures of their penances, but everything is imbued with hope and petitions for prayers. It had me praying for the poor souls in Purgatory throughout my reading and reflecting on my own flaws. I liked this translation because there's a summary at the beginning of each canto which describes what follows, and there are extensive footnotes to explain who is who, and it's not just a simple "this person was a count of this place" description - it gets into what we do or don't know about the individuals and why they might be doing penance for a certain sin. I liked being able to know who's who when I wanted, or breezing through if I wasn't in the mood to know the nitty gritty details. I think I understood better what was going on this time through, and was surprised at how Beatrice was giving Dante such a hard time - he spends all this time longing for her, and she has some pretty harsh words for him. It also ends on a weird allegorical vision, which apparently shows the Church sinking into a deplorable state by accepting human wealth and powers. This is not a casual read, but college-age students and older would probably benefit from reading this work.

Chosen: How Christ Sent Twenty-three Surprised Converts to Replant His Vineyard, edited by Donna Steichen, narrated by ?

This account of the personal stories of 23 individuals to Catholicism covers conversions from evangelical Christians to atheists, each making note of how God worked in their lives in a personal way.

Why I picked it up: It's Lent and it seemed fitting that, before I picked up another secular audiobook, I should make time for some spiritual ones. This one was available on the Formed app.

My impressions: Listening to or reading conversion accounts are good once in a while. I liked the variety of these stories and learning how so many people traveled different paths to end up home in the Catholic Church. It was lovely to hear how seriously people took the process of searching for truth. I found it interesting that so many of these folks seemed to come from California, but many had connections to Ignatius Press, which I wonder if it might be based in CA. This books has entrenched in my mind that the '60s and '70s really were wild times. There were a few heavy parts, which I skipped through (as an audiobook). I basically skipped most of one account because it was about someone converting from being a witch, and I just didn't want to know anything about her life before becoming Catholic. God is good, and this is a fine collection of conversion stories for Catholic adults to read - as well as those who are truly seeking God. Just be aware that there will be some heavy parts (attempted suicide, despair prior to conversion) and the one account that I skipped.

Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux: Volume I 1877-1890, General Correspondence, Translated by John Clarke, O.C.D.

This collection of letters includes a lengthy foreword about how the letters were obtained (and in some cases, reassembled after cutting), and a robust collection of letters written by, to, and about St. Therese of Lisieux, from childhood until her profession of vows as a Carmelite.

Why I picked it up: My darling husband gave me this two-volume set as a gift, and although I started it last spring break, I have not finished it until over a year later. It approaches 700 pages in length and includes a staggering number of footnotes, some of which are helpful, and some less so.

My impressions: I think my impression of this book changed over time - the foreword did have some interesting information, but I don't know that I was convinced it needed to be quite that long. I think I was intimidated by the strong focus on loving Jesus through suffering at certain points, but by the end, I marveled at how convicted these Carmelite sister-sisters were about suffering AND seeing their suffering as their most tender way of loving Jesus. It is inspiring, and somehow makes me feel braver about the crosses God may ask me to carry in my life. As excellent as this book is, it has some very academic aspects to it, including footnotes that feel like they may be of more interest to scholars than to laywoman fans of this dear saint. I certainly do want to read the second volume, but I feel that a rest from the letters is in order, at least for now. I don't think I'd recommend this book to anyone high school aged or younger, but it could be a beautiful way for friends of Little T to get to know her better.

Bracket Play

This month had fewer titles, and in some ways, that made it more straightforward. As always, I placed weaker books against stronger books - I was able to pair the two children's books, and the rest were pretty Catholic and made good matches. The losing books in round one were still good books - including one that guides Catholics through the deeper significance of the words and actions of the Mass, and another that includes accounts of people encountering Christ and converting to Catholicism. I gave the bye to Remedies for Sorrow, the nonfiction memoir of a mother of a child who contracted CMV in the womb, with the mother's search for information and advocacy for greater awareness of the disease.

In round two, the very enjoyable Ron Mor Skerry book lost to the collected letters of my favorite saint, St. Therese of Lisieux. Dante's Purgatorio fell to Remedies for Sorrow - although the former fostered some excellent discussion in my book club, it's just not the sort of book that is going to be my favorite in a typical month. 

In the final match, I chose Nix's work over St. Therese of Lisieux - which also could have been the winner. However, noting the rather academic nature of some of the footnotes of the letters, as well as their sheer volume and perhaps more limited appeal, I went with the gripping account shared in Remedies for Sorrow as the winner for this month. I'm sure Little T understands, and this bracket's loss for the letters is not an indication of low affection for her on my part.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates, by Howard Pyle*

A compilation of the author-illustrator's writings on pirates.

Why I picked it up: I'm a fan of Pyle's illustration styles, and this book was free!

Why I put it down: Text only, no pictures! Boo! I'm not gonna spend time on this if there aren't the sweet illustrations to go with it.

February Book Bracket 2026

 Book Bracket for February '26

Even with a slightly shorter month, there were plenty of books this month - including two ebooks. There were also a few books that I ended up putting down.

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson, narrated by Kirsten Potter**

Hattie drops out of high school to "prove up" on the Montana claim her Uncle Chester left to her and tests her mettle as a homesteader during the prejudiced times of WWI-era America.

Why I picked it up: I'm sure I saw this book recommended somewhere at some point and added it to my to-read list. I found this one available through the state's e-library.

My impressions: This book takes a look at homesteading from a slightly more modern perspective and explores some of the fearful atmosphere that hung over life during WWI. I appreciated the look at homesteading from a less distant time - that in itself was a history lesson to me. I think the feel the author created for the time was authentic enough, although it's hard to know for me to know since I didn't live during that time. Larson wasn't afraid to detail how Americans wronged their neighbors based simply on the origin of last names or country of birth. There were some very light moments of romance which I skipped through, but super safe and nothing to be concerned about. I was rooting for Hattie to make it and earn her claim through the whole book. There was sadness, of course - not surprising for a book taking place during war time - but one part towards the end was particularly heartbreaking. The ending, though not a "twist", surprised me all the same - and yet it still felt like a pretty good ending. I'm curious about the sequel, but not sure I'm ready for it just yet. This could be a good book for middle grade readers and older who enjoyed the Laura Ingalls Wilder series or books about pioneering on the American frontier.

Don Bosco's Memoirs, by St. John Bosco*

St. John Bosco, under obedience to Pope Pius IX, wrote about his life of ministry, dividing his account into the first three or four decades of his life; the work does not cover the entirety of his life.

Why I picked it up: This is the choice of my book-club of two; I found a cheap ebook version on Amazon.

My impressions: It's good to have read something written by a saint - it's not a deep theological work, but it is a wealth of knowledge about St. John Bosco, who has been on my shortlist of saints I like and want to learn more about. I liked hearing about St. Bosco's life from himself and found his writing extremely readable and quick to move through. I liked hearing about all the myriad experiences he had throughout his life, and it was very interesting to see God working through even Don Bosco's more secular hobbies, like acrobatics, to provide a means of preaching the Gospel. Don Bosco did relate some stories in which he showed failings or communicated he was struggling with pride. It also provides a case study of discernment - he realized that he needed to give up acrobatics after a certain time, although it had been alright for him to do it earlier in life. I think it shows that something that isn't inherently bad might be something God asks us to give up for His glory or to make room for something else. Multiple times, I wondered what the specific dangers were that young men faced during this time - he didn't give any details about why feast days in particular were so dangerous for them, and it would have been nice to know a bit more about that. I was pleased to find a chapter on his dog-friend-protector, Grigio. In this particular version, the two introductions were less interesting to me, less readable, and more skippable; however, I found the afterward provided some helpful context to all the upheaval and change that was taking place in Italy at this time. I'm interested in reading a book about St. John Bosco's dreams after reading this work. This would be a book for Catholics wanting to learn more about this saint, but I'd say high school is the youngest I'd recommend to tackle this simply because it's hard for those unfamiliar with Italian history to make sense of the described events without a lot of context.

Sweet Home Alaska, by Carole Etsby Dagg, narrated by Susan Denaker**

Terpsichore's family, brought low economically by the local sawmill closing, migrates to Alaska for a year, but Terpsichore hopes to convince her mother to stay there permanently when she finds friendship and purpose creating a library.

Why I picked it up: I saw this book on Audible, and found it for free on my state's e-library. I figured I'd try it out.

My impressions: I'd never heard of the this time or situation in American history, but for all that novelty, it wasn't the best homesteading historical fiction middle grade novel that I've come across. The characters were developed well enough, but I was bothered by how easy it was to find a reconciliation between folks to resume friendship after a pretty significant betrayal. I admit that this is more a poor reflection upon myself than upon the book. Some parts of the book felt like it drew authentically from history, but the fictional family of the main character, as well as the story surrounding its members, felt a little more like fiction. In any case, it was alright to read, but I wasn't super impressed with it and don't think I'll ever turn to it again.

Mister Max: The Book of Secrets, by Cynthia Voigt

Max's adventures as a 12-year-old detective, or "solutioneer", as well as his difficulty in maintaining anonymity, continue as calls for his services stream in from all sorts of local figures, as well as his parents, who were shanghai-d into a dangerous stint of ruling a troubled South American country.

Why I picked it up: I really enjoyed listening to the first book in this series, and thought it would be fun to tackle this one next. This one comes from my local library system, since I couldn't find it for free as an audiobook.

My impressions: This sequel was not a disappointment! It continues the story smoothly, and while at least one element seemed like a re-envisioned version of something from the first book (a young woman in trouble with a young man desperately wanting to help her), I wasn't able to guess at mysterious identities nearly as soon as I did in the first book. This book also manages also to up the ante for Max's detecting work. I found that reading this book, rather than listening to it, made it a little hard to get into - but only at first. Once I got over missing how excellent the narrator of the audiobook had been, I hit my reading stride and found the prose just as delightful as it had been in the first book. I finished the book with a sense of awe, and a desire to write the author and tell her how much I appreciate this book, which was written over 10 years ago - I'm amazed, because it felt like such a new series to me I was worried the next book wouldn't be out. Great writing, realistic characters, disguises, mysteries, unrequited love, peril - this book has it all! My only two complaints about this book: one character says something about Max "not even being able to take a --", using a crude word for "pee", while another mentions that the crew should dress as fortune-telling gypsies and she could learn tarot cards quickly (yikes! no thanks!!!). Other than that, completely clean, a great adventure, and it makes me curious about how much I'll like the third book, which is setting up to be very different from these first two books. Minus those two one-off objectionable comments, this book would be great for middle-grade readers who like adventure and mystery.

On to Oregon! By Honore Morrowe*

The seven Sager children, orphaned on the Oregon trail, continue their pilgrimage to the state halfway across the continent, facing down starvation, disease, and perils of all kinds along the way.

Why I picked it up: I came across the title at some point, heard the premise, and thought I'd really like to try it out! I found this one for cheap as an ebook.

My impressions: This book was intriguing enough to make me want to know what happened next, but it wasn't a thriller, and it had some flaws to it. It took the angle of showing a boy heading in the wrong direction getting things turned around when responsibility is thrust upon him. Based on a true story, it was a pretty incredible thing that the children achieved. Some of the author's commentary made the book feel a little old-fashioned, but that wasn't too terrible. I was uncomfortable with the portrayal of Indians, who were most often described as being "dirty" or being shown to be thieves or violent murderers. Even the folks shown to be good and upright did not seem to have as much time spent on them as it was on other minor characters. In any case, the children, especially the main character are flawed, but you get to see him change, and you get to see how the children get by in absolutely drastic straits. People joke about the computer game of the Oregon Trail, how so often you die from dysentery - but reading about it, and seeing it delay or kill so many characters was intense. One issue I took with the book was that the story ends, but we don't know what happened to them, or to the folks they worked so hard to catch up with - as far as the reader knows, those fellow travelers may had died from dysentery (they were suffering from it the last time the reader encountered them). Did the children ever make it to the Willamette? Was the baby able to recover from near starvation? These are questions the author did not feel the need to explain in an afterward. As much as I wanted to like this book, I can't say I really loved it. It could be good for readers who like adventures and survival or learning about Westward Expansion, but it isn't one that I'm going to be telling people they need to read.

Prince Caspian, by C. S. Lewis

The Pevensie children are summoned to Narnia to assist Prince Caspian, the rightful ruler of Narnia, as he faces his usurping Uncle Miraz in an age when Aslan is considered a legend.

Why I picked it up: I'm continuing a delightful read-through of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series with my cousins, and this is the one to be discussed at our next meeting.

My impressions: A solid sequel to the original, in which we get to rediscover Narnia, a Narnia that looks and feels very different from what we encountered in the first book. Since I'm reading it with an upcoming book discussion in mind, I was sensitive to potential deeper meanings in a way I haven't been in past readings. If Narnia is a symbol of the spiritual life, like one of my cousins suggested after listening to a podcast, then I definitely think I'll have some ideas to add to our discussion. Good action, some excellent moments of choosing to do what's right even when no one else does, and the healing and release of things that have been forced underground. Some bittersweet moments - not quite like in the first book, but a lovely feeling of growing a little with the characters in the story. I'd recommend this book to most readers, old and young and in-between.

The House of Dies Drear, by Virgina Hamilton, narrated by Lynne Thigpen**

Thomas and his family move into an allegedly haunted house that once was a pivotal location in the Underground Railroad, but the groundskeeper acts strangely and the family senses some locals may be hostile to their moving into the house.

Why I picked it up: I was originally going to read a physical copy from the school I work at, but found it available as an audiobook through the state e-library.

My impressions: This book has some elements that are pretty good, and creepy without being too creepy, but there were definitely some aspects that made me uncomfortable. This book is steeped in history and something of an adventurous feel, but also in everyday family experiences, which was a cool blend. I really did not like that the main character becomes convinced that the groundskeeper, Pluto, is actually the devil - and this idea pervades throughout the entire span of the book, even after Thomas realizes Pluto is just an old man. It was a weird focus, and an uncomfortable one. The stakes are high for the family, and there is a mystery to solve, and it's cool to follow Thomas' reasoning as he tries to figure things out before his father. It's a unique story - I've not read anything like it before. However, even with its good qualities, there was a lot of that weird fixation on suspecting someone is the devil, and that didn't sit well with me. I wouldn't recommend this book, but that doesn't mean that it's a bad book - just some elements of it are off.

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder, by David Grann, narrated by Dion Graham**

The subtitle explains much - this story is about an English war ship that is scuttled near the tip of South America in pursuit of a treasure-laden Spanish galleon, and the violence and division that afflict the crew in harsh starvation conditions.

Why I picked it up: I saw the cover of this book at Barnes & Noble, and when I found it was available as an audiobook through my public library, I decided to give it a try.

My impressions: While an intriguing tale about disaster near the southernmost parts of the world, I kept thinking that Andrew Lang's Endurance is a better book about a somewhat similar situation. The book was well-researched, drawing from historical facts and making reference to poetry and literature throughout. Some descriptions of bodies afflicted by disease or death were graphic enough, but I didn't mind it at 2x speed in an audiobook. It was interesting to see how the ordeal ended in drama that played out in the public eye since both parties published different accounts of how events happened on the disastrous trip. There was more focus on the evils of European colonialism, and the attitudes attendant upon it, than I have seen in other books that treated on the same time period. I felt like the conclusion of the affair was something of an anticlimax, but one can't help history being the way it was. This book was alright, but I wouldn't recommend it - in its place, I'd highly recommend the book I mentioned earlier, Endurance, by Andrew Lang.

Mister Max: The Book of Kings, by Cynthia Voigt

This final book in the Mister Max trilogy follows Max and his friends as they finagle their way into being a real ambassadorial party that infiltrates Andesia in the hopes of rescuing his parents, the current monarchs of that fictional South American country.

Why I picked it up: I'd enjoyed the first two books so much that I had trouble putting off the finale.

My impressions: I knew this last book would have to be quite different from the first two - and while it was still very good, I felt that it missed some of the elements that made the prior two books so charming. There wasn't as much "solutioneering" for Max to do. It made sense, given the situation in which the party found themselves, but his disguising himself and going around incognito were missed. Pia also was absent for a good chunk of the book; again, it was a development that made sense, but she had been quite a fundamental part of the first two books. There were a few elements that I predicted would happen before they were revealed, but they still felt good when they occurred. I felt the ending made one character at the end look more conflicted than bad...and his attitude of "I hope I don't have to kill someone innocent, but I will if I need to to save the country" is actually very awful. However, one great part about the ending is the feeling that Max will continue to have lots of adventures and will be able to maintain the independence that he built up during the first two books. I think this book is a pretty good finish to the series, although I would say I liked the first two books better in some ways. This would be a good book for those who enjoyed the first two.

Bracket Play

I couldn't quite finish a last audiobook before the month closed out, so I gave Lewis' Prince Caspian the bye. In the first round, I paired weaker books with stronger ones so the winners would be easy to decide. In the second round, Hattie Big Sky had to go against Prince Caspian, and the latter was the winner, no contest. The two Mister Max books (2 and 3 in the series) also faced off, and I ended up deciding number two was the stronger of the books. The trilogy closer was good in its own way, but different enough from the first two that I felt it lacked some of the elements that made them so charming. This is another month where I felt bad that a good book by a saint didn't win, but Prince Caspian is accessible to a wider audience without as much context needed (other than the first book, I suppose). Those memoirs are still excellent and would be well worth a visit. Lewis' book won in the end, the classic fantasy tale being a widely-known classic, and the the runner up being a good book, but perhaps not with the wide appeal and staying power that Prince Caspian enjoys.

Books Attempted and Put Down

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 2, by Beth Brower, narrated by Genevieve Gaunt**

Emma M. Lion continues to record her doings and those of her cantankerous relatives, lovable friends, and even some potential love interests, but still misses deceased Maxwell.

Why I picked it up: The first book was so delightful! This second one became available far more quickly than I anticipated from my local library e-system.

Why I put it down: I'm still too sensitive to even mild romantic stuff, so I felt more peace about putting it down at 70% than I would have if I'd pushed through it. Maybe I can come back to it someday - a great series for some people, and I've recommended and/or gifted it already to friends, but it's not for me right now.

The Green Ember, by S. D. Smith, narrated by Joel Clarkson**

A fantasy series for children about the rabbit siblings, Heather and Picket, beset by enemies, including wolves, birds of prey, and sometimes their own.

Why I picked it up: My sister-in-law is borrowing the series from me, and of course, loaning it out made me want to revisit it.

Why I put it down: I've read this before, but it wasn't bearing good fruit for me. I realized that I needed to put it down for now, and maybe I'll get back to it in ebook form.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, narrated by Cassandra Campbell with Bahni Turpin**

The story of the woman who provided a much-used lines of cells for biological experiments and the shady ethics regarding how those cells were acquired.

Why I picked it up: I saw this book on the shelves when I worked in a university library and the back cover made it sound interesting. I saw it was available as an audiobook through the library, so I figured I'd give it a try.

Why I put it down: I realized this book would be a long one. I wasn't sure I was feeling up to a story that would be sad (Henrietta died from cancer) and probably heavy (bioethics), so I put it down in favor of some other things to listen to.