#OpenBook for January 2026

Welcome to #OpenBook. I'm joining up with Carolyn Astfalk who hosts an #OpenBook Linkup on CatholicMom.com. Here's what I've been reading this past month. The dates indicate when I finished the books. Thanks for stopping by!

12-3-25 The Gift of the Angel Tree - Catholic Teen Books Writers -  The talented writers at Catholic Teen Books collaborate each year to write a short Christmas tale. This is a beautiful story about a grieving man in late 19th-century Chicago who rediscovers the spirit of Christmas. I absolutely loved this story. It is perfect for a quick feel-good holiday read. 

 

12-4-25 The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez - Jasminne Paulino - This is a middle-grade novel written in free verse about a seventh grader in a self-contained special needs classroom who dreams of being an astronaut one day. But to do that, he'll need to take science with the mainstreamed kids and he has to convince both his parents and his teachers that he can handle it. Some of the text in this book is in Spanish, so some familiarity with that language is helpful. (Read for Catholic Library World)

 

12-7-25 Twice - Mitch Albom - Books by Albom are always thought-provoking and worth reading. This one features a man who has the ability to relive moments in his life to try to get them right, but he is stuck with the second version of events. As with any time-travel story, you can't think about it too hard, but it raises the question: If you could go back in time and change things, would you? 
 

12-13-25 - The Light of Christmas - Richard Paul Evans - I'm a big fan of Evans' adult Christmas books, so I checked out this children's tale. It is a lovely story of a young boy who is rewarded richly for an act of selfless charity.

12-14-25 The Christmas Ring - Karen Kingsbury - This story was released as both a book and a movie. I haven't seen the movie, but I did enjoy the book! Young widow Vanessa Mayfield loses a Christmas ring that her great-grandfather found on D-Day and that had been passed on through the generations. She searches for it for years, but when her search brings her to Miller's Antique Shop, she meets Ben Miller and finds something even more precious than the ring - a second chance at love. This was a touching, feel-good romance.

12-15-25 When They Met Again - Leslie Gould - This friends-to-more Amish romance develops over the course of several years, as Adam and Joanna meet, and then met again, and again, but the timing was always off, until they both end up working for Adam's grandparents. (Read for a book review publication)
 

12-15-25 Pocket Bear - Katherine Applegate - I enjoyed this middle-grade novel and learned some things about the history of teddy bears. It features a pocket bear, a bear made to accompany a soldier and bring comfort during WWI, and a cat, Zephyrina, who helps to rescue abandoned stuffed animals and bring them home to their owners, a Ukrainian mother and daughter who escaped the war-torn country. The mother and daughter fix up the toys and help them find new homes, but they have to look out for an unscrupulous toy collector.  

12-18-25 A Heart on Consignment - Mindy Steele - No one in her Amish community of Havenlee, Indiana, wants to court Salina Stolzfus, but that doesn't stop her mother from inviting every eligible young man to dinner. When Seth Weaver comes to town after being jilted right before his wedding, the last thing he wants to do is fall in love, but he soon becomes friends with Salina, especially as they work together to open a consignment shop to help people in need. (Read for a book review publication)

 

12-18-25 One Star, Three Kings: The Journey of Epiphany - Rebecca Grabill - This picture book provides some backstory for Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior as they follow the star to search for the Christ child. Interspersed within the story are nonfiction sections that describe what we know about the magi, the prophecies from the Old Testament that guided their search, what the star may have been, the gifts they brought, and the way Epiphany is celebrated. I wish that the story and the nonfiction sections were separated, with one in the front and one in the back, because I think it disrupts the storytelling value of this book, but it is a lovely picture book to share for Epiphany.  

12-22-25 A Very Chapel Falls Christmas - Amanda Lauer - This story will appeal to fans of Hallmark Christmas rom-coms. A famous singer returns to his hometown of Chapel Falls, where his ex-fiancee just happens to have gotten a job working for the mayor. As they get thrown together at various Christmas events, old feelings start to grow, and well, you know where this is going. 

 

12-25-25 The Christmas Stranger - Richard Paul Evans - I had requested this book from the library back in October and it finally came in right before Christmas, which was great because it was the perfect book to read Christmas Eve and Christmas. Paul Wanless lost his wife and son in a car accident on Christmas Eve three years earlier. With nothing to live for, he plans to end his life until he encounters a mysterious stranger who talks him out of it and sets him on the path to find new love and meaning in his life. 

 

12-27-25 Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children's Novels to Refresh Our Tired Souls - Mitali Perkins - Perkins explores classic works by C.S. Lewis, L.M. Montgomery, Johanna Spyri, Maud Hart Lovelace, J.R.R. Tolkien, Louisa May Alcott, and Francis Hodgson Burnett, exploring their value for today and how to discuss their more problematic elements. It was an interesting read.

 12-28-25 My Beloved - Jan Karon - I had read many (though not all) of the Mitford books years ago and was excited to see this was a new one. It was also an unexpected Christmas story! It was a delight to be back visiting old fictional friends in this story, and it was also unusual in that two of the sets of main characters are elderly (one set in their 80s, the other in their 90s). However, this book had many characters and storylines to keep track of, and I got lost in parts. 

 

1-1-26 Encounters with Angels: The Invisible Companions of Our Spiritual Life - Odile Haumonte - This is an English translation of a French book. It explores angelic encounters in Scripture and with saints, as well as how angels can help us in our daily lives. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I hoped, but it was a good reminder of the presence of angels in our lives and to ask my guardian angel for help. 

 

1/2/26 Your Valentine - Anthony DeStafano - This picture book introduces children to the true St. Valentine, who lived in Rome in the third century. It is a lovely book, suitable for a home, parish, or school library. 

1-3-26 Smithsonian American Women - Smithsonian Institution - This was a fascinating look at objects in the Smithsonian collection that relate to American women's history. I've always been interested in women's history, and it is remarkable the light that certain items can shed on that story. 

 

1-4-26 What Does it Feel Like? - Sophie Kinsella - Kinsella, the author of the Shopaholic books, died in December 2025 of a brain tumor. This is her fictionalized account of life with that tumor. It is a short novel, well worth reading, for its insightful and honest look at life with incurable cancer. The story ends on a hopeful note, made all the more poignant by the fact that we know there wasn't actually a happy ending. 

Since the spring of 2019, I have been making my way through the Great Books Curriculum of Thomas Aquinas College (I'm currently working on the readings for junior year). 

12-6-25 The Social Contract - Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Rousseau was born in Geneva in 1712. He worked as an engraver's apprentice and became a Catholic convert (although he fathered five children and abandoned them to a foundling home). In 1762, he wrote this work, which was his crowning achievement of political philosophy. He discusses various forms of government and how they came to be as well as the innate rights of people.  

12-21-25 Discourse on Metaphysics - Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz -  Leibniz (1646-1716) was a German polymath, best known for helping invent calculus. This was a philosophical work more geared to theology that I found interesting as he wrestled with many of the big questions of life that I have also struggled with - such as the problems of evil, free will vs. God's omnipotence, why God makes people, etc. There are no certain answers to any of these questions. Some things we just need to take on faith; others are beyond are understanding. But it was interesting to read, and I hope that someday (in the next world), I understand these things. I liked that he believed animal souls are eternal (I do, too).

 

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#OpenBook for December 2025

 

Welcome to #OpenBook. I'm joining up with Carolyn Astfalk who hosts an #OpenBook Linkup on CatholicMom.com. Here's what I've been reading this past month. The dates indicate when I finished the books. Thanks for stopping by!

11-5-25 Ambush of the Heart - Mary Connealy - This is the start of a new series about US Marshals in the Old West, although this story started in the middle of action that made me wonder if I missed something. But I didn't, and the backstory was filled in. It was filled with adventure and survival skills that left me very impressed, along with two romances. Fans of Western adventure/romance will enjoy this. (Read for a book review publication).

11-9-25 On a Midnight Clear - Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Misty Beller - This is an enjoyable trilogy of Christmas novellas. I enjoyed all of them, but my favorite was "A Star in the West," about an awkward math professor from Massachusetts who finds love with a young woman from Texas.   

11-13-25 The Caregiver at Wounded Knee - Debby Lee - This is the story of a young Lakota woman who was taken from her people when she was young and educated as a nurse in Boston. She has now returned to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to help provide medical care. She is eager to rediscover the Lakota language and customs, even though it is frowned upon due to rising tensions between the white settlers and her people. I had a vague memory of learning about Wounded Knee in school, but this story truly brings that massacre to life. It is a powerful story that will stay with the reader. In addition to appealing to adult fans of historical women's fiction, it would be a worthwhile work for high school students to read. 

11-14-25 Library Lovebirds: Short Stories by Katie Fitzgerald - This is a delightful collection of short, clean romances all featuring libraries or books in some way. It was a quick read, but I enjoyed it a great deal!
 

11-16-25 The Velveteen Daughter - Laurel Davis Huber - This is historical fiction about Pamela Bianco, the daughter of Margery Williams Bianco (who wrote The Velveteen Rabbit, one of my favorite stories of all time). Pamela was a child prodigy and a famous artist, but she also suffered from mental illness. This book offers a strong depiction of family dynamics and the inner workings of a struggling mind. I found it very interesting. Unfortunately, the Lord's name is taken in vain a few times in it. 
 

11-23-25 A Carol for Mrs. Dickens - Rebecca Connolly - This is a charming Christmas novella featuring Catherine Dickens, the wife of the famous Charles Dickens. It is 1851, a few years after the publication of "A Christmas Carol," which has made her husband "Mr. Christmas." She lost a child that year and is pregnant with another one. She's tired and worn out and wants little to go with helping Charles host big Christmas gatherings. In this story, she is reminded of the spirit of Christmas and regains her sense of joy.  
 

 11-25-25 Out of Time - Irene Hannon - This is a suspense-filled story about a historical anthropologist spending her sabbatical helping an older woman translate journals written in a rare French dialect. It should be a dream semester, but when dangerous things begin to happen on the estate, she may be lucky to get out alive. (Read for a book-review publication).

11-29-25 Nature and the Mind; The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being - Marc G. Berman, Ph.D. - We all know that fresh air and nature are good for both our children and us. This is a book about the scientific studies that prove it. It was interesting to read. 

 

11-30-25 Remain - Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan - I finally got my copy of the newest Nicholas Sparks book from the library holds list. This is a collaboration with M. Night Shyamalan, who is making the story into a movie. It features a grieving architect who begins interacting with a ghost he sees at the bed-and-breakfast where he is staying. It is a Nicholas Sparks story, so there is romance, but this one also features the mystery of how the young woman died. I really enjoyed it! 

 

Since the spring of 2019, I have been making my way through the Great Books Curriculum of Thomas Aquinas College (I'm currently working on the readings for junior year). 

11-13-25 I finally finished! - The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon -  Gibbon was an English essayist, historian, and politician who wrote this epic six-volume work between 1776 and 1789. I give the man props for working on this book for over twenty years. Is my life better for having read it? No. But I was very happy to cross it off my list after several months and be able to move on to the next book on the list.

 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Purchases made after clicking a link help support this site. Thank you!

100 Reasons to Be Thankful, Even in Hard Times

 

Back in 2009, in the midst of the Great Recession (which, in some ways, now feels like the good old days), I asked people what they were thankful for even in hard times and shared it on Catholic Exchange, where I worked at the time. Thank you to all of those who originally contributed to the list. I’ve decided to update it a bit for this year.

I am thankful for . . .

1. The health of my family.
2. Taking naps.
3. Driving the scenic route.
4. Community events open to the public.
5. My (flawed) relationships with God and my family, both immediate and extended. Flawed relationships are much better than none at all!
6. My wife and I have grown together, and I am constantly grateful and impressed as she matures.
7. The Word of God.
8. Brief and productive meetings.
9. Quilts and blankets, to keep me warm.
10. My wonderful family and for my best friend, who has always been there with quiet support, encouragement, and words of wisdom, through thick and thin, since the day we met.
11. The incredible diversity of people on this planet.
12. Co-workers who don’t mind switching their days off to help you out.
13. Toys.
14. Dirty dishes because it means we have eaten. Thank you for baby giggles; they keep me sane.
15. That God made me.
16. Teddy bears.
17. The feel of a child’s hand in mine.
18. Waking up when you need to, even when the alarm doesn’t go off.
19. Babies.
20. The day being silent now that it’s over for the little ones.
21. Libraries.
22. The convenience of e-mail.
23. Wrinkle-free clothing.
24. Christmas lights.
25. Friends who care about me enough to tell me when I am being stupid.
26. Our Veterans.
27. Books, because I can experience the world, learn new things, laugh, cry, and connect without ever leaving my couch.
28. My job, especially in this economy.
29. Religious leaders.
30. Volunteers.
31. A cup of hot cocoa on a cold day.
32. Family and friends; love them all!
33. The smell of homemade desserts baking in the oven.
34. Listening to beautiful music.
35. Friends meeting over a cup of tea; a fire in the hearth; a friendly game of Scrabble.
36. My kids, who can always make me laugh.
37. Being friends with my parents.
38. Every member of my family, especially my mom, who is a constant source of support, encouragement, and friendship.
39. Enjoyable conversation between friends.
40. Hugs.
41. Having health insurance
42. My health, even if I complain about certain aches and pains!
43. My family, my fiancé, and being able to go to college.
44. Having a roof over my head.
45. Finding a dollar in an old coat you haven’t worn in years.
46. Enjoyable hobbies and pursuits in life.
47. The forgiveness of God.
48. Schools and colleges.
49. Online dictionaries.
50. Repairing an object yourself and having it come out perfectly.
51. Hot showers after a hard day of work to ease away the stress of the day.
52. The express line at the grocery store.
53. The generosity of strangers.
54. Being able to watch your favorite TV shows and movies whenever you want.
55. Tossed aside treasures at tag sales or wherever they may be found.
56. Duct-Tape!
57. Good role models we can point to for children to aspire to emulate.
58. Indoor plumbing.
59. Date nights.
60. Inspiring words that lift our souls in times of crisis.
61. Youth and amateur sports leagues to both watch and play in.
62. People who obey traffic regulations.
63. The trials and losses in my life, for they have helped me become a stronger and better person!
64. Our favorite instructors and teachers.
65. People who enjoy reading what we write.
66. Chocolate.
67. Hidden places that you can sneak away to.
68. Health care workers.
69. GPS services on my phone.
70. Lucky old coins and favorite treasures, both precious and humble.
71. The spring that will come after the winter.
72. All those who came before us, great and small, have a story to tell. That
    is what history is all about. So, I am thankful to be able to know and learn
    their story.
73. Local newspapers.
74. People with interesting personalities who make the world better or, at
    the very least, more interesting.
75. Brothers and sisters.
76. Various software and apps that make life easier.
77. Sitting in an open field on a crystal-clear night and enjoying the
    celestial display above.
78. Our furry four-legged friends who have chosen to live their lives with us.
79. Health care workers.
80. Sunrises, sunsets, ocean waves, hidden forests, mossy rocks, mountain
    streams, and all the other wonders of nature.
81. Our Guardian Angels who stay with us even when we try to refuse their help.
82. A child’s laughter.
83. The wisdom of elders.
84. Works of art.
85. Those perfect parking places, which sometimes we are lucky enough to get.
86. The creative minds of others and what they share with us all.
87. Photos, for capturing a moment in time.
88. Relaxing periods of quiet during a busy day.
89. Food banks and pantries, and those who work at them.
90. Bookmarks
91. Museums.
92. Social media (sometimes).
93. Sweaters, hats, scarves, and gloves.
94. The ability to look anything up on our phones.
95. Good listeners.
96. Parks.
97. Handwritten letters.
98. Bread, the universal side to any meal.
99. Sales at the grocery store.
100. People who commit their lives to protecting and preserving our cities, states, and country.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

If you are interested in reading more about gratitude for simple things, please check out 40 Days of Gratitude: Finding Joy Through Giving Thanks. (Amazon affiliate link)

Image from: https://pixabay.com/photos/fall-autumn-october-orange-2141847/

Be One of the Helpers

 

Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” 

 

These are scary times for a lot of people. Government workers are trying to survive without paychecks, and many SNAP recipients are wondering where their next meal is coming from. I live in Springfield, MA. It is a gateway city where, even on a good day, many people suffer from food insecurity. Right now, people are desperate. The Republican, our local newspaper, reported on Tuesday, November 4^th, that “In Springfield alone, 47.4% of residents receive SNAP benefits. Most of the recipients are working families that don’t make enough to scrape by. Others are retirees, children and the disabled.” The lines at food pantries and long and getting longer every day. It is no doubt a scene being played out across America.

Churches, civic associations, and stores are all stepping up to do what they can. There are collections everywhere. This is one of those times when everyone with the ability to give needs to be a helper.

So, how can you help?

1)       Help your neighbor – Do you know someone personally impacted by the government shutdown or loss of SNAP benefits? Do what you can to help that person/family. Maybe leave a bag of groceries on their front step. Make “extra” of a meal and bring it over or invite the family over for dinner. Give gift cards to your local grocery store. You can send them anonymously if you don’t want to get the credit or make the person feel bad for needing help.

 

2)       Donate to pantry food collections -  Whether it is through your local church, school, library, or directly to a food pantry, every nonperishable item helps. If you aren’t in a position to purchase items, look through your pantry (be sure to check expiration dates) and donate items that you have on hand. Donating money to a local food pantry is always appreciated as well.  

 

3)       Donate to Food Banks – Food banks provide food to the food pantries that directly serve people in need. They are able to purchase food at a discount and make your donation dollars stretch farther. The Foodbank of Western Massachusetts states that every $1 of donation provides two meals.

 

4)       Volunteer – Many local pantries are straining under the weight of both increased need and increased donations. They are looking for people to help out.

 

5)       Pray – The people in need and the people serving them through food pantries need help in the form of loaves and fishes kinds of miracles. All the efforts can’t make up for the loss of SNAP benefits, but we can pray that somehow the food stretches and that people get what they need.

 

Matthew 25:34-5 tells us, “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Helping the poor is part of the Christian mandate. God rewards generosity. Please do what you can.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/offer-give-share-provide-5022188/