Book Bracket for October 2026
September was a light reading month, and I know I was hopeful of getting more books finished in October, but I sure did not expect to read or listen to 15! And I'm excited by how many books I read that I thought were good, and made working through the bracket a brutal business.
A Redwall Winter's Tale, by Brian Jacques
This lengthy picture book, set in the world of Redwall following the events of Redwall, describes the entertainment, snowfall, and frolicking visited upon the abbey at the opening of winter.
Why I picked it up: This was a spontaneous pick while I was allowing myself a few unnecessary books at the library. Why not read a Brian Jacques book that I've never read before?
My impressions: While lacking in compelling plot, the cozy illustrations and familiar Redwall elements made this work one that would likely warm the heart of any Redwall fan. It felt like a pretty fitting introduction to the world of Redwall, like where a youngster might start who's watched the TV show but is too young to read the mainline books of the series. I enjoyed the whimsical art, which was appropriate for the age of the intended audience. One aspect that didn't work as well for me was the frequent transitioning from prose to poetry to prose again. The poems differed in their rhyming schemes and meters, failing to follow a clear pattern. This work would be great for readers who want to dip their toes into the Redwall world but aren't old enough for the bigger books in the series.
Mr. Standfast, by John Buchan, narrated by Frederick Davidson**
The third Richard Hannay adventure follows this special agent as he and his coworkers work to wrangle the most dangerous spy to infiltrate British territory during the first World War - and as he falls in love.
Why I picked it up: I needed a break from the very serious Silent Spring audiobook I was listening to, and decided an action spy book was just the ticket. I'd seen this third installment recommended on a website that listed great adventure books, and figured I'd give it a try. I think I listened to the second audiobook within the last year.
My impressions: I think I liked this one better than the second one, Greenmantle, although I found the final act to be a little too slow of a denouement. I've never read The Pilgrim's Progress, but knew enough about it to find it interesting that Mr. Standfast was a sort of mirror to that classic work. It was fun to see interesting characters from the previous book return for this adventure, and while there wasn't much character development, each person appeared as a fully realized individual. Racist comments dot the book, and there was some stereotyping of the German enemies, as well as some comments about considering suicide an option if escape wasn't possible. And how about a love interest that is less than half the protagonist's age? I found some elements of the book to be a little predictable, especially given that characters repeatedly refer to events they fear will happen, but I didn't anticipate all the details from the beginning (I never do). The last part of the book does describe a deadly battle, but I found there was little gore described, even when characters died. This book would be a good read for those who want a not-too-deep action story set during a war - as long as they can overlook its shortcomings.
Magnificent Humanity, by Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, published earlier this year in May, is all about how to build a just society in the age of artificial intelligence.
Why I picked it up: I've been developing (mostly negative) hot takes on AI since it got big about three years ago, and with all my delving into the dangers of screens for young brains in the last few years, it made sense that I'd pick up the pope's work at some point. A friend reminded me that it's okay to read things just a paragraph at a time, and that helped me get started.
My impressions: This was a great work. I was impressed by it's scope and the pope's grasp of so many topics. I liked his imagery when he asked if we're using AI to build a better world together, like the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem during Nehemiah's time, or if we're just building a tower of Babel. His review of the history of Catholic Social Teaching was pertinent and much appreciated by me, who have not reviewed it since I first learned about it in high school. The second half of the book was probably the most interesting part for me, because that's where he really gets into AI, its dangers, and how it could and should be used on behalf of supporting the dignity of human beings. I underlined many lines and would recommend this book to anyone, Catholic and non-Catholic, who wants to consider the implications of AI in our time.
When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People, by Jeannie Gaffigan
Wife of comedian Jim Gaffigan, and mother of five, recounts how her life was turned upside-down when a pear-shaped tumor was discovered growing in her brain.
Why I picked it up: This book came onto my to-read list at some point while I listened to the Fountains of Carrots podcast (RIP, podcast; the website isn't maintained, so you can't really listen to episodes anymore), because Jeannie Gaffigan was a guest on it. This book was also available at the library when I treated myself to a little library adventure, so I figured - sure, I could use another book to distract me from required reading! And it came home with me.
My impressions: There was a lot to pull me in and make me laugh, especially in the first third of the book. I don't know why, but I had trouble putting it down during that first portion. There was a lot of drama inherently built into the story (how does one learn that a tumor is growing in one's brain?), and the author does a great job of communicating what her experience felt like - the anxiety of uncertainty, the peace that washed over her during prayer, the fear that she expressed as anger. I liked Gaffigan talking about how she grew in her faith and relationship with God, although there were several instances of using the Lord's Name in vain. I enjoyed hearing about her family, but the book seemed to lose some of its focus towards the end, and the ending was a little...I'm not sure, not quite my taste. I'm not sure why we learned about how she and Jim met and married at the end of the book, although I think I can catch the thread as I think back on it. There were parts that made me cry, sections that warmed my heart, and parts that I thought, "Yup, that sounds familiar," thinking back on the surgeries I've had. There were a couple sections that maybe would be more for an adult audience, but other than a smattering of jokes that made me uncomfortable...or were just plain bad...this entertaining book could be a good read for folks who want an inside look at how a cancer diagnosis and successful treatment and change a how a person's life looks, and change that person herself.
Tuesdays at the Castle, by Jessica Day George, narrated by Suzy Jackson**
Princess Cecilia lives with her family in a mysterious and fun castle that introduces new rooms and takes unused ones away every week, but she and her siblings must rely upon themselves and the castle's aid when their parents are believed dead from an ambush.
Why I picked it up: A family member brought up the series, and I recalled having read the first three books, I think before the last two of the series came out. I wanted to revisit them, and these were available as audiobooks through my public library's e-system.
My impressions: This is a fun and intriguing listen. I love the world building regarding the castle's involvement in the story. There's something charming about living in a fantasy world with a sentient castle, and it's so creative. The story's action relied quite a bit on political intrigue, but it didn't overwhelm the story. This time, as I listened, I reflected on how the castle could be something of a symbol for God; the castle provides for and protects the children, but it is mysterious and something that, at best, cooperates with requests - it is not under the control of people. It even "comes back" after what seems to be a fatal disaster. The characterization is pretty good, everyone having their own personality. There were a few bits that weren't perfect - such as some gross acts employed to irritate some enemies within the castle - but overall, I'd say nothing objectionable about this book and a fun little fantasy jaunt for mid- or upper-elementary readers.
The King's Equal, by Katherine Paterson
This short fairy tale shows how a poor shepherdess changes a proud, greedy prince into a humble and wise ruler after showing she is more than his equal.
Why I picked it up: This one had been on my to-read list, and I finally tracked it down after reading one of Paterson's books of essays about writing for children. I checked it out from my local library.
My impressions: This was a very short chapter book, but a sweet fairy tale written in the classic style. I wouldn't say it has quite the charm of The Ordinary Princess, but I appreciated the quality of the writing. It would be a great book for a mid-elementary reader who likes fairy tales.
Prayer Primer: Igniting a Fire Within, by Thomas Dubay, S.M.
This book walks Catholics through the beginning stages of prayer, but also gives an overview of more advanced prayer (contemplation) and addresses common questions and concerns about prayer.
Why I picked it up: I picked up this book from a church garage sale several years ago. It's been sitting on my shelf since then, but I finally picked it up after resolving to use my Sunday reading on strictly religious works.
My impressions: I'm grateful God gave the idea for the Sunday reading resolution, because this book has been very good for me. I feel called out by it in some ways, but stretched and realizing I need to do more. In spite of being a Catholic all my life, there are some ways in which I'm still just a beginner at prayer. This book was good to take to adoration, and good to read on Sunday afternoons at home. It's giving me something to discuss with my spiritual director, and making me think about how I can live with more authentic love for God and His Church. I don't doubt I'll need to revisit at least some sections of it in the future. I recommend this book to all Catholics, high school and older, who could use some information about prayer - even for those who think they know quite a bit about prayer, this book could be helpful. I think middle schoolers could also benefit from reading this book.
Wednesdays in the Tower, by Jessica Day George, narrated by Suzy Jackson**
The royal Glower children strive to help their distressed castle, even as Cecilia tries to hide the griffin that hatched from a hidden egg and a mysterious wizard begins meddling with their efforts.
Why I picked it up: I'd listened to the previous audiobook and was ready to tackle this second one, also available through my local public library's e-system.
My impressions: Less political intrigue, but the story didn't feel quite as tightly written as the first tale. The stakes also started off much lower, but it gave the story time to build. I like that we're learning more about the castle, but also given more questions about it than answers. This book is a solid sequel to the original story, even though it develops along very different lines than the first one. It would be a good book for those upper-elementary and older readers who have read the first book in the series.
Thursdays with the Crown, by Jessica Day George, narrated by Grace Andrews**
This third book in the Tuesdays at the Castle series shares the adventure of the Glower children and their friends in a different world, the world that originated their magical castle, as they navigate perils between two old, warring wizards.
Why I picked it up: I was ready for the third book in the series. This was the last one I read when I was trying out this series for the first time.
My impressions: It was interesting to see the youths in a different setting, but the adventure was somewhat lacking. Yes, things happened, but since it was a rather impoverished world, the atmosphere did not make me feel like this was an exciting place to be. I think there were some pretty good developments, including learning more about the castle, but there were some notable flaws. First, the stand-out first king who built the castle had five wives. One of the royal children comments on that situation being something like his greatest achievement. Yikes. Yes, it's a fantasy tale, but no thanks to polygamy. Another flaw was that the warring wizards often appeared to be just childish liars rather than the truly evil baddies they were meant to be. This book would be good for upper elementary readers and beyond who've read the first two books, with the understanding that the subject of polygamy comes up, and that may be something to discuss.
So Big, by Edna Ferber*
Selina, the orphaned daughter of a gambler, marries a serious, poor Dutch vegetable farmer and, upon his death, takes on responsibility for her future and the welfare of her son by working in the fields herself.
Why I picked it up: It's the first required read for a book club this year. I was glad to acquire it as an ebook for free since it's in the public domain.
My impressions: The characters were so well written that I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn't reading, but I can't say the plot or writing style were quite my cup of tea. This is an award-winning book, and I can see how it would be, but I don't know if I'll reread it. It was a strange mixture of being about Selina's life, and then being about her son's, so the narrative was well connected, but odd to have two foci. I took issue with the implication that "beauty" and "self-expression" are interchangeable terms. What even is self-expression? Isn't beauty something that we can recognize outside ourselves, that's most captivating when we're not focused on how we express ourselves? Anyway, it's a book that certainly hails from a different time period. I didn't like it enough to recommend others read it, but it could be a good match for some folks out there. I'm interested to hear what the gals at book club have to say.
Fridays with the Wizards, by Jessica Day George, narrated by Grace Andrews**
The fourth installment of the Castle Glower series follows Cecilia, her royal Glower family, devoted griffin pets, and friends as they attempt to shut down an escaped, evil wizard who is causing trouble and growing increasingly dangerous.
Why I picked it up: It was the next book in the series, and the first of the two remaining books that I hadn't read yet. Available through my public library's e-system.
My impressions: This book helpfully ties up some loose ends, while continuing to develop the castle's lore and exploring griffin-rider relations. It is a solid work, with appropriately high stakes, and, in my opinion, a better book than the one preceding it. The story felt like it developed at a good pace. I admit I lost focus a few times while I worked on a scrapbooking project, particularly during the more magic-based action moments, but the story is definitely still intriguing. Those who read the first three books should find this one to be an enjoyable continuation of the series.
Saturdays at Sea, by Jessica Day George, narrated by Grace Andrews**
The final installment of the series begun by Tuesdays at the Castle takes a nautical turn as Cecilia, several family members, and friends embark to a different country to formalize a royal engagement, and then take what was intended to be a short jaunt around the bay in a ship that shares the same magic as the castle.
Why I picked it up: I needed to keep my brain busy; I was working on a scrapbooking project; and I wanted to finish the series. Again, available through the local library's e-system.
My impressions: This book was fresh and interesting and its own unique work, which is quite impressive considering it's book number five in the series. It wraps up loose ends, continues to hearken back to the castle even when they're in a different country, and gives readers a satisfying ending. I did notice that the regal mother, Queen Celina, stoops to forging money through her wizardly skills, but that's a pretty minor complaint. It gives a happy ending without being saccharine, and while it doesn't spell out everything that's going to happen, it certainly gives a few hints as to what relationships may develop in the future. Readers could live happy lives by reading the first four books and not this one, but they shouldn't - this was a good ending to the series.
The Kitchen Madonna, by Rumer Godden
Gregory, a serious child who shows little outward affection, takes as his mission the effort to make the family's Ukrainian cook, Marta, happy by providing her with an icon for the kitchen.
Why I picked it up: I spoiled myself at the library by indulging in picking up eight books, 6 of them novels. Though this one is misidentified in the system as an adult book (it's a children's novel), the comparatively few number of pages were quite welcome.
My impressions: This isn't the book to reach our and grab a reader from page one; it's a slow, reflective sort of book, but absolutely worth picking up. It is a great children's book and a lovely example of realistic fiction, showing children dealing with a problem that is real and dealt with in a way that would be attainable to child readers. There is something charming about seeing a boy decide how he's going to craft a Madonna and Child icon with materials that are available to him - and have it turn out. The illustrations in the book work wonderfully with the written material, and they really enrich the reading experience. There was one element of Godden's writing that perhaps wasn't my favorite - a way of expressing a thought or sentiment of some character or another - but otherwise, I think it was very good and focused writing. The book is subtle. I'd say it requires some patience, or at least a willingness to take it in slowly. But I absolutely think this is a book worth reading, for children and adults alike.
Once a Queen, by Sarah Arthur
Eva visits her estranged British grandmother one summer, and strives to uncover family secrets while coming to terms with the possibility that her favorite fantasy tales might just be true.
Why I picked it up: This book came home from the library along with seven other titles. It had been on my to-read list, but it's a fairly new book - published in 2024.
My impressions: This book explores generational trauma, so it's a little heavier than a middle grade novel (ergo, its location on the YA shelf), but it very much shares the spirit of The Chronicles of Narnia. In fact, one can't help but notice how Lewis' books influenced this one. Part potential portal fantasy adventure, part quasi-mystery, I found that the author's slow rate of revealing information to be aggravating, yet effective at making me want to keep reading to find out more. I thought some of the language connected with the fantasy world to be a little stilted - sounding just a little too archaic - but overall, the myths of that world were developed satisfactorily most of the time. I think the author's themes were perhaps a little too on the nose at times, but at the same time, it was nice that her message of hope was not lost in subtleties. I was irritated by Eva's family being so secretive - there didn't seem to be any good reason that so much of her family's history was withheld from her. Also, I found it odd that so much of the mythology was pointedly focused on female characters. There is much "yes, but" happening in this review, but I did enjoy this book and I hope to read the next two books as soon as my busy reading schedule will allow. This book is perfect for readers who grew up loving the "Chronicles of Narnia" books and can handle content that's a little heavier than Lewis' books.
The Last Battle, by C. S. Lewis, narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart**
The final book in the "Chronicles of Narnia" series details the last days of Narnia and the homecoming of all the beloved characters to a special place.
Why I picked it up: This book is part of a book club I've been doing with relatives. I listened to the audiobook version I obtained from Audible.
My impressions: This is only my third time reading the book, which I've avoided because I don't like how sad it is. That issue was almost completely overcome in this experience of listening to Sir Patrick Stewart read it, at 2x speed, in audiobook form. Perhaps I wasn't able to dwell too much on how everything was going wrong. Or, perhaps, I was able to experience more of the glimmerings of hope that showed here and there in the midst of tragic events. The adventure elements of the story were pretty good, but it did feel like there was more focus on less action-y doings in this book than in the previous ones. The pacing at the end also felt a little bit off, with a longer denouement than one finds after the climax. However, I will say that this book is one of the best that I've ever read that portrays Heaven in a beautiful and desirable way. While not my favorite in the series, this is a must-read for fans of Lewis' Narnia books.
Bracket Play
Though the Tuesdays at the Castle series was quite enjoyable, I knew those books wouldn't be my favorite from the month, so the were all knocked out by the end of the second full round. Jeannie Gaffigan's humorous memoir about being diagnosed with a brain tumor, having surgery, and recovering was certainly not a perfect book, but there were a lot of elements about it that I liked, so it also made it to the second round, where it fell to the excellent, sweet, simple book by Rumer Godden, The Kitchen Madonna. I would've like to see Lewis' The Last Battle make it further into the competition, but as it's not one of my favorites in the Narnia series, I felt like I could live with it experiencing an early defeat. Similarly, Paterson's The King's Equal was good, but I could live with it losing early to Gaffigan's book.
The two Catholic works were also difficult to choose between...they were both excellent for very different reasons...but in the end, I chose the pope's encyclical, just because it's so timely and I think a good hallmark work for this year. That work also beat out the imperfect but surprisingly gripping and fairly new fantasy novel, Once a Queen. I look forward to continuing the series, but I was glad The Kitchen Madonna was the last contender before Magnificent Humanity took the win for this month.
If you've read this far, I hope you'll try one of the excellent books I read this month!
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