An Open Book – December #anopenbook

I’m joining Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. First, Happy St. Nicholas Day! Here’s what I’ve been reading and/or working on for the past month.

The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall and Richard Cowdrey 

Amazon Synopsis: Snuggle up with little ones this Christmas season and read about the origin of St. Nicholas, the story of a man who spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.

The Legend of St. Nicholas:

Is perfect for readers 4-8 who are curious about the origin of St. Nicholas or Santa ClausCelebrates the holiday season and teaches little ones about the joy of giving to others and helping those in needShows how countries celebrate Christmas traditions across the worldIs a faith-based look at the Christmas holiday and giving or receiving gifts

With beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story, The Legend of St. Nicholas is a great family read for the Advent and Christmas season.

My review: This is a lovely children’s book that shows the importance of generosity. The illustrations are crisp and old-fashioned looking. Although it’s mentioned that St. Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, the book tries to appeal to all Christians. Recommend.

A Faith Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

Amazon Synopsis: From award-winning novelist Amanda Lauer comes the fifth in the Heaven Intended Series. When the men from Tonica, Illinois, are shipped off to fight in the Civil War, Ruth Simmons decides to tag along after her older brothers and her sole male classmate. Disguised as a drummer boy, Ruth finds herself in over her head as the regiment arrives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the eve of one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A chance encounter with a Confederate prisoner of war in the aftermath alters the course of her life.

Captain Ben Holt, a brilliant young surgeon, has sold his surgical skills to the highest bidder. What he hadn’t bargained on was being put to the test by the beguiling Ruth Simmons, a sharp young woman with the preposterous notion of becoming a surgeon herself.

Their two lives are entwined as they make their way from Gettysburg to Washington City, where they are caught up in the events occurring during the monumental final year of the Civil War, including the attack on the capital city, the attempted kidnapping and subsequent assassination of President Lincoln, and the hunt for his killer. With their lives on the line, Ruth and Ben must set their differences aside and, using their shared faith as common ground, determine a way to escape the District of Columbia so they can pursue the lives of which they’ve dreamed.

Review from Laura DeNooyer, author of All That is Hidden:

War in America, 1864. Cross a serious, analytical, and fastidious male surgeon with an adventurous, risk-taking, non-traditional female, and watch the sparks fly. Both Ben Holt and Ruth Simmons are equally goal-oriented, ambitious, medically skilled, and self-assured, but are his charm and perfectionism a match for her spunk and determination to be a surgical assistant? Author Amanda Lauer’s prose sizzles with witty dialog as the stakes are gradually raised with stalkers, threats, violence, and kidnapping plots. Amidst embroiling wartime tensions, how long will Ben and Ruth fight their own growing attraction to each other? For just the right amount of sweet romance to bring hope from despair, A Faith Such as Heaven Intended fits the bill.

Audacious Ignatius by Paul Mitchell and Katie Mitchell Broussard

Amazon Synopsis: Ignatius of Loyola, a valiant soldier, is struck by a cannonball and gravely wounded. His military career is finished. Ignatius responds to this misfortune by listening for and responding to God’s call. Follow him through his conversion, the development of the Spiritual Exercises, and the growth of the Society of Jesus. This playful rendition of the biography of St. Ignatius invites readers to encounter Ignatian spirituality and the wisdom of a Catholic spiritual master. 

My review: This is a delightful new children’s book for the whole family about the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This book taught me more about the life of St. Ignatius. It is geared towards kids ages six to nine and reminds me of a few Dr. Suess books. I first read it out loud myself and had fun with the rhymes. I then read it to my grandson (who is four and a half and not quite in the age range), and when I was finished, he said, “I liked that story, Grammy.”  My son (his dad) was present when I was reading the story and asked my grandson whether he would read it again, and he said a resounding, “Yes, I would love to!” My son (age 34) thoroughly enjoyed the story as well. He said, “The rhyming is fun, there’s great use of color, and it’s a wonderful story. I give it a thumbs up!” (He’s also a movie reviewer!)

Some of the words are probably too hard for kids to understand (especially those that rhyme with Ignatius!), even children ages six to nine. It’s theologically rich in meaning, but the beauty of Audacious Ignatius is that what kids don’t understand, parents will, and hopefully, this book will also help to teach adults.

The illustrations are nicely done, and the vibrant colors are very eye-catching. It tells in an easy-to-understand way much about St. Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality. And…I couldn’t believe there were so many words that rhymed with “Ignatius!”

I love the line, “For if, like our hero, you learn how to pray, plans to live with deep love will come right your way.” This book will provide a loving reminder to both children and adults of the importance of prayer in our lives. I highly recommend this beautiful children’s book for any child in your life (and any adult too).

Power Priests by Greg Hendry

From Amazon: We all need heroes, and there are many fake heroes who young men and, frankly, all of us can follow. Although priests wear garments to lessen themselves and focus on God, we should extol their virtues while sharing the human side of their lives and ultimate discernment to the priesthood.

These priests are ordinary men who have been called to do extraordinary work.Although the paradox of privately and humbly serving the Lord contrasts with powerful social media trends of making everything public, Jesus’ call to evangelize and St. Paul’s example promotes sharing the message of these heroes.

My review: This informative and inspiring book tells the story of twelve extraordinary priests, including Bishop Fulton Sheen and St. John Paul II.

And, finally, my favorite Advent book of all time:

Donkey Bells: Advent and Christmas by Catherine Doherty

Synopsis: Discover how Christians celebrated Christmas before the days of television, shopping malls, and the Internet… Catherine Doherty is well-known for reviving many holy Christian traditions. In Donkey Bells: Advent and Christmas, Catherine’s three-in-one book on this most expectant of holiday seasons, you’ll receive wonderful gifts: Meaningful and heartwarming stories, the telling of which will surely become a family Christmas tradition. Including: The Little Christmas Angel O’Ryan, How Pride Became Humble, The Christmas Gift, Christmas in Harlem, The Bruised Reed, and others. Customs which you can adopt into your own Christmas celebration, such as: The Advent Wreath, The ‘O’ Antiphons, Baking Christmas Foods and Decorating, and The Blessing of The Christmas Tree. Traditions surrounding important Advent and Christmas feast days are presented, including: St. Nicholas, The Immaculate Conception, the Feast of the Holy Family, New Year’s Eve, Epiphany, and more.

Earthy and inspiring meditations to prepare the entire family for Christ’s coming, including: A Candle in Our Hearts, Little Things, The Gurgle of a Baby, Where Love Is God Is, Looking into the Child’s Eyes, Advent: A Modern Bethlehem, A Short Season–A Long Journey, and many more.

My review: One of my favorite Advent books, and one that I read every year during Advent, is a book by Catherine Doherty called “Donkey Bells,” published by Madonna House Publications. I love to read this inspiring book curled up in a comfortable chair by the wood stove, a hot chocolate or cinnamon tea beside me, Advent and Christmas music playing quietly in the background. This lovely book is filled with heartwarming stories, customs, and traditions (such as the Advent wreath, baking, the blessing of the Christmas tree) and moving reflections for the season. It is a beautiful way for children, teens, and adults to prepare their hearts for Christmas.

The Divine Beauty Parlor: Rediscovering Purgatory by Meggie K. Daly

Synopsis: The Divine Beauty Parlor: Rediscovering Purgatory is a captivating narrative that examines purgatory through the multifaceted approach of theology, philosophy, history, Christian anthropology, Catholic teaching, and Protestant objections. Extensively researched by Meggie K. Daly, the book is written from a Catholic perspective but with an ecumenical eye toward understanding the roots of Christian denominational differences regarding purgatory’s existence.

Against the backdrop of a postmodern world, the book explores the concept of absolute truth through the prism of the “Three Pillars” that the Catholic Church uses to discern truth: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterium. The book addresses the complexities of sin, guilt, and conscience and delves into the oft-misunderstood concept of temporal punishment for sin. Arguments for and against purgatory are framed within their respective theological views of justification, sanctification, and human psychology. Various theological models of purgatory are presented, emphasizing divine mercy, divine justice, or both with philosophical insight and historical perspective. The “work” of purgatory is speculated upon within the guardrails of Catholic doctrine.

The history of purgatory examines early Christian epitaphs and “literature,” classical biblical exegesis, the writing of the early Greek and Latin Fathers, the impact of Scholasticism, and papal and council documents, including dogmatic declarations. The theology and historical roots of indulgences are unearthed, including their ties to early Christian penitential rites, the “Holy Wars” and Crusades, and their impact on the Protestant Reformation. Purgatory’s depiction in medieval art, literature, and the legends and writings of saints are unveiled. Lastly, contemplation of traditional Catholic channels of grace and St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” offers readers open pathways to potentially bypass purgatory.

Daly’s penetrating approach and unique synthesis of information presume no previous knowledge other than the basics of the Christian faith and an inquisitive mind. The Divine Beauty Parlor is appropriate for anyone curious about Purgatory, those who desire a deeper understanding, and serious scholars alike.

My review: I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication PDF of this outstanding book. Meticulously researched and well-written, the author presents purgatory from a Catholic perspective. I had never thought this carefully about purgatory, but this book has made me reflect in ways I hadn’t considered. Highly recommend!