Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 7

An Open Book

Welcome to the February 2023 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

I’ve shared my love for Hoopla Digital here several times, but, sadly, our local libraries no longer support it. So, when I was looking for a short audiobook to accompany me on my drive from Virginia back to Pennsylvania, I turned to our Audible books. Stephen Crane’s classic The Red Badge of Courage fit the bill. I admired Crane’s use of imagery, but overall, this Civil War novel about a young man who romanticized battle then fled under pressure was a good but not great read. The main character, Henry Fleming, is referred to as “the youth” throughout, creating a distance from the character that I’d rather didn’t exist. Still, I thought the author did a great job of getting inside the youth’s head and experiencing his guilt, shame, pride, and nobility. Interestingly, the book is lauded as being a realistic war story, though Crane himself had no battle experience.

My oldest daughter and I both read The Merchant’s Curse by Antony B. Kolenc this month. She received the paperback for Christmas, and I read the e-book. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think it may be my favorite book in the Harwood Mysteries series thus far. Xan (Alexander) has left the abbey to be a merchant’s apprentice to his Uncle William but is doubting that this move was God’s will for him. A witch has cursed the son of his uncle’s partner and then Xan himself is cursed. (As a result, there’s a lot of retching going on in this novel.) There’s also a minor romantic thread between Xan and Christina, who assists Xan’s uncle. I really didn’t expect the witch’s curse to persist throughout the novel, which I guess I should have, based on the title, but I love that it did.

My college son is reading Sir Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis, a utopian story. His opinion thus far is that it could’ve used an editor. Apparently, there is a lot of detail he thinks could be pared down. According to the description, Bacon’s depiction of an ideal college, Salomon’s House, “envisioned the modern research university in both applied and pure sciences.”

Intermission by Serena Chase is one of my all-time favorite Christian Young Adult romances, and my fifteen-year-old can hardly put it down. My review when I read it in 2017 says, in part, “This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God’s magnificent plans for our lives – which may not follow our plans or our timelines.” Musical theatre buffs will love it, but I’m not one of those, and I still adored it!

My fifth-grade daughter is reading Lizette Lantigua’s Mission Libertad with her class. It’s the story of a 14-year-old boy who escapes communist Cuba. He comes to America and is embroiled in a mystery. It’s a fun combination of adventure, suspense, history, and faith. It’s availability has become limited, so visit Good News! Book Shop to find it.

Based on Patrice Fagnant-MacAthurs’ An Open Book recommendation last month, I borrowed Lacey’s Story by Bruce Cameron from the library for my daughter too. She’d been wrapped up in a long, ongoing series, but now she’ll be looking for something new. This story in Cameron’s series of puppy tales regards a special needs puppy who gets around with a mobility cart following an accident. So far, my daughter thinks it’s a little sad, but I think it will end up being heartwarming.

My youngest son picked up a Star Wars Boba Fett Clone Wars novel at a library sale last year. When he discovered The Fight to Survive by Terry Bisson in the school library, he realized he’d read book two and not book one. He borrowed the book and problem solved! My children all seem to enjoy the Clone Wars era of Star Wars most, and Boba Fett is this particular child’s favorite character. In this first novel, Boba Fett is a teenager on his home planet, Kamino—an especially rainy, watery world.

In fourth grade, he continues to read more in the I Survived series. Most recently, it’s I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910 by Lauren Tarshis. I’m starting to think I should read this series to get a thumbnail sketch of all the history I’ve never learned about. This snowslide in the Cascade Mountains is the deadliest in American history. Ninety-six people were killed when lightning struck the mountain and sent a ten-foot wave of snow down its slope.

A Prayer from the Heart is Tammy Fernando’s debut picture book. It’s not yet available, but I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy. The main character, Chris, touches a soft spot in my heart. He prays for a friend, something I think all of my children—and I—have done. The way God answers his prayer is touching and demonstrates God’s intimate care and concern for each of us. Illustrations are bright and inviting. Tammy hasn’t yet done a cover reveal for this book, so follow her website or social media to get the first look!

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Ashes, A New Lenten Resource for Teens

About the book:

Ten fictional Lent-themed stories in a variety of genres written with Catholic teens in mind.

When Liz’s faith journey hits a roadblock, will an unexpected detour and chance encounter set her back on track?A teen’s future was all set—before his tragic loss. But his friend’s secret past just might save it.Justin’s religion is outlawed. When an unbeliever asks him about the meaning of life, what can he say?Could God be asking Paul to sacrifice a piece of himself for Lent—literally?A modern American teen discovers what faith, life and love are like in seventeenth-century Scotland.Teenager Lexie Dugan struggles to understand the sacrifice of Lent when she’s asked to help take care of her siblings while her pregnant mother is on bed rest.Asher’s desire to prepare for the Messiah intensifies after he’s robbed by bandits but would fighting alongside the Zealots be the best way?When a risky Ash Wednesday mission to sterilize T. rex eggs goes wrong, fasting is the least of Joshua, Darryl, and Harry’s worries.A medieval girl stranded on a forsaken path confronts threats from without and turmoil from within.Struggling with loss, hunger, and temptation, Ethan finds himself walking in the steps of Jesus.

Ashes, a new Lenten resource for teens from #CatholicTeenBooks

TweetPre-order on AmazonAdd to GoodreadsMy review:

Participating in a themed-anthology with nine other authors is an exercise in trust and cooperation. When you set out, you really don’t know what you’ll end up with. What if someone writes a dud? What if the stories aren’t cohesive?

Reading through the stories as a collection, I was awed to see how the Holy Spirit worked through a varied group of authors whose common denominator is their Catholic faith. Each author, through characters borne of their imagination, conveyed, in part, the profound sacrifice that is at the heart of Lent. Teenage characters grapple with sacrifice and mortality, exploring the natural fears, selfishness, reluctance, and regret that we all experience.

It’s my hope that this collection will be a blessing to teens, in particular, helping them to make the most of the annual opportunity the Church gives us to draw closer to Chris through His Passion.

Advance reviews:

The Catholic Teen Book authors have done it again! We loved this book from page one; it’s a great way to dig deeper into Lent with your teens. The book has a story for everyone, and they all share the faith in different but wonderful ways. Highly recommend!

Jennifer & Kate Waldyke,  co-hosts of Catholic Mom and Daughter

Ashes, the latest compilation of stories from CatholicTeenBooks.com provides teen readers with plenty to think about. This compilation focuses on the theme of Lent, Easter, and our own mortality. In each of these stories, there is an encounter with death. Sometimes a death is pending or has just occurred or is threatening nearby. But the experienced and very talented authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com have not presented a depressing, frightening or dark anthology here. Instead, I was surprised to find that each story is uplifting, hopeful and very inspiring. 

What binds these stories is that each young person must make a leap of faith, take a step into a fuller, more mature understanding of their Catholic faith. Characters are called to forgive, to resist temptation, to be courageous, to be steadfast and responsible. All of them come to understand on a deeper level the sacrificial nature of Love. 

I highly recommend this collection of stories from the authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com. Your teens will love how characters struggle when confronted with the stark reality of death but ultimately learn that with faith, they can be heroes!

Melinda Harrington, Catholic Children’s Stories

This is the fourth anthology from the authors at the Catholic Teen Books collective. Each has been a great read. This Lenten volume is also, to be honest, my favourite of the four now. Each story was remarkable.

Many of the contributors to this collection, in their own way, imitate Christ and are master storytellers in our own generation. I have a great deal of respect for the ten authors who contributed to this series. And a couple of them are among my all-time favourite authors. And I read a couple hundred books a year. This is a collection of 10 faith-filled stories by 10 great authors.

In this collection, we have one short story from each of the contributors. Some contain characters you can encounter in novels by the authors. Some are from books and series that have been around for a few years and others to recent releases or forthcoming works. I really could not pick a favorite or least favorite. Each story is very well written. And I thoroughly enjoyed them all. 
For fans of any of the authors in this collection, you need to pick this book up to read their contributions. For readers who love remarkable stories, this collection is for you also. And if you want some great reads that are clean Catholic fiction, this is the book for you. This anthology is Amazing!

(Full review on BookReviewsAndMore.ca) 
Steven R. McEvoy, BookReviewsAndMore.ca

The blog tour:

Blog Tour Schedule  and Reviews/Articles :

Jan 25​ Ellen Gable ​​Plot Line and Sinker ​​​​​

Jan 26​ Barb Szyszkiewicz ​​​Franciscan Mom

Jan 27​ Patrice Fagnant-McArthur Spiritual Woman Thoughts Blog

Jan 28​ Carolyn Astfalk​​ My Scribbler’s Heart Blog

Jan 29​ Amanda Lauer​​ Blog

Jan 30 Marie Keiser​​ Enjoying Womanhood

Jan 31​ Barb S​​zyskiewicz ​CatholicMom.com

Feb 1​ Corinna Turner​​ Unseen Books

Feb 2​ Catholic 365​​ Catholic 365

Feb 3​ Victoria Ryan​​​ Victoria Ryan Books

Feb 4​ Mary Jo Thayer​ ​Blog

Feb 5​ Theresa Linden ​​Theresa Linden

Feb 6​ Catholic Teen Books​ ​Catholic Teen Books

About the authors:

THERESA LINDEN is the author of award-winning Catholic fiction, including the West Brothers contemporary series and the Chasing Liberty dystopian trilogy. One of her great joys is to bring elements of faith to life through a story. She has more than a dozen published books, three of which won awards from the Catholic Press Association. Her short stories appear in several anthologies, including Secrets: Visible & Invisible, and Gifts: Visible & Invisible. Her articles and interviews can be found on various radio shows and in magazines, including EWTN’s The Good Fight, The National Catholic Register, Catholic Digest, Today’s Catholic Teacher, and Catholic Mom. Her books are featured online on Catholic Teen Books, Catholic Reads, FORMED, and Virtue Works Media. A wife, homeschooling mom, and Secular Franciscan, she resides in northeast Ohio with her husband and children. You can learn more about her at www.TheresaLinden.com.

ANTONY B. KOLENC is the author of The Harwood Mysteries, an exciting historical fiction series for youth published by Loyola Press. He is a longtime member of the Catholic Writers Guild, and his novels all have the Catholic Writers Guild’s Seal of Approval. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps after 21 years of military service. A law professor who’s had his works published in numerous journals and magazines, Kolenc now speaks at legal, writing, and home-education events. He and his wife, Alisa, are the parents of five children, and have been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren. To learn more about The Harwood Mysteries and its author, visit www.antonykolenc.com.

AMANDA LAUER loves writing books—particularly Young Adult historical fiction—that portray the Church in a positive light and depict God’s children endeavoring to become the best version of themselves every day. A journalist and proofreader by trade, Amanda embarked on her novelist career with the award-winning and best-selling Heaven Intended Civil War series. A World Such as Heaven Intended earned the 2016 YA CALA award. Currently, Amanda has several more books in the process of being published. In addition to writing novels, Amanda works in the film industry writing and copy-editing screenplays. She was awarded Best Writer 2020 (Red Letter Awards) for her work as a co-writer on the movie The Islands. To learn more about Amanda, who’s blessed to be living in a world such as heaven intended, visit her website: www.AmandaLauer.com. 

ELLEN GABLE HRKACH is an author of twelve books, ghostwriter, editor, self-publishing book coach, publisher, and contributor to multiple websites and books. She is the former president of the Catholic Writers Guild, and her books have won multiple awards: the IPPY Gold Medal (2010), and First Place in the Catholic Media Association Awards (2022). Married to her husband of 40 years, James, she is also the mother of five adult sons, three daughters-in-law, and Grammy to two precious grandchildren. When she’s not writing, Ellen can be found watching classic movies, researching her family tree, and reading with her grandchildren. Originally from New Jersey, Ellen lives with her husband in rural Ontario, Canada. Visit her website: www.EllenGable.com.

CAROLYN ASTFALK writes from the sweetest place on Earth, Hershey, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband and four children. In addition to her contemporary Catholic romances (sometimes referred to as Theology of the Body fiction), including the young adult coming-of-age story Rightfully Ours, she is a Catholicmom.com contributor. She is president of the Catholic Writers Guild and a member of Pennwriters. When she is not washing dishes, doing laundry, or reading, you can find her blogging about books, faith, and family life at www.CarolynAstfalk.com.

LESLEA WAHL is the author of the award-winning Catholic teen mysteries The Perfect Blindside, Into the Spotlight, Where You Lead, and eXtreme Blindside. Leslea’s journey to become an author came through a search for value-based fiction for her own children. She now not only writes for teens but also has become a reviewer of Catholic teen fiction to help other families discover faith-based books. Leslea lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and children. The furry, four-legged members of her family often make cameo appearances in her novels. Leslea has always loved mysteries and hopes to encourage teens to grow in their faith through these fun adventures. For more information about her faith-filled Young Adult mysteries, please visit www.LesleaWahl.com.

T. M. GAOUETTE is the author of the Faith & Kung Fu series for young adults, as well as The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch and For Eden’s Sake. She also contributed to the last two Catholic Teen Books anthologies, Secrets: Visible & Invisible with her short story “Sister Francesca” and Gifts: Visible & Invisible with “Just Jesus.” Her novels have received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval (except new releases for which the seal may be in process). Born in Africa, raised in London, England, Gaouette now lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, where she homeschools their four children, raises goats, and writes fiction for teens and young adults. A former contributor for Project Inspired, Gaouette’s desire is to instill the love of God into the hearts of her readers. You can find out more at www.TMGaouette.com.

CYNTHIA T. TONEY writes characters that show tweens and teens how wonderful, powerful, and valuable God made them. Her current novel will accompany The Other Side of Freedom that will give readers more of Robert Brown (a.k.a. Sal) and Antonina, the girl he left behind. Cynthia is also the author of the Bird Face series: 8 Notes to a Nobody, 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status, 6 Dates to Disaster, and 3 Things to Forget, as well as short stories in the Catholic Teen Books anthologies Secrets: Visible and Invisible and Gifts: Visible and Invisible. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild and a volunteer with the Independence Italian Cultural Museum in Louisiana. She has a passion for rescuing dogs from abuse, neglect, and euthanasia and lives with her husband and several canines. The public can also connect with her through her website, www.CynthiaTToney.com and her blog, www.BirdFaceWendy.wordpress.com. Look for her books and other writing at CatholicTeenBooks.com and her publisher’s website, WriteIntegrity.com.

MARIE C. KEISER is the author of Heaven’s Hunter. A former teacher, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband and young children. She is passionate about writing inspiring stories about people who struggle with faith. When she’s not doing dishes, chasing toddlers, or changing diapers, she occasionally blogs about books, life, or ideas at EnjoyingWomanhood.com.

CORINNA TURNER is the author of the I Am Margaret and unSPARKed series for young adults, as well as stand-alone works such as Elfling and Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon (for teens) and Someday (for older teens and adults). She has just released The Boy Who Knew (Carlo Acutis) the first book in her new Friends in High Places series about friendship with the saints. All of her novels have received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval (except new releases for which the seal may be in process). Liberation (‘I Am Margaret’ Book 3) was nominated for the Carnegie Medal Award 2016 and Elfling won first prize for “Teen and Young Adult Fiction” in the Catholic Press Association 2019 Book Awards. Several of her other books have been placed in the CPA Awards and the Catholic Arts and Letters Award. Corinna Turner is a Lay Dominican with an MA in English from Oxford University, and lives in the UK. She has been writing since she was fourteen and likes strong protagonists with plenty of integrity. She used to have a Giant African Land Snail called Peter with a 6½” long shell—which is legal in the UK!—but now makes do with a cactus and a campervan. You can find out more at www.IAmMargaret.com.

Giveaway: U.S. mailing addresses only. Contest runs through 2/10/2023.

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Take a Break from Winter with Summer at West Castle

A young woman’s act of mercy toward a man she’s never liked puts her on an unexpected path that challenges her to look beneath the surface.

About the book:

College student Caitlyn Summer arrives at the Wests’ castle-like house to fill in for their live-in maid. After a recent decision blows her vision of the future, this ideal job and the peaceful surroundings are just what she needs to seek God’s will for her life. That is, until Jarret West, not wanting a repeat of past mistakes, backs out of a summer-long field study overseas and returns home. The two have never gotten along, and unforgettable baggage from the past makes it hard even to be cordial. While Jarret’s faults convince Caitlyn he hasn’t changed, she forces herself to offer kindness. Her act of mercy puts them on an unexpected path where Caitlyn is challenged to look beneath the surface and Jarret struggles to trust that God wills good for him.

Note: To avoid spoilers, read  Anyone But Him  before this story.

Take a Break from Winter with Summer at West Castle by @TheresaLinden #CatholicFiction #CleanRomance

TweetBuy Now on AmazonBuy EbookAdd to GoodreadsMy review:

How did such a nice girl end up with such a bad boy? Read Summer at West Castle, and you’ll see why that’s not even a fair question. A better question might be “Is redemption really possible?”

With Christ all things are possible, but sometimes we have a hard time believing that kind of life-changing transformation is true about ourselves or others. Especially when things have the appearance of not having changed, we’ve been replaying negative thoughts about ourselves in our head for years, or we’ve made prejudicial assumptions about others.

Summer at West Castle peels back all the layers of Jarret’s and Caitlyn’s flaws and insecurities. The the reader is treated to a sweet and genuine romance, the kind that doesn’t make sense to the world but makes perfect sense through the lens of faith.

While living under the same roof – West Castle – Jarret and Caitlyn have plenty of opportunities to really get to know one another, resulting in some great romantic tension. Romance, humor, and a beautiful, relevant faith thread make this is a fabulous addition to the West Brothers series.

About the author:

Theresa Linden is the author of award-winning Catholic fiction. One of her great joys is to bring elements of faith to life through a story. She has over a dozen published books, three of which won awards from the Catholic Press Association. Her articles and interviews can be found on various radio shows and magazines, including EWTN’s The Good Fight, The National Catholic Register, Catholic Digest, Catholic Teacher, and Catholic Mom. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild and CatholicTeenBooks.com. A wife, homeschooling mom, and Secular Franciscan, she resides in northeast Ohio with her husband and family.

Links:

TheresaLinden.com

Silver Fire Publishing

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An Open Book

Welcome to the January 2023 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

It’s such fun to see my kids enjoying the books I got them for Christmas! But first, a couple of books I read.

Her Stand-In Christmas by Crystal Walton is everything that’s been filling my social media feeds this season. It’s a contemporary rom com Christmas road trip with an illustrated cover. I’m starting to weary of the similarities among them, but I tip my hat to authors who are more savvy and less stubborn than I am about writing to market. I’ve enjoyed so many of this author’s books, including the first (non-Christmas) book in this series. The writing felt a little forced to me, and some of the many pop culture references were whizzing by me, but it hits all the marks for the genre and delivers a light Christmas romance with warm holiday themes of love, family, and forgiveness.

My friend Theresa Linden is about to release another book in her West Brothers series, Summer at West Castle. This one is a straight-up sweet romance filled with romantic moments and light humor but also a powerful Christian message about seeing yourself and others through God’s eyes, not holding onto past sins or prejudices. Summer at West Castle provides the backstory to Linden’s new adult mystery Anyone But Him. Having gotten acquainted with Jarret West over eight books now, I think he’s one of the most memorable characters I’ve read and a testament to the transformative power of Christ.

My oldest son has an interest in mythology and has lately been focused on Old Norse myths and legends. I purchased a book he’d had his eye on for Christmas: The Saga of the Volsungs wiith the Saga of Ragnor Lothbrok translated by Jackson Crawford. These translated sagas recount seven generations of a heroic family, including Viking Chieftain Ragnor Lothrbrok. I think these sagas gained popularity in the wake of the TV series Vikings. My son has found that series a bit hit or miss, but I think it reinvigorated his interest in all things Norse.

My high school daughter received The Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story by Louisa May Alcott as her prize for completing the local library’s summer reading program. There are three short Christmas stories contained in this pretty hardcover that’s perfect for reading on a cold night in the light of the Christmas tree, which is pretty much how my daughter enjoyed it. It’s the kind of simple book that makes for a lovely Christmas tradition.

For her literature class, the same daughter read the The Epic of Gilgamesh. This is the world’s oldest epic, the tale of Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, and his companion, the wild man, Enkidu. From the description of this Babylonian epic: “A timeless tale of morality, tragedy and pure adventure, The Epic of Gilgamesh is a landmark literary exploration of man’s search for immortality.”

But back to mythology. This freshman class is also reading portions of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, which includes a variety of Greek, Roman, and Norse myths. It is praised as a readable classic, sharing the tales of Olympus and Valhalla that are so influential in Western culture.

My fifth grader was excited to receive The Sisters of the Last Straw: The Case of the Missing Maps by Karen Kelly Boyce. She has thoroughly enjoyed the entire seven-book series and was eagerly awaiting this new book. This one involves more mystery with clues for finding gold—but can the sisters find the treasure before their sourpuss neighbor, Mr. Lemon?

My youngest son read through Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde in a couple of days. I can hardly believe this is Book 17 in the series! I haven’t read any recent books in the series, but my kids tell me the author has managed to maintain the quality and feel of the early books. Even the smell of them is nostalgic to my 19-year-old! This one is about Roderick, the older brother of the main character, Greg, and his band, Löded Diper.

For class, he also read I Survived the Attacks of September 11 by Laura Tarsis. It’s a little surreal to have my child reading about a historical event that still seems so fresh in my memory. It’s the story of a boy named Lucas, who arrives at the New York City firehouse where his uncle works on the morning of 9/11.

On the recommendation of Catholic Mom and Daughter, I reserved a copy of The Christmas Story from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke with artwork from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from my local library. This is a lovely book to read and re-read each Christmas with your family. The Gospel stories are simply retold, and the medieval and Renaissance paintings that accompany them—from the Annunciation through the Flight to Egypt—are beautiful to study.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the December 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

It’s been a season of sickness over here and the reading has taken a hit. For all of us. But, here’s what we’ve got, going into the Advent season:

If you’re looking for a clean, fun Hallmark-esque Christmas novella, I recommend CeCe Louise’s Christmas After All. The enemies-to-lovers story plays out much as you’d expect with a couple misunderstandings, but the journey is an enjoyable one with smooth writing and as well-developed characters as you can create in a novella. Melissa and Tucker have some bad blood from her rejection of him in high school. But now he’s back in their hometown, a country singing star, and apparently his old feelings for her haven’t completely disappeared, despite the song he wrote about her that propelled him to stardom.

I started listening to The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb because the premise intrigued me. My library loan ran out, and someone else is in line to borrow, so I don’t know whether I’ll get back to this one. Ray McMillian’s heirloom violin is stolen before the international Tchaikovsky Competition. Can he get it back? (I’m guessing he does, even if I don’t get the audiobook loan back.)

With a group of honors students, my son read the introduction to The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom. I don’t think they are reading the entire book, but now my interest is piqued by a book that slipped by me while still in high school. This descriptor, from a book written in the late 1980s, seems accurate in 2022: “Bloom argues that the social and political crises of contemporary America are part of a larger intellectual crisis: the result of a dangerous narrowing of curiosity and exploration by the university elites.” Have you read it?

My daughter’s class is reading the Book of Job and then Neil Simon’s God’s Favorite, a modern look at the biblical character. Based on how few reviews of editions are out there, it doesn’t seem to be a widely read play. Maybe it’s more often viewed; I don’t know. Straight from the description: “Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day ‘Job’ with a demanding wife, ungrateful children, and wise-cracking household employees. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, he is visited by Sidney Lipton, a.k.a. A Messenger from God (and compulsive film buff) with a mission: test Joe’s faith and report back to ‘the Boss.’” I like that this teacher often uses plays in the classroom, something I had little experience with beyond Shakespeare and a few others.

My younger daughter recently read Roald Dahl’s Matilda for a school book report. Matilda is a sweet, smart young girl who faces off with a mean school head mistress—Miss Trunchbull. In the course of fending off the Trunchbull, as they call her, Matilda discovers some remarkable powers. My fifth grader enjoyed this book, though she said she prefers books with more action.

My youngest son has been reading more of Big Nate, specifically In the Zone, book six in the eight-book series by Lincoln Peirce. The book description doesn’t say much, at least not in the way of a plot, and I think this series has cashed in on Diary of a Wimpy Kid’s popularity. Not to say it’s not good in its own right, but it’s a similar illustrated story of a middle school boy’s shenanigans and mishaps.

My son’s class is also reading I Survived The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 by Lauren Tarshis. The books are a handy way to teach history, and his teacher has timed this read well for the bombing’s anniversary. The story is from the perspective of an 11-year-old American boy playing on his favorite Hawaiian beach when the attack by the Japanese commences.

I’ve begun reading The Curious Christmas Trail by Haley Stewart (The Sister Seraphina’s Mysteries), though I think it will be more fun to start over with the little kids next to me on the couch. The illustrations by Betsy Wallin are cute, cozy, and make me want to crawl into the adorable little mouse world. The book itself is a lovely hardcover chapter book that would be a nice addition to a child’s Christmas collection. I’ve only read one chapter, but it seems to be a sweet, pleasant story centered about the Christmas pageant and the mystery of missing Sister Dymphna at Saint Wulfhilda’s Abbey.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the November 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

Life has been busy and reading time has really taken a hit around here, being pushed behind schoolwork and other duties. Even so, we’ve still got some books open! I’m only a short way into The Cross and the Godless by Joseph Mauck. This thriller is set in 1979 along the southern United States border. It involves Pedro, son of a Christian opposition leader, fleeing the Sandinistas, and a subsequent FBI investigation of border killings.

I’m currently giving a final proofread to Catholic Teen Books’ forthcoming anthology, Ashes: Visible & Invisible. Ten authors contributed Lenten short stories that touch on the liturgical season of preparation for Christ’s death and resurrection. The other authors and I plot our stories individually, and how these stories complement one another always wows me. I think young readers will appreciate stories that help them to focus on sacrifice and memento moriin relatable scenarios set in a variety of time periods and genres. Available in January 2023.

While in the car, where I’ve been spending a good amount of time lately, I’ve been listening to The Do-Over by Bethany Turner. It’s a well-written and narrated rom-com. At almost halfway through, I still don’t care for the heroine, McKenna, a big-city, career-oriented lawyer who’s returned home to North Carolina for her younger sister’s engagement party (only after she’s accused of embezzlement and put on leave from work). There, she re-connects with a high school friend, Hank (formerly nerdy Henry), who is a wildly successful and famous documentary-maker. McKenna may just remain a character I don’t like, but I’m hoping her story arc endears me to her soon. I also haven’t discovered any Christian aspect of the story despite that it’s categorized as Christian/religious romance.

My son has been taking advantage of Spotify’s recent addition of audiobooks to listen to the classic Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Sir Christopher Lee. It runs a little over two-and-a-half hours, and from what I’ve listened to, Lee’s narration is excellent. I can’t recall for certain whether I read the novella a long, long time ago. We all know the cultural reference, but how many of us have read this story of a man with a split personality – one good, one evil?

Leslea Wahl has re-released an updated version of her novel An Unexpected Role with a new publisher and cover, launching a brand-new series! The author writes so well for teens, always delivering a fun, clean story with gentle faith lessons lived by characters growing in maturity. Into the Spotlight takes place amidst an alluring backdrop of sunshine and sand. Josie has escaped to the beach, creating some distance between herself and her mom. Mystery, adventure, and romance await her, but the most touching moments of the story involve Josie’s self-discovery, the softening of her heart, a genuine romance, and reconciliation with her mom.

I didn’t realize the I Survived series extended to graphic novels, but apparently it does. Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived the Titanic, 1912, has been adapted by Georgia Ball and illustrated by Haus Studio. George Calder and his sister Phoebe are excited to travel on the Titanic with their aunt. But, as we know, disaster awaits. My fifth-grade daughter has been reading this alongside a series she’s several books into and a classroom read-aloud.

My youngest son read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving with his fourth-grade class. He says it was “really, really great” and especially enjoyed the chase at the end. He thought it was a great book to read for Halloween. If you’re unfamiliar, the story recounts New England schoolteacher Ichabod Crane’s encounter with the headless horseman.

My son’s also been reading, for spooky season, Magic Treehouse #42: A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne. It looks like the series has updated covers since my oldest began reading the books more than a decade ago, and I like the new look. This story is set in New Orleans, where time-traveling brother and sister Jack and Annie meet some ghosts and a young Louis Armstrong.

Because our school library has some old gems, my son has also been carting around The Encyclopedia of Catholic Saints from Chilton Books, circa 1966. The hardcover book includes only saints commemorated in April, so I assume this is part of a twelve-volume set. The book, with its plain cover, seems to be out of print, but I see a handful of copies of various editions turn up when searching used book sellers. It includes relatively short biographies of various saints, some familiar, some not.

I received a review copy of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Her Dear Juanito by Marlyn Evanelina Monge (Pauline Books and Media). There are an increasing number of children’s books about this American Marian apparition, but this one is unique in that it gives more space to St. Juan Diego and is firmly grounded in his native culture. Beautiful illustrations! It would make a great read aloud story.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the October 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

A cozy mystery. A fantastical dragon story. A comedy. Theologically-sound Catholic fiction. Murder Most Picante by Karina Fabian is all of these and more. I’m thoroughly enjoying the author’s humor delivered via Vern the Dragon’s first-person account of his trials in the world of the Mundane. (That’s where we live.) Smart, short, and entertaining. Now I know what all the fuss about Vern is for!

I’m a couple of chapters into Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God by Allison Gingras. It’s a cohesive blend of the author’s experience adopting a profoundly deaf daughter from China, the Church’s sacramentals, and the saints. It starts with probably my favorite sacramental: the Miraculous Medal. I’m looking forward to learning more about some sacramentals I may be less familiar with.

Since I received a copy of Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book: The Family the Prays Together Stays Together by Patrick Peyton, I’ve been taking it to weekly Eucharistic Adoration, when I have time to concentrate on the Rosary. Don’t get me wrong—I’m distracted at Adoration too, but possibly less so than in other places as I’m not rushed. This book fits so nicely in my hands, and with its short reflections, slows me down and helps keep me on track. I highlight lines that I want to contemplate and spend some minutes mulling over or return to later.

My husband has been reading The Lord of the Rings and the Eucharist by Scott L. Smith. As you’d likely guess from the title, the author examines author J.R.R. Tolkein’s devotion to the Eucharist and its significance in his novels, particularly the Lord of the Rings series. I don’t think my husband’s very far into the book, so it’s hard to say how this book fares in comparison to others that address Tolkein’s Catholicism as woven throughout his work.

My oldest son has been reading The Two Towers, also by J.R.R. Tolkein. I think the anticipation of Amazon’s Rings of Power series spurred his interest in reading the book after he’d listened to the first book of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, on audiobook. He’s enjoyed the books much more than Amazon’s LOTR-inspired series, The Rings of Power. While it’s visually appealing, he’s not enjoyed the TV series. (I asked why he keeps watching, and he says it’s like a train wreck. He can’t look away.)

I last mentioned Inherit the Wind: The Powerful Drama of the Greatest Courtroom Clash of the Century by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee in 2017, when my oldest son read it. My daughter is now reading it for her Humanities class, which blends perfectly with her history studies. Some of her friends are also cast in the school’s fall production of the play, so she’ll truly be able to appreciate this story and its context. The play is based on the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial regarding a teacher accused of teaching the theory of evolution.

In addition to reading some books I’ve already shared here as her older siblings read them, my fifth-grade daughter is reading I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 by Lauren Tarshis. I don’t know how I made it to my forties without hearing of this disaster, but I’ve been absolutely fascinated by it since. (If you know a good book for adults on the subject, please share!) If you’re unfamiliar, the flood occurred in Boston when 2.4 million gallons of molasses rushed through the streets. Twenty-one people died and 150 suffered injuries. Weird, wild stuff.

Ascension Press publishes many sturdy, colorful, useable books for young Catholic children. My Catholic Picture Bible Stories by Jan Godfrey and Angela Jolliffe includes one- to two-page Bible stories with big, bright illustrations to capture the attention of the littlest kids. They’re organized and color-coded according to Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible timeline. It can serve as a great introduction to the best-known stories and characters of the Bible from both the Old and New Testaments.

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Relevant Fiction Reviews: Dragons!

Even for someone like me, who isn’t a particular fan of fantasy fiction, dragons are intriguing. Legendary, large, fire-breathing . . . and in some cases below, cuddly and comic. Here are some of my favorite books featuring dragons.

Miss Percy’s Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Quenby Olson is a talented author, and both Mildred Percy’s and the author’s voices are delightful in this fantastical historical novel. Sharply, smartly written and wildly creative, it’s no wonder so many readers have enjoyed it.

Mildred’s slow arc from browbeaten spinster sister to confident, adventurous woman is a pleasure to read. The minor characters are three-dimensional and the pacing is good, even for a longish novel.

The parenthetical asides used widely throughout the novel were clever, but they distracted me from the main point of the sentence, and I often had to go back and re-read to get a clear sense of the intended meaning. That’s the only reason I withheld a fifth star. It’s a highly enjoyable novel, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Elfling by Corinna Turner
Elfling is a highly imaginative fantasy novel about a young girl’s quest to find and save her father. Serapia, accompanied by her dragonet pet, goes from a smart, toughened street urchin to a beloved daughter.

Revelations about her parents’ split and the nature of her father’s past sin took me by surprise, propelling the story in a direction I hadn’t anticipated. Serapia’s subsequent (relentless) quest to obtain healing for her father at the hands of an unwilling he-elf examines the nature of evil, sin and its consequences, suffering, forgiveness, and immortality from a Christian perspective.

Although Serapia’s persistent efforts to compel the he-elf include many flashbacks as she regains her memory, I found that segment of the story a bit long, making it somewhat repetitive. Even so, fans of fantasy will enjoy the detailed world and rich story Corinna Turner has created.

Belt of Truth by Theresa Linden
I knew Theresa Linden could write for teens. I knew she could write for adults. I didn’t know that she could write equally well for young children and illustrate as well! But, she knocks it out of the park with the first installment in the Armor of God series.

This short book is the perfect blend of friendship, adventure, and a little moral lesson for early grade readers, especially Catholic children preparing for the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.

Belt of Truth, which follows George Pennington as he begins Knight School for Boys and Girls, offers a simple lesson in the consequences of lying. George, his brother Erik, and their friend Robyn are likable and relatable enough for kids to look forward to their next adventure. They’ll also be left wondering about that knight/dragon tapestry that hangs in George’s bedroom and what it means.

I’m looking forward to sharing this with my young children and, I admit, reading it for myself!

Mercy’s Prince by Katy Huth Jones
Mercy’s Prince is the type of fantasy I enjoy – one that is human-focused, relatable, and includes names I can pronounce! The world of Valerian, the second son in line for the throne, and Mercy, a pacifist healer, was real enough to me that the introduction of a reptilian enemy horde and noble dragons seemed entirely natural.

The minor characters, even villains, are unique and interesting, not just extra bodies to prop up the story, and the slow-building relationship between Valerian and Mercy is tender and sweet.

There’s nothing about this fantasy that Christians need be wary of as the world is grounded in a medieval-style Christian culture and all supernatural gifts are clearly given for the benefit of all by the one, true God.

Fans of this genre, especially, will enjoy this story, which includes some intense but not overly graphic battle scenes. While I don’t ordinarily read many books as long, nothing about the story dragged. Instead, it lent an epic quality to the story.

The Jabberwocky Princess by Cece Louise
A fun fantasy tale for teens with adventure, action, and light romance – actually TWO romances! And dragons. Who doesn’t like a good dragon slaying? Beyond that, there’s a bit of mystery as Princess Opal, Prince Ander, Kainda, and Larkin work to discover what or who is behind the monstrous attacks on Fernshire.

The pacing is good throughout as both the romance and mystery unfold through the eyes of the two heroines – Opal and Kainda. Both are spunky and sassy in a way that modernizes the tale for contemporary readers. No helpless damsels here.

The Jabberwocky Princess stands alone, but there is cameo by characters from the first book in the series, Desperate Forest. A fun, clean series for medieval-style fantasy fans. And the covers are just gorgeous!

Murder Most Picante: A DragonEye, PI story by Karina Lumbert Fabian
A cozy mystery with a sentient dragon crime-solver? With solid Catholic theology? Yes, please.

Murder Most Picante was most fun, and I loved Karina Fabian’s humor from the role-playing game enthusiasts to the nimble lawyer. Anenjoyable escape with a dragon, Vern, trying to find his purpose from the parish rectory garage in the Mundane world.

Only Vern can unravel the cause of several mysterious deaths whose perpetrators seem to cross the Gap from Faerie to Mundane. I’m not generally a fan of fantasy fiction, but the realistic human characters and humor drew me right in. Well done!

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4 Books to Enhance Your Devotion to the Rosary

Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book: The Family That Prays Together Stays Together by Patrick Peyton

If you want to invigorate your love of the Rosary, I suggest you start with watching Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton. This well-told, well-produced story of Father Peyton’s life will light a spiritual fire under you. Then, pick up Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book to accompany you as you pray.

This compact book filled with varied reflections for each mystery of the Rosary is my new Adoration companion. I can easily zip through the prayers of the Rosary without much thought or any contemplation. Often, I’ve prayed a decade without even realizing it.

This book fits so nicely in my hands, and with its short reflections, slows me down and helps keep me on track. I highlight lines that I want to contemplate and spend some minutes mulling over or return to later.

(Includes reflections on the Luminous Mysteries, too, in the style of Father Peyton.)

4 Books to Enhance Your Devotion to the Rosary – Just in time for October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
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Joyful Encounters with Mary by Maria V. Gallagher

Joyful Encounters with Mary is a wonderful Rosary companion suitable both for women new to the prayer and those who have already made a habit of it. Maria Gallagher helps the reader to delve into the the episodes of Mary’s life using personal, relatable stories, lives of the saints, and insightful questions for reflection.

With its cheery, welcoming cover, this book would make a great gift for any Catholic woman.

A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman

You might think a book about rosary beads would be a little dull. Maybe a little dry, dusty, and dated. You’d be wrong.

A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman is real, relevant, and, in spots, riveting. It doesn’t gloss over the suffering from which none of us escape. Kate, whose immediate family is marginally Catholic, at best, is grieving the loss of her grandmother. More troubling, however, is her mother’s inability to cope as she sinks into a pit of depression.

A single bead provides hope to Kate, and as the story progresses, to all of her family. Through a single bead, the discovery of subsequent beads, and the experiences of those who possess them, hope and faith bloom. In the end, A Single Bead is a beautiful testament to the power of a prayer and a touching portrait of the love that accompanies each prayer.

For those new to the Rosary or skeptical of Catholic practices, you’ll get a thorough (not preachy) explanation. Any notions of superstition or “magic” associated with the prayers or objects is handily dispelled.

Despite the fact that the point of view character is a sixteen-year-old girl, I think boys would enjoy the story as well. It’s honest and human – not girly in any way. Appropriate for teens of all ages. (And enjoyable for adults, too, because we all need a reminder of the power of prayer.)

Pray and Think Imaginative Rosary Book by Candace Camling

What I love most about the Ascension Press book Pray and Think Imaginative Rosary Book by Candace Camling is how it teaches children how to mediate on the mysteries of the Rosary. Any number of books explain how to use rosary beads, recite prayers, or even focus on related images—including this one, but not how to meditate. Using a simple illustration for each mystery, it helps children focus on a specific part of the image (i.e., a dove, lilies, the Blessed Mother) and think about each, its connotations, and its symbolism with questions to prompt deeper thought. I found it helpful even as an adult.

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An Open Book

Welcome to the September 2022 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart and CatholicMom.com!

I’ve been listening to Flannery O’Connor’s novel Wise Blood while I’m driving about alone, which means it’s taking me a long time to get through it. The novel centers around Hazel Motes, who establishes The Church of God Without Christ, yet can’t seem to escape God’s reach. I took Katie’s recommendation to listen on audiobook, and the narration by Bronson Pinchot is excellent! The distinct voices, accents, and personality he brings to the characters has enhanced my appreciation for the story. I’m not certain I’ve yet acquired a taste for O’Connor, which is akin to heresy, I know. I’ve still got a lot of the book remaining, so I’m not going to make any judgments about it, but I do find it difficult to hear the Lord’s name used in vain so, so many times.

In a totally different fiction vein, I read Quenby Olson’s Miss Percy’s Pocket Guide (to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons). Both Mildred Percy’s and the author’s voices are delightful in this fantastical historical novel. Sharply, smartly written and wildly creative, it’s no wonder so many readers have enjoyed it.  Mildred’s slow arc from browbeaten spinster sister to confident, adventurous, dragon-raising woman is a pleasure to read. The minor characters are three-dimensional, and the pacing is good, even for a longish novel.

I’ve been reading Jody Hedlund’s Colorado Cowboy series, continuing with To Tame a Cowboy. A lot of the book felt formulaic, but the last third delivered the character growth I was waiting for. Brody is a Civil War veteran working on his brother’s ranch and keeping to himself until Savannah, a veterinarian trying to avoid being wed to a man she doesn’t love, comes to tend to their animals. Her fiancé and some cattlemen cause some interference for the two. I’ve really grown to love the Rocky Mountain setting in this series.

Because I’ve enjoyed so many of Courtney Walsh’s contemporary Christian romances, I picked up her latest, What Matters Most. I’m not quite finished with it, but it’s not my favorite of hers. Despite the two main characters being artists (a watercolor painter and a photographer), it feels a little uninspired. Emma is a widow and mom to five-year-old CJ and has been merely going through the motions since her husband was killed in action five years earlier. Jameson shows up on her doorstep with a secret related to her husband’s death but doesn’t get around to revealing it until they’ve fallen in love. And Emma has a shameful secret too. The writing’s fine, but this one just isn’t grabbing me.

Masaru by Michael T. Cibenko tells the story of a boy, Shiro, during the Christian persecutions and martyrdoms in 16thcentury Japan. Shiro’s family are recent converts to Christianity, and Shiro is studying to be a healer, but when their church is closed and their priest is arrested, he and his friend Tomi are called to action, which dominates the latter part of the book. The many names of historical and military figures made the story a little off-putting for me, unfortunately. Exploring Christian history and culture in Japan, however, was interesting.

Before returning to college, my oldest son read J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Silmarillion. It works as an origin story for The Lord of the Rings. From the description (because my eyes glaze over when encountering most fantasy books): The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Fëanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy.

For her summer reading assignment, my high school daughter chose the classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I read her journal reflections before she turned them in, and it was clear she despised Lydia. (As well she should.) One of the joys of reading a classic like this, I think, is understanding more literary references. She truly enjoyed the novel, and we’re looking forward to watching one of the movie adaptions. (She’s already seen the 2005 Keira Knightley version.)

We brought home books for everyone from our local library’s annual book sale. My fifth-grade daughter picked up Misty of Chincoteague. She remembers seeing the wild horses on Assateague while on a family vacation, so I thought she might enjoy this classic, though I’ve never read it. Phantom is a seldom-seen pony that roams with a band of wild ponies, but her colt, Misty, is easily tamed. It’s Misty who is the center of the story.

Also at the library book sale, my fourth-grade son picked up Boba Fett: Crossfire by Terry Bisson. My kids have great affection for The Clone Wars animated series, and this book concerns that segment of the Star Wars universe. Boba Fett thinks Count Dooku will help him become a bounty hunter, but instead he ends up caught in the crossfire on Dooku’s toxic planet, Raxus Prime.

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