December Book Bracket 2024

December Book Bracket

When I typed up the title for this post, I said to my husband, "It's December. Do you know what that means?" He couldn't guess, so I told him: "It's close to that time of year where I run lots of data on the books I've read this year!" But, before I get to that point, I have to talk about the books I read (or, for the most part, listened to) this month.

Astrid the Unstoppable, by Maria Parr, Translated by Guy Puzey**

The dynamic nine-year-old Norwegian wonder named Astrid Glimmerdal delights and terrorizes her hometown as she learns about her godfather's long-kept secret and tries to help him.

Why I picked it up: This book was suggested somewhere at some point and I got it with an Audible credit.

My impressions: This is a solid children's book and touches different emotions in the reader (or listener), but it has just a point or two that parents might want to know about in case they want to discuss them with kids. The main character is vibrant and loveable - who wouldn't want to know Astrid? As dynamic as she is, there are a few ways in which she seems just a tad flat - I'm not sure that she changes as much as some other characters in the story. However, this is the conclusion more of an afterthought, and not a glaring weakness. I loved her family, her home village, and the shenanigans she gets up to. She has some flaws (anger), which aren't necessarily worked on throughout the book, but it's generally pretty clear when she crosses the line. While I originally though the book alluded to the story Heidi a little too much, I think I eventually appreciated how the story played with both paralleling and departing from that classic's plot.  Parents of more sheltered children might like to know that divorce, alcoholism, and having a child out of wedlock/a summer fling are topics that come up in the story. They aren't dwelt upon, per se, but they are a part of the story and talked about by the characters. I think this book would be great for kids who can encounter some of those more mature themes mentioned, as well as for adults who would like a jaunty children's read. This book has been likened to a mashup of Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, and Pippi Longstocking, and perhaps of even more.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, by Alice Dalgliesh**

A tale for young readers about Jonathan and the errand he is asked to carry out when there may or may not be bears in the vicinity.

Why I picked it up: I got this one through Audible - I'd heard it recommended somewhere.

My impressions: The easy language and simple narrative would probably make this story good for emerging readers. It is a short tale, but it has some solid bones to it - a plot, a mistake that has natural consequences for the character to learn from, and a few descriptions of yummy food. It's not a book I'd say one needs to read, but I think a younger child who is just getting into reading could enjoy it.

The Switherby Pilgrims; A Tale of the Australian Bush, by Eleanor Spence**

Miss Arabella takes ten orphans from poverty and dire straits in England to settle in Australia, a land of dense wilderness, limited civilization, danger, and opportunity.

Why I picked it up: This was a book I got with an Audible credit.

My impressions: Though not a must-read, this was a fair historical novel for children that looks at a time from Australia's history. It had a feel reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder books, something like what Western expansion was like in the United States, but in a different country. There was a little bit of Swiss Family Robinson feel to it, as well, as it seems like the Australian wilderness may have been even harder to tame than the American frontier. The characters were nicely developed (some more than others, of course), which is impressive, considering that there were about eleven orphans to distinguish from each other. The way in which the black character is depicted probably wouldn't be the tone used today, but it was not malicious - in fact, he had a very important role to fill, and his differences from the other characters were what allowed him to play such a pivotal role. Very sensitive children might have trouble with a physically abusive character who shows up more in the story after a certain point, but the story is mainly about journeying and surviving in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed listening to this story and learning about the history of another country, and I think those who enjoy children's historical fiction would find much to like in this book.

The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

This compendium includes all the stories in the Brambly Hedge series, which center on a society mice living a gentle existence in the shelter of great trees.

Why I picked it up: I heard about it somewhere or other and decided to give it a try.

My impressions: I'm so glad I picked it up! I'm not saying it's changed my life, but it may have just changed my life. It felt like the books you'd read to kids who are too young to get into the Redwall series yet. It has cute little woodland tales and gorgeous illustrations that are detailed and a delight to take the time to look at. I spent a minute or two on some of the most involved illustrations, and even went back to peek at a few again. No, there's not a ton of plot, but some have more problem-solution than others. They might be a little long for a bedtime story, but they are cozy and comfy as can be. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes cute tales of woodland creatures, and really, I think I'd recommend this book to anyone. It's great and I hope to have a copy someday for my own future children.

The Wild Robot Protects, by Peter Brown**

The third installment of the Wild Robot series follows Roz, the robot, as she leaves her island to stop the "Poison Tide" that is killing the ecosystems of the oceans and making life harder at home.

Why I picked it up: When The Wild Robot movie adaptation came out in October this year, I learned that there was a third book in the series. I finally decided to put it on hold through the public library's system - and it's been a while since I used the library instead of Audible for an audiobook!

My impressions: This was a good follow-up to the first two books, with the courage to take a look at life and death in the animal world as well as important human issues, but there are two things that I feel parents should be aware of before passing this book on to their children (more on those later). According to the author's note at the end, it sounded like there was a bit of time that passed between the writing of the first two books and this one, but it retained the feel of the first two books wonderfully and had me appreciating the animal and robot characters all over again. There's a solid plot and the story builds in a realistic way. While the robots are more technologically advanced than what we see in our own world, the story is for the most part believable. (Spoiler alert here) the only really unrealistic part of it was that the humans didn't even realize there was something wrong with the oceans of the world, and they'd been at work sending out a devastating form of pollution for months. The two parts I took issue with were Roz discussing that she was programmed to feel like a female, although she isn't male or female - and then was introduced to a fish that had switched from being a male to being a female (or vice versa). In my childhood, this wouldn't have been an issue. There are, in fact, some types of fish that can switch from male to female, or what have you. It's the natural world. The problem is that, in the society we live in, I can't help but read into this scene. Is it a subtle nod to the transgender agenda, or just a scene that highlights a way in which Roz maybe isn't so alone when she dwells in the animal world? The second issue I had was that a main character lied to try to solve a problem. That wasn't necessarily too bad, especially since the reader/listener sees it doesn't work, but the author spent a lot of time saying, "You shouldn't lie, but this is one of those situations where it really is the best case to lie." Well, that didn't sit right with me.  Brown would have done much better to leave out the whole diatribe against lying if he was only going to undermine himself in the last sentence and show that the lying in the story didn't result in the consequence the character had wanted. In any case, I think this is a solid and enjoyable book, but I'd really want parents to know about those two elements before handing it off to the kids. 

The Cat of Bubastes, by G. A. Henty**

This tale of adventure takes place primarily in ancient Egypt, when the son of the high priest befriends a foreign slave, and then the death of a sacred animal changes their fortunes.

Why I picked it up: This G. A. Henty book was the one that I came across most often, either in recommendation lists or bookstores. At least, that's the impression I have. It was free through the Audible subscription.

My impressions: This book has strengths, and it has weaknesses. The greatest weakness is that Henty sometimes spends too much time describing historical practices (in great detail) that don't factor into the story. In short, the story sometimes takes second place to the historical research. Other weaknesses include too much intro and outro time outside the main problem, and some seemingly formulaic writing - I may be wrong on that count, having listened to only one other Henty book, but that's the claim I'm making. The book's greatest strength was that, after a slow build, things got exciting in pretty quick order after a certain development. This event drew on specific historic practices that were indeed important for the reader/listener to know. If only more of the historic details were as necessary to the narrative! It was also neat to see how some parts of the Biblical narrative were woven in a little bit at the edges, although there were moments when it didn't play off quite right or seem strictly historical. The writing style does not feel particularly inspired or wonder-inducing to me (and some of their manner of speaking made me feel like I was listening to British gentleman rather than men of an ancient civilization), but there's lots of action and adventure, making me feel that this would be a good book particularly for boys. 

Out to Canaan, by Jan Karon

This fourth book in the Mitford series follows Fr. Tim in his last year as pastor of his parish as he helps many parishioners and tries to support his mayoral friend in an election against a mysteriously funded candidate, one who advocates changing things up around the cozy small town.

Why I picked it up: I was ready for the next Mitford book and was able to take it with me as my husband and I stayed with family over Christmas.

My impressions: I'd noted that the third book had seemed a bit slow to me and, overall, not as good as the second book, but this book does a nice job of picking up the pace of the series. I like that we get to see more people become part of the sort of extended family that Father Tim and Cynthia attach to themselves, and that there are moments of growth for those characters that we can tell will keep being part of the story. There's a satisfying, although minor, sense of mystery as Father Tim ponders how the opposing mayoral candidate is being funded, and there are plenty of support-your-home-town good feelings that show up in different ways. I think part of what made this book better than the previous one was that it felt like there were real threats to Mitford as the reader knows it, and it wasn't clear how things would be resolved. Well, maybe they are clear and I'm just bad at guessing, but it was a chill, easy read that I enjoyed on my long Christmas break. Those who have already read and enjoyed the first three books in the series would be certain to enjoy this one as well.

Searching for and Maintaining Peace, by Fr. Jacques Philippe

I'm not going to spend lots of time talking about this one. It was time to start reading it about a month ago, and it's good I did, and it seems fitting that this would be the last book I read this year.

Bracket Play

As ever, Fr. Jacques Philippe's book was taken out of bracket play because I reread it so often and it runs the risk of being the best book I've read every year. I gave the best bracket spot to The Complete Brambly Hedge because it was such an incredible experience to read it.

For the first round, I paired stronger books with weaker book, but the middle match up - between The Switherby Pilgrims and The Wild Robot Protects - was a little closer. I decided on The Switherby Pilgrims because there were two points in the robot book that would make me more likely to provide a warning to those I'd recommend it to. In the second round, the book about Astrid won out over The Switherby Pilgrims. Even though Astrid has some elements that are heavier and could potentially be topics of concern, it was well written and full of a vivacity that beat out the tale of settlers in the Australian bush. I was sad to see the fourth Mitford book go down in this round, but it lost out to The Brambly Hedge, which ended up being the ultimate winner anyways. It feels weird to say the best book I read this month was a collection of children's tales about mice, but the charm of the illustrations, the desires it evoked in me to create something as beautiful, and the timing of my encounter with this book made it a convincing winner.

Books I Attempted Put Down

Seems like this was another month with a high book attrition rate, but it does also feel good to think that I was able to put down multiple books that I was less invested in finishing.

Beau Geste, by P. C. Wren**

This adventure tale follows British brothers who join the French Foreign Legion for reasons of honor.

Why I picked it up: I saw this at a local secondhand bookstore, and the interesting cover reminded me that I'd heard of this classic somewhere or other. This was available through the Audible subscription through the end of the month.

Why I put it down: I was having an off week and feeling more than usually sensitive to reading content. The beginning was just too much for me. I don't want to spoil anything with specific details, but let's just say it had to do with death and the deceased. I may have also read up a little bit on Wikipedia to see what sort of story I was dealing with, and it seemed like an important character ends up dying, and I didn't know if I wanted to deal with that, either.

The Cloister and the Hearth, by Charles Reade**

A tale set in Medieval times about the life of a scribe and illuminator.

Why I picked it up: I'm sure it was on a list somewhere of suggested books to read, and it was available through an Audible subscription.

Why I put it down: I wasn't sure that I loved the writing in the first chapter. I decided to do some Wikipedia research for this books as well. Based off when it was written (mid-late 1800's) and knowing the author was British had me curious about what his portrayal of the Catholic Church would be, but some of the content related in the article made me decide this wasn't a book I wanted to give more time to. 

Poppy, by Avi**

A young mouse loses her fiance to an owl and faces off with him after befriending a porcupine.

Why I picked it up: I knew the books in this series by Avi were on Audible, and I felt like trying out this book I remember reading in middle school.

Why I put it down: Well, I feel silly about putting down a children's book that's normally something I'd enjoy, but since I married, things hit different - specifically, the death of one or two characters who are in love. I guess I better not pick up Martin the Warrior any time soon. In any case, as ridiculous as it seemed, I felt better when I realized what it was that bothered me.

Juniper's Christmas, by Eoin Colfer**

A young woman's mother goes missing ten years after Santa Claus stopped delivering gifts to children, and she must try to save Christmas and find her mother.

Why I picked it up: There's a reading challenge I came up with and I thought I'd use this book to meet a requirement for it, even though it was a (library) audiobook.

Why I put it down: This book had some good things going for it, and it sounded like an interesting premise. It had an experienced author (ever heard of Artemis Fowl?) and I liked that one of the characters early in the book was a homeless woman who is humanly real and a good friend to Juniper. However, I wasn't really invested in the book. If I'm going to meet that requirement for the challenge, I want it to be a book I'm actually interested in.

November Book Bracket 2024

 November Book Bracket

Well, this was quite the dropoff from last month. I finally said goodbye to the Audible subscription but, funny enough, at the end of the month, I got another great deal for the next three months, so that's back. I'm grateful I had time to slow down on - I caught up with podcasts instead of plowing through audiobooks, and made it through some physical books, as well. I'm also happy to have an even bracket this month!

The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins**

A tale centered on a mysterious woman who wears only white, a drawing master, the gentlewoman Laura with her unhappy marriage, and the people who help her through a literal identity crisis.

Why I picked it up: This was the last book I squeezed into my listening schedule before my Audible subscription ended. It is in the public domain, but I didn't want to try to navigate Librivox's varied quality of narration. I will say that the reader for this version, Billy Howle, did a great job.

My impressions: Think of this book as a crossover between the novel of manners and the Victorian all-the-loose-ends-tie-together novel. Or, as a somewhat darker Jane Austen novel with a smattering of The Count of Monte Cristo elements sprinkled here and there. This book took a bit of time to get into, but I don't regret the slow beginning because of how it played into the ending. It drew me in and I wanted to know what happened next - I'm starting to wonder if I'm just in a frame of mind this fall where I'm more susceptible to being captivated by certain books (and by this, I mean enjoying it enough to make poor decisions about staying up late). I liked the structure of this book, being not an epistolary novel, but one constructed out of different written accounts of many different characters. I do fault this technique with being somewhat redundant at times (noticeably towards the end, once the reader has put pieces together themselves), but it plays beautifully in some sections. This book does take the reader through several bad relationships, with one being what would be considered emotionally/physically abusive in our day, so it's not a light read, by any means. However, it wasn't so miserable for the main characters that I had to put it down, which has happened before (Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, comes to mind). This book wasn't the most intertwined plot I've ever read, but it was up there and connected many different threads by the end, which I usually find very satisfying. I can't say that there's a good moral attitude held by one of the main characters towards revenge and forgiveness, but it did feel good to see innocent characters have their names cleared. There are plot points that connect to fornication, and even the lovely Laura keeps romantic feelings for one character after committing herself in marriage (yikes), so there are some things that would make me hesitant to recommend this book to some high school readers, but there are also good examples of virtue in both male and female characters.

The Aeneid, by Virgil; translated by Sarah Ruden

This epic poem recounts the journey of Aeneas as he flees a sacked Troy to fulfill his destiny of fathering the Roman empire.

Why I picked it up: This was a book that was chosen for a book group I'm in. I went with this translation because it was recommended by the group and it was relatively cheap to obtain.

My impressions: To be forthright about this, I didn't actually read through the last two sections. However, I feel that I read enough to say that I read the poem (ish). The last two books were basically role calls and detailed descriptions of gory battle, from what I understand. I enjoyed much of the poem, with some parts slowing down just a bit, but I also skipped Book 4, which I remembered from World Lit 1 in college and didn't want to reread. The best part was probably actually the sacking of Troy - not because of the violence, but because it was the most memorable part. It was interesting to see how Virgil painted Greek heroes like Odysseus (Ulysses), and took the side of the Trojans. The slowest parts were the naming of person after person after person from this, that, or the other place. This work reminded me of why I'm uncomfortable with so much Greek mythology - the gods come across as caricatures embodying many of humanity's flaws, including promiscuity and going behind backs to make bad things happen. I was surprised by just how gory things got sometimes, and it didn't hurt me to skip some of those more detailed battle scenes. I guess I'm satisfied with the fact that I can say I've basically read this classic piece of literature, but I doubt I'll ever feel the need to reread it. I wouldn't recommend it for reading, but I think high school and older guys would enjoy it more than gals - especially those battle scenes.

Called to Life, by Fr. Jacques Philippe

Fr. Philippe looks at the ways God calls to us in our lives, from the fact that we are created human beings to Holy Scripture and life events, all the way through interactions with others.

Why I picked it up: This was one of the last Fr. Philippe books I picked up on that golden day at Goodwill and it seemed like a good morning meditation read.

My impressions: Even though this wasn't my favorite of Fr. Philippe's books, some parts of it really spoke to me. I wasn't blown away by the beginning, in which Fr. Philippe seemed to tell the reader that he's operating from a Catholic-Christian perspective, but hopes he can reach any person of good will. He did end up going in very Catholic directions later in the book, but the first part came across as somewhat watered-down. Much of the work seemed sort of common-sense, but I appreciated the sections in which he talked about Scripture, especially the appendix, which explained the lectio divina prayer method. This section had me trying to engage more with all the daily Mass readings and trying to prepare for it in a better way, so the work has borne good fruit already. I also really liked some of the quotes I pulled out, which concerned various topics. This is a good book, and it seems like it might be a good read for those who are looking for God's voice in their lives or looking for a book that's a beginner-level introduction to Fr. Philippe's works. 

These High, Green Hills, by Jan Karon

The third book in the Mitford series follows the lives of Fr. Timothy, his wife Cynthia, and all the other colorful characters who make up the quaint small town - but the idyllic community is not free from difficulties or the dark side of life.

Why I picked it up: Thanksgiving break came up and it seemed like a good time to roll out these somewhat addictive books.

My impressions: Though not as strong as the second book, this one was still good. It was more of the same, but it's neat to see how characters change, or come to the fore, or fade back, but know that they still have a part to play in the story - or will have a part later on. I found some of Timothy's reflections upon married life a little too mushy for me, so I skimmed some parts. There was one really gripping part in the early middle section that pulled me in, but I appreciate that these books can have a more serious look at life and how hard some situations can be for people. This is a good continuation of the series, and I'll look forward to reading more, maybe during Christmas break. This is a good book for those who have enjoyed the first two books in the Mitford series.

Bracket Play

A small bracket makes for an easier time deciding the winner. Although the next installment of Jan Karon's Mitford series was enjoyable, it just wasn't the work of literature that The Woman in White was, so the older work won the first battle. Fr. Jacques Philippe's book was the obvious choice over The Aeneid, and it went on to win overall. Although I appreciated different aspects of The Woman in White, not least of which was the tight weave of the tale, it had enough flaws that it ended up giving the win to Fr. Philippe's book. Called to Life has not been my favorite book by Fr. Philippe, but it had some insights I really liked and was a book I felt could be recommended to anyone.

October Book Bracket 2024

 October Book Bracket

Many books tried, and many books put down this month. I credit much of it to realizing my Audible subscription ends early in November, and trying to capitalize on the free books while I can, as well as to the open hours of parent teacher conferences. I was a bit choosier about where I was spending my reading and listening minutes, as there are plenty of books I want to get to (especially in my own home) and never enough time to read them and do all the crafts and chores I want to get around to.

Greenmantle, by John Buchan**

The hero of The Thirty-Nine Steps, now in the British army, takes on a secret spy mission to discover and thwart Germany's wartime plans to raise the support Middle East by producing an heir to Mohammad that will unite the Muslim peoples.

Why I picked it up: This book was on my to-read list and available through the Audible membership.

My impressions: This was a fun book to read. I regret to say I enjoyed the first half better than the second half, but it's a top-notch adventure story. It's the sort of book I might tell my older brother about - it seems like the sort of book that would interest him. Well, it's a great example of the "pull together an elite squad" take on the adventure story, with all the elite members being memorable, likeable fellows. They had a good camaraderie and the sort of "I've got your back" feel that you'd want a group like that to have. I found the author's attempts to make a certain woman seem evil not super convincing, rather like he just said "She's evil!" without giving any more evidence for why she's the worst human in the world - it was a big difference from a description of another baddy in the book, who I could tell was a bad guy from the things he did during the story. Anyway, there were a few insinuations or comments here and there that indicated some "adult content" was maybe happening, but the story stayed miles away from anything explicit. The main character and his pals didn't always do the most moral things, but the reader could tell they were overall trying to do the right thing and not be cads about it. It's a book that I think boys would enjoy, especially those with an interest in adventure tales and WWI. I would probably say high schoolers and older would be a pretty good audience for this book.

Forty Reasons I am a Catholic, by Peter Kreeft**

Famous Catholic philosophy professor provides a quick book with - as advertised - forty of the reasons for why he is a Catholic.

Why I picked it up: I was doing lots of housework and wanted to keep listening to audiobooks (that subscription is ticking down), but found I was being rather sensitive to what I was reading/listening to lately. This short book seemed like a pretty safe choice for something that would fit where I was at.

My impressions: This book was a good little exercise for me in trying to figure out what I'd say if someone asked me why I was Catholic. Some of the reasons Kreeft gave were articulations of some of my own reasons. Others were ones that I wouldn't say myself in the scenario I considered about giving a reason for my faith, but it acted as a little sample of what you might say when trying to explain an aspect of the faith in a nutshell. Short, sweet, well-reasoned, it was a good work to read in anticipation of being in situations where I might be asked to explain something to someone who's not a Catholic.

At Home in Mitford, by Jan Karon

Fr. Timothy, the pastor of a small-town Episcopalian parish in an Appalachian valley, faces health problems and burnout, only to have one of the most eventful year-and-a-half's in his life in a long time.

Why I picked it up: My sister-in-law had been working through this series and raving about it. I knew I wanted to give it a try sometime, but didn't make the plunge until I needed to ice another book that threw me for a loop when it gave me a murder scene I hadn't been prepared for.

My impressions: This book was comforting, enjoyable, and calm - and yet, it had me neglecting household cleaning duties to finish it. There wasn't a lot of plot in this book - in fact, it made me think a little bit about Jane Austen's books, how there's not a lot of "doing" going on, but there's an awful lot of talking. There were things happening in this book, definitely, but it came across more as the continuous everyday tale of the eventful things that were happening in Father Tim's life. But, even with my long-time tendency to dislike books with weak plot lines, I had trouble putting this one down. I think I must have been in need of a gentle book like this one. My sister-in-law said these books are "cozy," but I think "gentle" is the word I'd use for them. The author doesn't whitewash everything - there are moments where we see people making bad decisions or coming through hard circumstances - but most characters, with all their flaws, are pretty likeable. There are humorous moments, and sweet moments, and a few great food-description moments, but it was a grand book for me to read right now. I really enjoyed some of a conversation later in the book between Father Tim and his friend, the bishop. It's one of the best-put explanations I've heard for why people need to make sure they're taking care of themselves, so that they can love and serve the people in their lives...and it's not just being selfish.

"Bodily fatigue, which nearly always accompanies this hateful malady, can wear down the spirit. And how can the Holy Spirit work with a vessel that's leaking as fast as he can fill it? ...If you're going to extend your life in the body of Christ, Timothy, you must act at once to restore, to revive, to refresh your energies." (pp. 370-1)

I think women would enjoy this book. I don't know that men would as much - if my husband's reflections are any indication, men gravitate towards action, and this is a lot closer to Pride and Prejudice than it is to The Lord of the Rings as far as action goes. I'd recommend this especially for women who are post-college and needing something to read to help them recharge.

The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

An experienced tempter provides insight into spiritual warfare through instructive letters to his nephew, a new tempter who is trying to get an English man to turn away from God at the beginning of a world war.

Why I picked it up: This was the book a galpal and I agreed to read for a book discussion group. It is a reread.

My impressions: This book is somewhat uncomfortable to read, but it's also good food for thought. It is not a long book, but if the reader is going to give it a little time to breathe between letters (which I recommend, for reflecting and letting ideas connect), it will take a little longer to go through. It's a book about a man from a discrete era, but the issues are, for the most part, timeless and applicable. I think the last time I read it, I realized that there's always something that the reader can take away from it. Different parts will likely hit differently depending on life circumstances. I'd say this is a great book for anyone to read, high school and older.

Blood Red Horse, by K. M. Grant**

The DeGranvilles set out on a Crusade, with William de Granville taking his extraordinary horse, and Ellie, the ward, facing adversity in their absence.

Why I picked it up: This book had been recommended somewhere at some point, perhaps in a Facebook group I follow.

My impressions: This book doesn't look away from the horrors of war and the suffering of the Crusading experience, either for the knights, or for those left at home - but the figure of a wonderful horse woven throughout brings a hint of something noble to the story. It was sometimes hard to read about the harsh realities of life in that time, but I did feel like I received an insider's look at that time by reading this work. I think the author did well with her juxtaposition of similar situations in which characters found themselves, and this contrast (or comparison?) showed off character flaws and development. No character was perfect, and some were quite dislikeable, but I think that helped make the characters realistic. I enjoyed seeing King Richard the Lionheart as a dynamic individual in this book, not just as a side character in yet another Robin Hood retelling (although I do love me a good Robin Hood tale). I liked the horse, Hosanna, although I wasn't always comfortable with the way he was described - almost as if the horse had miraculous powers. Comments here and there, and a confused scene of prayer, made me feel that morality was sometimes displayed slightly askew, but it could be my great sensitivity at work in taking note of that. In any case, I liked that people on both sides of the Crusading war were shown with flaw and with admirable traits. It's possible I might pursue the series further in the future, but for now, I'm content to put this series aside and pick up something else. The book deals with some heavy topics, such as a maiden's reputation being thrown into doubt, so this book would be best for high school readers and older. I think that boys especially could appreciate this work, as there is lots of action and plenty of battles.

What Katy Did, by Sarah Chauncey Woolsey (a.k.a. Susan Coolidge)**

Katy, who wants to do all sorts of amazing things, does a lot of growing up after she makes some poor choices.

Why I picked it up: This book made it onto my to-read list at some point and it was on Audible.

My impressions: While this book felt like a somewhat aimless precursor of Anne of Green Gables in the first half, I found the second half of more value and enjoyable. This is a book that made me think a little bit of L. M. Montgomery's works, or Betsy Understood; it had a similar tone. I did get bored after listening to the first third of the work, but it was nice to finish it, and not just so I could get it crossed off my list. I'm interested in what Katy does after the conclusion of this story, so I've gone ahead and downloaded the next work onto my Kindle (yay for public domain!). I think this is a book that girls who enjoyed the works mentioned above would like.

How God Hauled Me Kicking and Screaming Into the Catholic Church, by Kevin Lowry**

A Protestant describes his conversion journey into the Catholic Church.

Why I picked it up: Parent-teacher conferences and a desire to listen to as many audiobooks as possible before my subscription expires led me to try this one out.

My impressions: I'm glad I gave this one a go. I find people's conversion stories interesting, and this one had the added bonus of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, be one of the settings of the story. It was cool to hear about Lowry's experience of school there, and compare and contrast his schooling with my impression of what it's like to be a student there now (not that I went there myself - but I have visited and know others who went there). This work reminded me of a course I took through an online group about writing and how sharing our faith experience can be a work of evangelization. I don't have a story of converting to Catholicism, but this man's interesting, but not necessarily dramatic, conversion story show that there is value in sharing life with others. I enjoyed listening to this book and probably won't read it again, but it was kind of comforting to listen to it as I did pretty light work today.

Amos Fortune, Free Man, by Elizabeth Yates**

This biographical work follows the life of an African prince, who is kidnapped, taken to the United States, and sold into slavery - after which, he buys his own freedom and that of several others.

Why I picked it up: I kept looking for other Elizabeth Yates books on Audible and at the library, but no luck - but this one was on Audible.

My impressions: This is a good biographical work, and it reads easily. It was interesting to get a look at the life of a slave who came directly from Africa, as well as to see what his life was like in one of the northern colonies. I wondered if his described acceptance of his life as a slave would have created a different reception for the book today (it was a Newbery winner), but Amos, as portrayed in this book, was an honorable man who would be a good role model for anyone. This is a book that didn't have much plot, but Amos led an interesting life and it was a solid story to listen to. This book would be good for elementary-aged readers.

The Search for Delicious, by Natalie Babbitt

In a land where fantastical beings live forgotten by humans, the lad Gaylen polls the kingdom to find out what most people deem is "delicious," but finds that the animosity engendered his quest - and the machinations of Hemlock - may lead to war.

Why I picked it up: This book ended up on my to-read list at some point and then I found it at a garage sale this summer - yay! I needed another book to put space between me and Peace Like a River, so this children's book seemed like it would be a good fit.

My impressions: This was a fresh take on the fairy-tale world, without needing magic to make it a wondrous place. It made me think of The Ordinary Princess, but it was very free of both the tropes of a fairy tale and the need to twist those tropes into a fractured fairy tale. It was a fantasy that I found I liked reading, perhaps because the fantastic elements were not so wildly out-there. However, even with these points its favor, it was not the hidden gem that The Ordinary Princess is. I can see this being a book that a child likes to pull off the shelf, but it's not one that I'm going to make sure I read aloud with all the children. For those looking for a fresh, simple fantasy tale, this is the book for them. Elementary school-aged children would probably appreciate this story best.

Augustine Came to Kent, by Barbara Willard

The teenaged Wolf and his father return to their homeland as translators and lay assistants to the Benedictine monks who travel with St. Augustine of Kent to evangelize England.

Why I picked it up: I don't know if this one was on my to-read list or not, but I recognized the author and knew I wanted to give it a try. This was one of several books I found stashed under the guest bedroom at my brother's house.

My impressions: This book is one of those tales that follows some events in the life of an individual without there being a driving plot, but there are enough problems and developments happening in it to make it enjoyable to read. I appreciated how life in the "dark ages" was presented, and how one society might look completely different from another. The story was clearly about a religious mission to evangelize a territory that had fallen back into paganism, but it wasn't overly religious. Loose ends were tied up by the ending, but it had been a good read the whole time. I wouldn't call this an adventure book, but I think there was enough going on to make it a fair book for elementary and middle school-aged readers.

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers, by Meg Meeker, M.D.**

A pediatrician lays out her ten principles that she believes are common to happy mothers.

Why I picked it up: I had the author on my to-read list, but no specific titles. I found this one was available through my Audible subscription, so I decided to give this one a try, even though I'm not a mother yet.

My impressions: I think that this book had some good ideas at work in it, but it came across as something of a self-help book and had some elements I didn't love. The stories Meeker uses to illustrate her different points are engaging (the human interest element of real-life examples), and many of her 10 points line up with a Christian worldview (trusting in God, living a simple life, not striving primarily after riches, etc.). However, there was a pluralistic feeling about religion that I gathered from the author - for example, it's important to have belief in God, but maybe it doesn't matter and you can just have a faith system of any sort. A few comments here and there about spouses or divorce also didn't sit as well with me. This could be an encouraging book for women who aren't confident about their mothering skills, but due to the questionable perspective in some places, this is not the first book I'll be coming back to for tips and tricks with doing a good job mothering.

The Bible; Volume II: Acts, Letters and Revelation, printed by Word on Fire

This second volume in Word on Fire's set contains the New Testament following the Gospels.

Why I picked it up: I try to read the Bible regularly, although I've really gotten away from that practice.

My impressions: This hefty book was beautifully made and had some great commentary in it from a variety of people. I loved some of the artwork, presented with commentary, but some of the art included wasn't my favorite. What does one say about the Bible? It's great, and everyone should read it. The Bible is in its own class, so it will not be subjected to the tournament - God's words to us don't go on a bracket.

Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life With Grace and Hope, by Sally Clarkson**

Homeschooling mom and evangelist considers the struggles - or downright disasters - of her life as a training ground in the virtues and lessons she would need to have to become a "seasoned sailor," or experienced servant working in God's vineyard.

Why I picked it up: I generally like ideas I find in Clarkson books, and I wanted to sneak in another one before my Audible subscription ended.

My impressions: Overall applicable and clear messages, accompanied by personal stories, Scripture verses, and practical applications help make this book work. It's not one that I needed to read in this season of life, but I still felt there was something in it for me. I was the tiniest bit bummed about references to COVID (I guess I just want to pretend it didn't happen), but it was important to get the book going and gave some great context for struggles she discussed. I can't say that any particular points she made stick out to me, but some of her stories certainly did. That woman has had a lot of intense experiences! She nearly lost an eye, was secretly doing missionary work in Soviet-era Poland with strangers practically trying to break down her door, and experienced heartbreaking strife in the context of a church community. That last one did make an impression - I have not been involved in a community maelstrom (outside that one time a small dust-up resulted from my poorly worded college newspaper article), but it's good to remember that people can make harmful choices even within a church or parish family. This isn't the first book I'd recommend to someone who's feeling their life is one long series of disasters, but I imagine it's a good one for some people, especially Christian mothers.

Mattimeo, by Brian Jacques

This third Redwall book follows what happens to Mattimeo, son of hero Matthias, when a cruel enemy kidnaps the children in Redwall to sell them into slavery - and of the epic quest to bring them back home.

Why I picked it up: Aaron and I decided that this was the book we wanted to read out loud to each other.

My impressions: This book is an exciting adventure. I remember not liking this book as much as others in the series when I was growing up, but I think it's at least partly because the TV show was so embedded in my memory as to color the reading experience. The show wasn't bad, it was just very memorable and fixed in my mind what I thought the characters would look and sound like. Also, the element of surprise, or of discovering the story for myself the first time, wasn't possible. However, given enough time not reading or watching the show, I was able to appreciate the story more. (Spoilers coming starting now.) The stakes were high (recovering kidnapped children tends to be), but having Redwall truly almost taken over in the absence of the warriors really did have me wanting to read more. This is one of the closest brushes the abbey has with being conquered. The ruins of Loamhedge were interesting and creepy at the same time. I will say that there are still weak points, such as the author perhaps trying too hard to make Slagar appear cruel, and at least one character randomly showing up and leaving at opportune moments. It's still not my favorite Redwall book, but it's got some good adventure elements in it. Strong readers as young as elementary-age could appreciate this book.

A Light in the Window, by Jan Karon

The second book in the Mitford series follows Fr. Timothy's ongoing relationship with his lovely neighbor Cynthia, and the events that happen in the small town of Mitford during the year.

Why I picked it up: I started hankering for more story about these characters, so I asked my contact if I could borrow the second book from her.

My impressions: This book was even better than the first one. I felt interested in what was going on right from the start and read almost 80 pages in one evening (starting off with a will-they-won't-they romance can do that to you). The descriptions of the town in winter dumped fuel on the fire of my cozy desires - I felt like I needed a blanket of snow on my house right now, and a cup of hot chocolate. (I'm not sure if it's related, but I broke out the hot chocolate for the first time this season sometime this last week.) It's a sweet book and had nothing in the romance to make me uncomfortable, although one of the parishioners very much did make me uncomfortable. There are a few things that struck me as, "Oh, I don't think that would go over so well if it were written today," but nothing alarming - just a few unfortunate or sad associations. Anyone who enjoyed the first Mitford book would probably really like this one.

Bracket Play

There are too many books to do play by play, at least in the first round. I paired the books in such a way as to allow the stronger books to beat weaker books, generally of similar types. The Mitford books got the pass because they were so enjoyable. 

In round 2, the Mitford sequel beat out the original because it had more of a plot and better pacing. Kreeft's book lost to Greenmantle because I remember more of the adventure book and can think of a specific person I'd recommend it to. Lewis' book won because his books almost always do and The Search for Delicious wasn't as amazing as I'd wanted it to be. The last match could have gone either way, but I thought Clarkson's book could be very beneficial to the right person at the right time.

I'm skipping the next round because it was obvious to me which two books were superior. And, in the final round, as badly as I wanted A Light in the Window to be the winner (I couldn't put it down!), I had to give the win to C. S. Lewis. Though uncomfortable to read, it had insights that I've been drawing from since I reread it. It's a good book, although a dark one in some ways.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Calico Captive, by Elizabeth George Speare**

A young woman on the verge of romance and moving away from danger instead finds herself, and her sister's family, captured by Indians who are allied with the French enemy.

Why I picked it up: I had enjoyed The Sign of the Beaver by this author previously, and decided to put her other works on my to-read list.

Why I put it down:  I was very sensitive to somethings at the time. Well, most things, really. And, I was reflecting, while I have recently enjoyed similar books, or at least children's literature based in that time period, this one wasn't doing much for me. There was some early character development happening, and lots of episodes of trials, triumphs, and things happening to the characters, but there wasn't a driving plot outside of "we've been captured by Indians and must now try to...survive? But they're friendly and want us to live. Get along? Maybe escape eventually?" With so many other books to try to sample before the Audible subscription runs out, it seemed worthwhile to put it down and try something else.

The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman**

An orphaned, despised girl is taken in by the generally disliked midwife in a medieval town to serve as cheap labor.

Why I picked it up: This was a Newbery Award winner and had been on my list to read for a while. I'd read another work by the author that was...alright, I guess.

Why I put it down: I could handle the depressing circumstances the main character was in, but when I reached the scene where she observed some adulterous kissing between folks, I was shocked and had to put the book down. This is an award-winning kid's book? Yikes!

The Moorchild, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw**

A fairy baby is switched with a human child in a fantastical Irish tale.

Why I picked it up: This book was recommended on a list or two I came across on Pinterest, had runner-up recognition for the Newbery Award, and was written by the same author who wrote Mara, Daughter of the Nile and The Golden Goblet.

Why I put it down: I had trouble getting into this work and something about the tone didn't sit well with me. A comment early on suggested that the human child was able to be switched with a fairy child because she was baptized late, and that struck an uncomfortable note.

Chaucer's People: Everyday Lives in Medieval England, by Liza Picard**

In brief: I tried this one on Audible, and decided to pause on this one because I think I'd appreciate it more if I'd read Canterbury Tales all the way through (and recently, at that). It wasn't bad; it just wasn't something I was connecting with at all and would be fine with coming back to later.

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger

A preteen boy describes his family's journey and the miracles he witnesses in the presence of his father after his older brother kills two local troublemakers.

Why I picked it up: I've heard this book highly recommended for years, and it was the first one my book group was reading for the new cycle.

Why I put it down: I was enjoying this book in large part up to the murder scene, and that really got to me. I wasn't ready for the detail there. I put the book down for a few weeks, but when I picked it up again, I just couldn't find the enjoyment. I wish people could write great modern literature that wasn't always so emotionally difficult to push through.

The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time, by David L. Ulin

A book critic reflects upon reading in a technological age.

Why I picked it up: This was sitting on the library shelf next to other books, like The Read-Aloud Family, and is caught my interest.

Why I put it down: At about 150 pages, this little book seemed like it would be a breeze. But the author was taking forever to get around to making his points, or reflections. I lost interest as he explained his lifelong, enduring excitement (or obsession?) with books. I figured there'd be other things I'd rather read right now, so I put it down.

Red Scarf Girl, by Ji-li Jiang**

A woman recounts her experience of being a child during the cultural Communist revolution as it took place in China.

Why I picked it up: This was recommended on some list somewhere.

Why I put it down: I wasn't enjoying listening to it and decided to dedicate my time elsewhere. It was not a pleasurable listen.

Deep Dive: The Screwtape Letters

 A Deep Dive into The Screwtape Letters

When a galpal and I decided to read The Screwtape Letters and discuss it when we finished, I knew very quickly after starting that I would end up doing a deep dive post. Though I've read this work twice already, that first letter already had me doing some thinking. My hope is to keep this post open from the start and add thoughts as I read, which is different from my usual method of writing after reading the entire work.

Introduction

The main thing that struck me was that C. S. Lewis warns the reader that the demons are unreliable narrators. I don't think I've kept that in mind when I've read this previously, and I'm curious to see if it will lead me to question anything this time around.

Letter 1

Letter 1 brings home to me how timely this book is for our time. Even though it was published 82 years ago, Lewis gets something frighteningly right about our own time: even if we are convicted of something intellectually, we won't necessarily act on it - probably not, unless our emotions are involved. And yet, at the same time, the senior demon warns the junior one to not try to use reason too much with the temptee, as reason is something that is, in fact, the rightful tool of God and a weapon that will always be a liability for the demons to use.

I also felt called out by this line, following a warning to avoid letting the temptee think about big questions: "Your business is to fix his attention on the stream [of immediate sense experiences]. Teach him to call it 'real life' and don't let him ask what he means by 'real'."

How often do I plug in my headphones to listen to a podcast while doing chores, or turn on an audiobook in quiet moments at work, and drown out the silence? I like to have ideas or stories filling my consciousness, and while the audio input takes the dreariness out of some tasks, am I not missing out on great opportunities to sit in silence in God's presence?

Letter 3

This letter concerns the temptee's relationship with his mother and highlights that an internal or intellectual charity towards someone means nothing if we don't act out that love. I can't say I care for my parents if I never offer to help them with things they may need, or never visit them, or ever see if there is some service I can do for them.

Something else that stood out to me was the comment, "let him think how much he dislikes it." They reason this part of a line jumped out at me is because it points to the way our thoughts can lead us astray. Temptations come from the flesh, the world, or Satan, but regardless of where they come from, a temptation can start with one little thought. If we take it seriously, and assume that every thought that pops into our head is true, and that we have to follow it to its conclusion, then we are in serious trouble. A thought that comes to mind isn't necessarily what we truly believe - it may be nothing more (or less) than a temptation.

Letter 4

This letter includes a portion that reminds me that how I hold my body for prayer matters. While being in the "perfect" posture for prayer isn't everything, sitting in a way that encourages alertness and concentration could help me pray better. As Lewis has the demons point out, humans are integrated beings of body and spirit; what we do with the body affects the soul.

I am reminded to try to get to know God better, and not keep Him in some box or image that I have made of Him. I want to know the real Him, not an idea I've made up about Him.

Letter 5

This letter got to me in a very applicable way because I'd woken up several hours too early, worried about something related to work. So, when I went to read this letter, what do I find but one demon checking to see if the other had employed anxiety-inducing images or self-pitying thoughts to torment the temptee? While my anxious thoughts were probably more the result of my own thinking, it was good to have that called out so early in the morning. This letter does a good job of showing how God can write straight with the most crooked lines. For example, many people die in a war, but many go into battle with the understanding that they might not make it out alive - and thus, they are better prepared for death than those who are comfortable in the hospital and told lies about living when they're actually on death's doorstep. People may dedicate themselves to a poor cause, but if they do it in good conscience and didn't know any better, God can still work with their goodwill.

Letter 6

"There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human's mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them." (p. 200)

"What [God] means by this is primarily that he should accept with patience the tribulation which has actually been dealt out to him - the present anxiety and suspense." (p. 200)

These two quotes sum up most of my takeaway from this letter. The last bit I noted was that the senior tempter told the other to try to get the temptee to practice benevolence towards people he doesn't know - or aren't real - and malice towards those he does encounter in life. I feel that our society practices extreme malice towards those we don't know well, and more benevolence for those in our personal circle. However, I'm sure that I'm just as much in danger of practicing malice towards those I know as the next person, which keeps this work always timely to read.

Letter 7

This one, which focused on pacifism vs. patriotism, didn't seem quite as applicable to the modern day. However, if we look at politics, we can see how any issue can be split up into "left" and "right" and, given the right level of emotions, our beliefs about it can be twisted to our detriment.

Letters 8 and 9

I group these two together because they have to do with what, I realize, are consolations and desolations. That was a nice bit of Ignatian spirituality worked in that I hadn't recognized before! It also struck me that the demons will make use of everything they can, and while they can try to cause human failure in many ways, they cannot create. These letters emphasize to me that, ultimately, evil really is just a distortion of the good, and parasitic upon the good.

Letters 10-11

I got behind on typing up my thoughts for letters, but I don't think anything struck me from these two that I wanted to note.

Letters 12-13

I lumped these letters together because there are common themes that span both letters.

The part that stood out to me from Letter 12 was the idea that discomfort with the way we are living can make us not want to even think about God. I have found this to be true for me, in a way. It's a good reminder to me to keep turning to God, especially in the moments where I don't feel I want to.

The idea that spanned both letters was that of real pleasure. True pleasure, joy, and fun can lead us to God. If the devil could have his way, we'd do evil and not even enjoy it. So, while I might sometimes feel a twinge of guilt about not reading spiritual works every day, I can tell the "tiny puritan" in my head that reading a book I truly enjoy could point me toward God.

Letter 14

The tempters discussed how thoughts of "I'm being humble!" can be an opportunity for pride to work, and how laughter at such thoughts can mitigate the effects of pride. This sounded to me very much like my notes speaking to me, how laughing at silly, intrusive thoughts can be great medicine against them. Also, the fact that focusing on humility too much defeats the purpose, because humility involves looking at oneself less.

I'm not sure where this reflection came from (because I'm now weeks behind transferring my notes from the moment of reading to the blog here), but I made a note that there was an idea, perhaps inferred, that God might take something away, not only to give us something better, but possibly to give that thing back to us, better than it was before. 

Letter 15

"The Present is the point at which time touches eternity."

We can go astray by both by trying to create a future Heaven, but here on earth; or, by trying to avert a future hell here on earth. I think dystopian or apocalyptic tales show the extremes of this lack of trust in God.

Letter 16

The tempters brought up the fact that people can argue intensely about the right number of candles or right type of vestments. I think this point is a great reminder that, while those discussions do have a time and place, we need to remember that the important thing is the Mass. It's not the aesthetics that saves our soul - it's Jesus, and He becomes present at the Mass, regardless of the trappings.

Also included in this letter is the mention of St. Paul's exhortation to his readers to not do things that cause others to sin. So, in St. Paul's letter, I believe the matter he addressed was the eating of meats that had been sacrificed to idols. In our day, I think this is the best explanation of why modest dress matters. It's not only that "People need to guard their eyes and thoughts, regardless of how people dress." That is true, I am the only person who can make decisions about what to do with the images or thoughts I encounter. However, if I truly love my brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to not be an occasion of someone sinning, and that will probably affect the way I dress around others.

Letter 19

It seems I didn't have any striking thoughts with Letters 17 or 18. 

"More and more complicated theories, fuller and fuller collections of data, richer rewards for researchers who make progress, more and more terrible punishments for those who fail--all this, pursued and accelerated to the very end of time, cannot, surely, fail to succeed." (pg. 240)

I think this line stood out to me because it shows the utter inability of the demons to understand the love of God. It's not more complicated than they can figure out, it is so simple, and they cannot comprehend it.

Letters 20-21

The first paragraph of the first letter mentions that attacks from the enemy don't last forever. That is hard to remember in the moment, but God provides relief eventually, so we can be hopeful as we resist temptation.

In the first paragraph of the second letter, I found it striking that sometimes, when we're busy dealing with what we think is a "big temptation," that may actually be a front for what is really going on. I know that I tend to become irritable or susceptible to other tempting thoughts when I'm struggling with some big emotion or sorting through my thoughts. And I notice that I tend to eat sugary things I don't need when I'm stressed, too. It's a good reminder to watch the little things when a big temptation is going on.

I also felled called out in this second letter, about how the loss of "my" time is one of my biggest stumbling blocks. Few things irk me like having a wrench thrown in my schedule, and this is a great reminder that time is a sheer gift - it is not my own to do with as I please. It is God's, and if I must do something different with it than what I planned, then I should be happy to offer that time back to God.

Letter 22

I desire my house to be like that described by the tempter - a house that has the presence of love, and guests leave there with the scent of love of God wafting after them.

Also, the tempters hate both silence and music - but love noise. How interesting! I hear a lot about how noise keeps us from prayer and from hearing God's voice, but I don't often think of it being from the devil. It now seems to me that it is a moral duty to make sure there is silence in my life!

Letter 25

"We have trained them to think of the Future as a promised land which favoured heroes attain--not as something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." (pg. 259)

God is in the present moment. Life is happening right now, and this is the moment of grace. If I'm too caught up in what will happen, then I'm missing out on the graces that God wants to give me right now.

Letter 28

I felt called out by this letter because it spoke of people feeling too at home in the world. As I approach middle age and my husband and I become more established in our home, I am more and more drawn to the coziness of my home and my feeling of belonging here. However, as Theology of Home points out, I need to have my heart set on my heavenly home. I can't let myself feel too comfortable here.

I also noted that the tempters talk about keeping the temptee safe. Isn't that interesting, that they want the temptee to have a long life of good health, to provide more opportunities for turning away from God? It makes me think of Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series, in which Aslan is described as "not safe." The Christian life is not safe, and we can't make safety our ultimate goal.

Letter 31

It was really neat to have described the experience of the temptee dying, and how incredible were his visions of the guardian angels and of meeting the Lord. It's one of the rare instance of me being okay with one of the main characters dying.

Conclusions

By the time this post goes up, the number of people slated to discuss this book has doubled. I ended up finishing this sooner than I anticipated, and that's good: it allows me to take a smaller book to work to read on my lunch break. It's the sort of book that is a quick read if you sit down and read it through, but it takes a lot longer if you sit with it and just let your ideas come together. I found connections were made if I just made a little space to pause every letter or every few letters. It is uncomfortable to read on some level, but it's a good refresher on general things to watch for or try to grow in. The downside with the epistolary style is that I'll probably have to pull up this post to help me remember the most striking thoughts, but it worked for this writing - it couldn't have been anything different.

September Book Bracket 2024

 September Book Bracket

This seemed to be the month of starting books, only to put them down. While I don't love the fact that I decided to move on from so many books, I'm also glad, in a way, that I did. There are so many books that I want to read, and trying these books allows me to move on to those works that I'm going to enjoy much more. There's also an added benefit of crossing titles off my to-read list, which gives me a sense of accomplishment, even if I didn't finish the book.

I notice that there were no knock-out, amazing books this month, but one or two that I pushed through to get them done. I'll have to think about how much I want to get a book done just to check it off, versus finding books that I really enjoy and dedicating time to them.

Bearing False Witness, by Rodney Stark**

A historian debunks pernicious anti-Catholic myths that have been perpetuated, even by well-known historians in the present day.

Why I picked it up: I think I first came across this book in the bookshop of Clear Creek Monastery, and while I couldn't buy it and twenty other books, I knew I could add it to my to-read list! It's been on that list for probably over 5 years. It was another audiobook free through the current Audible subscription.

My impressions: Perhaps the most impressive part of this book was the fact that the author is not Catholic, and yet he wrote this book because it was so important to him to set the record straight. He took on the topics I expected - the Inquisition, the Crusades, Galileo - but he also tackled myths about the Church being pro-slavery, anti-Semitic, or suppressive of certain texts (e.g., "lost gospels" or texts that really are Gnostic, not Christian in origin). I did find a few parts too uncomfortable to listen to (sections of the Inquisition), but it was, for the most part, a very "listenable" work. I felt like I learned a lot and have a good resource to return to if I need to brush up on the history of these anti-Catholic myths and/or their key instigators. I questioned his use of terms in certain parts, but he seemed to have a pretty good understanding of Catholic doctrine and practice. Stark came across as a fair analyst of history - noting that Catholics have made mistakes through the centuries, but always acknowledging when the Church's members had things right, were doing it better than non-Catholics, or at least were no worse than non-Catholic peers. I think this is a good book for any Catholic adult who wants to learn more about his faith, particularly to meet accusations in real life with peace and knowledge.

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, by Lois Gladys Leppard**

Mandie endures trials after her father's death, but then finds a loving environment and mysteries solved in her uncle's mansion.

Why I picked it up: This is another book that ended up on my to-read list at some point, but I'm not sure where from. Also accessed through Audible.

My impressions: The beginning was too depressing for me,, so I skipped parts here and there. Then, the ending was rather saccharine for me. The story had some nice elements, certainly - and it was nice to see Mandie get a happy ending - but it also was lacking in the area of plot. Having a few mysterious things happening helped a bit, but it wasn't enough to make it a great read [listen]. I took issue with one comment, about Mandie knowing some information might scare a servant, who was black - implying that black women were easily frightened. Mandie does value her Cherokee heritage, although they don't explore it, with her simply stating her love for Cherokee people who help her. I didn't find there to be any great historical or literary benefit in reading the book, making it more of a fluff read for children. I wouldn't recommend it to kids, seeing as there are so many amazing children's books out there, but I imagine it could be fun for a younger female reader.

7 Secrets of the Eucharist, by Vinny Flynn

A Catholic layman describes seven truths he has come to know and love about the Eucharist.

Why I picked it up: This was a book given to me by a friend who joined the monastery. My husband read it over the summer and shared some things about it that had impacted him, so I decided to make it my adoration reading when he finished it.

My impressions: This book is a good introduction to people who want to know more about the Eucharist and desire to love Jesus even more. I was able to reflect upon points like reverence when approaching the Eucharist and desiring to gain graces from receiving the Eucharist. Much of the first part of the book felt like information that I was already familiar with, but I feel like I gained more practical ways to try to love Jesus more fully in the Eucharist than I did when I read Bishop Barron's book on the Eucharist. This is a good book for those just starting to think more deeply about adoration and Holy Communion, but some of the content later in the book is good for those who are already familiar with some of the treasures of the Eucharist.

Aggressively Happy, by Joy Marie Clarkson**

In the wake of COVID's havoc, the youngest child in the creative homeschooled Clarkson family wrote about the need and ways to find joy in life.

Why I picked it up: I was looking for my next audiobook and wanted to take advantage of the free Clarkson books available via Audible.

My impressions: This audiobook was an enjoyable read that I would classify as "lightish," but still gleaned some good takeaways from. Clarkson definitely hits on some substantial themes in the book (dealing with doubts in the face of the problem of pain, belief in God, mental health, etc.), but the book didn't require too much of me, was easy to follow, and had some profound insights scattered here and there. One of my favorite parts was her hot take on Mr. Collins of Pride and Prejudice (imagine someone taking a positive view of the guy that's actually pretty convincing...maybe he gets the last laugh after all). I appreciated her comments on people often feeling like they deal with a "tiny Puritan" who questions their enjoyment of simple, wholesome pleasures. She also communicated beautifully her experience that showed how story really has the power to form human perspectives. I loved hearing how her niece's perception of someone was colored by her mother's explanation of their role in her family, and how different people she knew told themselves stories that may or may not have drifted from the truth, but all the same, affected how they viewed their lives. I found that the book moved a bit slower as it progressed, which made the first two-thirds of the book the better part. I liked the author's writing voice and her balanced-feeling sense of perspective. Some of her suggestions were practical ones that I've done prior to reading this book, but some of what she says might hit home for a person starting out on "adulting." This book was shaped somewhat by COVID's restrictions, but a young adult today - college-aged or so - could find this book meaningful or useful.

Fingal's Quest, by Madeleine A. Polland

A lad of the Dark Ages who aspires to be a monk must overcome temptations to settle for the lesser loves that keep him from giving his whole heart to God.

Why I picked it up: This was one of the titles that I couldn't access through the local library or any other way for free, but then I found it under my brother's guest bed (I was babysitting and we were playing hide-and-seek at the time) and finally got the chance to read it!

My impressions: This was a solid book. It wasn't the most page-turning work ever, but it provided an idea of what life after the fall of Rome may have been like in Europe, and I appreciated how it developed its theme. At its heart, the story really is as simple as a boy abandoning a monastery to follow a saintly man across Europe. However, the way he must grapple with lesser loves, or idols, makes it a story that really does have a plot. It has some adventurous elements to it, but I wouldn't really call it an adventure story. It's a decent bit of children's historical fiction, and it can show in a concrete way how people can be distracted from God even through their love for good people and wholesome pleasures. This would be a good book for upper elementary age or middle school readers, especially those who have an interest (or curricular subject) in the history of that time.

After London: Or, Wild England, by Richard Jefferies**

In an alternate history where some undefined disaster befell London and England reverted to a quasi-Medieval society, Felix, a noble, leaves the security and limited possibilities of home to try to win a name or fortune for himself.

Why I picked it up: This one ended up on my to-read list at some point and it was on Audible.

My impressions: This early version of the post-apocalyptic tale had lots of potential and some interesting elements, but it failed to deliver in the end. I think I was drawn in by the descriptions of how the landscape and wildlife changed after the apocalyptic event, and even though I disliked an outdated, prejudiced description of the human races that continued after, I continued on to the story portion. Yes, this is a two-part work, with the first section being a short one just explaining what the world and society was like after this fictional event, and the second part being a story following Felix. It had some survival elements which I enjoyed, and some political maneuverings that weren't too political, though the politics and intrigues approached my (relatively low) threshold for such things. However, it also had some of those exploring parts of adventures that spend time describing the land rather than furthering the plot, which I don't love. They weren't horrible, and indeed helped develop a sense of this different England, but I usually go for more action-driven plot than less. The author had clearly thought through what a society in this world might be like - this one had the trappings of a Medieval society with some of the brutality of the ancient Romans - and he melded it very well with issues that would likely arise in a world where lots of practical knowledge and access to materials was lost. The work had some very intriguing features. Unfortunately, the ending had much different pacing and left off at a point where I thought there was still plenty of story left to be told. He tried to wrap it up with a hopeful feeling, but there was still so much Felix had left to do that I felt that I was left hanging. No, there is not a sequel. I can't say I'd recommend this book, unless it would be to a person who wants more world-building in a unique post-apocalyptic tale than actual story. High schoolers could probably handle this one fine, but again, I don't know if they - or older readers - would find it a really interesting read.

My Sisters, the Saints, by Colleen Carroll Campbell**

A Catholic woman finds her faith reignited and her life changed by her growing closeness to several saints.

Why I picked it up: I was blown away by Colleen's later book, The Heart of Perfection, and I figured I should pick this one up, too. This is a title I purchased through Audible a while back.

My impressions: While this book did not blow me away like The Heart of Perfection, I still found it to be an interesting - and sometimes emotional - read. Though I differ from the author in many ways, there was much in her experience to connect with. Colleen is good at telling stories and conveying a sense of what it was like to experience different trials, from watching a loved one deal with a progressively debilitating disease, to experiencing dissatisfaction and longing in her own heart. I had a hard time getting into the book, as Colleen started with her college self, who was drifting from her Catholic upbringing, and it felt a bit depressing. However, once she got into talking about the saints, I was more invested. I did put the book on pause several times because some parts were a little hard to read. However, the book ended well and I felt encouraged by some of her reflections. There are no guarantees that what we long for will come to us, but it was lovely to see how God worked in the soul of one woman through heavenly friends. I would recommend this book to grown women, but I think some high schoolers and college age readers would like it, too. I could also see men getting something from reading this book, but I don't think they'd connect with it like a female reader would.

Bracket Play

As I noted earlier, there were no books that stood out as fantastic for this month, but several had great moments. I put Colleen Carroll Campbell's book (great alliterative name, by the way) in the bye position because it is one I've worked on listening to on and off for a while.

The first round was easy to determine, with the two weakest books going out first round (After London, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel). Bearing False Witness was a good book, but I did have to skip parts, and it's something that's going to be more of a reference for me later, as needed, if needed, so I decided that Aggressively Happy should win. That book had some good takeaways and I enjoyed listening to different sections of it. I like her writing voice.

However, some enjoyable chapters and good writing voice are not enough to carry one through. I gave the win in the second round to Campbell's book, because her work actually made me decide that I want to write a letter to the author. I don't know if or when that might happen, but I put the idea on the back burner. I did end up having Fingal's quest beat the religious book (cue guilty feelings), but much of the book about the Eucharist was information that I was already familiar with. I think I picked the children's book as winner in this battle because I appreciated how it made real the idea that inordinate love of people, pleasures, or other good things can keep us from giving our whole hearts to God. It's something I know, but ideas can become more real when approached in a story. But, now that I'm thinking about it now, I might give the win to Seven Secrets of the Eucharist because it did have some really great points that were fruitful reflection for me. 

The ultimate winner was Campbell's book, something of a memoir of her life as a young adult through her early thirties and the ways her faith grew in those years. She asked many questions that I myself ask at times, and there were lots of feelings had from reading the book. I may disagree with my bracket at the end of the year, but this is what it is for now.

Books Attempted and Put Down

From Little Houses to Little Women: Revisiting a Literary Childhood, by Nancy McCabe

A Kansas native (who lived in Wichita, KS at one time!) reflects upon her childhood reading.

Why I picked it up: I first became interested in this title because it was on the library shelf with some other books that looked highly interesting to me - works like The Readaloud Family and The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction. I figured I may as well go ahead and try it.

Why I put it down: This had the fixings of being the sort of pro-reading, pro-children's-lit book I have enjoyed in the last year, but...it wasn't. In spite of the local connection with the author, I felt like my outlook on life, general worldview, and reading tastes varied quite a bit from McCabe's. I didn't like the feel of the introduction. A page into the actual book, I decided to flip through the book and see if this was actually the sort of book I thought it was. I couldn't tell how the author was going to structure it, based off the chapter titles, leaving that question unanswered. That, and a snippet of a rather unsavory anecdote she shared late in the book, convinced me this wasn't the sort of book I'd want to dedicate time to reading.

Reading Together: Sharing in the Wonder of Books with a Parent-Child Book Club, by Brown, Bettencourt, Doherty, Lowe-Rogstad, and McCann

Five moms and five kids formed a book club that met monthly and lasted from first grade to twelfth grade.

Why I picked it up: Same exact reason as the book above.

Why I put it down: Wow, two for two of picking a book from a historically good shelf and not loving it. There were two main reasons I put it down: there were warnings and disclaimers that, while important to say, left a bad taste in my mouth from the wording or focus, and the formatting of the book itself. The disclaimers had some of the feel of cancel culture - the focus was more on problematic authors rather than problematic content. While I think knowing about an author might sometimes help readers understand a work a bit better, I will say that I put books down for problematic content much more often than for questions I have about the author's failings. So, that first disclaimer set a negative tone. Secondly, each page is set up in two columns of text, with text pullouts and illustrations - it made it look like a magazine. Visually, it was way too much for me - I mean, this is a full novel-length book. The format really decided it for me, so I put it down. While it was a bummer to have two books in a row not pan out, it was also nice, in another way, to have a lot of potential reading time freed up for books that I'm confident I will enjoy.

Bambi, by Felix Salten**

The book that inspired the Disney movie by the same name, about a deer named Bambi.

Why I picked it up: It had made it onto my to-read list, and it was available for free from Audible.

Why I put it down: I had barely started it, but I wasn't impressed by the dialogue in the opening chapter. I figured that, with so many books out there that I want to try, I didn't want to waste time on a talking animals book that I wasn't enjoying.

Archimedes and the Door of Science, by Jeanne Bendick

An informational book that includes science and tales of Archimedes and his contributions to math and science.

Why I picked it up: This book was also from my brother and his wife, and was a title on my to-read list.

Why I put it down: I found out this wasn't a story story, it was a book made to teach. While I appreciate that this book takes seriously the idea of reading to learn, I expected more story when I picked it up. This book didn't quite seem to know what it was...a textbook about a famous Greek? Or an informational not-really-story novel? I suppose adults learn more about specific subjects from reading books, but this is not what I planned to spend my time reading. I'm glad I can cross it off the list and move on to the next one!

The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared, by Alice Ozma

A young woman recounts her experience of her father reading to her for at least ten minutes a day in a years-long effort called "The Streak."

Why I picked it up: Alice Ozma was interviewed on the Read Aloud Revival podcast, and it sounded interesting.

Why I put it down: What I thought would be a book focused on the excited of reading and an epic challenge turned into what seemed to be a series of vignettes about her life growing up. Books were mentioned in every chapter, of course, but I found I wasn't loving the vignette approach, and the stories weren't bringing me joy. When I looked at the title again, I realized that, of course, many vignettes would feature her father because the two foci of the book are books and her father. I found an early chapter about a boy-hating club a little off-putting, but I really wasn't connecting with the stories in general. This might be a great book for someone else, but it wasn't quite what I expected or was wanting to read right now.

The Mapmaker, by Frank G. Slaughter

A fictional account of the swashbuckling life of Andrea Bianco, a mapmaker of Renaissance times.

Why I picked it up: I think this book came from a massive cleanse a former homeschooling parent was doing of the family library; the sale was advertised on Facebook. It had been sitting amongst my children's books for years, and I finally decided this was the time to sit down and actually figure out what this story was about.

Why I put it down: First of all, this is not children's historical fiction. It took a few pages to get started, but then moved into an action-packed sequence, which was good for the reader. However, I was uncomfortable with a few analogies that the author had made that I found to be in questionable taste. I then discovered I didn't really like the main character, who seemed concerned with only his own wellbeing. That can be addressed during the course of a book, but when the main character employs deception about his religious beliefs to save his own skin, followed up by thinking romantically about the the lovely woman he just met, I figured this book didn't warrant any more time from me. There are too many other books I want to read.