Sunday, May 5, 2024
April Book Bracket 2024
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Deep Dive: The Easter Book
My Thoughts on The Easter Book
Pre-Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 1: Man and Nature
Chapter 2: Farewell to Alleluia
Chapter 3: Pre-Lent and Carnival
Chapter 4: Sackcloth and Ashes
Chapter 5: The Great Fast
Chapter 6: Customs of Lent
Chapter 7: Passiontide
Chapter 8: Palm Sunday
Chapter 9: Maundy Thursday
Chapter 10: Good Friday
Chapter 11: Holy Saturday and Chapter 12: The Feast of Feasts
Chapter 13: Easter Sunday
Chapter 14: Easter Hymns and Music
Chapter 15: Easter Symbols and Foods
Chapter 16: The Easter Season
Hymns and Music
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Gandalf and the Holy Spirit's Silence
When the Spirit is Silent
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
March Book Bracket 2024
March 2024 Bracket
Lost in Thought, by Zena Hitz** (February)
Understood Betsy, by Dorothy Canfield Fisher**
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson**
The Lances of Lynwood, by Charlotte Mary Yonge**
By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition, by Mark Shea**
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, by Chris Grabenstein**
Tales from the Perilous Realm, by J. R. R. Tolkien
Awaking Wonder, by Sally Clarkson**
A Heart on Fire: Rediscovering Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Fr. James Kubicki, S.J.
Bracket Play
Books Put Down
A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken
Friday, March 8, 2024
February 2024 Book Bracket
February Bracket 2024
The Rule of St. Benedict, by St. Benedict - Edited by Timothy Fry, O.S.B.
Time for God, by Fr. Jacques Philippe
Theology of Home II, by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, nad Kim Baile - with Dori Greco Rutherford
Lost Feast: Culinary Extinction and the Future of Food, by Lenore Newman**
Bracket Play
Books Put Down
Inkspell, by Cornelia Funke**
A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
Saturday, February 10, 2024
January 2024 Book Bracket
First Book Bracket of 2024
A respectable number of books were completed for the first month of the year, with almost all of them being books that I checked out from the library. I also enjoyed all of the books I read this month - some more than others, but still enjoyable.
Before Austen Comes Aesop, by Cheri Blomquist
Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke
The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Rumer Godden, Illustrated by Barbara Cooney
This is a short story in which an orphan and a Christmas doll yearn for family for Christmas.
Why I picked it up: This one ended up on my to-read list a while back. It was available through the library, but unfortunately, came available after the Christmas season was over.
My impressions:
I’m really not sure why orphans are such a big feature in Christmas stories.
I’m getting that out there first. Putting that trope aside, it is a great
little story. I could see this being a book that is pulled out and enjoyed for
many years to come. I will try to avoid spoiling too much, but I liked that it
wasn’t just a story about hoping for something and, easy peasy, it was achieved. I appreciated that there was a mildly sinister owl toy that added some flavor to the tale. I
also liked how the author seemed to grasp the perfectly unreasonable
reasonableness that I think kids sometimes have. The illustrations were done
beautifully by Barbara Cooney and really brought the tale to life; it’s hard
to imagine the story without them. This is a book that I wouldn’t mind owning
someday, and while I think girls would appreciate it more, I can see this being
a book the whole family loves.
Tatsinda, by Elizabeth Enright, illustrated by Irene Haas
A fairy-like creature, Tatsinda, is an outsider due to her different appearance, but her weaving skills take on great importance when a giant invades Tatrajan in search of special stones.
Why I picked it up: An author discussed Elizabeth Enright as one of her inspirations, and this was the work of hers that looked most interesting to me – and it was available through the public library.
My impressions:
This was a sweet little fairy tale that made me think a little bit of the delight
I felt at reading The Ordinary Princess or
The Princess and the Goblin for the
first time. It was much shorter and not quite the same level, but I could see
this being a book I would have had fond memories for if I’d read it as a kid.
This is another book that had illustrations that just help make the story –
they were lovely, and the stylization went well with the tale. There was a
little world-building, but not too much – it was just right. A straightforward,
simple story. There is some magic involved, but I think it’s the more neutral “incantation” kind (see review of Book Girl). There’s a little bit of needing
materials and uttering something for a spell, but the magic seemed pretty mild overall. I
liked that one, or perhaps both bits of magic employed in the tale didn’t end
up being what saved the day – it was the efforts of the characters. Girls would
likely enjoy this story more than boys, but I could see all kids enjoying this,
especially if it were read aloud and everyone had a chance to see the pictures.
Book Girl, by Sarah Clarkson**
One lifelong book lover explains why women should become “book girls,” or women whose lives are shaped by stories and books, and recommends titles to help them become so.
Why I picked it up: I started hearing about Sarah Clarkson within the last few years and, with my current Audible subscription, I was able to listen to this one for free.
My impressions:
This was a book that was worth reading. I already knew a lot of the ideas
behind the author’s philosophy on books due to her being featured on several
podcasts, including “The Read Aloud Revival” podcast. I agree with where she’s
coming from, and I thought she had interesting things to say – particularly about
magic and how it is used in books (a brief section). She argues that, if magic
is presented in a book just as a neutral power in a fictional world (like
electricity in ours), then it’s fine (incantation). So, think Lord of the Rings – and even Harry Potter, she argues. This is
different than magic by invocation, or calling on spiritual beings (the occult)(invocation).
It doesn’t mean I’m going to just pick up and read Harry Potter now, but it’s an interesting thing to think about.
This was a very brief section of the book (Chapter 35), and she had lots more
to say. Since she comes from a Christian, but not Catholic, background, some of
the many books she recommends aren’t quite as interesting to me since there's no guarantee they'd line up with Catholic theology, but I still took recommendations. I’d
already read some of the works she recommends, but there were many I haven’t
heard of. This book got me thinking about how books may or may not influence me
– there may be a blog post coming for that in the future. I think any book
lover or woman who wants to get into reading more would appreciate this book.
There’s a lot of information in here that’s good for everyone, but Clarkson
definitely targets a female audience. This book would definitely be best
enjoyed as a physical book or even ebook, as there are many book recommendation
lists and it’s hard to find exact spots in an audiobook.
The Read-Aloud Family, by Sarah MacKenzie
Bracket Play
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Year 2023 Final Bracket
Finding the Best Book of 2023
Best in Genre
Monthly Winners
Books that Affected Me 2023
Reflections on the Impact of Books
I started January 2024 with many books being read, including an audiobook by Sarah Clarkson. In Book Girl, Clarkson outlines the whys and hows of women becoming "book girls," or women who are formed by stories. At first look, this book didn't seem to have too many revolutionary things to say to me. After all, I've seen books make big impacts on my life. I've experienced what Clarkson talks about, but really, I don't know that I'd say I'm "story-formed." Lots of content comes in, but it doesn't necessarily make a lasting impact on my life.
Or does it? When I thought about how I wasn't looking forward to doing the end-of-year book bracket because there were so many good books, I realized that there was a reason I'd have trouble deciding which book "won" in 2023. I could think of several books that had had enough of an impact on me that, off the top of my head, I remembered insights that I'd gained, resolutions formed, or attempts made at changing habits that were inspired by several of the books I'd read in the last year.
Maybe there is something to what Clarkson says - maybe the books I read do affect me more than I originally figured. This post is an attempt to call out the books that, in big ways and small, did something positive in my heart or mind this last year.
On Marriage and Family Life, St. John Chrysostom
The takeaway mentioned in the month I read this was that this book helped bring home to new-bride-Jessica that she's not her own anymore - she belongs to her husband now that she's married. It's a takeaway that faded after the initial reading, so I'm glad I came across it again.
The Heart of Perfection, by Colleen Carroll Campbell
I wouldn't be opposed to buying this book for myself and making the reread happen this year. This book had a lot to say to me about perfectionism and it's toll on the spiritual life. It gave me more books I want to read (including one I asked for for Christmas) and the saintly examples provide encouragement. In a lets-not-think-about-it-too-much kind of way, the anti-example actually stuck with me more strongly and helps me understand why Jansenist tendencies are so harmful.
With All Her Mind, edited by Rachel Bulman
This book was a delight to read, but the biggest impact it had on me was the instillation of a desire to write more. I wrote 26 blog posts in 2023, as opposed to 12 in 2022, and I have enjoyed it. I like writing on topics that are interesting to me, I’ve found a way to engage more deeply with books I find interesting, and it’s been a joy to rediscover some thoughts I’d had on books during rereads of the posts.
Theology of Home, by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, and Kim Baile (photograper)
This book was another joy to read. It had me trying out candle light dinners and thinking about hospitality. Most importantly, it helped me realize that whatever I desire in an earthly home will have its perfect fulfillment in my heavenly one. It also helped me settle into the idea that the apartment is my home right now, and I can really try to make it home.
Interior Freedom, by Fr. Jacques Philippe
This book opened up what it means to live by the law as opposed to living by love, and how there is much more happiness and freedom in living by love. This book also contributed greatly to a short Advent writing project I completed (after Advent, during the Christmas season, ironically). It was so good that I started read it twice this year.
The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni
This was an amazing classic. The greatest thing it did for me was to provide opportunities to reflect upon how Ignatian spirituality (discernment of spirits) can play out in the lives of believers – and non-believers, too. It’s also a great work for considering how to write about a Catholic culture and making it seem natural, as well as character studies and how to have characters say beautiful and Catholic things without being preachy.
You Did It to Me, by Fr. Michael Gaitley
This one gave me a better understanding of what it means to give alms from your need. It also helped me reflect upon how I judge certain people and what I could do to love them more. One very small change in my life is I try to make time to take students to the water fountain if they say they're thirsty. I don't always, but I've done it more often because I remember that giving a child of God a cup of water for no other reason than they are God's child is an act that will not be without worth.
The Narnia Code, by Michael Ward
This one really had me analyzing and responding to its premise. It was one of many works that gave me desires to engage with The Chronicles of Narnia in a more creative way.
Consoling the Heart of Jesus, by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC
I think one of the major themes I encountered in books this year was “mercy.” I didn’t read the book in the way it was intended to be read, but I still benefited greatly from it. I have tried consoling Jesus and embracing mercy more because of this book.
Searching For and Maintaining Peace, by Father Jacques Philippe
This is one of two rereads on this list. I can’t pick out specific ways it changed me, but as always, reading it convicts me of the need to continue to work towards obtaining God’s peace and maintaining peace in my soul.
No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy, by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
This book reminded me that miraculous conversions definitely do still happen today, and gives me hope for the people whose conversions I pray for.
The Christmas Book, by Francis X. Weiser
It was almost a comfort to read this book – just taking in information about Christmas and the traditions surrounding it was wonderful. I also have a better understanding of how extreme religious views can lead to some pretty wild events.
Redwall, by Brian Jacques
This read-aloud made me want to become a better narrator – I’m hoping maybe I’ll find a little time in the summer to work on that.
The World According to Narnia, by Jonathan Rogers
Objectively, there wasn’t much ground-breaking content here. Personally, one reflection on characters staying faithful to their mission made a major impact on my determination to persevere in something I hadn’t been giving my best effort to.
The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture, by Haley Stewart
This one is kind of like a personal application of the ideas of The Theology of Home. More reflections upon hospitality and what a truly Catholic and counter-cultural life could look like.