Carolyn Astfalk's Blog

An Open Book

Welcome to the October 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

Library Lovebirds by Katie Fitzgerald provided a nice break from reading longer works. This collection of library-centered sweet romances is charming. What impressed me most is how the author helped me to identify with and care about the characters in so few words.

If you like well-written Hallmark-esque sweet romances set in quaint towns with cozy feels, you’ll probably enjoy Crystal Walton’s latest series, Love in Willow Creek. The Corner Bookshop is the second book in the series. Maddy Ellis, who’s struggling to keep her little bookshop in business, makes a bet with stranger Nate O’Connor that she can make him fall in love with smalltown life. Nate’s reason for being in town is destined to put he and Maddy at odds, but it all works out in the end.

I recently read Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr, which my younger daughter read this summer. This historical fantasy set in England was a very smooth, pleasant read. Edith, the pastor’s daughter, travels with her family to the estate they’ve inherited. There she finds cousins she didn’t know, a somewhat mysterious neighbor, and secret creatures she’s never encountered. It’s a lively, entertaining story, and I see why it seems to be a very popular independently published series.

I picked up a copy of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway at a used bookshop this summer. I enjoyed reading it a couple of times in high school. My adult son picked it up and quickly read this short novel. An old man, Santiago, after many days asea without catching a fish, battles a large marlin for three days. From my son’s review: “Hemingway’s simplistic and terse yet descriptive language surprised me in this book.” He called the writing vivid and easy-to-read.

We had the opportunity to visit the Manassas battlefield during our summer vacation. I hadn’t previously known that it was the site of not one but two Civil War battles. Return to Bull Run: The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas by John J. Hennessy details the battle won my Generals Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Stonewall Jackson. This was a five-star book for my son with some of the best battle descriptions he’s read and well-done battle maps. His assessment: “Hennessy ultimately ties the campaign together by showing how Lee engineered a strategically genius campaign and coordinated mostly sound tactics with his generals while Pope mired himself in Union politics, prejudice against his subordinates, and his own glory-seeking arrogance.”

The Life of Billy Yank: The Common Soldier of the Union by Bell Irvin Wiley provides insight into the daily life of the average Union infantrymen in the American Civil War. While my son found parts of the book tedious or ambiguous, he described it as a good resource for re-enactors and historical novelists. “In detailing the daily routines, habits, and practices of Billy the Yank,” he wrote in his review, “I think the book will help me understand letters and references in my future research of other Civil War battles and figures.”

My son listened to The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton, the first collection of Father Brown stories, narrated by Stephen Scalon. He enjoyed these stories very much and recommends these mysteries to the whole family. 

My son also effectively used Knock ‘em Dead Job Interview: How to Turn Job Interviews Into Job Offers by Martin Yate in preparation for his first post-college job interview. While he felt the author’s advice was sometimes tailored to sales jobs and older job seekers, he found the suggested strategies helpful. However, he thinks the book needs an update to reflect changes in technology, how applicants communicate with potential employers, and how interviews are initiated and conducted.

For a short time, my daughters were reading The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien simultaneously, sharing the same book. My fourteen-year-old sped ahead, and her older sister is still enjoying the last book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I suspect everyone is familiar with the plotline, but in this book, Sam and Frodo continue their journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mordor.

My youngest daughter’s favorite genre is historical fiction, and she enjoyed Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz. While this novel set during the Holocaust is written for young adults, she thinks adults would enjoy it too. She appreciated that this was significantly different from other World War II novels she’d read in that it’s set mainly in concentration camps as the protagonist, a Jewish boy from Poland, is shuffled from place to place.

This is the same daughter’s confirmation year, and one of the saints she’s been considering for her patron is the sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Léonie Martin. Léonie Martin: A Difficult Life by Marie Baudouin-Croix also fulfills a biography reading requirement for her English Language Arts class. If you’ve read about the Lisieux family, this daughter was the most troublesome, characterized as “emotionally disturbed,” yet she eventually was accepted into religious life and her cause for sainthood introduced.

White Fang by Jack London has been a favorite of all my children who have read it. My daughter read an abridged version of the adventure classic several years ago, but she enjoyed the original more. Set in the Far North, a lone wolf pup is adopted by a Native American and named White Fang. He’s later sold to a dog fighter and endures much before his eventual domestication.

It’s been a minute since a Star Wars book appeared in An Open Book, but my youngest son thoroughly enjoyed the novelization of the second (or 5th, depending on how you count them) Star Wars movie, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore. Anakin Skywalker, apprentice to Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi, falls in (forbidden) love with Naboo Senator Padme Amidala as the Dark Side grows more powerful and dangerous. My son noted details that were not included in the movie and additional scenes in the beginning as well.

Since my children have all attended the same parish grade school and pulled books from the same middle school library, they are often reading books one or more siblings have read prior to them. Two books made a re-appearance this month: Restart by Gordon Korman (which I included in this space in April of 2022) and The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo (which appeared in November of 2024).

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An Open Book

Welcome to the September 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

For varied reasons, our summer reading took a turn in August, and, collectively, we read far fewer books than last month (my oldest son excepting).

The description for The Year of My Humiliation by C.J. Sursum didn’t appeal to me, but I’m so glad I read this excellent psychological drama tracing the developing psychosis of a cold and arrogant surgeon following the death of his young daughter. Through roughly a year’s worth of the surgeon’s, Michael’s, journal entries, the author deftly shares stories and assumptions, leaving them like breadcrumbs for the reader to uncover the truth of Michael’s mental state, character, and the details surrounding his daughter’s death. Well-written, complex, insightful spiritual observations, and difficult to put down.

If you’re familiar with Dave Ramsey’s approach to finance, a lot of A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More: Advice from a Debt-Free Family of 16 by Sam Fatzinger and Rob Satzinger will seem familiar. Where the book shines is in its Catholic approach, emphasizing the moral and scriptural basis for exercising virtues such as temperance in our relationship with money (and God’s other gifts, which we are called to steward with generosity).

A Hero Such as Heaven Intended (coming soon!) is the final book in the Heaven Intended series by Amanda Lauer. The novel is set as General Sherman commences his march to the sea, and it pairs quick-study Theresa with a half-Cherokee soldier fighting for the Union (as much as he’s committed to either side of the cause). Readers who have enjoyed the previous books in the Heaven Intended series are sure to enjoy this final book, which is very much in the same style and voice, delivering a happily ever after for all.

My adult son continued reading Timothy B. Smith’s Civil Wars series with Bayou Battles for Vicksburg: The Swamp and River Expeditions, January 1 – April 30, 1863. The book is a study of Ulysses S. Grant’s winter attempts to take Vicksburg, Mississippi, by water. The creeks, rivers, and bayous—a swampy environment—made capture a particular challenge. Grant cut levies, flooded watersheds, and dug canals in his attempts to capture the Confederate stronghold.

Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce is a literary biography of the great 20th century author. Pearce explores Tolkien’s background, the culture in which he wrote, the significance of Tolkien’s fictional Middle Earth, and also his relationships with his literary colleagues, including C.S. Lewis.

What’s Wrong with the World is the first book my son has read by G.K. Chesterton but not the last. The commentary contained in this volume is curated from Chesterton’s thousands of essays published in various media. While written in the early 20th century, so many quotes my son shared with me felt relevant and contemporary. His takes on education, feminism, and government are still applicable.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval poem by an unknown author and translated by J.R.R. Tolkien (among others). It is a moral tale described as “a romance, a fairytale for adults, full of life and color.” It was recommended to my son as pairing well with the themes of the proceeding short novel.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad shares with Sir Gawain a tale of self-discovery. While the protagonists in both tales have adventures in the wilderness and are forced to confront things about themselves, overall, the protagonist of the medieval poem proves himself virtuous while Conrad’s Mr. Kurtz degenerates, turning more animalistic, as he travels deep into the heart of Africa.

My younger daughter read several Agatha Christie mysteries, including Sleeping Murder and The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side. I share with you here her review of And Then There Were None in its entirety because I think it’s the cutest thing ever, and how can you not want to read it after this recommendation?

“Oh. My. Goodness. This book was EXTRAORDINARY. It was terrifying, thrilling, everything at once! I couldn’t stop reading it and yet dreaded the outcome the whole time. I applaud Agatha Christie for coming up with this hare-brained scheme. The use of the poem was also so clever and provided a certain measure of expectance, wonder, and dread at the same time. 5 out of 5 stars for sure. I’m still shaking even after I’ve finished it. Would 100% recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and fairly quick read. (I read this in less than a day. THAT is how invested I was.) Loved it, loved it, LOVED it.”

My youngest son and I both read Mac’s Mission Diary: Operation Save the Summer by S.J. Engelman. Fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and its ilk (that’s my son) will especially enjoy this quick read. Written as a series of journal entries and including simple illustrations, it holds appeal for tween boys, in particular. Parents will approve of this fun story that relies on the humor of a scheming boy’s machinations but also allows readers to see the sort of fun that can be had outside of video game.

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7 Five-Star Books for Your Catholic Child’s Library

Dive Deep: 20 Days with God at Sea by Sr. Orianne Pietra René Dyck, FSP

Part Scripture study, part science textbook, part prayer journal, Dive Deep is a beautiful and engaging book for young people to spend time with Scripture, learn more about the natural world, reflect, and pray. This book is suited to the family or the classroom. I plan on having my 12-year-old son work through the book this summer.

Giovanni and the Fava Beans: The Story of the St. Joseph Altar by Joseph P. Ruli

What a beautifully written and illustrated introduction to devotion to St. Joseph and the tradition of the St. Joseph Altar!

The story is engaging, the pictures inviting, and the information practical in starting or reviving this tradition in your own family. An absolute delight!

As a non-Sicilian Italian whose family heritage was not handed down, this will serve as a guidebook for expanding our family’s St. Joseph traditions.

The Holy Spirit and the Greatest Adventure by Gracie Jagla

Finally, the Holy Spirit gets its due in this rhyming read-aloud for children. The least-mentioned, most difficult member of the Trinity to depict is shown from Pentecost through the lives of the saints and the sacraments. Where has this been all our lives? A highly readable blessing for families.

Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers by Fabiola Garza

Beautifully illustrated in a contemporary Disney style, Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers brings the lives of the saints to young girls in a way that is visually beautiful yet emphasizes the everlasting beauty of virtue. Sure to be a favorite with little girls.

Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Saints and Their Holy Companions by Alexi Sergeant

Well-written and beautifully illustrated, this storybook of various saints featuring animals – some wild, some domesticated – makes a beautiful collection of stories for reading aloud, at bedtime or any time.

The Shepherd’s Coat by Caryll Houselander

With illustrations that will enfold children in the tale, Votive’s presentation of Caryll Houselander’s The Shepherd’s Coat should have a place on the Catholic child’s shelf.

The imagery and inviting presentation draw the reader in, allowing them to experience the tale of wonder with its simple emphasis on encountering Christ in those we meet.

The Too-Tall Swiss Guardby Michelle Widmer-Schulz

This colorful (thanks to the Swiss Guard uniform) picture book is a tender story of a young Swiss Guard experiencing the homesickness of a first Christmas apart from his family and the difficulty of acclimating to his new Vatican City home due to his height.

On first read, I missed that the story was set in 1986 and the guard’s papal encounter was with Pope St. John Paul II, a fact I only gathered from the story summary. That detail endeared me to the story all the more, as the saint’s kindness is a turning point in the guard’s experience.

Children also learn a little about the Swiss Guard and Rome.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the August 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

Uneasy Street by Becky Wade is the third book in her Sons of Scandal series. Of the three, this one wasn’t my favorite, but enemies-to-lovers is always a hard sell for me. I was, eventually, mostly won over to the hero, Max. This book wrapped up several threads in the series, including family matriarch Fiona’s story. There are a couple of mysteries in this one, so there’s a lot going on in addition to the romance between wildly successfully entrepreneur Max and his former partner-turned-etiquette expert, Sloane. Some interesting twists and a light Christian theme help make this an enjoyable contemporary romance.

I read another “third in the series,” Hail Mary Catch by Marie Veillon, part of the Camellia rom-com series set in Cajun country. This one matches grumpy pediatrician Landry with his best friend’s sister, the innocent, optimistic Daisy. This is a marriage-of-convenience story on the spicy end of the clean read spectrum, so there’s a considerable amount of sexual innuendo but no graphic content.

Joan of Arkansas by Sarah Robsdottir isn’t a retelling of the 15th c.-saint’s life, but some similarities are drawn between her and this modern teen who, despite the bleak, often abusive circumstances of her life, has mission and purpose in defending the value of human life. While written for teens, this is a gritty story that includes a wide range of rough elements from child neglect and elder abuse to drug use and sexual crimes. Despite those elements, Joanie exhibits an enduring faith, and the story ends on a hopeful note.

I loved Leslea Wahl’s latest novel, A Summer to Treasure, which my 13-year-old daughter enjoyed as well. Three teen siblings and their parents embark on a summer road trip in the American West at the behest of their grandmother. Amidst national park visits and treasure hunts, they discover a lot about themselves, each other, their grandmother, and living life in the real world (as opposed to a virtual one). A perfect book for summer reading.

My oldest son enjoyed Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, an American classic he’d never read. He found this story of boyhood adventures on the Mississippi River not only humorous but filled with important themes in Twain’s unique style. I only read this book well into adulthood myself, but I’d like to re-read it.

Regular readers of An Open Book know that we often pick up books inspired by or related to our vacations. This year, we visited various Civil War sites in both Virginia and West Virginia, including one of our favorite stops, the Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters Museum in Winchester, Virginia. That’s where my son picked up Life and Letters of General Thomas J. Jackson by Mary Anna Jackson, Stonewall Jackson’s second wife. This isn’t a book about battle tactics, and given the author, it’s not generally critical of the Confederate general. It shares what my son calls “an inspiring example of faith and devotion, showing us how we can integrate our religious faith as Americans into both the public and private spheres of our lives.” He calls the final chapter, dealing with Jackson’s death, a must-read.

I’ve visited the battlefields in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, more times than I can count, and I still get all balled up trying to pinpoint what action happened where. That’s where The First Day at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 by James A. Hessler comes in. My son called it “an ideal tour of the battlefield distilled into an illustrated book.” The author’s writing style and maps help the reader understand battle movements and complex maneuvers.

The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War by Thomas J. DiLorenzo turned what my son has learned about Abraham Lincoln on its head. The author uses Lincoln’s own quotes, speeches, and influences to create a compelling analysis of Lincoln’s motives in going to war. The author shines in his economic analysis and presents Lincolns’ economic vision as a driving factor in his politics. My son was particularly impressed with the book’s respect for and adherence to the U.S. Constitution’s purpose.

The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 by Rick Atkinson concerns the early part of the American Revolutionary War and is the first book in Atkinson’s trilogy. It includes such famous Americans as Henry Knox, Nathanael Greene, Benjamin Franklin, and, of course, General George Washington. This book is more detailed than David McCullough’s 1776 (sometimes too detailed) and is written in an engaging style that made it easy to read while providing a lot of information about the early theaters of the war, including operations in Canada.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is short enough that my son read it in only a day. He gave five stars to the classic, which I read a couple of times in high school. George and Lenny, a simple, childlike man, make an unlikely pair working in the California vegetable fields in the early 20th century. There’s tragedy and misunderstanding in this American classic.

My oldest son and daughter have formed a small book group (small meaning they are the only two members). They’re currently reading Flannery O’Connor stories from A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories. I crashed their club last week (though I didn’t get a fancy drink like they did) with The Complete Stories. It’s such fun to share these stories, appreciating the quality with which they are written and dissecting their symbolism and meaning. Our selection was “The River.”

My daughter also read The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, the second book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. She’d seen the movies, so reading the books is eye-opening to her as she discovers scenes and characters that differ from their cinematic portrayal. (The book is almost always better, isn’t it?)

My younger daughter continues to tear through books at an intimidating pace. I recommended Fawkes by Nadine Brandes, a book that has been on my to-read list for a long time. It’s a fantasy adaption of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. I was curious how the author would portray Catholicism’s role, but according to my daughter, the fantasy managed to sidestep questions of religious practice. She loved the melding of history and fantasy and considers this one of her favorites read this summer.

She also read two complete series that I saw recommended on Sacrifice of Love’s An Open Book posts. The first is The Secrets of Ormdale series by Christina Baehr. My daughter describes it as a fantasy set in the Yorkshire area at the turn of the 20th century. Just seeing the words “crumbling gothic Abbey” in the description is enough to make me want to read it.

The second series is The Stolen Kingdom series by Bethany Atazadeh, a series of fairytale retellings starting with a book based on Aladdin. The first book, The Stolen Kingdom, and the third book, The Cursed Hunter (a Beauty and the Beast retelling), were her series favorites.

I also recommended A Katie Parker Production series by Jenny B. Jones to her based on my enjoyment of so many of the author’s books (though I had not yet read this series, aimed firmly at the YA audience). The series begins when Katie is introduced to her new foster parents, a pastor and his wife. Hanging out with her new grandma, Mad Maxine, results in some shenanigans and leads to some life lessons.

Both my middle-school daughter and son read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, which I included recently when their older brother read it. The remainder of the books my two youngest children read have also been featured here recently or in the not-too-distant past. Here they are, in no particular order:

The Stolen Princess  by Sandralena Hanley Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War  by Michael Shaara Pride and Prejudice  by Jane Austen The Fellowship of the Ring  by J.R.R. TolkienGreat War Great Love series by Ellen Gable A Dark and Desperate Race  by Stephanie Weller Hanson

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10 Books to Grow Your Family’s Love of Adoration

Eli’s Quiet Friendby Allison Regina Gliot, FSP

Adults and children are so accustomed to constant noise that we can fail to recognize the value of silence. For Eli, who is highly sensitive to noise, silence is valued but elusive amidst the sounds of modern life.

Eli’s Quiet Friend allows children to contrast the noise of daily living with the quiet peace found in God’s presence. It’s a valuable resource in introducing young children to the peace of Christ found in the Blessed Sacrament.

An Adoration Treasury for Young Catholicsby Sr. Mary Bosco Davis, OSF and Sr. M. Lisetta Getting, OSF

Both contemporary and timeless, An Adoration Treasury for Young Catholics is a fantastic resource for children, parents, and teachers.

Comprehensive, varied, and easily digestible, it is an ideal resource for children’s visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Lectio divina, the Rosary, litanies, stories of the saints – all that and more. Its compact size and hard cover make it ideal for practical use and re-use!

Stories of the Eucharist: A Family Treasury of Saints and Seekersby Heidi Hess Saxton

Stories of the Eucharist is a great introduction to various saints and miracles presented in a fashion that spurs discussion and reflection. It’s a great tool for families, small groups, or even classrooms.

Inside, you’ll find saints and stories that are both familiar and obscure. Tales of miracles create a sense of awe and wonder at God’s majesty and the treasure that is the Holy Eucharist.

One Hour for My Priest: A Prayer Companionby Tina Jost

So often, we’re reminded to pray for our priests. Many nights, I’ll pray for their welfare generally and by name. But One Hour of My Priest gives structure and purpose to that prayer, and I’m grateful for its intentionality.

I’ve used the book as intended during Adoration and had more than enough time to complete one of the options for prayer that it presents. It also offers the added benefits of building empathy and gratitude for the priests of our parish.

Makes a great resource for Adoration chapels but also for private prayer. The formatting/presentation is lackluster, but the content is valuable.

St. Faustina Prayer Book for Adorationby Susan Tassone

The St. Faustina Prayer Book for Adoration is perfect for reading before the Blessed Sacrament. Its compact size makes it easy to stuff in a purse or bag, and the content provides a wide variety of prayers suitable for different tastes and moods.

The glossary makes the book accessible to those new to the faith. While it will especially appeal to those devoted to Divine Mercy, I recommended for any Catholic’s personal prayer at Adoration or anyplace.

Beautiful Eucharistby Matthew Kelly

Beautiful Eucharist is a short, easy-to-read book of personal essays great for increasing your appreciation of the Eucharist.

Authors run the gamut from contemporary folks to spiritual giants. It’s a great resource for Adoration and for both those unfamiliar with devotion to the Eucharist and for devout believers.

It’s format allows for reading an essay or two as time allows and then reflection on the influence of our Eucharistic Lord in your own life.

Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Bookby Marie Paul Curley, FSP

The Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Book is a beautiful, compact hardcover with a satiny ribbon bookmark that includes numerous Catholic prayers, hymns, intercessory petitions, and Scripture to help guide your time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

There are ten holy hour guides to choose from that provide Scripture, reflections, and prayers to fill your Holy Hour.

For those new to Adoration or unfamiliar with the Holy Eucharist, there is explanation as well as prayers appropriate for Mass and Benediction.

It is a thorough guide that serves as a companion throughout a life of faith and devotion.

Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayersby Marie Paul Curley, FSP

Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayers is a smaller, softcover companion that features the prayers of the Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Book above. This smaller book is ideal for those comfortable and familiar with Adoration seeking only a prayer book suitable for Adoration or any time.

This is the kind of prayer book that becomes a beloved source of strength and inspiration, worn at the edges after years of use.

Pocket Guide to Adorationby Fr. Josh Johnson

Pocket Guide to Adoration is a slim, compact Adoration companion (but would probably only fit your pocket if you shop at the big and tall store and wear cargo pants) with a durable leatherette cover and bookmark ribbon.

It offers four primary ways of praying during Adoration: with Sacred Scriptures, the Rosary, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Lives of the Saints. There are segments for prayer, meditation, contemplation, and resolution.

The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration

The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration is a hardcover guide that includes four approaches to Adoration. The four focuses are Penance, Word, Sacrifice, and Service. The reader can mix and match the various elements within those themes: Prayers and Devotions, Sacred Writings and Sacred Readings, Saints and Faithful Disciples, and Doctrines and Teachings.

I purchased a set of ribbon bookmarks to help me navigate the mix-and-match options, but I confess I still find the options confusing. Regardless of how you make your way through the book, there are many profound Scriptures, readings, and prayers along with thoughtful prompts for self-reflection and meditation.

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Our Summer 2025 Reading Lists

I’ve met with varying success for my summer reading lists over the years. (You can find those lists linked below.) Whether I I accomplish all of my summer reading goals or not, I’ve found these lists very helpful in finally getting around to reading books that I’d failed previously to make a priority.

This year, I asked other members of the family looking for more reading accountability to chime in with their goals. My 22-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter took me up on the invitation. (If my 13-year-old daughter made a list, it’d be outdated by the time I hit publish based on the speed with which she tears through books.)

My list: Uneasy Street by Becky Wade

Blurb: Once upon a time Max Cirillo and Sloane Madison were close friends and business partners. But when their business relationship imploded, so did the friendship.

Now, four years later, Max is a rich CEO. Sloane’s a not-so-rich etiquette expert who returns to Maine to serve as her niece’s temporary guardian and help the girl search for her birth father. Sloane and her niece move into a darling garage apartment but Sloane’s joy in their accommodations soon turns to horror when she realizes their apartment belongs to Max. Thanks to an unbreakable lease, she’s stuck living right next door to him.

Max pulled strings to bring Sloane into his orbit because he needs closure on what went wrong between them. Quickly, though, his scheming comes back to bite him. The world might view him as a cold-hearted rake, but this one woman has dangerous power over his emotions.

They’ll have no choice but to confront their history—and the undeniable spark between them—while living side by side on uneasy street.

Why I want to read it: I thoroughly enjoyed the two previous books in the Sons of Scandal series and am looking forward to the final novel. I’ve enjoyed many of this author’s Contemporary Christian romances.

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

Blurb: She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

Why I want to read it: I enjoy Courtney Walsh’s books but can no longer keep up with her pace. Of the half-dozen recent novels I haven’t read, this one seems the most beloved, so I’ll start here.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Blurb: A beautiful society wife from St. Petersburg, determined to live life on her own terms, sacrifices everything to follow her conviction that love is stronger than duty. A socially inept but warmhearted landowner pursues his own visions instead of conforming to conventional views. The adulteress and the philosopher head the vibrant cast of characters in Anna Karenina,Tolstoy’s tumultuous tale of passion and self-discovery. 

This novel marks a turning point in the author’s career, the juncture at which he turned from fiction toward faith. Set against a backdrop of the historic social changes that swept Russia during the late nineteenth century, it reflects Tolstoy’s own personal and psychological transformation. Two worlds collide in the course of this epochal story: that of the old-time aristocrats, who struggle to uphold their traditions of serfdom and authoritarian government, and that of the Westernizing liberals, who promote technology, rationalism, and democracy. This cultural clash unfolds in a compelling, emotional drama of seduction, betrayal, and redemption.

Why I want to read it: In my senior year of high school, I had a very young English teacher who assigned a variety of Russian novels–and I loved them. Despite that, I’ve never returned to reading Russian authors, and this classic has been on my to-be-read list for much too long.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Blurb: Widely considered Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Misérables is both an epic story and a penetrating social criticism of nineteenth-century France. In this tale of crime, punishment, love, and the pursuit of justice, we meet some of the most unforgettable characters in literature, including Jean Valjean, the heroic peasant arrested for stealing a loaf of bread; Cossette, the abused daughter of a prostitute; and Inspector Javert, the policeman who relentlessly hounds Valjean at every turn. With encyclopedic sweep, Hugo’s novel investigates topics ranging from the construction of Parisian sewers to the Battle of Waterloo.

Why I want to read it: I actually read this book once or twice in high school, including for extra credit in History class. Many of my classmates and I bemoaned the length of “The Miserables,” but I ended up loving the story. I’ve been wanting to re-read it as an adult and a writer for a very long time.

Wormwood Abbey by Christina Baehr

Blurb: As a Victorian clergyman’s daughter, Edith Worms has seen everything — until a mythical salamander tumbles out of the fireplace into her lap.

When a letter arrives from estranged relatives, Edith is swept away to a crumbling gothic Abbey in the wilds of Yorkshire. Wormwood Abbey isn’t just full of curious beasts and ancient family secrets: there’s also a tall, dark, and entirely too handsome neighbour who is strangely reluctant for her to leave.

An unexpected bond with her prickly cousin Gwendolyn gives Edith a reason to stay in this strange world — especially when it turns out that Edith herself may have a role in guarding her family’s legacy.

But not all of the mysteries of Ormdale are small enough to fit in her lap…and some of them have teeth.

Why I want to read it: I’ve seen this book highly recommended by several Goodreads friends and a regular contributor to An Open Book, and I think my daughters and I would enjoy it.

The Bennetts Bloom by Katie Fitzgerald

Blurb: When Fern Mattingly moves in next door to twenty-something widower Dave Bennett and his toddler daughter, Grace, the three of them form an instant bond. At first Fern is just a neighbor, but over time she becomes Dave’s cheerleader, mentor, dining partner, babysitter, best friend, and eventually, after nearly sixteen years, something more. This collection of flash fiction stories is a mosaic of moments from the lives of Fern, Dave, and Grace, that celebrate the healing power of friendship and remind us that the best relationships sometimes take a long time to bloom, but they flourish beautifully in the end.

Why I want to read it: I’ve read a little of Katie Fitzgerald’s short fiction, but this is another case of where I can’t keep up with a writer’s prolific output. I’ve seen a lot about the characters in this project on Instagram, and I’d like to enjoy their whole story.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Blurb: A new edition of Wilkie Collins’s classic novel, The Woman in White, one of the finest examples of Victorian-era Gothic mystery and suspense. Told from multiple narrative perspectives, The Woman in White begins with the story of Walter Hartright, a young artist and teacher who encounters on the streets of London a mysterious woman in distress who is dressed entirely in white, who he later learns was an escapee from an asylum. Later on, after he has left London and takes a job as a drawing teacher for a family in the English countryside, he meets and falls in love with a young woman who bears a striking resemblance to the mysterious woman he encountered before, which opens the door to discovering dark secrets about the woman and her family. A gripping and suspenseful story of frustrated love, switched identities, and dark secrets, The Woman in White is considered to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century and Wilkie Collins’s masterpiece. A popular sensation in its own day, it remains widely read and has been the subject of multiple film and screen adaptations.

Why I want to read it: I’m not sure how this novel made it onto my radar, but it intrigues me, likely because of its Gothic nature.

My 22-year-old son’s list:

I greatly admire my son’s ambition to read great stories and expand his knowledge and understanding of history. He’s a bazillion times more knowledgeable about any number of topics than I am or will likely ever be.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by unknown

My 17-year-old daughter’s list:

Every time I look at this list, I start warbling, “One of these things is not like the other.” I guarantee this is the only list in which one of my novels will stand alongside Dante and Tolkien. Were the author not her mother, I strongly doubt All in Good Time would be featured here. But, she is a loving and dutiful daughter, and here you have it.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk Purgatorio by Dante Past summer reading challenges:201920202021202220232024

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An Open Book

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

I’m supposed to have more time for reading in the summer, right? I’m not working outside the home and the kids’ activities are diminished. Or they’re supposed to be. So far, my kids have had ample time for reading. Me, not so much, but I’m hoping to make room for more books as we ease into summer.

I quickly read Karen Witemeyer’s latest, To Love a Beast, a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in late 19th-century Texas. It read so smoothly and was such a pleasant diversion. While the plot and characters had nods to the classic fairy tale, it was infused with a realism I enjoyed. As always, Karen Witemeyer’s books are well-written and include faith themes that resonate.

My adult son has an ambitious reading plan and has been moving swiftly through U.S. Civil War books, including Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson. The author takes on the daunting task of condensing the war into one volume. If you’re going to read only one book seeking an overview of the war, then my son would recommend this Pulitzer Prize winner. However, other books provide more detail, more engaging style, and varying perspectives. He found this volume to be less objective than he’d have liked.

He’s currently reading the first in a series that he purchased at a local Civil War bookseller. (You have those when you live as close to Gettysburg as we do.) Early Struggles for Vicksburg: The Mississippi Central Campaign and Chickasaw Bayou, October 25-December 31, 1862 covers the early war operations in six states as part of Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s attempt to reach Vicksburg. The level of research and storytelling in the book is more to my son’s liking and the maps are plentiful.

In preparation for completion of her summer 4H project, my high school daughter is reading Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese: How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues by Tenaya Darlington. It is an overview of cheese history and cheese varieties, which will be helpful to her as she tries her hand at some basic cheese-making.

J.R.R. Tolkien is a frequent author shared here. I don’t think I have anything new to say about him or his works, but my daughter read the first book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, which she loved. She plans on reading the remainder of the trilogy this summer.

On a long, long drive from Pennsylvania to Minnesota and back, the same daughter had ample time to read another Agatha Christie mystery novel, And Then There Were None. Ten strangers are invited weekend guests on a private island, and each has a damaging secret in their past. In each of their rooms hangs an ominous nursery rhyme, which plays itself out as successive murders occur.

She also read most of Mark Twain’s Puddn’head Wilson, a short book I’ve been meaning to return to. She particularly enjoyed the humor. This entertaining mystery, which features courtroom drama, stems from a young slave’s swapping her fair-skinned infant son for her master’s.

My middle school-daughter has already more than completed the library’s summer reading program. It is difficult to keep this young lady stocked with books! She read the four main books in Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter), a sci fi/fantasy series with a fairytale twist. When I read this series years ago, it reminded me in some ways of Star Wars in its style and tone.

Uprising is a historical novel by an author my daughter enjoys, Jennifer A. Neilson. Lidia, inspired by real Polish teenager Lidia Zakrzewski, is a young girl who becomes part of the Polish resistance during WWII. She smuggles food into the Warsaw Ghetto, then works as a courier delivering messages throughout the city.

My daughter also read three books in Regina Doman’s The Fairy Tale Novels series: Black as Night, Waking Rose, and The Midnight Dancers. These, the second through fourth books in the series, are inspired by Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I consider these books classic Catholic YA novels by a contemporary author and they remain favorites in many Catholic families.

Ablaze by M. Liz Boyle is the third book in the Off the Itinerary series. In this adventure, the Stanley sisters and the Miles boys are helping with an outdoor program in the Montana mountains. All is well until a fire divides their group.

For her school-assigned summer reading project, she read The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. My older daughter read this with her class in eighth grade. The novel, set in colonial Maine, is a Newbery Honor book. Thirteen-year-old Matthew is left to guard his family’s cabin in the wilderness and meets a Native boy, Attean, who teaches him about his culture. 

And yet another series read is underway! This one is Ellen Gable’s Great War Great Love series, starting with Julia’s Gifts, which my daughter read in a day. Julia, an American, has been buying gifts for her future husband for years. When she volunteers for nursing duty in France during WWI, she meets a Canadian man, for whom the gifts are (eventually) intended.

My middle school-son ended the school year by reading Comeback Catcher, a graphic novel, by Jake Maddox. Eddie Jackson struck out last summer and returns to baseball as a backup catcher. He’ll need to find the courage to get back into the game

He also read Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo by Tod Olson, part of the Wicked History series that profiles ruthless historical rulers. This edition recounts the life of Leopold II of Belgium from childhood to his rise to the throne, his conquest of the Congo, and his death.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

We’re slipping into summer reading mode here. Several of the kids are re-reading familiar favorites or family-favorite classics I’ve shared here before. I’ve gotten everyone signed up for the local summer reading programs, and we’re looking forward to a summer where the students, at least, get a little more say in what’s being read. I’ll also be less inclined to tell anyone around here to put down their book and go to bed.

My husband has been listening to The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Robert Cardinal Sarah off and on. The book is presented as a conversation between Cardinal Sarah and Nicolas Diat and examines the importance of silence in hearing the voice of God and the detriment of a world filled with near-constant noise. (Is it too much to hope my husband will decrease the TV and podcast volume more often or turn off the white noise machine at night when he’s done reading this?)

Going for Two by Marie Veillon is the second in the author’s Camellia Rom-com series. Blake (the Snake) has been pigeon-holed as a player long enough that he’s convinced he’s not cut out for marriage. His reputation makes it hard for Loren, who has existing trust issues, to believe in him. At its heart, the story is not just fun and flirty but a story of forgiveness, trust, and conversion with a reminder that God can work all things for His purpose.

I’ve only just begun reading Misshelved Magic by S.R.Crickard, but so far I’ve enjoying the lightly magical world, including the overlooked librarian, Adelina, and the odd and mysterious librarian of the magical books, the cervara. It’s definitely got some Harry Potter feels going for it. And the cover – I absolutely love it!

While staying at a rental house for a night last month, we spied The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook: Traditional Easy and Simple Recipes for Beginners to Experts for Saint Patrick’s Day, Christmas, Family Get-Togethers and More (Parragon Books) on the shelf. The beautiful hardcover book was less than ten dollars on Amazon, so my son bought a copy. Already, we’ve made several recipes, including Fisherman’s Pie and Whiskey-glazed Carrots for his birthday dinner. Recipes are straightforward with simple ingredients, and we’ll be turning to this book again and again.

Fresh from his college graduation, my son picked up The Histories by Herodotus, a book often mentioned in History courses but not read. He’s been moving through the nine books (chapters) quickly for such a lengthy tome. Some of the stories chronicled by “the Father of History” during his extensive travels are unusual, but most all are entertaining.

My high school daughter read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with her class. She thought the writing, including the imagery and symbolism, was well done, but she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to take away from the book about disillusionment. She did say it was a good way to learn about that time period in the United States.

She also greatly enjoyed Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie, and the mystery had her guessing until very close to the end. This is a Miss Marple mystery in which the sleuth turns a bit ghost hunter. From my daughter’s description, this book reminded me a bit of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca, though less of a Gothic tale and more a straight mystery.

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My middle school son read Masterpiece by Elise Broach. The protagonists are an eleven-year-old boy and a beetle. James, the boy, gets credit for art that Marvin, the bug, created. They end up unwittingly involved in an art heist, and my son said it was fun to figure out who was the thief. Best of all, the result was surprising.

With his class, my son also read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, a Newbery Medal award winner by Robert C. O’Brien. Mrs. Frisby must move her mouse family to summer quarters, but she needs help from the rats of NIMH, a highly intelligent group that helps to solve her problem. She, in turn, offers aid to them. My son enjoyed the author’s descriptions and the action. 

I recently read some children’s books that were Association of Catholic Publisher book award winners. Giovanni and the Fava Beans: The Story of the St. Joseph Altar by Joseph P. Ruli is beautifully written and illustrated. The story is engaging, the pictures are inviting, and the information in the back is practical in starting or reviving the St. Joseph altar tradition in your family.

Another award-winner is Eli’s Quiet Friend by Sister Allison Regina Gliot. Adults and children are so accustomed to constant noise that we can fail to recognize the value of silence. Eli’s Quiet Friend allows children to contrast the noise of daily living with the quiet peace found in God’s presence. It’s a valuable resource in introducing young children to the peace of Christ found in the Blessed Sacrament.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

The Tire Swing by Crystal Walton is the light read I needed after slogging through some other books. It’s a small-town romance set in scenic Virginia. Ellie returns to Willow Creek to take care of her Aunt Bev’s estate—including a willful stallion. Cole, her high school love, never left Willow Creek, but a business opportunity might lure him away. They need to work through their past before they can build a future.

Since visiting Ireland a couple of years ago, my son has had a particular interest in Irish culture. Dubliners by James Joyce seemed like classic literature he should read. It’s a collection of short stories set in early 20th century Dublin. The stories of middle-class Irish folk are organized by childhood, adolescence, maturity, and public life.

General James Longstreet: The Confederacy’s Most Controversial Soldier by Jeffry D. Wert is a historical book recommended to my son by his cousin who shares an interest in military history. My son really enjoyed this author’s writing but laments the absence of good maps (a common and understandable refrain of his). We were discussing college cafeteria food, and he quipped that things don’t change much since Longstreet and his classmates reported cockroaches in the food at West Point!

My college son read selections from Confessions by Saint Augustine as part of a course but completed it on his own. From his review: “A theological and philosophical autobiography in which Augustine recounts his own process of conversion and openly grapples with and contemplates his own questions and the controversies of his day. The account is both fascinating and helpful.” He found the classroom discussion beneficial in his understanding.

Why Literature Still Matters by Jason M. Baxter was given to my son (and other students in a C.S. Lewis reading group) after the author, a professor at Benedictine College, was unable to visit his campus (Saint Vincent College) for a lecture due to a canceled flight. The book’s description: “In the second edition of his wide-ranging and accessible work, Jason M. Baxter puts our contemporary culture in conversation with literature and its ‘sister arts’ to make the compelling—and sometimes chilling—case not just for the relevance but urgency of the humane tradition as we enter our ‘digital apocalypse.’ Baxter draws on his areas of expertise, Dante and C.S. Lewis; his background in teaching the great books, art history, and music history; as well as his own travel literature to give his readers an almost sensuous feeling for what the alternative to our tech-obsessed culture is.”

My high school daughter enjoyed The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott. This was the author’s first novel and was published posthumously. She called it “an interesting, quick book. It felt like a suspenseful Jane Austen novel of manners crossed with Alcott’s favorite themes of purity and compassion. There were several endearing romantic moments between the hero and heroine, and I definitely enjoyed the suspense of Edith’s mysterious family origins, her relationships, and tragic situations. Lord Percy was also a true gentleman.” She did think the writing was sometimes a bit stiff and repetitive and the characters a little too perfect.

There’s not much original to say about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but I’m including it here since my daughter is reading the lovely Marjolein Bastin Classics Series edition. These editions are beautifully illustrated, mainly with flowers, but also include items appropriate to the text. For example, there is a handwritten copy of Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth, complete with envelope, tucked in between the pages. These books become treasured favorites and make lovely gifts.

I read The Swiss Family Robinson by Johan David Wyss multiple times as a child, and I’ve been curious whether my children would enjoy it as much as I did.  So far, my middle-school daughter is enjoying the story of a family’s survival on a remote island. She did mention that some of the long descriptions of various plant discoveries become a bit boring. I would like to re-read this classic myself.

My middle-school son read The Word Eater by Mary Amato. A new student is caught amidst a club rivalry “until she finds a magical worm that eats printed words instead of dirt.” Once the worm eats the word, the object it represents disappears from the world. My son did say he wished it were a little longer and that some plot elements were repetitive.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

March was a slow reading month all around in our household. As Lent progresses, I’ve been reading the short reflections in The Little Black Book: Lent 2025 by Bishop Ken Untener. The short book provided to our parish includes both a story or informative section on a saint, Catholic practice, etc., and then a brief passage of John’s Gospel with a reflection. Since I didn’t select any other Lenten reading, this has been a useful resource for me.

Gabriella Batel’s Done is the second book in the Don’t series and picks up three years after the first book (Don’t) left off. Mercedes’s world has shrunk to her mother and baby sister after her father, brother, sister, and friend were murdered. Murderer Luiz is still free, but he regrets what happened three years ago and will work to stop his father, Roman, who wants to take out what’s left of Mercedes’s family. All the imagery and sensory details in these books are well done in this YA drama.

My college senior listened to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, a classic we own but I don’t think any of us had read. Having only been exposed to the popular Disney adaption, my son was impressed by the differences between the book and movie. You likely know the premise: An orphaned boy, Mowgli, is taken in by a wolf pack and befriends a bear and a panther. Shere Khan, a tiger, hates humans and is a danger to Mowgli, so Bagheera (the panther) helps the boy reach human civilization.

Co. Aytch: A Confederate Memoir of Civil War by Sam R. Watkins is the author’s account of his life as a solider in the many Civil War battles he survived. This description summarizes it aptly: “A classic Civil War memoir, Co. Aytch is the work of a natural storyteller who balances the horror of war with an irrepressible sense of humor and a sharp eye for the lighter side of battle. It is a testament to one man’s enduring humanity, courage, and wisdom in the midst of death and destruction.”

Seeking to rectify the lack of C.S. Lewis in his reading diet, my son also read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I grew up never having heard of C.S. Lewis and his books, so while I read a few of the Chronicles of Narnia books aloud to this son when he was a baby, I wasn’t the best advocate for these classic stories at the age he would’ve most appreciated them.

My high school daughter read Leslea Wahl’s In Plain Sight, which I included here last month when her younger sister read it. I don’t often repeat books from month-to-month, but she loved this book, declaring it her favorite of Wahl’s books. She loved the cozy setting amidst the cold of Minnesota in winter, the cast of characters, the secrets rooms and passages in the inn, and the heroine’s dog, Zuri, who reminded her of our own dog.

For Lent, she’s also begun reading the St. Francis de Sales classic Introduction to the Devout Life. She’s only just begun the book, so she doesn’t have many impressions yet, but I found this spiritual classic very practical and helpful when I read it years ago. We have the lovely Our Sunday Visitor hardcover edition, an improvement over my battered, used bookstore copy.

My youngest son, one of my middle schoolers, is reading Gordon Korman’s The Unteachables. A classroom of misfit kids is paired with a burned-out teacher marked by a cheating scandal who’s ready for early retirement. Sounds a little to me like the Bad News Bears in the classroom. Both teachers and students benefit from their time together.

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