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June 13
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Nancy
gave  to:
The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary (Paperback)
by
Karen Edmisten
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my rating:
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read in June, 2009
Nancy said:
"This is a wonderful book. Karen Edmisten has written an interesting, thoughtful, spiritually helpful small book on the rosary.
Many books have been written about the rosary, but Karen's has the unique perspective of coming from being an at...more
This is a wonderful book. Karen Edmisten has written an interesting, thoughtful, spiritually helpful small book on the rosary.
Many books have been written about the rosary, but Karen's has the unique perspective of coming from being an atheist, and converting to Catholicism. Her memories of objections to Catholicism and Mary and the rosary add interest and provide her with the ability to maintain a fresh perspective on a very traditional prayer.
As a regular rosary-pray-er who needed no incentive to keep praying the prayers, I still found insights and understanding that I didn't expect when I read this book. I found the author warm, approachable, charming, friendly, a companion, motherly, approachable. I felt, if we lived near each other, we'd have coffee together and chat.
"I think we cling to the rosary because....somehow, it works."
I really liked that line. Sometimes I wonder why my rosary is on my bedside table, why I turn to it in times of trouble and joy, why I rely on it when I am disturbed by news I find myself helpless to answer. Karen's simple, "It works," resonates with me.
Karen describes many Catholics paradoxical feelings about the rosary very well. In a guilt-free way, she describes how some love and some hate the rosary. People long for a goddess (witness, Da Vince Code) in their lives, but reject the real Mother of God as fulfilling that position.
In reading Edmisten's description of how to say a rosary, I even learned that "my style" of praying the prayers between the last Hail Mary of a decade and the Our Father of a new decade was different than the author's way. Not that it matters, but as I was reading I thought, "Oh! I do that differently." But the author assures we readers that there is no absolute "right" way to pray the rosary. And after years of praying it in many different public circumstances, I know that to be true.
So whether you love or hate the rosary, are curious about why people pray it, cling to it, or reject it, The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary is an interesting and thought-provoking book. The forward by Mike Aquilina isn't bad either. ;-)
Visit the author at KarenEdmisten.com(less)
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June 02
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Nancy
gave  to:
Persuasion (Oxford World's Classics)
by
Jane Austen
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my rating:
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May 27
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Nancy
is currently reading:
String, Straightedge and Shadow - The Story of Geometry (Paperback)
by
Julia E. Diggins
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my rating:
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Nancy
gave  to:
The Restoration of Christian Culture (Paperback)
by
John Senior
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my rating:
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read in May, 2009
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May 26
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Nancy
gave to:
Presenting Miss Jane Austen (Paperback)
by
May Lamberton Becker
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my rating:
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read in May, 2009
Nancy said:
"I am older now than Jane Austen was when she died, so it is quite late in life that I have discovered her for the first time.
I recently read and enjoyed Sense and Sensibility. I read this after watching the Emma Thompson DVD of the same t...more
I am older now than Jane Austen was when she died, so it is quite late in life that I have discovered her for the first time.
I recently read and enjoyed Sense and Sensibility. I read this after watching the Emma Thompson DVD of the same title twice, and I loved the movie and wanted more, so I read the book, and now I wanted to know more of this Jane Austen person.
So I saw Bethlehem Books had this work, and bought it. I read it immediately and now I want to read more Jane Austen. So one thing just leads me to more and more Jane Austen!
This is an excellent introductory biography of Austen, covering from birth to death with all the significant events between. If you are interested at all in Jane Austen or have a daughter ready to read her books, this would be a nice addition to your home library.(less)
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May 23
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Nancy
gave to:
The Order of Odd-Fish
by
James Kennedy (Goodreads author)
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my rating:
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read in May, 2009
Nancy said:
"Mr. Kennedy claims the influence of G.K. Chesterton, which compelled me to read his book. I would definitely say there is an air of Chesterton about this story.
The Order of the Odd-Fish is compelling, completely drawing the reader in to t...more
Mr. Kennedy claims the influence of G.K. Chesterton, which compelled me to read his book. I would definitely say there is an air of Chesterton about this story.
The Order of the Odd-Fish is compelling, completely drawing the reader in to the fantasy world the author has so carefully and fully (sub)created; the action is all over the place, reminding one of the cross-country tours involved in The Man Who Was Thursday, The Ball and the Cross, and even Manalive.
The imagination of Mr. Kennedy is wild, wooly, and incredibly active. But lest you think that there is just creative genius at work in descriptive writing, let me assure you there is a wild and serious plot, and a protagonist whom you quickly learn to care about.
The language is rich, the scenery detailed, the story humorous and amazing. I recommend it for about ages 15 and up. Unless you have a 13-14 year old with a strong stomach, as there are some scenes which could cause those to become squeamish (on the other hand, I enjoyed those scenes, but I'm 40 something.)(less)
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May 18
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Nancy
gave to:
Love in the Little Things: Tales of Family Life (Paperback)
by
Mike Aquilina
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my rating:
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read in May, 2009
Nancy said:
"I loved the short chapters, which I could read in bits and pieces, and the funny tales of an ordinary family living a Catholic life.
This book is written by a father who loves his children, and is involved in their lives. The family antics...more
I loved the short chapters, which I could read in bits and pieces, and the funny tales of an ordinary family living a Catholic life.
This book is written by a father who loves his children, and is involved in their lives. The family antics are cute, fun-loving, and then the author adds his insights into the deeper meaning of family life. Excellent reading.(less)
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Nancy
is currently reading:
The Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus: Introducing S3 Leadership -- Servant, Steward, Shepherd (Hardcover)
by
Owen Phelps, Ken Blanchard (Foreward)
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my rating:
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Benedict's Book Club
— 80 members
— last activity 17 hours, 33 min ago
