July Book Bracket 2025

 July 2025 Book Bracket

16 books last month, and 15 this month! I'm hopeful of reaching a hundred books this year - especially since I'll have to keep reading and listening hard for the summer reading challenges that I'm working on.

The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature, by C. S. Lewis; narrated by Richard Elwood**

C. S. Lewis, a specialist in Medieval literature, wrote book based on lectures he gave concerning the influences that shaped Medieval worldviews and, therefore, the literature from that time period.

Why I picked it up: This was another work I wanted to zip through while I had Audible. It was by C. S. Lewis, and I do find Medieval history interesting.

My impressions: I think that this book is a good resource for those interested in pursuing Medieval studies as well as for those who want to write about this time. This work wasn't the most interesting of Lewis' oevre as it is more academic in nature, but I hadn't really though before about how a conception of fortune, history, or the arrangements of the heavens may affect the literature of a specific time period - and how such things might not have any effect at all on the sciences, although in this period, there was some overlap. I learned about the heavens, humors, Boethius, and other ancient authors whose works were passed down or, in some cases, transplanted into Medieval trappings. At least one portion spoke of suicide as it was commented upon in ancient texts; I don't remember if there were discussions of sexual topics or not. I might revisit this book sometime in the future. This work would be best for mature high school students or adults who was researching the outlook of Medieval folk or their general understanding of space and philosophy, instead of someone who wanted nitty gritty details of daily life during this time period. 

Water Sky, by Jean Craighead George; narrated by Kerin McCue**

Lincoln Noah from the Eastern seaboard spends time in an Eskimo whaling camp while he hunts for his Uncle Jack, who disappeared there several years before.

Why I picked it up: This book was my final listen on Audible for this session. It was on my to-read list, from some other recommended titles list I'd come across.

My impressions: This window into modern Eskimo life explores tensions of racism, modernization, and ecological preservation as it manifests in Arctic whaling. I think this book takes on a lot and does a good job of showing these tensions and resolving some differences, but there is more bitterness than sweetness in the ending that implies that outsiders can rarely be part of the "in" circle of understanding in this situation. To be honest, this message felt most forced of the pretty obvious themes and the least satisfactory to me, perhaps because it was overplayed. In any case, I was more engaged in the story than I anticipated, although the frequent inclusion of Eskimo religious practices - such as asking forgiveness of the animals killed - often, alongside the Judeo-Christian "Hallelujah" - is something that would be good for prospective readers to be aware of. There's also mention of a character obtaining cocaine and being "wasted," so I might be hesitant to recommend it to more sheltered listeners. I didn't like a certain message the author sends about being one's own hero, but there are many other ideas that are neutral or good. There are some other elements that were less to my liking, but not problematic. This book would be upper elementary or middle school reading level as far as the text and comprehension goes, but the drug content and blending of religious traditions are definitely elements to take note of.

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, by John Hendrix

The friendship of CSL and JRRT is explored in graphic novel form.

Why I picked it up: A friend told me I should read this, and she loaned me the book.

My impressions: I think this book is a good introduction to the friendship of these two famous authors, but I would caution readers from taking every view the author presents as absolutely certain. For example, he draws conclusions about why Tolkien distanced himself from Lewis and didn't encourage the writing of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, which although likely to have some truth in them, may not present the whole picture. Especially after reading Holly Ordway's book Tolkien's Faith, and more recently, Diana Pavlac Glyer's Bandersnatch, I am hesitant to assume we know all the dynamics of Tolkien's and Lewis' friendship. I'm uncertain I can even take some of Tolkien's comments at face value. In any case, I do appreciate that the author put a lot of research and love into this project and I think he did an amazing job on that front. However, there was at least one error, and this was regarding the origin of two words. I did fine with depictions of trench warfare in this book, but some more sensitive readers might want to be aware. My favorite part of the book was a last supposed meeting between CSL and JRRT, in which they have the chance to say the things they didn't get the chance to earlier at their own private Inklings session. It brought a beautiful sense of closure to me to imagine with Hendrix what their meeting in the afterlife might be like, and what they might have discussed if they'd been able to end their lives on closer terms after all. This book would be good for any middle school student or older who is a fan of CSL, JRRT, or both, but with the caution that there are depictions of trench warfare and some conclusions arrived at that may not reflect the complete reality of some aspects of their friendship.

Abuse of Language--Abuse of Power, by Josef Pieper

A philosopher warns against the wiles of modern sophistry and explains in what circumstances scientific knowledge can be free - or not - in these two essays.

Why I picked it up: I needed to read a book less than 100 pages for the bingo challenge, and this one had been sitting on my shelf for a while. This may be the best-read few months of my life - look at me getting in some philosophy!

My impressions: This philosophical work took my full attention to grasp, but it seemed decently within the circle of my comprehension. That doesn't mean I can discuss it intelligently, but I'll try to sum up. It was a pretty quick read, but I had to take it in chunks just to let some of it sit for a while. I think I understand ancient Sophists better, as well as how sophistry is the entire aim of modern marketing, and of propaganda. The second essay seemed a bit easier for me to follow, although it helped lull me to sleep (I was short on rest). This essay was about the true freedom of philosophical thought as opposed to the limits of practical scientific knowledge - it is, in a way, a microcosm of his thoughts on leisure, looking at things that are turned to practical purposes and showing how these are not as free as things done for their own sake. This could be a good book if someone wants a little touch of philosophy to consider, or some thoughts by Pieper specifically.

Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be, written and narrated by Fr. Larry Richards**

A Pittsburgh priest urges men to be true men of God and explains how they can do so.

Why I picked it up: Father Larry is speaking at a local conference in the next month, and my husband and I have loved catching pieces of his talks on the radio as we drive home from adoration. This one was available through the Formed app.

My impressions: The book is an amalgamation of his radio or conference talks, but they are wonderful! He has some great stories to share, presents himself authentically, and does a great job of calling men to be great men of God. Fr. Larry challenges men, but also encourages them by believing wholeheartedly that they can become holy men. I enjoyed hearing his story of growing in closeness to God and I'm excited to hear him speak in person. I recommend this book to all Catholic men who are high school aged and older.

Hannah Coulter, by Wendell Berry

A woman looks back on her life of farming, considering her marriage, widowhood, remarriage, and her observations about the big questions.

Why I picked it up: My book club decided to keep meeting during the summer and one of our members requested that we read this one. This is a reread for me.

My impressions: If this book doesn't make you want to turn farmer and invest in land to keep it from being developed to its ruin, I don't know what will. I think I'm finally at a place in my life in which this book can speak to me - at least, more than it did when I first read it in high school. The aches that Hannah feels about the land and how her community has changed are ones that I can feel, too. This book takes its time and isn't afraid to wander now and then. I like the ending, even though it is openended; it still leaves room for hope for the next generation. There are quite a few references to marital activities, although they're stated more tastefully and not at all graphic. It was just more referencing than I was wanting. This could be a good book particularly for women who are married and want a slow and reflective book to ponder.

The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge

Recently orphaned Maria delights in her new home on the ancient family manor, but learns of its sad past and the necessity of her cooperation with her family, friends, and pets to undo the evils of the past.

Why I picked it up: Goudge has been floating around my to-read list for a while, and I bought this book secondhand several years ago at Bookaholic. I had an extra incentive to read it for the bingo challenge, but I'd wanted to read this one this summer anyway after enjoying Goudge's work on Saint Francis earlier this year.

My impressions: This mix of recent history and fairy tale elements was well worthy of Great Britain's Carnegie Medal (the British equivalent of the American Newbery Medal). While the prose was not as gorgeous as I found Goudge's writing to be in her biography of St. Francis, it was masterful and had consistent symbolic imagery that was rich and connected. I struggle with calling this work a fantasy since some of it felt so grounded in real life; rather, I'd say it had some fairy tale qualities that were more mythic than magical. For example, there are references to fairy figures, but no actual magic used. Animals acted with greater intelligence than in real life, but don't cross the line of fantastic. Prophecies and legends and strange physical phenomena play their part, and - perhaps most shocking of all - I found the landscape and scenery descriptions to be just right for this book. The reader is meant to fall in love with the beauty of the property just as Maria does. I don't know the last time I had to look up so many words as I read, but it was good to have my comprehension challenged. I loved the food descriptions and found characters endearing, although there was one page where the characters were speaking about a household member - a dwarf - kind of like he's a second class person. There was a scene where a property is "returned to God", so to speak, and while it was sweet, it also made me uncomfortable because it seemed kind of like a Eucharistic procession without the Eucharist or a proper liturgy. I guess it's the experience of seeing a hollow shell of something that I know and love in its fulness, and it's disconcerting. Also, close relatives marrying each other - no thanks. It is a slower paced book, but there is indeed a plot and problems that are tied up quite beautifully by the end. The ending was ridiculously happy for all involved, but not saccharine for me (although it might be for others). I think that the last two paragraphs are a reminder that, no matter how happy things turn out for us in this life, there is always going to be something that pricks us and makes us long for the happiness of heaven, which will fulfill all our longings. This is a great book and I think many readers from upper elementary and onward would enjoy it, but I'd point out the religious elements look a little off since the characters aren't Catholic.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller*

A Christian minister who formerly had a career as a shepherd provides religious insights into a popular psalm by explaining how caring for sheep works.

Why I picked it up: A cousin had recommended this book to me and it had been on my to-read list for a while. The gals in one of my book clubs agreed this was one that they were up to trying out. I went with the cheapest buying option since I'm trying to limit how much money I spend on books this summer, so I got an ebook version.

My impressions: This book does exactly what it sets out to do - help readers engage more deeply with Psalm 23 by informing about the experience of shepherding. There were a few times when I felt the author went a little long on making religious tie-ins, but I think that's because I've enjoyed stories about James Herriot, a farm-animal veterinarian, and that meant learning about how sheep live and operate were my favorite parts of the book. Keller did provide some insight I was lacking, especially for the second half of the psalm, when the tie-ins to shepherding sheep are not nearly as clear as in the first half. Keller is a Christian rather than a Catholic, which meant I didn't necessarily agree with everything he presented from a theological standpoint. He also seemed to engage in some "declinism" when he makes generalizations about society being worse and more ungodly now than ever - but I can't say that he's entirely wrong: there is a lot that's wrong with our world right now. Psalm 23 is one of my favorites, and I'm glad that I read this book, because I do appreciate it more now. I'd recommend this book to any non-Catholic Christian middle school or older, just with the warning that you might be cautious to accept the theological views as always being completely accurate. So, that makes the recommendation trickier in a way - for concerned Catholics or other Christians, it might be better to approach this one as a read aloud and discussion in a family setting if the reader (or listener) isn't as strong on their theology.

The Bark of the Bog Owl (The Wilderking Trilogy, Book 1), written and narrated by Jonathan Rogers**

In an American-style reimagination of the first recorded events in King David's life, Aidan Errolson finds himself having adventures, from wandering in the swamp to sticking up for his beloved kingdom against a mighty empire.

Why I picked it up: This has been on my to-read list for a while, and since the public library system here had only book 2 of the trilogy, I failed to pick it up until I used one of my last Audible credits on it. Then, sure enough, I found a FOURTH summer reading challenge that assigned 50 points to this book and knew that now was the time to listen to it.

My impressions: This was a fun retelling of the early part of King David's story, one that is lively in its creativity but true to the original in key moments. I recommend listening to the audiobook, since the author also narrates this work and he really imparts the American flavor this story has. It's a good adventure and something that I imagine youngsters - especially boys - might find well worth their time. I'd recommend this book for mid- to upper elementary and beyond. This one would make a pretty good read aloud, too.

Beyond Mulberry Glen, by Millie Florence; narrated by Lyssa Browne**

Lydia doesn't want her life changed by apprenticeship, but finds herself in all sorts of change when she chases down adopted family, makes new friends, and fights the darkness that threatens her world.

Why I picked it up: I heard about it through the Read Aloud Revival; I needed to use an Audible credit, and this seemed like a good one to check out; AND it counts as a 30 point read/listen for one of the summer reading challenges I'm participating in.

My impressions: Excluding frustration from editing errors with chapter order (a later chapter was randomly placed earlier in the narrative), this was a very enjoyable listen to a fantasy story that has some depth to it. It's a squeaky-clean story, and for a young authoress, a very good first work! This was something she self-published several years ago, but then Sarah McKenzie of Read Aloud Revival and Waxwing Books picked it up and it has been rereleased after some revisions, I believe. Lydia's experience of darkness - specifically, through the feelings she has - sounded very much like my lived experience of anxiety and some other more-difficult-to-manage emotions. I loved her focus on Lydia's primary problem (not wanting change) and how that situation developed throughout the story. The characters were not the most sparkling I've read, but many were well-developed and one standout - a librarian hobgoblin - really shone. Some of the figurative language wasn't my favorite, but it didn't hinder the tale, either. Readers shouldn't expect to find the mastery of Lewis or Tolkien here, but they can expect to enjoy a thoughtful, compact fantasy narrative. I'd say beware of audiobook versions - I hope there's been an updated version to fix the chapter flipflop, but I don't know for sure. Besides a few voices the narrator had that weren't my favorite, the audiobook was otherwise solid. Upper elementary and above can enjoy this book.

The Book of Three (The Prydain Chronicles, Book 1), by Lloyd Alexander; narrated by James Langton**

Assistant pig-keeper Taran longs for adventure, but finds the life of a hero is more difficult than he ever imagined it could be when the Horned King scares off the prophetic pig, Hen Wen.

Why I picked it up: I am determined to get a t-shirt from a summer reading challenge, and this one was worth 20 or 30 points. I'd heard of this book before and it's floated on the edge of my to-read list, but wasn't something I figured I'd get around to.

My impressions: This well-written adventure immerses readers in a fantasy world filled with unique characters and a young main character who makes a terrible hero but has the qualities that I think (in the next four book) will help him become one. In that sense, I think we're all like Taran in some way. The action builds nicely, and the language of the characters helps define them as well as create a sense of a world in which there is magic, but also a sense of honor, duty, and friendship. There is magic in this tale, but other than a few things, I didn't think the magical element was too problematic. Both good and evil characters use magic, brief mention is made of obtaining or needing "divining rods" to understand the pig, and a character is mentioned as training to be a sorceress, so I guess those who are more sensitive to magical elements in fantasy might want to read it before handing it to kids. No exploration is made into how the magic works. I am not opposed to looking into listening to more books in this series, but it's one that I'd be content with not finishing. I think the Disney movie "The Black Cauldron" was based more on this book than the second book in this series, which bears that title. I think the reading level would be around upper elementary or middle school, but readers who are nervous about magical elements should note those that I mentioned above.

The Secret of the Swamp King (The Wilderking Trilogy, Book 2), by Jonathan Rogers

In an American-style reimagination of King David's life, Aidan Errolson loyally embarks on an impossible mission to the Feechifen Swamp for the king who hates him.

Why I picked it up: Also on my to-read list after the first and earning 50 points for a summer challenge, this is the one book in the trilogy available at my local library. I'm still trying to work out how this one is in the system, but not books 1 or 3.

My impressions: This book was even better than the first one, and it was a delight to read. It didn't seem to follow the life of King David's younger years super closely, but that was alright with me because it was a great story. There were some mysterious happenings, and although I guessed one major plot point long before it was revealed, there was much that wasn't predictable. I enjoyed the battle at the end, and found Rogers' description of the deep swamp areas to be enchanting. The drama of the climax played out in a way that was lofty and exciting; it was not overdone. This book sets up well for number three, which I'm looking forward to either listening to or reading.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by Jonathan Haidt

A professor and researcher dives into how the mental state of adolescents fell apart, starting in the 2010s, when smartphones spread ubiquitously.

Why I picked it up: This one has professional interest for me and some information that I want to include in a presentation I'm giving at work in a few weeks.

My impressions: I think this author is either on track or pretty spot-on with many of his conclusions about tech, but he has some "hot takes" which may or may not reflect reality, and he tended to be very off about the morality of some of the issues that come up when discussing tech. He presents much of the research with his understanding of it, but with the caveat that new research might reveal more or that there just might be things that he's wrong about. There was also an entire chapter that I skipped because he talked about the, for lack of a better term, "spiritual" things we can do counteract the bad effects of tech, such as going into nature; this chapter didn't seem as data driven, and it certainly wasn't Catholic, so I moved right past it. A friend asked me if I thought it was worth reading. I said...yes, if you're looking for more of the research, but I'd specify the research is about mental health and the timeline of when things started going south for adolescents. It also contains some good broad ideas for what governments and schools can do - as well as specific ideas, especially for parents, but, at least for schools and governments, those are big institutions that would be hard to get change going in. I don't think this is a "must read" if you're already familiar with much of the information on this topic, but it could be useful to those who have professional or strong personal interests in the topic. I would not recommend this book for children, and there were several parts that discussed topics that were too heavy for me personally, talked about sexual activities, or would be important for readers to discern if they were sections that should be read.

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic, by Jennifer Trafton

Persimmony leaves her daydreams of adventures to have a real one in which a selfish young king, worried little man, strict twiggy creatures, and fun-loving frolicking creatures work to solve the mystery of whether or not something is happening with the mountain in the middle of their island.

Why I picked it up: This book has been on my to-read list for a few years and I got it from the library to earn points for a summer reading challenge. It ended up fulfilling a requirement on another challenge, too.

My impressions: This fantasy work was not a remarkable specimen of the genre, although it ended better than it began. The work never really got me hooked and invested, and it was one I would have put down sooner if I hadn't been reading it for a summer challenge. I think it has all the right elements that could capture the imagination, but I think I would've needed a child's imagination for that to happen. Those elements - maps, made-up peoples, magical pots, variegated characters, word play - never quite gelled for me. The characters had some good development, but the ending didn't wrap up as nicely as I would have hoped, and one or two references to hypothetical nakedness and throwing oneself out a tower to the ground that weren't necessary. I don't recommend reading this book, although I think that some children might enjoy it. 

Triss, by Brian Jacques**

An escaped squirrel slave, pursued by an evil ferret princess, connects with other runaway warriors and residents of Redwall as a mysterious terror stalks Mossflower Woods.

Why I picked it up: This book was worth 30 points for a summer reading challenge; I'd put this book down on a previous attempt because the villain's accent was off-putting, but wanted to revisit this story. I found it in audiobook form in the state library system.

My impressions: Though not at the stellar level of some other Redwall titles, this is still a solid representative of the fantasy adventure talking-animal genre. My irritation with reading the accents was completely obliterated by the amazing performance of the cast - led by the author as narrator. This is a solid book - the puzzling element wasn't as robust as in some other books, but better than in Taggerung. This is a great book for any fantasy animal adventure lover, middle school (or even upper elementary) and older.

Bracket Play

Well, this bracket is a right old mess. I'm going to skip to the section of the bracket that has only six titles left. At this point, it hurt to knock out The Secret of the Swamp King, a wonderful children's lit retelling of King David's early years in an American bayou, but it fell to the Wendell Berry masterpiece, Hannah Coulter, a worthy opponent. Father Larry Richards' book about being a man of God beat the graphic novel The Mythmakers, probably mainly because my husband and I have enjoyed listening to Father Richards on the radio so much. Elizabeth Goudge's children's book, The Little White Horse, was so well done that it beat the Christian book reflecting on sheep and a popular psalm in the Bible. This gave The Little White Horse a buy to the final round. Berry's book beat Fr. Richard's to the other semifinal round. In the end, Hannah Coulter won because it was such a reflective book that had me thinking a lot about living in closer connection with land and community, although The Little White Horse is certainly a strong runner up.

Notable Book

The Lost Words: A Spell Book, by Robert Macfarlane, illustrated by Jackie Morris

Words describing the natural world were removed from a children's dictionary in Great Britain because they weren't used often enough by children; the author protests the loss of these words by creating "spells", or acrostic poems, that try to evoke the wonder of these plants and animals.

Why I picked it up: This big picture book joined my to-read list when I became more concerned about the loss of encounters with nature we experience in our world. I hesitated to pick it up sooner because of the descriptions "spell book", but it was also worth points for one of my summer reading challenges.

My impressions: These beautiful pictures helped me imagine more of the landscape and wildlife described in my beloved English literature, while the extremely robust vocabulary had me reaching for my phone to look up definitions. There ended up being very little to worry about, after all, as far as the "spell book" element is concerned. One poem mentions a raven "hexes" as a reply to a question, which I didn't love, but the author mostly meant that these "spells" bring words to life, or sort of make present that which they describe. The illustrations are gorgeous and I'd love to have this book if only as a reference for when I read British lit. However, that one line about hexing makes me hesitant to get a copy right away to just have around to share with kids. I think there's a sequel book, and I'm probably going to look into it, too. I've really put my library system to work this summer! This books is great if you love gorgeous nature illustrations or want visuals for some of those plants and critters that come up in your British novels. This one won't end up on my bracket, but I wanted some record of having read it.

Books Attempted and Put Down

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

This science fiction classic follows a kindergarten-age boy through his recruitment and training for war against an alien race that will certainly return to wipe out life on earth.

Why I picked it up: This book was picked for my book-club-of-two with a friend.

Why I put it down: I gave this one a good college try, but I tried discerning if it was a good book for me to be reading, and it didn't seem to be bearing good fruit. There was a lot I was enjoying about it once I got past some initial yucky feelings, but some of the games and interactions were pretty violent and there was one element about a girl in a boy's wing that made me uncomfortable but stuck with me later.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith

Precious Ramotswe sells her inheritance of cattle and sets up a detective business in Botswana.

Why I picked it up: One of my summer reading challenges calls for a "beach read". I'm not about that romance stuff, so I did some research and this one looked to be a light, fun detective read.

Why I put it down: Light and fun this book was not. It didn't pull me in, so I figured I'd try to find a book that might already be on my to-read list that still would count as a "beach read". 

Literary Considerations: The Element of Coziness

 What is the Essence of "Coziness"?

In the winter of 2024, I decided to pick up a collection of stories under the title of A Year in Brambly Hedge. I had heard of these children's books at some point over the years, and decided to check it out on a whim. The result is that, while my life hasn't changed in any appreciable way just to look at it, this book led me to the conviction that, if I ever am to actually write a work of fiction, it must include some element of coziness in it.

And what is "coziness"? I plan to explore the topic here, looking not at books that I crave when I'm stressed, but at the elements that I've distilled from reading books that have a recognizable ambience of coziness.

Space and Physical Features

Warm, Firelit Location

One of the first elements that comes to mind when I think "cozy" is that the setting has to be warm. One simply cannot have a cozy gathering in a drafty, damp area. Warmth of a cozy sort is almost, of a necessity, created by a fire, and best of all if there is coolness or wetness without. A good, warm autumn day celebrating a homecoming at the end of a Redwall story isn't really a cozy setting, even though it may be a festive one. Rather, coziness may be found at Redwall in Cavern Hole, which, especially during winter months, is typically described as containing a large fire.

Light and Color

Speaking of fire, the light associated with cozy spaces is also important. A yellow or orange glow - literal "warm" light - is a must. The early books of the "Mitford" series feature Fr. Timothy looking longingly across the yard to see the windows of his neighbor's house, which is lit from within by a warm light - I imagine the windows aglow with panes of a honey-hued yellow. Other objects included in the scene should also incorporate warm colors. Cozy spaces in literature typically are described at night, in keeping with the need for a good fire. Here, the darkness of the night brings into relief the strength of the warm colors inside.

Small Area

A cozy area is a small area. The sense of being shoulder to shoulder with neighbors, or even being tucked into a smaller space, such as a comfortable armchair, adds to the sense of comfort. The space need not be packed, but there needs to be some definition to the space. A vast hall fading into dark, unseen recesses does NOT create a homey atmosphere. The "Brambly Hedge" books have some illustrations that demonstrate good, small, firelit spaces.

Vittles

Food: A Sense of Abundance

One cannot be properly cozy without being properly fed. Coziness would never happen on a stomach that isn't full and content. Most descriptions of cozy places are accompanied by descriptions of the food available to the characters in the scene. While a sense of abundance is important, I would argue that "abundance" is not a completely physical reality. A poor family could still provide a cozy feast so long as there is enough food for everyone to eat without feeling concerned about stinting on portions or going to bed slightly hungry. They may not have enough for eating like this every day, but they can provide a fine meal for their guest at least tonight.

Food: Simple but Filling Fare

And, on the topic of food: it's not unusual for the board to be of simple yet hearty options. Basic breads, plain fruits and cheeses, and soups and stews come to mind. There may be tea treats, but one would not expect the fanciful flights of fine cooking. Brian Jacques' Redwall descriptions of the food in Cavern Hole typically lean in this direction.

Hot Drinks

Is it possible to have a cozy scene without a nice warm beverage? Yes, but it is rare. Mulled cider, warmed punch, tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate would be appropriate in such a setting.

Other Considerations

Time of Year

I suppose cozy spaces can exist anywhere and at any time, but "coziness" is the property especially of the fall and winter seasons. Again, the presence of a fire makes coziness less of a thing in the heat of summer - after all, many people are trying to find the cool places in their homes at that time of year. A very cozy scene early in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe features Lucy joining the faun Tumnus for some tea during the winter that has lasted for a hundred years.

Textiles and Textures

A cozy place is replete with comfortable, nonsynthetic fabrics and natural materials such as wood, wax, clay, or stone. The character would not be drinking their coffee from a disposable cup while sitting on a molded chair at a formica countertop; rather, they would likely lounge in a goose-feather overstuffed wingchair of a homely, worn design, an earthenware pipe in mouth, china teacup on the wooden end table, and a fire roaring in the stone or brick hearth.

Hospitality and Solitude

The welcome extended to a friend or stranger is a necessary part of the charm of a cozy place. Brian Jacques does a great job of inviting readers to "visit" Redwall again at the end of almost every book, and this sort of "so grateful you've come, please return someday!" sentiment makes coziness what it is. Now, there is a certain element of solitude that also seems necessary at times; for the quiet reader, solitude indeed makes sense. However, I would posit that coziness is an atmosphere in which others, if they should join, would be made welcome.

Domestic Activities

The practice of domestic activities can also contribute to a cozy atmosphere, specifically if they are related to old-timey food preparations and animal husbandry. Consider the "Little House on the Prairie" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Ingalls family works hard on the farm, but daily chores like baking pies, preserving jams, milking cows, feeding chickens, and darning socks somehow focus the reader into a comforting rhythm of work and rest that feels cozy. Sitting by the fire at the end of the day is all the more restful because it has been preceded by hard labor that warrants rest.

Peace and Quiet

These last elements may be the most important of all. If there is no peace in the hearts of those in the household, coziness will not be present. Additionally, the volume of activities taking place cannot be so great as to disturb the sense of peace. Conversation may carry on, and children may place, or the dog worry at its bone, but raucous laughter, screaming, and barking would violate the peace of the cozy environment.

In a Word: Comfort

In his book Bilbo's Journey, Joseph Pearce shows that Bilbo and Smaug are similar in that they are both greedy for comfort - the dragon through the comfort of riches, but Bilbo through the comforts of home. He is reluctant to give up the comforts of his hobbit hole, whether to share food with guests or to leave it for a time for an adventure. He spend much of his journey longing for the coziness of his home.

When we linger in the coziness of a story, we too are enjoying comfort. When a book calls us to read it on a rainy day from the covers of blankets, we are seeking a physical and emotional warmth. While we, too, are in danger of becoming overly attached to these comforts, it is still important that at least some stories include cozy elements. Theology of Home, by Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering, has a great takeaway that I've carried with me since I first read it: every time we long for a house that is beautiful and lovely and everything we want it to be, we must remember that we are longing for Heaven. We have to keep our final home in mind and not be obsessed with our earthly home. The same can be said for coziness. Coziness isn't everything we should seek in this life, but its appearance in the books we read can be a device that is constantly pointing us toward our ultimate end.

Bandersnatch and Collaboration Ideas

How to Capitalize on the Ideas in Glyer's Bandersnatch

I recently read a book called Bandersnatch, by Diana Pavlac Glyer, and it ended up being the best book I read that month. The book is academic but accessible, practical but open-ended. As someone who has creative aspirations - and, more especially, has friends who would like to work creative muscles - I thought this book could be a helpful guide. Bandersnatch had ideas for creating one-time events as well as regularly planned sessions to encourage creativity.

Takeaways from the Book

Here, I've tried to summarize the summaries that Glyer included at the end of each chapter. I also drew some ideas from the longer chapter texts. My hope is that I've summarized the ideas succinctly enough to not violate copyright. I read this work in ebook format, so I've included the page numbers that were indicated by my Kindle.

1) "Creativity itself is a messy business." (p. 25). It's okay for the process of writing and editing to be full of twists and turns.

2) Great groups might be small and meet in various locations. Sometimes meetings are formal, sometimes they're unplanned. Meet regularly and try to have a structure. (p. 46) Stay focused on your purpose, whether it be writing and critiquing, airing suggestions, or just providing support and encouragement. (p. 195)

3) Be encouraging! Yes, back the project, but also help create an environment in which writing and creativity can take place. (p. 72) This can include taking practical steps for a friend. Support projects with editing, but also with spawning project ideas and reflecting on and celebrating the completed works. (p. 198)

4) We work individually and can have great ideas individually, but our craft can also be greatly refined and complemented by the ideas of others. (p. 191) It's good to have common ground as well as differing perspectives within the group, even though different ideas will likely spark conflict. Correction can be important in the creative process, but it cannot be too harsh or untempered by encouraging, positive comments. (pp. 94-5)

5) Give specific, creative feedback rather than general statements, such as reductions in specific places, placement of sentences, word choice, etc. Seek feedback sooner rather than later. Be open to making changes, but know that the author has the ultimate right to accept and use or reject feedback. (p. 127, 199) Know the difference between not liking something personally and recognizing something is subpar. (pp. 198-9) It's alright to get individual feedback for some things, rather than going to the group (p. 201) 

6) Collaborate! Ideas for projects and writings can spring up in a variety of activities and look nothing like formal collaboration. Don't be afraid to try out a joint project with someone (or several people). (pp. 151-2) Consider being part of multiple creative groups (p. 200), or even consider writing about the people in your creative group (p. 174)

7) On the Inklings finding time: "Yes, we are busy, but then, so were they." ( p. 196) Being in touch helps keep the momentum going.

Regular Meetings

If I were to plan regularly scheduled creativity meetings for my creative group, this is the blueprint I would develop based on the suggestions of Bandersnatch.

First, I would schedule to have regular meetings, once a month, at a minimum. This might not be as frequent as it needs to be to maintain creative momentum, but I fear that scheduling something more regularly, such as every other week, might seem like too much to fit into a packed schedule. Besides, it's easier to mark something like "last Tuesday of the month" on a calendar instead of "every other Wednesday". Ideally, the meeting would begin with a meal and extend through several hours.

The attendees would be those of a certain friend group of creatives. Others could potentially be added on, but the person desiring their attendance must ask permission of the group first. The person to be added would have to be a good friend, as these meetings would likely require a level of vulnerability of its members. Once members are approved, they are encouraged but not required to attend every meeting, with the understanding that attendance is key to maintaining momentum. More flexibility in this area could be accommodated by more frequent meetings.

A potential schedule could look something like this:

6:00 p.m.: Grace said and meal begins, members socialize and catch up; if no meal, snacks and drinks acquired

6:45 p.m.: Dishes cleared, drinks refilled, and group assembles in discussion area

6:50 p.m.: Prayer for the group and God's peace to be present

7:00-9:00 p.m.: Discussion begins of creative works and picking of goals or assignments

9:15 p.m.: Ending prayer and folks head back home (flexible end time, depending on who is hosting and the day of the week)

The 7-9 p.m. slot would probably have a more detailed structure. It would include presentation of work, critical and encouraging feedback, and choosing of the goal for the next session. Next, after people presented the works they'd brought, there could be time for brainstorming if people need something to get them started, collaborative work, more detailed feedback or one-on-one discussions. Troubleshooting barriers to creativity and requests for prayer could be brought up as well. It would be good to celebrate successes and reflect upon them at the end, if they have not come up throughout.

The only accountability would be, if someone misses a monthly session or does not complete the assignment, they are allowed to give only limited feedback - one piece of feedback per piece presented. The person who misses a monthly session will be limited upon their next attendance. I would lean towards no leniency in this matter if only to encourage people to push themselves to meet their goals. Besides, if no one had anything, what would there be to discuss?

One-Time Event: The Writers Retreat

Bandersnatch also gave me some ideas about how to structure a Writers Retreat, an event idea I've tossed around with a friend several times. If the retreat spans two to three days, it might look something like this:

Day 1 (Just an evening, after dinner)

Get settled in rooms. Leave phone in room as much as possible throughout.

Gather in meeting space

Brief opening prayer

Introductory speech explaining the schedule (on handout) as well as remarks about creativity and the purpose of this retreat (to create, socialize, recharge, and especially, to place our works in God's hands)

Socialization, focused on eating snacks and discussing the creative work(s) we want to tackle this retreat (writing, art, craft, trying out something new)

Evening prayer in chapel

Bed

Day 2

Mass, breakfast

Gather in meeting space; pray

Discuss goal for the morning

Dismissed to work on creative endeavors (3 hours)

Lunch: discussion of how things are going, discussing challenges, good moments, but not revealing too much!

Post-lunch prayer and short talk

Continuation of creative endeavors (1 to 1.5 hours only)

Game time! Some variety of board game (different way to stimulate creativity)

Games and socialization until dinner time

Dinner

Rosary

Keynote talk

Half hour of reflection or down time

Walk around the grounds (walking tour)

Day 3

Mass, breakfast

Gather in meeting space; pray

Discuss goal for the morning

Dismissed to work on creative endeavors (only 1-2 hours), working to finish up

Lunch

Presentation of creative projects or parts of projects that people have worked on throughout the weekend

Final (brief) talk

Pray, dismiss

Action Items

Sometimes, a blog post is a nice mental exercise. However, this is the sort of post that needs to have follow up. I'm going to send this to one friend, but also float the idea of a writers retreat by other friends again, and also see if there'd be interest in a regularly-meeting creative group. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to it myself, but it might be something I gain more excitement for if other people are interested in it. However, what I feel most convicted about is the need to pray about what to do. Prayer first, discussion later.

June Book Bracket 2025

 Book Bracket June 2025

What a month for books! My record of 16 forced me to create a new design for my bracket templates. Instead of listening to audiobooks all month, I read just over half my books, either physically or as ebooks. It helps being on a summer schedule, having access to many free books either via the library or Audible, and having a deadline in which to access those books.

In the House of Tom Bombadil, by C. R. Wiley

A pastor reflects on a strange, seemingly incompatible character in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, named Tom Bombadil.

Why I picked it up: I came across this book somewhere and definitely decided that I needed to read it. A friend happened to own it and loaned it to me.

My impressions: This book draws no definitive conclusions on who Tom Bombadil is or what he represents in the story, but the author provides some strong leads to consider, such as Tom's singing, the concepts of mastery and being caught, and domestication. I enjoyed the author showing his love for Tolkien's work by pulling widely and wisely from other sources to make connections with seemingly unimportant elements. This book makes me wish I was a closer reader of texts so that I could pick up on little literary crumbs myself, but I also wished that Wiley had made claims a little bit bolder. I can see how the themes or ideas he connects with Tom make sense, but Wiley didn't help me understand who Tom actually is. Tom can certainly represent happy endings, good domestication, and mastery, but we still haven't come any closer to realizing what sort of being Tom is, which I think any reader who's wondered about Tom wants to know. As much as Tom Bombadil may be a metaphor, he is very much a living, breathing character within the story, and I want to categorize him in my box. Maybe we're not supposed to understand who he is, ever - and that's part of his allure. In any case, this is a quick read and a good one for anyone who's ever pondered the strange fellow with (of all things) yellow boots, but certainly needs to be read only after one has read The Fellowship of the Ring.

I found a quote I liked - of course, it was in the introduction!

"While allegories can artlessly shove meanings beneath our noses, there is no such thing as a story without some kind of morality running through it. And when it comes to fairy stories, the morality very often doesn't hide at all." - Wiley, xiii

Shadows and Chivalry: C. S. Lewis and George MacDonald on Suffering, Evil and Goodness, by Jeff McInnis**

A scholar considers the connection between the thought of Lewis and his literary mentor, MacDonald, as explored through their publications.

Why I picked it up: This had landed on my to-read list and was available for free through Audible. I'd actually put it down for about half a year, but then came back to it when I saw it was still accessible.

My impressions: This academic work dives deeply into the thoughts and writings of Lewis and MacDonald, exploring the similarities and differences in their thoughts, as reflected in their writings. It is probably not the sort of book one would read or listen to to relax, considering all the research that this work dives into, but it provides good information about the ties connecting these two authors. I probably appreciated some parts more because they referred to works I'd already read, while some section considered works (especially by MacDonald) that I've never read, and likely will not, at least any time soon. However, my lack of familiarity with those works did not prevent me from understanding the author or the ideas he was trying to support through referencing the original texts. I certainly feel like I understand some of the disjointed strangeness of Phantastes better now than I did when I first read it five years ago. The first part did get kind of gloomy, particularly when discussing Lewis' poetic publications right after WWI and MacDonald's family losses. This is a good book for those interested in learning more about George MacDonald and his influence on C. S. Lewis, as well as Lewis' engagement with the ideas expressed in MacDonald's writing, but readers will do well to know that this book, as a work of literary criticism, definitely has an academic focus.

Queen of the Sea, by Dylan Meconis

This alternative history graphic novel, set in a different version of England in the tumultuous years when Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, in which young Margaret, who lives on a small island of nuns, becomes more involved in the political plots of he time.

Why I picked it up: A few years ago, I asked a Facebook group about a graphic novel they would recommend I read (for the public library's summer bingo, which ended up not impressing me). This was one of the books that sounded interesting, and I decided it would be one of the books to meet my own personal reading challenge.

My impressions: The art was well done in this book, and I thought there was a good mix of plain, agrarian life and political intrigue. It was interesting and kind of strange to see a graphic novel make a sort-of-Catholic world, with references to saints and religious orders, but all with different names. Even the title (Queen of the Sea) reminded me of the Marian title "Stella Maris," or "Star of the Sea"). I'm not quite to sure what to do with that. The book is pretty large and hefty, but it's not too slow of read because the pictures take up much of the space. I'd say this book is creative and pretty interesting, but I'm not sure that it's one I'd just recommend - I enjoyed it to a degree, but it wasn't a book I'd be likely to tell people they need in their lives. If someone did think an alternative-history-graphic-novel work was just their cup of tea, middle through high-school aged kids could probably read this work, no problem.

33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, by Matthew Kelly

This book, in the style of other 33-day consecrations, prepares readers to consecrate themselves to Jesus in the Eucharist

Why I picked it up: My husband and I went to a local Catholic conference last year, and we were given this book from one of the booths.

My impressions: This book provides some good reflections on the Eucharist and Jesus' importance in our lives in a pretty easy read. I think it was fitting that a book like this should be written during the 3-year Eucharistic Revival happening in our country. It' not the most in-depth book of meditations, but it was set up with good structure and reflections to try to help readers to love Jesus even more. This book is set up so that there's a 3-6 page reflection for each day, so upper elementary and above could probably gain something from reading this book.

Heidi, by Johanna Spyri

An orphan grows to love her mountain life with her grandfather and the goats, and after a stint in the big city, gets to share her idyllic, pastoral life with friends she made while away.

Why I picked it up: I picked this book to fulfill a requirement for a reading challenge I'd made. This one came to mind because it's come up in a few audiobooks I've listened to over the last year that reference it.

My impressions: I think I recalled enjoying reading this book to a degree when I was young, but there's also a reason I haven't reread it. I loved the food descriptions - it made goats milk sound so delicious, even though I doubt I'd like it. There is something sweet about the vivacity with which Heidi takes on life, and a pretty interesting segment in the middle when it comes to light that not all is well with her. However, the book is rather lacking in plot, comes across as a bit saccharine, and has some pretty static characters. Now, I can see where this book has some charm to it; I would not mind visiting the Swiss Alps myself after having read this book. This is book is just fine for elementary age kids to read, but I think that there are much better classics out there to be sampled.

The Explorer, by Katherine Rundell

Four kids find themselves stranded in the Amazon jungle after their pilot dies mid-flight, and have to find a way back to civilization - either with or without help from someone who may have passed that way a long time ago.

Why I picked it up: I think I may have come across this book when I was checking if there was a sequel to Impossible Creatures out yet, and if so, if it was at the library.

My impressions: This survival tale had some intriguing elements, including considering the possibilities of finding a lost ancient city in the Amazon rainforest, but it lacked something in its feel compared with many other similar stories I've read. I'd say it lacked the charm of other survival tales, but I know that's not the right word.. It took me a while to get oriented to the fact that this story took place not too long after World War II - there were clues, but nothing definitive for a good chunk of the book. Once again, I found that the author's writing style - specifically, her use of metaphoric language to describe characters' emotions or physical feelings - didn't work for me. She does a nice job exploring (haha) ideas of discovery and what is "best" for a place and doesn't sound preachy doing it. Some of the kids either are stated using swear words (without the actual words being written out), and once or twice, a milder British swear word is included. There's way too much description of a character's snot. But, on the flip side, there are moments when we see children facing consequences for not obeying or respecting boundaries put in place by adults. There are some exciting bits and lots of survival learning moments, but I think the concluding pages were the best and helped conclude the story in a fitting way. This book was alright, and not one I'd actively tell people to go check out, but upper elementary and middle school-aged readers could give this one a try.

Dreams and Images: An Anthology of Catholic Poets, Compiled and Edited by Joyce Kilmer

This is a selection of poems from Catholic poets.

Why I picked it up: This book came from the library of a relative who was giving away her collection. It had been a while since I'd read poetry.

My impressions: I think it's good to sit down and read poetry once in a while, and it had been far too long since I had; however, I'm not sure about the merits of this particular collection. There were a few poems that certainly did touch my heart in that poignant way that poetry does, and I even wrote down a few for myself to revisit later. However, many of the poems didn't do much for me. So many were about Ireland and Irish lore. I didn't have any context regarding the poets and their time - not that it is necessary for the appreciation of poetry, but there were a few moments when I thought that such background information could have been helpful. There were some names I recognized such as Francis Thompson and Gerard Manley Hopkins, but Belloc and Chesterton were not included in this collection. I don't know why these poets were picked, and the criteria for including the poems listed here, which had me wondering if it was just the personal preference of the compiler. There was a major downside with this volume - there were typos galore, specifically many punctuation marks included extraneously and single letter substitutions. These typos sometimes really distracted me from the poem itself, which was unfortunate. I think this is a wide-reaching sampler of Catholic poems, but I don't know that it has enough merit in itself to recommend over other collections of Catholic poetry.

Premeditated Myrtle, by Elizabeth C. Bunce**

Adolescent Myrtle is convinced her elderly neighbor did not die of natural causes in her bathtub - and takes on solving the mystery in spite of Victorian restrictions for girls of fine breeding.

Why I picked it up: I congratulated myself on not buying this book cheaply at a book fair once, since I don't need more books, but I've been curious about it ever since. It was available on Audible.

My impressions: This is a great murder mystery story for slightly more mature children. I loved the characters and the Victorian setting, as well as the excellent mystery storyline. I was able to put some pieces together along the way, but it took to pretty close to the end of the story for me to figure out who did it - then again, I'm not a very perceptive reader (my husband always can tell what's going to happen in movies before I do). I like the spunky main character, who is precocious and pushes against the restraints of her time period without being a pushy girl-power type. She has that precocious personality and it is simply her. On the downside, the main character made a comment about knowing what "young hussy" meant even though she wasn't supposed to; super mild, but something a young reader might be interested in looking up at that point.  Younger kids and more sensitive types might not find this book is their cup of tea (see: MURDER, heavy focus on death), but upper elementary readers, as well as adults who miss having new Sherlock Holmes mysteries to read, would find this enjoyable. It looks like there are some sequels, so I might look into it the next time I need a murder mystery.

Give Your Child the World, by Jamie C. Martin**

A woman with a passion for learning and caring about people all over the world shares strategies and books for introducing children to people and cultures the world over.

Why I picked it up: This one was on the to-read list and free on Audible.

My impressions: This is a great guide for people who have a real passion for teaching their children to know and love people and cultures from places where they don't live; however, I don't have that passion. I certainly believe we should care about the well-being of everyone, and that there's so much to gain from reading about people who live in different parts of the world. I just don't think that global consciousness is something that will be as big a part of our family culture as it is for the author's family. I appreciate that she breaks down books for different age groups and gives a brief description of what can be found in the books she includes - which span fiction and nonfiction. I found it interesting that she drew attention to individual books discussing religious beliefs, because while I can see the benefit of doing so if parents want to be conscientious about introducing different belief systems to their children, it's also kind of intuitive that books about different cultures might discuss religious beliefs of people who live in those places. I think the "concerned parent" part of me (even though I'm not a parent yet) says, "Thank you!" But the readaholic part of me also raised an eyebrow internally (since I can't lift a single eyebrow physically) and thought that it was maybe a little much to include that indicator, since it seemed like at least half the books mentioned discussed religion or religious elements. I think there was a pretty good mix of content for each continent, but, at least as far as North American literature goes, I thought there could have been more stories from Alaska and Hawaii (I don't recall there being any from those regions). At least one title that I thought should have been included was missing (Call in Courage, by Armstrong Sperry), but I recognize that, in a world full of books, you can't review and include every single one that relates to this theme. This book is probably a resource best consulted in physical form, but it could be a good reference for children as well as caring adults. I got a few reading ideas from this, too!

Zeely, by Virginia Hamilton**

In this coming of age story, Elizabeth and her brother goes to their Uncle Ross' for the summer, where her active imagination builds a royal background for Zeely, the tall daughter of her uncle's neighbor.

Why I picked it up: This book made it onto my to-read list after I came across it in a recommended list, possibly the book Honey for a Child's Heart. It was available on Audible for free.

My impressions: Not a lot happens in this summertime story, but it has some elements that shine. I struggle with books that don't have a lot going on in the way of plot, so this book wasn't my favorite, but I loved how the children and their imaginative games are described. They seemed so true to life! Their sibling relationship also felt extremely realistic in the fact that they didn't always understand each other or get along all the time, but they still loved each other and liked spending time together. There's a good message about being who you're meant to be rather than dreaming you're someone else, but you're not hit over the head with it - there's a slow build to this realization at the end. There's also a subtle reminder to not let your imagination become more real to you than real life. The level of obsession that the main character has with Zeely was also uncomfortable at times. I guess I was that way with the things I was obsessed with in middle school, but it was usually obsessions with music and stories and made up characters, not next door neighbors. It's refreshing to have a story about African Americans that isn't focused on race-related issues (I say that because it's important for all readers to read about people who look like them having experiences that are common to all people, and not defined exclusively by the evils of racism). It's not a book that I'd plan to reread, but I think it would be a fine summer read for upper elementary students.

Rules, by Cynthia Lord**

Catherine tries to help her autistic brother, David, navigate the world by teaching him rules that aren't intuitive to him, but she struggles to navigate friendships within her own life.

Why I picked it up: I heard this was a great book to read for getting a perspective on what life might be like for someone with autism. It turns out that the main character isn't autistic, but she's the sibling of someone who is. It was available on Audible, and I decided to try it, even though I wasn't the biggest fan of one of the author's other works, Out of My Mind. 

My impressions: This well-written story is a great window for people to learn what life might look like if someone in your family has autism. Catherine sounded like a real girl with real problems, hopes, and dreams. She experiences a lot of development and learns much about friendship - how to be a friend, as well as how to accept people as they are. As an SLP, I did have some professional insight into the story's action as well - for example, Catherine was a better SLP for her friend Jason than the speech therapist was - and I really disliked that SLP, who serves as a reminder to beware! lest I become like her. I found her parents were characterized as basically being clueless about her needs, which I found rather unrealistic, even if it made her narrative more compelling. I was bothered that they never seemed to "parent" her, not even discussing with her a better way for her to communicate her needs when she has her final blowup at the end where all her bottled-up feelings come loose in a rather disrespectful and demanding phone call. There's some potty humor or slightly cruder phrases, and some somewhat disrespectful attitudes towards parents at times, but overall, it's pretty tame. One character did communicate that he wanted to die; it was a short moment, but it comes up briefly before things seem to get better for him. I enjoyed the ending, which I was concerned about after having been low-key traumatized by the last pages of Out of My Mind. There are some really endearing parts about this book and it stuck with me in a good way even when I woke up the next day. This would be a great upper elementary or middle-school read, but one I think interested adults can enjoy, too.

The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith Through Feasting, One Meal at a Time, by Sally Clarkson**

A book by Sally Clarkson, homeschooling mom in Christian ministry, that explains why the table is such an important place for ministry, as well as the how-to (and some family recipes) to help make it happen.

Why I picked it up: I heard about this one from a relative and had found some of her other work interesting. I originally planned to read it in physical form, but it was available on Audible and went a lot faster that way. I still recommend the hard copy for accessing the recipes.

My impressions: This is a pretty representative sample of Clarkson's work, but it wasn't my favorite. I was already familiar with much of what she said, or found her take on hospitality pretty intuitive. This would be a good book for getting people to think about how hosting others could be a way of serving and bringing others into encounters with Christ. I thought the recipes were a great touch, although only two of them were ones that I decided I want to try eventually. It's a good introduction to hosting and hospitality from a faith perspective, but I don't find it a must-read. This one would be best enjoyed by Christians who have a desire to bring Christ to others through welcoming guests to meals at their homes.

A Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare*

Shenanigans follow when two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, are suddenly reunited and their identities are confused.

Why I picked it up: I'm participating in a second reading challenge this summer, thanks to my favorite local bookstore running a bingo-style challenge. One of the items was to read something by or about Shakespeare, so I picked a comedy I hadn't read or watched yet.

My impressions: As with any Shakespeare play, there were a few parts that were hard to follow, but Wikipedia set me straight. There are certainly several uncomfortable scenes, but almost everything is silly, funny, or plain ridiculous. I suspect I might crack up if I were to watch this, depending on how it is directed, but it certainly has the feel of...a comedy of errors, where misunderstandings, miscommunications, and missed opportunities are the cause of the fun, rather than jokes made by the characters. There is one scene where the wife of one twin is trying to get her supposed husband (who is actually the brother) to complete certain matrimonial offices, and he flirts with the woman's sister, so that would be pretty awkward for anyone to watch - but especially if the viewer was high school or younger. There's a sorcerer called in to exorcise someone (it's a pagan setting, but some kind of Christian theological ideas are present?), and someone goes to eat with a courtesan (but they don't do anything else). So, these elements make it so that I wouldn't recommend this play to high schoolers or younger, but I could see myself considering watching it if the opportunity arose.

Bandersnatch, by Diana Pavlac Glyer*

A scholar looks at the Inklings and their creative process, including how they encouraged or pressured each other, shared feedback, and developed relationships that augmented their creative output.

Why I picked it up: This book has been on my to-read list for a while, and this one helps me complete a reading challenge put out by my favorite local bookstore.

My impressions: This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about Lewis, Tolkien, and the Inklings, or wants to think about how their creativity can benefit from being part of a supportive, creative group. I have thoughts based on the author's takeaways that will probably appear in a separate blogpost. It sounded like this is the author's less academic take on material covered in a previous book of hers, The Company They Keep, so I was grateful to have had the chance to read the (probably) more accessible version first. That said, this book had lots of great research, with some of it being material I haven't heard before, so this is a good book for those who are new to the Inklings as well as fans who are more familiar with some of the research already. I liked the author's take and her focus on how the relationships shaped (and were shaped by) their creative output. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Tolkien, Lewis, or the idea of writing or creating more.

Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time, by Victoria L. Dunckley, MD; read by Coleen Marlo**

A doctor discusses the dangers of screentime and the many numerous effects it can have on children, as well as a detailed plan for how to reduce screen exposure and reap the benefits of a screen-free childhood.

Why I picked it up: A relative who works in the schools told me about this book last summer, before I had my training in March on the impact of screens on development. It was available on Audible and I wanted to listen to it before my subscription ended.

My impressions: This book provides a pretty thorough overview of the issues screens can cause. However, it is important to take the author's professional opinion with multiple grains of salt. I agree with much of what she says, and I absolutely believe her stories about the changes she's seen in many of her patients, but some of her takes seemed a bit alarmist to me. I would say her anti-screen views are a little more extreme than mine, but she has lots of good things to say. I would be interested in looking into more of the research she draws from before believing all the claims she makes, but that's the desire I have when hearing people make claims about how bad screens are. I liked that Dunckley lines out her screen detox in great detail, providing highly applicable, practical insights to the process. I would recommend this book to most parents and adults, with the caveat that there is certainly an anti-screen slant and I don't take everything author says as the final word on the subject.

Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson

An epistolary tale based on an elderly man's reflections on life, fatherhood, family, and faith, all of which he wants to share with his young son.

Why I picked it up: This was another book I picked up for a local bookstore's summer bingo challenge, but it had been on my radar for a while and I'd heard it was very good.

My impressions: This very reflective book ambles along, but engages the reader with the narrator's relationships, struggles, and insights. I loved hearing the history of his family, especially his fiery Baptist grandfather who worked hard in Kansas to further the cause of abolition. There is not much plot, but I appreciated the book for what it was, and it was something that made me think of Diary of a Country Priest, which was referenced in this book. Thanks to a book club, I was watching for fatherhood specifically, and this book had so much to say about it. I was invested in getting to know characters and pondered along with the narrator. However, I was lost a few times in his more theological reflections, which definitely leaned into Protestant beliefs, one of which concerned predestination. This isn't the sort of book to try to speed read through, but I finished in a few days of concentrated reading. I'd recommend this book to people who want a book with a slower pace and ideas to chew on, especially if they enjoyed Hannah Coulter or Diary of a Country Priest.

Bracket Play

Alright, gang. I'll mostly skip the first round because I purposely set weaker books against stronger ones. Only two probably should have made it to round two, if they'd had the chance - those would have been Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors and Give Your Child the World, which are both good in their own ways, but each rather unique in this field of contenders.

In round two, it was a bit of a bummer to see In the House of Tom Bombadil go, but Gilead was a really good book. I felt bad knocking out both Catholic books by round two, but the two I finished this month just weren't as memorable or impactful. There were some solid books knocked out in round two, but for the most part, there were flaws or weaknesses that accounted for those losses.

Quarterfinals had some great books - a Pulitzer prize-winner, a refreshingly clever children's mystery book, a book about the Inklings and what we can learn from their collaboration, and an in-depth look about potential dangers of screentime and how to do a screen "detox." I ended up giving the victory to Gilead over Premeditated Myrtle because the former was a much deeper and contemplative book, as fun as the mystery was. Bandersnatch, an academic yet practical work, won over the scientific and practical Reset Your Child's Brain. I love the Inklings, and Bandersnatch had a lot to say to my life outside of professional interests.

That meant that Gilead face Bandersnatch - and I say that Bandersnatch one. I'm still wanting to think about how to apply this book to my own life. As great as Gilead is, I'm not going to have it win just because it has amazing writing. It doesn't excite me as much as the other book, so the Inklings have inspired a work that wins yet another bracket.

Half-Read?

This month, I listened to an audiobook in part. I probably listened to half of it, but I skipped too many parts to say I'd finished it.

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books, by Karen Swallow Prior**

A literary critic walks through a dozen or so classic works of literature and explains how each work is a depiction of a particular virtue.

Why I picked it up: This one was on my to-read list, and Audible had it for free.

Why I skipped so much: I'm a sensitive soul and I skipped chapters that were about more depressing works, such as the post-apocalyptic The Road and Ethan Frome. I really enjoyed the chapter on Jane Austen's Persuasion, and found greater appreciation for works I'm not a huge fan of, but overall, it wasn't something that I needed. If I have to read one of these works sometime, I can always see if I can refer to the relevant chapter, but I'm alright with letting this one go partially unread.

Books Attempted and Put Down

The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage, by Paul Elie**

This book looks at four Catholic American authors of the 20th century.

Why I picked it up: This book was available for free through Audible. It had been on my to-read list at some point, although removed after a time. I wanted to make the most of the last month of my subscription.

Why I put it down: The lives and works of some of these authors looked to be pretty gritty, which I don't usually handle well in my reading material. I also discovered there were many more books that were actively on my to-read list that I could listen to instead.

The Time Traveler's Guide to Regency Britain, by Ian Mortimer**

A historian describes everything you'd need to know about Regency Era British society if you were to time-travel tour it.

Why I picked it up: There's a Medieval version of this sort by the same author I've been wanting to read. Unfortunately, that one wasn't available for free through Audible - but this one was.

Why I put it down: It wasn't bad; it just was a book I didn't want to give a lot of time to. I discovered books I'm more motivated to listen to in the next few weeks and decided this one would get in the way.

Mama Bear Apologetics, by Hillary Morgan Ferrer**

A Christian mother explains ways to share the truth of the Faith with children and how to counteract the culture's lies.

Why I picked it up: I'd seen the cover of this one a time or two and figured I would give it a try since it was free on Audible

Why I put it down: I ran out of time because I had other titles I really wanted to get to before my subscription ran out. I also have heard similar information before since I've listened to many Word on Fire Podcast episodes about related topics.