January Book Bracket 2025

 January 2025 Bracket

I ended 2024 with 13 books in various stages of being read, read aloud, and listened to. I tried to buckle down and succeeded in getting about half of them finished, but, of course, I started multiple new ones as well.

The Hotel Balzaar, by Kate DiCamillo*

Marta misses her father as her mother cleans the hotel, but alternates between belief and disenchantment when an old countess shares seven strange stories with her.

Why I picked it up: It looked interesting, and I was able to access it as an ebook through the public library system.

My impressions: The story's beginning and end were pleasantly sparse and well-crafted, but some sections in the middle did not sit well with me. My main complaint with the book was that there was a character, who started as a nun, and then proceeded to abandon and begin serious vocations multiple times. If I were a child, and not a Catholic, I don't know that I would think much of it, but as someone who takes religious callings - either to the religious life, priesthood, or marriage - very seriously, I became uncomfortable and distracted from what I think the stories were supposed to communicate about the character or what was going on in the story. I thought the story had a lot of potential in the beginning, but by the end, I didn't feel the sense of wonder that had been hoped for at the beginning of the book. I appreciated how the story ties together by the end, and I think DiCamillo (a winner of the Newbery award several times) has excellent writing skills, but this book isn't one that really impacted me. I wouldn't recommend this one - I'm not warning against it, necessarily, but it's not one that I would feel the need to tell people, "You have to read this one!"

Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read, by S. D. Smith*

A hairbrained tale encompassing tales that follows letters from a writer stranded on a deserted island, his desires for rescue, and the tales he finds in caves on the island. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

Why I picked it up: I've read the Green Ember series written by the same author, and when I saw this work was on sale, my curiosity overcame me and I purchased it.

My impressions: I'm not quite sure what I was expecting with this book, and the book didn't let me down as far as expectations go - I'm still not entirely sure what it is. It is stylistically strange and, while likely to get kids to laugh out loud, was kind of painful to slog my way through. And that's coming from someone who loves puns. I think the author had a lot of fun and leaned hard into the fun of wordplay. He isn't afraid to be silly and goofy and grammatically incorrect, and I think some kids might have a heyday with this sort of book. I will say that the last 20 of the book wasn't too bad and wrapped up pretty nicely, but I can't say the work was for me. I'm not recommending it, but I am curious now about what other people think about it. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History, by Jay Burreson and Penny Le Couteur**

A brief explanation of the molecular makeup of substances that have shaped our world, and the description of how they affected life at that time and today.

Why I picked it up: Welcome back to the Audible subscription! This one showed up in the app as one that was available to listen to for free, and it sounded interesting.

My impressions: Overall, an interesting read, but with some flaws, not the least of which being the notable increase in zoning out when listening to molecular structure being described. I learned a lot about scurvy, dyes, medicines, and spices, as well as other materials that have shaped the world and helped make it what it is today. I skipped two chapters, one on birth control and the next on molecules associated with witchcraft (I'm guessing it would have focused on the medicinal qualities of some plants, but I'm not sure). Based off the concluding paragraph in the former of these chapters, I believed the authors would have painted birth control pills in a very positive light, and I didn't really want to spend a lot of time learning about the pill. I'm not comfortable with witchcraft related things, period, so I can't speak to how this chapter was handled. Some other heavy topics came up, such as STDs, slavery, exploitation of nations, and others, so this is a book best suited to adults. I thought the book took a look at history from an interesting angle, even though that angle was, at times, biased. I was quite pleased to learn about a wide range of topics, but I don't necessarily think it's a book that I'd recommend. Interesting, but it has its flaws. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

Scruples and Sainthood: Accepting and Overcoming Scruples With the Help of the Saints, by Trent Beattie

This books guides the scrupulous through what scrupulosity is and how they can, through God's grace, work on accepting this cross and overcoming it.

Why I picked it up: I remembered this book being helpful before, and since I'd turned to it now and then to try to look something up, it seemed like it was a good time to reread it in its entirety.

My impressions: I think this is a really good book for scrupulous Catholics (and their loved ones), specifically those who might also have OCD. Beattie at times seemed to assume that the reader would likely also have struggles with things such as excessive hand-washing, for example, and some of his suggested remedies sound like they could apply easily to those who experience anxiety-based psychological disorders. In any case, I found this book good (and it bears an imprimatur), but I took issue with how he worded things here and there. It is a good reference, discussing issues like "when in doubt, it doesn't count," the necessity for obedience to spiritual directors, and sacraments that can be difficult for the scrupulous to participate in, such as confession and Holy Communion. This would be a good book to have in the house if one of the family suffers from scrupulosity; therapists and spiritual directors may like to have this book as well. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

A Monastery Journey to Christmas, by Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette

A monk shares daily reflections for the Advent and Christmas seasons, drawing from the traditions of both the Western Church and the Eastern Church.

Why I picked it up: A dear friend has mentioned over time that this is a book that she reads every year. I was in need of an Advent book to prepare me for Christmas, and I decided that this was the time to try it out.

My impressions: This is the best daily meditation book that I've encountered for the Advent season. Many daily meditation books focus on the readings of the day, and I have never been able to tell if that makes them applicable only to that year's readings, or to every year. While other devotionals have shorter meditations, this one has meditations that take several minutes to read through. I didn't read it with as much care as I should, but it also meant that, even if all I did was read the selection for that day, I wasn't able to make it any shorter than that. I liked that some meditations took into account specific feasts, some of them being more familiar to Eastern Catholics than Latin Rite Catholics. Going off that point, one of the strengths of this work is that it incorporates prayers, texts, and practices from both the Western and the Eastern Church. I enjoyed that extra exposure to Byzantine prayers, which is something I don't encounter in my everyday life. The monk shares about practices that are specific to his monastery, but does a nice job of making those practices applicable to everyday readers of the laity, like me. All the reflections concern the spiritual life, but the author does well with including some very practical elements that work nicely with the spiritual elements. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good book to help them reflect daily during the Advent and Christmas seasons. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe**

This grandfather of all survival stories chronicles the long years the titular character must eke an existence out of a Caribbean island after he ignores all advice and signs to pursue a life at sea.

Why I picked it up: My interest in this story kindled after reading The Sign of the Beaver several years ago. I'd read a version of this story as a "Great Illustrated Classics" work as a child, and then tried to read the real deal maybe as a young teenager, but I lost interest in it pretty early on.

My impressions: This is one of those books where I finished it because I was stubborn and felt like I'd invested enough time to warrant finishing it. There were some appreciable aspects, including some more exciting episodes of action (capture and escape from slavery, dealing with mutineers, etc.), and especially his growth in his relationship with God. Crusoe went from being a wayward sailor and nominal Christian to an evangelist to the first non-Christian he's able to talk to. However, while his devotion grows admirably, it doesn't grow far enough. I saw some problematic attitudes towards non-white people showing up in this book, and no clear change in his views of slavery, so some of his conversion doesn't ring true. I think some of these elements were ones which The Sign of the Beaver countered, but they were not really evident until the last third of the book. The survival elements were not as exciting as I remembered them being in the Great Illustrated Classics version - so I'm surprised to admit that, at least according to memory, that version was better. I don't think it's a requirement for anyone to read this book, especially since there are so many other great survival-style adventures written since this one - I'd definitely pick up almost any of those other options first.

A New Song, by Jan Karon

In this next installment of the Mitford series, Fr. Timothy and his wife, Cynthia, begin a year or two of life on the coastal island of Whitecap, ministering to a church that has experienced division and suffering in the recent years.

Why I picked it up: I finished book 4 and wanted to read this one, which my sister-in-law had loaned to me at the same time.

My impressions: Jan Karon keeps doing her thing! This was another very enjoyable book and was coming to mind even in the days after I'd finished it. Karon did well to put the Kavanaughs in a new location, but one that, while it had a different local flavor, still enjoyed that small-town feeling she's mastered with Mitford. She still ties in with the old friends we know and love from Mitford, but introduces us to new characters to care about. She crafts her writing so well, having story arcs that can resolve within the volume, starting some that might span a book or two, and continuing some that will probably stretch for a good several books yet. There's not really a plot - just island life, the daily, seasonal, and yearly doings of a certain population - and yet, I find it immensely enjoyable. Karon isn't scared to have characters who are in very difficult circumstances, and have Fr. Tim come up against some ministry nightmares. In short, she doesn't leave out the dark side of life. However, we come to the end, and it's satisfying and neatly tied up, and yet has me ready to jump into the next book as soon as possible (which I can't, because I'm telling myself I have some books that I must finish before I get sucked into another Mitford book). This book has enough background to read by itself, but it really makes the most sense to just read it in order in the series. Those who enjoyed previous Mitford books will like this one, too.

The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety, 2nd Ed., by Catherine DiNuzzo, M.A., L.P.C.**

A Catholic therapist (who lives in Kansas) speaks about what happens neurologically when anxiety hits, as well as strategies and practices that Catholics can use to manage anxiety.

Why I picked it up: This audiobook was available for free through my Audible subscription. I also recognized the last name, having worked with the author's husband for a retreat once and even attended a talk given by the author at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference a few years ago.

My impressions: This book is a pretty good starting place for Catholics who experience anxiety and want to learn more about it. There is some hesitation in saying that, because I'd be concerned about people trying to "get by" with learning strategies out of a book when what they really need is working with a therapist - but, then again, this could be that stepping stone that gets them into therapy eventually. The work is short, and I think the author does a nice job of explaining neurological processes in layman's terms. Her writing is easy to follow and she uses helpful analogies and examples from her own life. The work sometimes felt a little disjointed because "advertisements" for her therapy practice popped up now and then. The "advertisements" were just comments about her practice, Sacred Heart Therapy, being able to help the reader implement [x] practice, etc., so in a sense, I think it was good that she had reminders throughout the book that therapy is probably going to be a part of the healing process for readers. I appreciated that Catholic beliefs are woven throughout the book, from examining a story from Scripture, to faith-connected practices that readers can use when managing anxiety. This book was fine as an audiobook, but I think that it would be better for people to have a physical copy of this work if they are planning on remembering and practicing the strategies outlined in it. This would be a good book for Catholics and, probably, other Christians who would like to learn more about anxiety from a psychological/therapeutic standpoint that stands on a religious worldview.

Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy, by Jennifer Pepito**

A Christian homeschooling mom and missionary writes about her experiences of reading intersecting with her anxieties, and how those books she read aloud with her family taught her about life and overcoming fear.

Why I picked it up: This book-moir had been on my to-read list for a good chunk of the last year, and I decided to take the plunge and spend an Audible credit on it.

My impressions: This book was pretty solid as far as book-moirs (book-based memoirs) go, but it wasn't my favorite. Pepito does a good job of describing the struggles she or her family faced at various points, and showing how the books she read spoke to her at that point in her life. However, those same books might not "say" the same thing to all readers. While the book follows her life chronologically (for the most part), the books that spoke to her were somewhat random. She begins by talking about Pride and Prejudice, then goes through many children's books before rounding out with a few more intense works...and then concluding with another children's book. The random assortment isn't too big of an issue, but this was another book that seemed to have a lot of plus worked in for the curriculum that the author developed. The chapters ended with a little workbook-style activity, reflection, and Scripture verse to memorize, but I wasn't reading this book to reflect on how childhood books have formed me - I was reading to enjoy someone else's experience with the formative and transformative power of books! It was sometimes uncomfortable to read about how difficult things were at times, and I even skipped most of a chapter near the end because it was dealing with pretty heavy stuff. I don't know that I'd read this book again, but it could probably be enjoyed by Christian mothers. Homeschooling Christian parents would be a more defined audience for this work, but many booklovers could find something to like in this work. (This book was a carryover from last year.)

Eulalia! by Brian Jacques

This 19th book in the Redwall series follows Gorath the badger, beset by the condition known as "Blookwrath," and the creature from Redwall and Salamandastron who fight at his side.

Why I picked it up: I don't usually get the urge to pick up a specific book the way "stress reading" cravings did when I was in grad school, but I definitely hit a point this month when I felt the need to just pick up a Redwall book - and this was the one that called to me.

My impressions: This book was better than I remember it being. I wasn't sure how I'd like it, remembering that it had underwhelmed me on both previous reads, but this was the book that I was drawn to this time around, and I'm glad I was able to come at it with little memory of what happens in it. The book still has some flaws - too much focus on revenge, stronger first and second acts than third act, lack of good character development when there were opportunities (for both the hedgehog Orkwil, as well as Gorath, as he struggles to control the urge to give in to the Bloodwrath). One villain was killed off in a fitting but frustratingly anticlimactic way, almost as if the author needed him out of the story so things could happen in other places the way he wanted. And the editing! For some reason, it seemed as if every instance of a compound sentence that required the word "and" replaced that necessary conjunction with a comma. Yikes! I wonder if it was that alone that prevented me from appreciating the good qualities that this book has. For one, the story gets right down to business - no lengthy descriptions of idyllic scenes to start off the story, and introducing the big baddy and main character right away. And the Redwall intro - in the space of one chapter, we have our main Abbey hero on a rough start and kicked out for a whole season right away. There was no riddling to be solved in this work, which was fine, because there wasn't room for it; this helped prevent the story from getting bogged down in an Abbey storyline that wasn't necessary. Good action, lots of unique characters, but I must say, the characters did feel like they were fitting into types, rather than being their own unique personalities. There was a lot of potential for the big battle scene, but it felt rushed and not quite right - especially some artificially intense bickering amongst the good guy. I didn't love the wise old badger fellow because he came across as a wise guru and felt out of place in a world that seems to usually lean more into a Christian than an Eastern worldview. Well, long review for a reread...I want to end this part by saying that, previously, I wrote in a post about the eras of Jacques' writing, and stated that Eulalia! was in the last era, the worst of the lot - the stale-fails. Well, I now say it's not as bad as the three that follow it. Those who enjoy tales of anthropomorphic animals in a world of adventure will enjoy this tale - including some who may have previously written off this particular book.

Bracket Play

Oof, this ended up being a tough month to decide! Not every book was stellar, but I read some good ones this month.

The first round was easy enough to decide, with weaker books being placed with stronger ones. I gave A New Song the equivalent of a bye, easily beating Robinson Crusoe in the in-between place. I opted for the reread Scruples and Sainthood over The Catholic Guide to Anxiety, but they are both good, with different but related foci; this book also went on to beat Mothering by the Book, a book-moir that ended up being less incredible than others I've read. Unfortunately, I had to choose between the book about scrupulosity and Jan Karon's novel, and I gave the fictional title the win. I had enjoyed this book so much that, when it came up against A Monastery Journey to Christmas, I had trouble just giving the victory over, so I made a note that A New Song, although it didn't win, was a strong runner-up. In summary, there were some meh books and some decent books this month, but there were three really good books this month, too.

Books Attempted and Put Down

The Secret History of Christmas Baking, by Linda Raedisch

The author explores the history of the goodies we've come to associate with Christmas time.

Why I picked it up: I saw this title pop up on Pinterest, of all places, and it sounded interesting. I decided it would be the book to fulfill a requirement for my Advent/Christmas reading challenge, so I got it through interlibrary loan.

Why I put it down: I'm so glad I didn't buy this book myself, although I feel a bit bad making the library work to get a book I didn't even end up reading. The introduction stated that there would be lots of pagan origins, lots of witches, and even ancient Egyptian facts coming up in the rest of the book, and hints at a lot of dark content, such as injustices performed by mankind in the effort to acquire cane sugar. No, no, and no thanks. I don't think pagan origins would be too big of an issue if there was enough focus on the how or why Christians took over those practices, as shown by Fr. Francis X. Weiser in The Christmas Book, but I sensed that the interest in these facts would not tend very strongly in that direction. And, in thinking of that book, did I find any mention of the strange saga of Puritans cancelling Christmas in this work, and the connections that mincemeat pie had to such happenings? No. When scanning, I found a recipe for mincemeat cookies, but nothing in the table of contents indicated that there'd be any of that history recounted here. I was disappointed that this turned out to be a very un-Christmas-y feeling book, but I felt fine about putting it down. I did, after all, still have 13 books I was working on that were carried over from last year. I needed to get back to those.

The Interior Castle, by St. Teresa of Avila

A saint and doctor of the Church explains the different "mansions" of the soul into which we enter, through prayer, and encounter God.

Why I picked it up: The gals in one of my book clubs wanted to read it, so I grabbed a copy from my alma mater.

Why I put it down: I got bogged down in the fifth mansion with feelings of inadequacy. I've never experienced contemplative prayer, so I felt down on myself for not being as holy as I'd like to be. I found out other people can get stuck in this work, too, so I feel a little less bad about it. It's still a spiritual classic and great work, of course, but I couldn't help feeling like St. Teresa was describing the hard staircase of holiness that great saints climb, and I'm just a wee little one who needs to take the elevator of Jesus' arms to improve. (This was one of the books I had been reading last year.)

Reflection on Writing

On Reading from an Old Blog

Clicking around on the backside of Blogger reminded me that I still have access to an old blog. This defunct collection of literary-themed posts was cowritten by myself and two friends, and a perusal of the titles took me back to a time when I did some fun creative writing in grad school.

What was it about being stressed for weeks on end, with no money and barely any free time, that led me to compose some of the most fun and witty and thoughtful essays of my life? Some of it is ridiculously silly (I'm thinking back to when I dedicated a whole paragraph to answering the question of "why should I move towards the bookshelf, instead of the bookshelf towards me?"). But some of the turns of phrase I used at the time captured my attention and had me pondering: Was I really ever that clever? 

Forgive me for tooting my own horn a bit - it's just so strange to compare my previous writing with what I do now. I'm grateful to have this blog and to keep the creative spirit going, but it seems like my brain doesn't work quite the same anymore. I don't sense the whimsy or vitality of thought that used to run through my sentences. And I have memories of feeling more creative in past years. I don't have an epic adventure novel-to-be-written actively developing in my imagination anymore. I haven't sat down for a serious fictional enterprise since I finished my one and only draft of a book based on Maid Marian from the Robin Hood legends (an idea that also grew out of my grad school brain). I admit one exception: last summer, after an enchanting walk through the woods on a cloudy day, I had a recurrence of the old imaginative impulse and sat down to write out the scene when I got home. 

I feel like I haven't been true to the creative gift God gave me, in whatever small measure I felt and appreciated it, and therefore, I wonder if I've lost the thrill of creating stories as a result.

Determination

Rereading that old blog has led me to the conclusion that I must not let go what I have, unless God wills it. I have a beautiful life, and I'm so grateful to have it, but I feel that I should keep writing, and writing more creatively than keeping a diary of books I've read. I want to write fun things, and not always serious ones. I will try to pray for God's guidance, in case He is calling me to put down these pursuits to make way for better ones. But I will try to write. There are so many ideas floating around in my mind - perhaps there'd be more space in my brain if I closed a few of those tabs and just flung the thoughts out onto the paper, as it were. 

I am a consumer. I eat up stories, and read and read and read, but don't end up doing much with what I have taken in. Perhaps it is time to make something of my free time other than another title whited out from my to-read list.

My goal is to, perhaps this Lent, make a point of writing something every day. It ought to be something related to my faith, and I have an idea about what project that could be. It wouldn't need to be much - just five minutes, but it must happen every day (excepting Sundays). It would not be a penance, perhaps, but it would be an attempt to use of an ability that feels like one of God's many beautiful, bountiful, unwarranted gifts to me. May God's will be done here, as in all things.

Post-Script

In case you are curious, here is a link to that lovely, quirky blog I contributed to back in the day. I hope to go back and enjoy the posts of my cowriters sometime soon.

https://narnianaustenites.blogspot.com/

Year 2024 Final Bracket

Finding the Best Book of 2024

This is it! It's the culmination of a year of reading, and my ranking of the best books I read this year.

Best in Genre

Spiritual Work: What Jesus Saw From the Cross, by A. G. Sertillanges

Fiction (Fantasy): The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

Fiction (Classic): The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

Fiction (Historical/Realistic): The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt (audiobook)

Auto/Biography: Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him, by Nathan and Sally Clarkson (audiobook)

Literary Criticism/Book-Moir/Reference: The Read-Aloud Family, by Sarah Mackenzie

Nonfiction: Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv (audiobook)

Reread (besides Searching for and Maintaining Peace or other winners): Tales from the Perilous Realm, by J. R. R. Tolkien

Monthly Winners

January: The Read-Aloud Family

February: A Heart on Fire

March: Time for God

April: What Jesus Saw From the Cross

May: Saints Around the World

June: The Mouse and the Motorcycle

July: Madeleine Takes Command

August: In the School of the Holy Spirit and The Wednesday Wars

September: My Sisters, the Saints

October: The Screwtape Letters

November: Called to Life

December: The Complete Brambly Hedge

There has not been a year yet when I've had a full 12 books complete in the end-of-year bracket. Usually, there were months when I didn't really get a book read, or read just a few. Last year, I took The Lord of the Rings out of competition because I didn't want it in the bracket (I love the LOTR, of course). This year is the first year all 12 slots are open...and in fact, I have thirteen book titles! I couldn't decide on one winner in August, so I split the win between two excellent and very different books. Maybe someday I'll get smart and do a fiction bracket and a nonfiction bracket, but it is not this day.

I decided the easiest way to deal with 13 books was to group two Fr. Jacques Philippe books onto one line and keep the bracket at 12. Considering that there were three books by my favorite modern spiritual writer that made it to this final bracket, I didn't feel too bad about that decision. It would have been a nightmare to try to format 13 books in this bracket.

Five monthly winners were fictional works; three Christian living; five were spiritual works; one a reading reference book; one was about saints; and another was a memoir that incorporated the lives of saints that were important to the author, an autobiography of sorts.

This year, I managed to pick a singular winner, unlike last year, when I couldn't bring myself to choose a single title and decided that The Betrothed and Interior Freedom would both be the winners.

I reached decisions about the bracket based on reviewing my thoughts that I wrote down at the end of the month, as can be tracked on previous blog posts, as well as how the books have (or have not) stuck with me since then. Not all the books in this bracket wowed me, but I've read and listened to some amazing books this year. Best wishes to you and your reading goals in 2025!

Book Stats 2024

 

Data on 2024's Books Read

In the last year, I've come to embrace the fact that I like data. Well, I think I had already embraced this propensity for data, and I'm just verbalizing it more often now. It's time to set that data-crunching part of me loose on the books I read in 2024!

Totals

Total number of books read, all formats: 104 (increase of 41 books from 2024)

When comparing with the numbers from last year, I read or listened to more books every single month, excepting three months. The greatest number of books finished in any given month last year was eight, but this year, it was 15 - and I reached that number twice.

It was exciting to break the 100 book barrier this year! In 2020, I read about 95 books, courtesy of COVID lockdowns and auditing literature-heavy courses at my alma mater. Those were almost all physical books. I reached 100 books this year in large part due to Audible and the audiobooks I streamed there, most of which were included for free in my subscription. I'd love to read more physical books, or even ebooks, but there's so much to get done around the house that requires me to move and use my hands, making audiobooks a great way to access some books that have been mouldering on my to-read list for years.

Even though it seemed like I turned to audiobooks far more often in 2024 than I had in previous years, it looks like there was only an 8% increase in audiobook listening vs. reading a physical book. 

A Note About Audible

For those who may wonder if an Audible subscription is worth it, I'd say that it depends. The reason why I found Audible so useful this year was that I spent a lot of time searching Audible's app for titles that I could access for free with the subscription AND were either already on my to-read list or sounded very interesting. I already was in the habit of listening while I worked on chores around the house, either to audiobooks or podcasts, so it made sense that I'd enjoy the content I could access through this site.

I also have to note that I took advantage of sales. Audible will often advertise that you get to try the first three months for free, giving you access to one credit a month to use on an audiobook. Three free books is not bad. However, since I was no longer eligible for the free trial, I was able to capitalize on a deal that gave the highest level of subscription (usually $15 a month, I believe) for $1 a month, for three months. $3 for three books is not bad. But, in addition to those three, this deal gave me access to numerous other titles that cycle through being free to Audible users at that subscription level. 

I always ended subscriptions before they went to being the full $15 a month. But, sure enough, within the next month or two, there seemed to be another email advertising the same deal that I had cancelled not to long before. And, every time I clicked on the button to cash in on the deal, I was able to. There hasn't been any denial this year that I don't qualify for the deal because I've used it before; it's apparently a regularly-occurring discount that I can keep using. I keep feeling like it's too good to be true, and I'm waiting for Audible/Amazon to catch on, but nothing has happened yet.

Some Other Facts to Consider:

Total number of books attempted, but put down that were noted: 24 (significant increase from last year's 15), but:

Percentage of books started and completed: 81% (the same as last year)

Books being read, but not completed, at the end of 2023: 13 (increase of 6 over last year; audiobooks and books being read with my husband included)

Percentage of books that were rereads: 7%, or 7 books total (a slight decrease from last year's 9%)

This is another instance of having something feel like it happened more open, but the rate was consistent with last year's. I ended up putting down an average of 19% of the books I picked up without finishing them. I did this with 9 more books than in 2023, but it was still the same percentage.

I don't love that I'm rereading fewer books; I can now say it's a trend, since it has happened two years in a row now. However, as in the case of The Door in the Wall, a book I loved previously isn't always going to hit the same when I reread it. So, I would like to keep my goal of rereading a little more often, with the understanding that maybe I can put it down if I don't love it as much this time around.

Genre Data

The graph looks fairly similar to last year's, but I did notice that I read even more fiction than before, and slightly fewer spiritual works. However, as I noted in last year's post, some books that fall in the blue slices of this graph were included in the spiritual works graph (next graph), meaning that my religious content intake is higher than this graph indicates. 

Figuring out genres for books is difficult, as can be seen with the purple slice. This is the second year in a row that I've read no philosophy, so I took that heading out and replaced it with Literary Criticism/Book-moir/Reference. And, by that confusing combination heading, I mean books that are largely about books and reading or learning or someone's experiences, as explored through books (book-memoir => book-moir). I read many of those this year, and while they could fall within a nonfiction category, or are listed generically as "Christian literature" on Google, they're something of a genre unto themselves.

There was also a slight increase in nonfiction books. I credit this uptick to Audible's free titles and a Sunday sermon expounding the benefits of learning about the world God created. 

Spiritual Reading

Another year, another change in the headings on this graph. The first two headings are actually a split from last year, in which all four were combined under one heading. "Conversion" has been added to apologetics, since they seem to go together. The final two are the same as last year.

There were fewer books I read about Catholic living and marriage this year, but I did see an increase in books that I read that were about more concrete aspects of the faith, including God, Mary, the Church, and the saints, which indicates that I met a goal that developed last year.

Fiction

There was a big growth in the genre of historic fiction / realistic fiction, and that is due, once again, to Audible subscriptions. I've wanted to read many Newbery award winners, but haven't made them a priority to check out from the library. Enter Audible, with its rotating selection of free titles, and suddenly I'm reading all the historic fiction (mostly children's literature). I also started the Mitford series, which I grouped into this category as well.

There was also an increase in the number of fantasy books I read - and, by fantasy, I mean typical stories that have fantasy elements, as well as books that have anthropomorphic animals as characters. There were still a few titles that defied categorization or toed the line between multiple genres, but most fit pretty neatly into the headings I chose.

I read fewer classics this year, and that was with the added motivation of reading them for my book club! However, I'm at peace with putting some classics down if they're not right for me to read right now. Some classics also fall into genres that are not Fiction, so that also may account for why that category looks so small.

There will be a second post that focuses specifically on the best books of the year battling it out in a bracket.

December Book Bracket 2024

December Book Bracket

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

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

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

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

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

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, by Alice Dalgliesh**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

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

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

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

The Wild Robot Protects, by Peter Brown**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out to Canaan, by Jan Karon

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

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

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

Searching for and Maintaining Peace, by Fr. Jacques Philippe

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

Bracket Play

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

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

Books I Attempted Put Down

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

Beau Geste, by P. C. Wren**

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

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

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

The Cloister and the Hearth, by Charles Reade**

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

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

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

Poppy, by Avi**

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

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

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

Juniper's Christmas, by Eoin Colfer**

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

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

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

November Book Bracket 2024

 November Book Bracket

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

The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins**

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

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

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

The Aeneid, by Virgil; translated by Sarah Ruden

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

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

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

Called to Life, by Fr. Jacques Philippe

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

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

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

These High, Green Hills, by Jan Karon

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

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

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

Bracket Play

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

October Book Bracket 2024

 October Book Bracket

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

Greenmantle, by John Buchan**

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At Home in Mitford, by Jan Karon

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

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

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

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

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

The Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Protestant describes his conversion journey into the Catholic Church.

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

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

Amos Fortune, Free Man, by Elizabeth Yates**

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

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

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

The Search for Delicious, by Natalie Babbitt

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

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

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

Augustine Came to Kent, by Barbara Willard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mattimeo, by Brian Jacques

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

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

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

A Light in the Window, by Jan Karon

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

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

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

Bracket Play

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

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

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

Books Attempted and Put Down

Calico Captive, by Elizabeth George Speare**

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

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

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

The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman**

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

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

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

The Moorchild, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw**

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

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

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

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

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

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger

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

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

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

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

A book critic reflects upon reading in a technological age.

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

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

Red Scarf Girl, by Ji-li Jiang**

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

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

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