September-October Book Bracket 2022

My reading really dropped off in the thick of school and wedding planning. I miss reading. But it's worth it to miss it right now - and I still managed to squeeze in a few reads.

Searching For and Maintaining Peace, by Fr. Jacques Philippe

Catholic spiritual master explains the importance of keeping our souls at peace and how that can be done.

Why I picked it up: I don't remember what prompted this reread, but something had happened; I was anxious; it had been a while since I'd read it; it was time to read it again.

My impressions: I'm not going to really review this book, but it's excellent. Most excellent. Top notch. Everyone should read it.

The Red Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang**

This collection of fairy tales from the famed series was a favorite of J. R. R. Tolkien's growing up. It has classics such as "The Twelve Dancing Princesses", "Jack and the Beanstalk", and "Rapunzel".

Why I picked it up: This was the book agreed upon by me and my book-club-of-two friend. We'd just finished "Tolkien's Modern Reading" and decided that a children's book that had apparently influenced him was the right pick. I started this as an ebook, but quickly transitioned to free audiobook for the sake of convenience.

My impressions: This is a solid collection of fairy tales, with a few very-well-known ones and a myriad of unusual ones. Yes, there were some problematic spots with racist elements here and there, and one story that talked about someone passing by people who looked like they'd died by suicide, so there might be some concerns with setting any and all readers loose on this work. The last story was based on a classic tragedy and it didn't change the ending to make it happy - it was very sad. Some of the stories had elements similar to each other, but many were strange and fascinating and unique. This work was fine as an audiobook, but some of the readers were difficult to understand at the fast rate I listen at. This would be a great book of fairy tales for a family to read together.

The Catholic Church and Conversion, by G. K. Chesterton**

G. K. Chesterton wrote this work because of his conversion to the Catholic faith. In it, he discusses the negative attitudes towards and some outright lies about the Church that ran rampant in society in his day.

Why I picked it up: I saw it advertised in an Ignatius press catalogue and was able to find it as an audiobook in the public domain.

My impressions: GKC is himself again in this work and discusses the erroneous thinking or perceptions of those antithetical to the Catholic Faith. This is another work that I think I would have soaked in better if I had actually read it, rather than listened to it. There were still moments of relishing Chesterton's wit for me, but I felt that listening to his non-fiction is not the best way for me to enjoy his work. This is a very short work - about 5 or 6 of his essays put together, I suppose - so it's a pretty quick read. I think any GKC lover could get something out of his work.

Bracket Play

Friends, I'm not doing a bracket for these two months. There were only three books, and I would have pitted only two against each other - "Searching For and Maintaining Peace" is basically a repeat winner so it's going to limit the chances of other books if it competes every time I read it - which is often. I am also strapped for time with a wedding coming up and already being over halfway into November and I don't want to get too far behind on that post.

So, let's have it: "The Red Fairy Book" or "The Catholic Church and Conversion"? That's hard and hardly fair to have to choose between two very different books. I think that, even though GKC's work is great, "The Red Fairy Book" has to win because it has, perhaps, a more approachable feel to it. I think GKC, being childlike and one to appreciate fairy tales himself, would be glad with the outcome.