February 2025 Book Bracket
Talk about striking out this month - but this time, it was with audiobooks! It was kind of a relief to end the Audible subscription this time because I think I've listened to most of the free-to-access-through-my-subscription books that I had any interest in. However, the high number of discards did not prevent me from plowing through 15 books total this month! I have snow days, sickness, and quite a few audiobooks, after all, to credit for this high count.
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson**
A woman with autism who worked as a specialist in the humane treatment of animals in slaughterhouses describes how her experiences as an autistic person could shine light on animal behaviors.
Why I picked it up: I've been interested in learning more about Temple Grandin for a while. I finally got around to listening to one of her books when it was available on Audible.
My impressions: There were aspects of this book I enjoyed, some I took with a grain of salt, and some I didn't love so much. As far as the things that I found less likeable, there were some uncomfortable stories about animal (and human) behavior, as well as a chapter here and there, that I skipped through. I found her conclusions about the way the world works didn't always align with mine. While some information wasn't as interesting to me, I really liked hearing about many of her experiences working with animals. The best moments reminded me of what it was like to read James Herriot stories, with his observations of the creatures he met with as a big-animal veterinarian. Some of the animal research was quite interesting, too. Much of what she discussed is not conclusive, but it was interesting to hear her take on things, particularly when she considered how animals may or may not be more similar to autistic individuals than neurotypical individuals in some ways. This book has some fascinating elements, but it's not one that I'd recommend without reservation; it is a book for adults, because it deals with sometimes distressing stories and more mature topics, but it has a lot to draw in readers, too.
I Saw Three Ships, by Elizabeth Goudge
This short tale weaves together an old English Christmas by the sea with the traditional Christmas carol "I Saw Three Ships."
Why I picked it up: This book has been on my to-read list for FOREVER and I wanted to check it off. Also, I tried to get it in to be a Christmas read, but it came a month late. Oh well! Better late through inter-library loan than never.
My impressions: I'm not sure what makes for a Christmas story - the ones for children generally seem to have to do with orphans and homecomings, as does this tale. It is a sweet tale, and a short one, and it ties up nicely at the end. Goudge does a nice job of letting the reader chew a little bit on what's happening, instead of making it blatantly obvious. Some things have to be inferred. There were several sentences that were lovely and explicitly caught my attention - I will have to read more of her work at some point! I was a little uncomfortable with how a religious item (a rosary) was handled, but it wasn't a major concern. I could see this being a story that a child reads and then loves to revisit at Christmas time as they grow. It could also be a nice little read-aloud to do as a family as Christmas approaches.
The Literary Medicine Cabinet, by Haley Stewart*
Catholic blogger and mom created a short ebook about what she calls "the literary medicine cabinet," which is the equivalent to what I call "stress reading".
Why I picked it up: This has been floating on the edge of my radar for a while, and I decided to make the purchase and see what it was.
My impressions: This is a good starting place for women who know they want to either read more or reflect upon the books they turn to in difficult times. This is not a great book for women who are already readers and/or have spent a good amount of time thinking about their reading habits. It is essentially a book list with some reflections thrown in, which is good in its own way - just not worth the price you pay for it if you're already advanced in terms of being able to think of a good book to help you through a stressful time. It was interesting to consider insofar as what a book-moir can be - a personal reflection on books and stories that have accompanied us in life - this one was short and sweet. My favorite part was reading her take on which Jane Austen novel to read first, as well as her recommended order (which you might be able to find in her published book Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life.
The Lost Girls of Paris, by Pam Jenoff
Historical fiction set in World War II which focuses on women recruited to be spies in France to prepare for D-Day.
Why I picked it up: A galpal and I were trying to decide which book to read next, and this one seemed the more appealing.
My impressions: I didn't exactly read this book all the way through - so I have some guilt about saying I read it - but I got through a lot of it. It does a good job of switching back and forth between a few timelines, showing characters solving riddles and putting together pieces of what happened along with the reader. The storylines float between three women, and that's not too many for this book. There were some parts I didn't like and really wish hadn't been there (references to a one-night stand and running into the guy throughout the book), and of course, it was very sad (the sadness was starting to affect me, which led to more skimming, and then skipping). The writing didn't stand out as being good or bad, per se. The ending, so far as I understood it, wasn't really satisfying in the feel-good sort of way that I would like it to be. I wouldn't recommend it myself - others might enjoy it more if they're alright with skimming sections here and there, but it wasn't quite my cup of tea.
Crispin, by Avi**
A 13-year-old English peasant of the high Middle Ages finds himself hunted as an outlaw following his mother's death, and he finds widening perspective in a broader world in the service of a juggler.
Why I picked it up: I tried reading this book a while ago and didn't make it far. This Newbery Medal winner was available on Audible, so considering my interest in the Medieval period, I decided to give it try.
My impressions: This book had some good elements for making an adventure story, but it just didn't strike me as a book to give a prestigious medal to. The author did a good job researching and worked hard to create an atmosphere that provided the reader's senses with what the Medieval world would have looked and smelled and felt like. But, for all that, it sometimes felt more like a fantasy world than a good recreation of what the Medieval world may have been like - this may not be a fair assessment, but that was my feeling. There were many overt references to the Catholic faith - unfortunately, it seemed like a great many of those references were oaths taking the Lord's Name in vain. The characters that we spent the most time with had some complexity to them. One priest was represented in a very positive light, one former monk in a mixed one. The great reveal of the story has to do with a child born out of wedlock, and it spends a good chunk of time talking about it...so that's kind of uncomfortable content for a children's book. Overall, I'm not thrilled that I spent time listening to this book, and don't recommend it to others. There are two other books following this one in the series, but I feel no urge to actually read them - I was quite content to look up brief synopses on Wikipedia. I think this listen confirms to me that Avi's works just don't do it for me, and that's okay.
For the Love of Mary, by Fr. Daniel-Maria Klimek, T.O.R.
A Franciscan friar and priest dives into Marian devotion, explaining the whys and hows of loving her better.
Why I picked it up: My sister, who went off to discern religious life, gave away her books to family, and this was one. She personally knows the author. My husband read this book before me and spoke highly of it, so I knew that I had to pick it up next for my adoration and morning meditation read.
My impressions: This is the best book about Mary I've read in a long time. I'm planning on making a deep dive post about it soon, but I highly recommend it to Catholics and to those who are not Catholic but would like to understand her and/or devotion to her better. There was one chapter that focused on her power against demons and there were some creepy parts in it that I skipped or skimmed through, so it would be good for people to know before just handing this book to a kid.
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams**
A journalist travels the world to learn from scientists what it is that makes nature so restorative to people living in modernized, and often urbanized, landscapes.
Why I picked it up: This book recently came onto my to-read list when I saw a physical copy at a new local Barnes & Noble. I found it available for free through Audible shortly after.
My impressions: Of the two nature books I've read recently, this one was not my preferred, but it still got me out walking in the cold with a better attitude than I would have had before. I think there are good pieces to the book, and it was interesting to hear about the different kinds of experiments that are being conducted to find out more about how people benefit from nature. Also fascinating was learning that a certain percentage of people just don't seem to find restoration in nature. Part travelogue, in a way, and part investigative journalism, it had some sense of structure by looking at how the body receives natural input via each of the senses, but I don't recall a stronger sense of direction than that. One of the flaws of this book was that there weren't really definitive answers about why being in nature is apparently so good for people. Rather, there were lots of experiences the author reported about participating in then-current studies that were trying to find that answer. She did draw some conclusions at the end about what people could do to improve their lives and living environments by incorporating nature, but I think it was more helpful to me just to listen to the audiobook and absorb osmotically the idea that I should be getting outside and walking more. This could be a good book for adults to read who are interested in learning more about the human-nature connection, but I'd recommend Last Child in the Woods over this one.
Once Upon a Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan**
This work places brings the fictional Oxford math student, Megs, into encounters with the historical figures of C. S. Lewis and his brother, Warnie, as she tries to find an answer to her sickly brother's question, "Where did Aslan come from?"
Why I picked it up: I wanted a change in feel to my audiobook lineup, and this one seemed like it could be a good one to mix things up.
My impressions: This work of historical fiction, a work of love honoring C. S. Lewis, is a sweet story of a family's love for a sickly family member. Its themes are worked out through the book, leading to a fitting ending that hits the right notes. Some elements felt like they were a little too obvious, but there were fun Easter eggs, too. I think my main complaint was that much of the book felt like a retelling of C. S. Lewis' work Surprised by Joy, mixed in with what sounded like quotes from his published works. There's a little bit of romance, pretty mild and sweet. The book was nice, but I think I'd just recommend reading C. S. Lewis' original works, rather than reading a work which makes him into a fictional character.
Don't Overthink It, by Anne Bogel**
A book lover and lifelong overthinker share personal experiences of overthinking and practical ways to overcome this mind-numbing tendency.
Why I picked it up: It was available for free through Audible, and I'd enjoyed listening to another of her books in audio formant.
My impressions: This is a solid book for getting some strategies for fighting overthinking, but I think some people with overthinking tendencies will benefit more from it than others, depending on where overthinking stems from. I'd say probably a good quarter or third of the book felt pretty applicable to me, but much of the author's descriptions of overthinking didn't quite sound like my particular flavor of it. I liked that there were very practical strategies to try out, but I also had the feeling that what worked for her may not necessarily work for all overthinkers...or, that could just be my impression because much of the book didn't quite feel like it applied to me...or am I overthinking that impression? It was fine as a book, just perhaps not quite what I needed in my life just now.
Anna Hibiscus, by Atinuke**
Anna Hibiscus is a little girl growing up with a big extended family in Nigeria, where she gets to have many adventures!
Why I picked it up: I heard about the Anna Hibiscus books from the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, and it was available through Audible.
My impressions: This is a sweet and charming book that gives a window into the difficulties, beauty, and wonder of having a big, loving family. I think the physical book would have had illustrations, but this audiobook was delightful to listen to. Anna has a life very different from my own, but I found myself connecting with her in so many ways along with getting to see the world through a different person's eyes. I don't think I've read many books that take place in Africa, so this was really cool to listen to for that reason as well. This would be a great read-aloud book, and even though I don't feel like I have time to read more books in the series, I highly recommend this one and want to file away the thought, "I want to read this to my kids!"
My God and My All: The Life of Saint Frances of Assisi, by Elizabeth Goudge
One of the few nonfiction works by a British novelist, this book explores the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Why I picked it up: This one was on the list of books to read for a book club I participate in.
My impressions: This was a wonderful book about a saint and I'm very glad to have read it. The prose felt naturally gorgeous, not a consciously-trying-to-be-beautiful prose kind, which was really refreshing. Parts of St. Francis' life called me out in my own, but his example is just incredible and beautiful. I can see why so many people love this saint, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. I did a deep dive post on this book, so more of my thoughts can be found there. I recommend this book to anyone, high school-aged or older (and maybe middle school-aged) who wants to learn about St. Francis or just could use having a really great saint biography in their life.
The Science of Middle Earth: A New Understanding of Tolkien and His World, Edited by Roland Lehoucq, Loic Mangin, and Jean-Sebastien Steyer
This hefty collection of essays looks at Tolkien's Middle Earth works through the different lenses of various scientific fields.
Why I picked it up: When I saw this book sitting on the shelf at the bookstore (or somewhere?), I knew I wanted to read it! I was at the central library this last month and decided now might as well be the time to try it out.
My impressions: This was not as impressive as I wanted it to be, so I'm glad I didn't impulse buy it after all. There certainly are good essays - I really enjoyed some that looked at how realistic the landscapes would be based off the maps and what we know about geology, weather, etc., some that looked at the physical makeup or feats of characters (only some were appreciated!), and others that considered the creatures he mentions. I was not impressed by the first section of the book, which I would call "soft sciences" - psychology, philosophy, economics, etc. Some of these were less enjoyable because the authors were approaching their topic with a very different worldview than me, and a few times, I didn't think they did Tolkien justice in the assumptions they made about what his attitudes might have been towards [x] or [y] or [z]. I skimmed or skipped as needed most heavily in this section, although I wasn't shy about skimming later in the book, too. I think I was disappointed at not being charmed by this book like I thought I would be. I think applying the sciences to Tolkien's work, trying to figure out how "realistic" the fantastical creatures might be, for example, actually takes some of the magic away. Isn't one of the great benefits of fantasy the fact that you don't feel obligated to scientifically justify the way things work, like you might feel in science fiction? Besides, Tolkien wasn't writing to describe physical realities - he was writing to communicate universal truths, and those you can't just run through a sieve of a particular field without losing their essence in the process. I'd say, if you want to read commentaries on Tolkien's world, stick with literary analysis. This work might be fun in parts, but it might be something to sample rather than read through. It gets into some...um...things that I wouldn't be comfortable letting a child read, but it might be good to be careful if handing it over to a teen, too.
Caffeine, by Michael Pollan**
One man dishes on the history of caffeine, as experienced through tea and coffee, and chronicles his own experience of foregoing it for a while, and then reintroducing it to his life.
Why I picked it up: This is one of the few Audible free titles that I started and also finished late in the month.
My impressions: It was interesting to have the histories of these two enjoyable beverages in one place. It was also interesting to learn more about how caffeine affects the body. It makes me grateful that I'm not addicted to it, but I'm also looking forward to enjoying it in the future, too. I think people who are tea or coffee drinkers could appreciate this book, especially since it's so short. The only thing missing is that it doesn't touch on energy drinks, or caffeine replacement substances used in other drinks, which I am curious about, even though I don't drink them myself.
Spy School, by Stuart Gibbs**
Benjamin is thrilled to be recruited to Spy School by a real-life CIA agent, but quickly discovers that the school - and the circumstances of his "qualification" for it - are not what they seem.
Why I picked it up: A coworker told me about the State Library of Kansas, and how it can give cardholders access to more audiobooks, ebooks, etc. beyond what might be available through my local library. I set up an account, and based on an Audible article about great audiobook listens in children's literature, I checked it out.
My impressions: This was a fun book that had a cool mystery element to it, but it is not without its flaws. The book had a kind of adventurous feel, and it really reminded me in many ways of the Brandon Sanderson Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarian series, so if you enjoyed those books, you might consider this one. However, I did notice that there were several instances of swearing or using cuss words sprinkled throughout, a few allusions to spy activities of a - ahem - romantic(?) nature (think James Bond-style spying), and several descriptions of women having curves or wearing form-fitting outfits. I wouldn't say that the story line was particularly inspired (maybe because I'd encountered a similar feel in the Alcatraz series, which precedes it?), but it was a pretty fun little story. I know that part of the appeal of the book is that it plays with the idea of how spies get trained and, therefore, works with spy movie tropes, but some of those references to genre stereotypes and the presence of cussing made me feel a little uncomfortable about handing the book out indiscriminately to kids. I would consider reading more of these books in the future if I was in the mood for it, but I probably won't any time soon - there are another 11 to 12 books in the series and I felt like I got enough in the first one to last me for now.
Flora and Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo**
Flora, an avid comic book reader and born cynic, teams up with a squirrel that has gained superpowers after an encounter with a vacuum while continuing to navigate life after her parents' divorce.
Why I picked it up: This book was a Newbery Medal winner, and I wanted to give it a try. This was the second audiobook I accessed through the State Library of Kansas.
My impressions: I don't know if Kate DiCamillo's style is for me. I feel bad saying it because she's won the Newbery Medal - twice, now, with this work - but it's the second book of hers I've read and I didn't love it. Good elements include messages of hope, connection, and the importance of family. The squirrel really is a delightful character, too. Not-so-great elements include the sadness of witnessing a family broken by divorce, and a mother who is a romance novelist and really not a super likeable character. I didn't really enjoy Flora that much, either. I will say that the author does well with her depiction of the wounds of divorce and the effect it can have on different family members, and the ending leaves the reader with hope that the family situation can be mended. Also, does DiCamillo have a thing about elderly women with life insights in every novel? She's two for two of the books I've read so far. I'm going to give DiCamillo another chance because there's a book I want to read because I might be able to discuss it with my nephew, but while I can see how this book might really hit the right way for some readers, it's not one that I recommend as a "must read".
Bracket Play
It turns out that 15 books makes for a messy bracket. I did the best I could with what essentially were three play-in matches as part of the first round. I tried to group books with similar books, and here's what we have:
Play-in round: The first nonfiction play-ins saw the caffeine book - easy, informative, interesting - beat Temple Grandin's work, which was very mixed in terms of my really liking some parts and really disliking others. The children's lit play-ins gave the victory to Spy School, which I enjoyed for the most part more overall than the Newbery Medal winner, even though Spy School's writing was not nearly as refined. Don't Overthink It won over Haley Stewart's very short ebook, but that's mostly because there wasn't much to Stewart's book beyond the booklist and her thoughts on reading - which I really enjoyed and agreed with. It just would have helped to have had more.
Round 1: The book about Mary was so good that it blew through the competition in every round, until the last one. The Middle Earth-science mash-up was no match. Caffeine won again over the book about the benefits of nature, which was good, but not set up super well and with a lack of cohesive conclusion due to the ongoing quest to understand how nature is good for us. The book about caffeine was pretty straightforward and had established research to rely on. Elizabeth Goudge's Christmas story of children definitely beat Crispin, which was another underwhelming Newbery Medal winner for me. The delightful Anna Hibiscus took out Spy School. Of the British post-war historical fiction books, I'd definitely say Once Upon a Wardrobe was better. And, like For the Love of Mary, Goudge's St. Francis biography, My God and My All, ate up all competitors until the final round - there was no overthinking saying goodbye to the book about overthinking.
Round 2: Only 6 books left! The St. Francis book technically got a bye on this round, but Anna Hibiscus also fell easily to For the Love of Mary.
Round 3: In the final round, a real competition finally appeared. As much as I wanted to give both books the crown, I knew from finishing Fr. Daniel-Maria's book that his work would be the winner this month. I did make a note that My God and My All is a close second, just so I wouldn't have to deal with extra competitors in the end-of-year bracket, but it's tough to not give such an excellent book the victory.
Books Attempted and Put Down
The Father's Tale: A Novel, by Michael D. O'Brien*
A father leaves his small Canadian town for a world-traveling journey to find a son he fears has been swept up in a cult.
Why I picked it up: It was for a book club I'm part of. I found this ebook through the Formed app through my parish.
Why I put it down: This book was too long, too repetitive, and too dark of an outlook in the prose. I didn't make it halfway into this thousand-page tome, but what I accomplished was through increasing levels of skipping through paragraphs and pages that felt irrelevant to the story. I can appreciate that this author takes his time and works to develop a deeper meaning for what is going on - it's not just an adventure with an interesting premise; it's a look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the perspective of the father. I wished I could have gotten further for the book club, but at the same time, I'm kind of relieved that I put it down and can focus on books that I'm much more interested in reading (and enjoying a lot more).
The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins
A large yellow, Indian diamond given to a young British woman on her birthday disappears, and after a death or two and a series of difficulties, the mystery of its whereabouts - and who stole it - is solved.
Why I picked it up: This one was on a list of recommendations at some point; I had enjoyed the author's The Woman in White to some degree previously.
Why I put it down: Something a melancholy character said made me suspect that she would commit suicide at some point in the book, and I'm not a fan of books that have that element. I read the synopsis online and found out I was right. Not concerned about having missed out on this one, although I'm sure some people out there would like it.
The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth von Arnum**
Four women in unhappy marriages rent out an Italian castle and find rejuvenation.
Why I picked it up: Oh, I'd seen this recommended somewhere or other.
Why I put it down: There is a lot of focus on the unhappiness of the women in their marriages at the beginning - and perhaps hints that the husband of one maybe isn't faithful to his wife? I really wanted to get through the initial yuckyness to enjoy the rest, but I didn't have it in me this time. I'm just not in a place to appreciate this book right now.
A Morbid Taste for Bones, by Ellis Peters**
Brother Cadfael, an adventurer who has settled down to the life of a monk, suspects some of the brothers of faking a miraculous cure to obtain the relics of a saint, and must solve a murder when a local leader is found dead.
Why I picked it up: I found this recommended somewhere on a list in the last year or so, and decided to give the Audible version a try.
Why I put it down: The premise of a mystery-solving Benedictine monk was interesting, but I wasn't loving it. There were a couple minor strikes that wouldn't likely register on anyone else's radar, and I just decided from those and the tone that I didn't feel like investing a bunch of time in this book - I was feeling a little burned out by audiobooks this month, actually. I read the synopsis on Wikipedia and I think I was fine missing this one.
