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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