I switched up the bracket mechanics just a little bit, giving all the books an initial standing and pairing them up accordingly. This bracket was developed in Microsoft PowerPoint and I found it much easier to create than previous brackets, which I made in Paint.
Book Descriptions, Why I Picked Them, and My Impressions
Sarah Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan
A simple and short tale from the Great Plains, this story centers on a family of father and children who invite a woman from Maine into their lives in the hopes that she will stay.
Why I picked it up: I was browsing the Kindle Unlimited selection and this title caught my eye. I had heard of it before, and what with my love of children's literature and the impressive Newberry Medal awarded to it, I needed no other encouragement to try it out.
My impressions: It reminded me strongly of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, although I think it chronologically falls a little later than those stories. I imagine this book as taking place at the end of the 19th century. It also is much shorter than the "Little House" books - I read the entire thing in the space of two hours or less. I never knew that a "mail-order bride" scenario could be so endearing, but it was the sweetest thing. There was not much "action" or even much to the plot - widower advertises for a wife, he and his two children begin a letter correspondence, and she visits, and then decides to stay - but this story captured my heart. Not only was the writing beautiful and thoughtful, but it made me yearn for Sarah to stay, just as her potential new family did. I highly recommend this book; it is appropriate for all ages, but those who need some more "Little House on the Prairie"-style books in their lives should definitely check this book out.
Skylark, by Patricia MacLachlan
The second book in the "Sarah Plain and Tall" series considers the difficulties of leaving one home to make a new start somewhere else. Sarah must navigate between memories of Maine and the wonderful people in her new life as a drought strikes the prairie.
Why I picked it up: Who knew there was a whole series? I'd only ever heard of "Sarah Plain and Tall". It was the second book and easily available at the library.
My impressions: Again, a simple, straightforward book, but the tension was heightened this time as the family faces some interpersonal difficulties as well as the problems created by Nature. Even though the characters deal with some very real problems, I felt like I was able to explore and observe them in safety alongside the characters. When I first finished it, I had trouble deciding if I liked this book better or the original. Same recommendation as above, especially if the reader enjoyed the first book.
Caleb's Story, by Patricia MacLachlan
The third book behind "Sarah Plain and Tall" comes from the perspective of Caleb, the brother of the original narrator. Caleb's long-lost grandfather returns to the family farm and the family - especially Caleb's father - struggle to learn how to reintegrate him into their lives.
Why I picked it up: It was the next book in the series I was reading.
My impressions: This book dealt with heavy emotional turmoil. Again, I appreciated how I was able to enter into the conflict without becoming perturbed myself. I am impressed by how real these characters and situations feel, and I maintain the same recommendation for this one.
More Perfect Than the Moon, by Patricia MacLachlan
"Sarah Plain and Tall" series' fourth book is written from the perspective of Sarah's biological daughter. It details her struggle to accept the advent and appearance of a new baby to the family.
Why I picked it up: It was the next book in the series I was reading.
My impressions: This book was not quite as enjoyable as the first three. The narrator really dislikes the prospect of having a new baby brother or sister and is very negative about it. Again, this is a real situation that happens now, too, but the story was not as excellent as the others. All the same, I'd still recommend it, but perhaps not as strongly.
Grandfather's Dance, by Patricia MacLachlan
The final book in the "Sarah Plain and Tall" series has a wedding as an important event, but the focus is on the narrator's relationship with her grandfather.
Why I picked it up: It was the last book in the series I was reading.
My impressions: Thanks to several instances of foreshadowing in the tale, I knew how the book was going to end, and that made it difficult. I won't give any spoilers, but if someone picks up this book, I would not be surprised to find they could guess the ending. Again, this book was not quite as enjoyable as some of the others - likely because of the ending. I also found the narrator's imaginative trains a little on the strange side. For example, she daydreams she is having her wedding. That is pretty normal, I'd imagine, even for a younger girl. However, she imagines her groom-to-be as the family dog. I suppose it's cute, and maybe even that is not unusual, but that certainly rang an odd note for me. I'd recommend this book, but with the warning that some parts might make sensitive readers (like me) emotional.
The World's First Love, by Venerable Fulton Sheen
This book is an admirable and loving work on the Virgin Mary and her role in our lives and in the world.
Why I picked it up: I remember finding this on the discount shelf at a local Catholic bookstore and purchasing it, likely because I had heard of the author before. I tend to work through spiritual books slowly and only one at a time, so it was a while before I actually got around to reading it.
My impressions: This book is excellent. I already had a devotion to Mary, but this book presented some different thought about her and God that I had not considered before. I could tell that Fulton Sheen loved Mary from the way he wrote about her. And he is an excellent writer, too. I imagined that this book was the result of hours and hours of meditation in an adoration chapel. I have no clue if that's accurate or not, but that was my impression of it. I definitely recommend this book as spiritual reading for Catholics, whether you are already familiar with her or not. It can work well as food for thought in adoration, but it's also good just a few paragraphs at a time.
Ember's End, by S. D. Smith
This is the fourth and final book in the "Green Ember" series. In a fight between rabbits and predatory creatures, this is the finale of a good-versus-evil saga. Stakes are high, battles rage, and the evil master of the foes himself comes out to wage war.
Why I picked it up: I pre-ordered this book and was eager to read it because book #3 - "Ember Rises" - ended on quite the cliffhanger.
My impressions: I appreciate what the author did with this series - it was a set of books after my own heart. However, I have to admit that there were multiple elements that I wish were different, especially in this last book. I won't have spoilers here, but for more of my thoughts on this book, please refer to my earlier post about "Green Ember" and "Redwall." I would recommend this book without reserve to slightly older children (10+?) who enjoy anthropomorphic - or even just action - stories, excepting the fact that I do think some of it is too intense for those who aren't emotionally ready for some somewhat dark events.
Paradiso, by Dante Allighieri (John D. Sinclair translation)
This is the third part of Dante's classic epic poem about a man's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, this being the final section and the one that focuses on Heaven. Dante is guided by his inspiration, Beatrice, through the different spheres of Heaven.
Why I picked it up: It was time. This poem had been on my list for years, but I had not tackled it until last fall. I had finished "Purgatorio" during my Christmas break, but then I needed a break from Dante. I made good on my plans to read it during spring break, and it is finally read.
My impressions: I'm glad I've read it and now know what some great writers are talking about when they refer to this work. It feels like a big accomplishment. However, I don't anticipate I'll be picking it up again any time soon. I appreciated this particular translation because the translator worked to provide context for obscure references. It turns out that Dante included many of his contemporaries in the work and I had no idea who most of them were - I might have recognized the name of a pope or king or two, but that was it. If I ever go back and read it again, I think I will try a version that has been translated into a poem - this one was rendered into prose. It could not possibly recreate the poem as it was composed in its original Italian, but I wonder how the effect might change if I read it as a rhyming poem. I would not recommend this work unless the reader was an adult who had committed to this big project and could handle some pretty academic topics.
Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper
This book follows the story of a 10-year-old girl who cannot talk because she has cerebral palsy, and therefore limited control of her body. When she gets an alternative/augmentative communication (AAC) device that helps her communicate, she tries out for and makes it onto the school's equivalent of a "scholar's bowl" team.
Why I picked it up: This had been an option on a list of books to read for my AAC class in grad school, but I passed it over. A social media friend recommended it a while back. And then, Kindle Unlimited happened and it was there.
My impressions: I know that I am positively biased towards the book from the outset because AAC is something that is directly connected to my field of work. I do not work with it to this level myself, but I was grateful that an author had taken the time to write out a story like this. Lots of kids probably see students like the main character and are not aware of the ways their words and actions can unintentionally hurt someone. However, bullying takes place in the story, too. There was a twist that I did not expect and - well, it got me. I think the one thing that wasn't perfect was the taste I had in my mouth at the end. It wasn't the wrong ending, but I think there was something about the tone of the ending chapters that was a little off for me. I would recommend this book for kids (and adults) 10 and older.
Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis
This book is a sort of "popular theology" or "layman" look at the Christian faith in God, written by Christian convert C. S. Lewis. It developed from a series of BBC radio talks he gave.
Why I picked it up: This was a reread for me - either the second or third time going through it. Someone mentioned it in the last couple months and I decided it was time to read it again.
My impressions: I was not as wowed this time around as I was originally, but that in no way detracts from the excellence of this book. As a Catholic, there are a few moments when I thought he was off the track a little bit, but most of his theology is spot on. Lewis has a dynamic writing style and uses great hypothetical examples. I would recommend this book to just about anyone high school and older, but for readers on the younger side (specifically, Catholics) I would throw in a word of caution that not quite everything comes off as theologically solid, although it overall is excellent. I would recommend to Christians and non-Christians alike, but for different reasons.
Surprised by Joy, by C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis wrote this autobiographical account of how he came to believe in God and become a Christian. He goes through his life from his early childhood, through the death of his mother, a strained relationship with his father, boarding school years, the war, and college. He identifies "joy" as the defining feature of his journey and as the experience of which that ultimately brought him to God.
Why I picked it up: This was another book that long held a place on my "to-read" list, and specifically on the "to-read" area of my shelf.
My impressions: It is a solid work, but not my favorite of Lewis'. There were some parts - specifically, when he described some of the culture of boarding schools he attended - where again his theology did not seem quite right, but I'm still thinking through that. I learned that he experienced something like scrupulosity at one point, which I had not known before. But his description of "joy," especially as he went through his Wagner/"Northernness" phase, was recognizable to me. The way he described his delight in these things were echoes of some of my own experiences. I am not surprised that that sensation or phenomenon or whatever one calls it was what led him to God. I wouldn't place this book terribly high on the list of "C. S. Lewis books everyone should read," but I am glad to have read it. I read a lot of books about Lewis' works, so it is good to reconnect with the actual works every once in a while. I don't think I'd recommend this book to anyone younger than a pretty mature high school student. Lewis doesn't dwell long on some more mature topics in this work, but they do come up.
I Thirst, by Gina Marinello-Sweeney
Rebecca, a Catholic psychology student, navigates college life and various friendships; first of the "Veritas Chronicles".
Why I picked up this book: A good friend said that she just finished the third book in this series and really liked it, so I decided I'd give the series a shot.
My impressions: This was a pretty light, easy read (finished it in one day); think along the lines of the Regina Doman fairy tale novels or "Catholic Philosopher Chick," if you're familiar with those. I have discovered this genre is not my favorite - I feel bad saying that, but clearly-obvious Catholic high school/college students who must experience modern life and relationships don't hold much captivation for me. Like I said, though, this book has its good points. The friendships Rebecca has are very realistic and her conversations (with her gal pals) sound like those I might have myself. I was a little disappointed about the lack of plot, but it did not bother me much. I was put off a bit more by the style of writing. Rebecca is a poet, and that came across a little too strongly for me in the writing - good chunks of the book are written in what I thought was an overtly poetic manner and it didn't quite work. I skimmed much of those parts and quite a bit of the story she was writing with a friend. This book would probably be enjoyed most by Catholic, college-aged (or slightly past) women.
The Rose and the Sword, by Gina Marinello-Sweeney
Rebecca, a Catholic psychology graduate student, navigates a mentored counseling assignment and various friendships; second of the "Veritas Chronicles."
Why I picked up this book: It was the second book in a series.
My impressions: Pretty much the same as above, with some differences. There was more of a plot this time, but I took issue with the villains. I feel that books in this specific niche all tend to run to the same - situation? - flaw? - perspective? Let me explain. In the Regina Doman fairy tale novels, "Catholic Philosopher Chick" books, and in this book, I have noticed that the antagonists are supposed to be "evil" and it just doesn't come across naturally in this setting. Yes, there is evil in this world, and people sometimes do evil things. But most Catholic high school/college girls who are living their faith are not going to run into the psychotic and/or criminal underworld of society. Most aren't going to come across coworkers or classmates or mentors or future mothers-in-law who are connected to drugs, felonies, or even vandalism. Or if they are, they're usually not rotten to the core. The villains in these books often are. I can appreciate a sincere desire to create tension or action in stories, but I can't help thinking that there is a better way to do it in this genre, even if I'm not sure what it is. This book would carry the same recommendation as "I Thirst."
Consecration to Saint Joseph, by Father Calloway
This book follows the style of consecration in the vein of "33 Days to Morning Glory," etc., but this time it focuses on Saint Joseph.
Why I picked up this book: I had been hearing about this book for half a year when I received it free from my diocese's retreat center, the Spiritual Life Center. Some people on a team with me agreed that we would all do it together and finish it on the solemnity of Saint Joseph.
My impressions: It was a pretty solid book and I'm glad I did the consecration. However, I felt that the author presented some aspects of Joseph's life with a little more "certitude" than was warranted. I might be completely off, but I'll leave it at that. I do feel like I know Saint Joseph more, and I'm always glad to learn more about the saints. I'm curious to see how Saint Joseph works for the Church today, specifically through this consecration. I really loved the artwork Father Calloway commissioned to be made of Saint Joseph - full-color plates are included in the back of the book. I honestly think I might invest in a piece if/when I get married. I recommend this book for any Catholic who would like to get Saint Joseph more; probably high school age and above, but I could imagine this being a great thing to do as a family.
Bracket Play
Here we have the bracket again. As you might guess, it was much easier to eliminate some of the books that I didn't think were quite as good when I pitted the strongest book against the weakest and went from there. This means that the last two "Sarah Plain and Tall" books, as well as the "Veritas Chronicles" books, were quickly eliminated.
However, I was also sad to see "Caleb's Story" fall to "Mere Christianity." The Lewis book won out because it is such a classic and a very approachable apology (Catholic definition) for Christian belief. It was also hard to have "Out of My Mind" win out over the "Consecration to Saint Joseph" book, for more than one reason. Of course, I felt guilty that I would pick a secular children's novel over a book on a spiritual theme, but I went with the former because it was a very solid book and a story that I think needs to be heard more. Of course we should hear about Saint Joseph, too, but...it's hard to compare apples and oranges.
"Sarah Plain and Tall" received a buy on the second round, while another book in the series fell to "Mere Christianity" again. Sheen's book beat "Out of My Mind" because of the author's excellent writing and because of the connection I had with the subject. "Ember's End" took out "Paradiso" because, even though it was not as lofty in theme or execution, it was way more fun to read and it's far likelier that I'll come back to it again.
However, the flaws of "Ember's End" prevented it from defeating "Sarah, Plain and Tall." And while "Mere Christianity" would win out over "The World's First Love" if I were recommending books to a non-Catholic, this is my bracket, and Sheen's book wins. His love for Mary is so evident in his writing, and the book is both an apology for Catholic doctrine on Mary as well as a way to help the reader love her more.
The final showdown was again difficult, as the contenders were so different. How do you weight the worth of a fictional, non-religious book for children with a nonfiction work about the Virgin Mary? I decided that Sheen's book won, but it felt like a false dichotomy. I would have picked both.
And maybe the next time I read fourteen books in a month, I'll break it up into two brackets - one for fictional works, and one for non-fiction. That might be a better weigh of measuring them.
Thank you for giving this long post a chance. I hope that you have learned a little bit about a book or two you would like to try out sometime.
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