Open Book October #anopenbook
Today, I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. Here’s what I’ve been reading or working on for the past month.
Fallen Graces by Jim Sano (Fr. Tom #5)
Synopsis: Now available from FQP on Kindle.
When a dead man’s body is found in the upper basin of a historic fountain in Boston Common with a cryptic message in his pocket, Detective Brooks reluctantly calls in Father Tom and Angelo to help solve the clues in the hunt for a killer set on justice and revenge. Fallen Graces, the fifth book of the award-winning Father Tom series, delves into the psychological and religious complexities of a killer who becomes as equally unpredictable as dangerous to the parish neighborhood of St. Francis, and Father Tom has no choice but to become more involved, risking his own life to find the answer.
Royal and Ancient by Amanda Lauer
Synopsis: Bronwyn Campbell’s end-of-summer plans were simple: wrap up her job at Saint Andrews Country Club, meet her friends one last time at the virtual reality arcade, and move across the country—again—with her father. But when lightning strikes while she’s working the club’s Saint Andrews Heritage Day, she’s transported from an American fairway to the home of golf, The Links at St. Andrews, in Scotland—and in the year 1691, no less.
When Iain MacDonald discovers Bronwyn knocked out cold on the seventeenth green, little does he know their meeting will change not only the course of their lives but the course of history. The son of the chieftain of Clan MacDonald, Iain bears the weight of responsibility for his family and his clan’s survival on his shoulders. Family drama and the growing discord over religion in Scotland add to the heavy load he carries daily while stepping further into his role as future chieftain.
As political events between England and Scotland heighten the conflict surrounding the MacDonald lands, Bronwyn and Iain rely upon their shared faith and growing feelings toward each other for survival. Amid the questions that plague both of them, though, one stands out: How can you be with the one you love if your choice ultimately influences history?
My review: If you like time-travel novels, you’ll love this historical romantic adventure, Royal & Ancient, by Amanda Lauer. Crisp imagery, well-developed characters, and Lauer’s incredible worldbuilding make for an entertaining read. Recommend.
The Way of Light (The Story Behind the Resurrection) by Denise Mercado
Synopsis: Do you know the 14 stations of the Resurrection of Jesus?
The Way of the Light – is both an educational and uplifting reminder to walk in the steps that Jesus took from the Resurrection to the first day of Pentecost. It is in His last words and the places along His journey that we learn more about the importance of each of these steps.
And this is not just a historical book – this is an engaging book of light and truth where Denise Mercado encourages the reader to reflect on each of these moments in the steps of Christ and how they would identify with each of the characters in the story.
As a follow-up to her first book, Mary’s Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes!, Mercado takes the reader deeper into the spiritual truths of why these 14 stations are so important to all of us. Each one is unpacked with a wealth of information, scripture quotations, and personal experiences.
It’s important to know the greater story behind what we believe. And now, you can discover the meaning behind the significance of what Christ did from the grave to the day of Pentecost.
My review: I had never heard of the Stations of the Resurrection before, so this was a very educational book. The Way of Light is a beautiful devotion that focuses on the time of the Resurrection to Pentecost with similar prayers to the Station of the Cross. Highly recommend.
Synopsis: All About Me! charts Mel Brooks’s meteoric rise from a Depression-era kid in Brooklyn to the recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Whether serving in the United States Army in World War II, or during his burgeoning career as a teenage comedian in the Catskills, Mel was always mining his experiences for material, always looking for the perfect joke. His iconic career began with Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, where he was part of the greatest writers’ room in history, which included Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and Larry Gelbart. After co-creating both the mega-hit 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums and the classic television series Get Smart, Brooks’s stellar film career took off. He would go on to write, direct, and star in The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, and Spaceballs, as well as produce groundbreaking and eclectic films, including The Elephant Man, The Fly, and My Favorite Year. Brooks then went on to conquer Broadway with his record-breaking, Tony-winning musical, The Producers.
All About Me! offers fans insight into the inspiration behind the ideas for his outstanding collection of boundary-breaking work and offers details about the many close friendships and collaborations Brooks had, including those with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Alfred Hitchcock, and the great love of his life, Anne Bancroft.
Filled with tales of struggle, achievement, and camaraderie (and dozens of photographs), readers will gain a more personal and deeper understanding of the incredible body of work behind one of the most accomplished and beloved entertainers in history.
My review: This was an entertaining read about one of the most prolific writers and producers (and one of the few entertainers who’ve won an Emmy, Oscar, Tony, and Grammy) in Hollywood. Recommend.
Synopsis: It is well-known that St. John Paul II was a student of St. John of the Cross. The Pope, as a young man, decided to learn Spanish to study the writings of St. John of the Cross in the original language. As a young priest of only twenty-eight years of age, this future Pope wrote his dissertation on St. John’s philosophy of faith in the mystical contexts, Faith According to St. John of The Cross. The writings and spirituality of St. John influenced the Pope’s entire way of looking at spirituality and philosophy. St. John, as many other mystics and saints, looked at the Song of Songs as an example of God’s love for us, the souls He created. A very deep, passionate love for the soul is called agape, portrayed in eros, which is the love between man and woman. This love is mentioned by John Paul in his works The Theology of The Body as well as Love and Responsibility. The love that God has between Himself and the human soul is also the same kind of love that man and woman should exchange between themselves.
Second Edition coming soon from FQP!
The New Fire: Living the New Covenant by Robert Margetts
Synopsis: “I came to cast fire upon the earth; where that it were already kindled.” Luke 12:49
Would Christendom be reunited if we began to dialogue together over our belief differences in the Holy Spirit? What is really needed is a common conversion experience to the Holy Spirit. Catholics and non-Catholics and Orthodox need a common conversion experience. We need a shared conversion experience. We need a common Pentecost. A new Pentecost! A New Fire! An embracing of the New Covenant together. A great revival. This all seems impossible. However, it is possible if the Lord brings us to a remnant.
My review: Powerful new book on the New Pentecost! Highly recommend!
