#OpenBook for December 2024

 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!

 

11-9-24 The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners - Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. - This book is designed for those interested in homeschooling or just starting their homeschooling journey. I appreciated that the author is raising neurodiverse children as many homeschoolers do fall in that category. Despite being a former teacher, she advocates for a very unschoollike child-led approach to cultivate a love of learning. While I knew most of the information in this book, I definitely recommend it for new homeschoolers.

11-13-24 Welcome to the Honey B & B - Melody Carlson - I've read quite a few of Carlson's books over the years and enjoy them. This was no exception! A single mother decides to uproot her 13-year-old daughter (who is NOT happy about it) to move back home to help care for her aging parents. Her father is suffering from dementia. She decides to put a temporary one-story dwelling on the property for her parents so her father can be safer and turn their home into a B and B. But to do so, she needs to enlist the help of an old flame, who may or may not be trustworthy, and a neighbor whom her father hates for no apparent reason. Due to the subject matter, this could have been a really difficult book to read (and there are certainly moments that are hard), but Carlson injects a good dose of humor and hope. Sadly, Carlson's husband has dementia so she is writing from personal experience. (Read for a book review publication.) 

11-15-24 My True Love Gave to Me: A Catechism for the Twelve Days of Christmas - Written by Katie Warner; Illustrated by Elizabeth Zelasko - This picture book is a visual delight for young and old.

The text is based on the legend that the famous Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was actually used to convey truths about the Catholic faith during a time when Catholics were being persecuted in England. Whether or not that legend is true, “the book is meant to help convey the gifts of the faith through the joy and meaning of song.” One could either read or sing the song as you share this beautiful book with children.

11-17-24 Treasures of the New York Public Library - Last month, I went on a field trip with my kids to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. As we hurried back to Grand Central Station at the end of the day, we passed the beautiful main branch of the New York Public Library. How I would have loved to have visited! But, alas, that was not to be. So, I did the next best thing. I watched video tours of the library on YouTube and took out this book from my local library. It turns out the average person can't even use the books in the library - it is only for researchers! There is a library branch a block away that New Yorkers can use to take out books. But the New York Public Library is also a museum, and this coffee table book highlights many of its treasures. It was fascinating to look at, although I wish the items in it had been arranged in some sort of order (chronology? theme? something?). One of my favorite items in it were the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals.  

11-19-24 The Devil's Ransom - Antony Barone Kolenc - Kolenc wraps up The Harwood Mysteries with this thrilling conclusion. Xan is all grown up now (age 15) and married to Christina. When they have to travel to confront Moorish pirates who are holding his uncle for ransom, he and his friends will have to face their toughest opponent yet, the devil himself. Like all the books in the series, this is exceptionally well-written. It interweaves story lines from the previous books. I recommend reading the whole award-winning series, starting with Shadow in the Dark.
 

11-22-24 A Constant Love - Tracie Peterson - I enjoyed this inspirational Western romance about how the truth can lead to healing. The Amazon description: In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father's dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.

Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother's help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. (Read for a book review publication.)

11-24-24 Beautiful and More Beautiful - Mark D. Sikes - These are two home design coffee-table style books filled with beautiful images of home interiors. Sometimes, I just like to look at pretty pictures. These two books fit the bill.

11-24-24 Dear Santa - Debbie Macomber - I requested a bunch of Christmas books from the library and was eager to dig in. Lindy returns home for Christmas, still reeling for her boyfriend leaving her for her best friend. Her mother encourages her to write a letter to Santa in which she asks for a new best friend, a new boyfriend, and for the big proposal she just submitted at work to be accepted. Santa comes through in some unexpected ways. This was a feel-good holiday romance to curl up with. 

11-30-24 What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing - Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack - When I requested this book from the library, I was expecting a coffee table style book with lots of photos interspersed with some anecdotes. What I got was a heavy tome (550 p) with lots of info and a few photos thrown in for good measure. The West Wing was one of the best shows ever on TV, and while I don't qualify as a "Wingnut," the affectionate term for a superfan, I have seen most of the episodes and enjoyed all of them. This book, written by two of the actresses on the show, features interviews with the major (and some minor) actors, discusses the writing and filming of the show, and, as promised, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this remarkable program. It also explores the attitude of service that many of the actors ascribe to, including the Catholic Martin Sheen, who played President Bartlet. If you are a fan of The West Wing, this book is for you.

12-1-24 A Christmas Duet - Debbie Macomber - This was another feel-good Christmas romance about a young woman who has always wanted to be a songwriter but who lacks faith in her ability. When her mother invites her ex-boyfriend to spend Christmas with them in the hopes of getting them back together, Hailey accepts the offer from a friend to stay in a cabin in rural Podunk, Oregon, and work on her music alone. But when she meets Jay, who helps her get a racoon out of her cabin, her plans take a surprising turn (or not surprising, as this is a Christmas romance). I enjoyed spending time with this story!

12-2-24 One Hour for My Priest - Tina Jost - This is a lovely book that provides a blueprint for how to pray for the priests in your life. It includes two holy hours designed to be prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but if you cannot physically get to church, you can certainly do them at home. However you choose to pray, you will be providing spiritual help to your priest and helping them fulfill their vocation. 

Since 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). 

11/7/24 Meditations on First Philosophy - Rene Decartes - This was my last required reading by Descartes. It is a set of six meditations that explore proof of the existence of God and whether the soul is immortal.

 

My thirteen-year-old daughter and I read the following book this month:

11-26-24 Percy Jackson: Wrath of the Triple Goddess - Rick Riordan - It's always exciting when a new Percy Jackson book comes out, and this one did not disappoint. Percy's completing his second task to get his recommendations for college, with help from Annabeth and Grover of course. This time the goddess Hecate recruits him to pet-sit a mythical polecat and hellhound for a week. What could possibly go wrong?

 

 

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How to Pray for Your Priest

 

Our priests always need our prayers. They carry so much weight and are often under spiritual attack. In One Hour for My Priest, Tina Jost provides a helpful blueprint for praying for the priests in your life. As Jost states, “Our priests are such a gift from God, and you understand the importance of our prayers for them. Without our beloved priests, we wouldn’t be able to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament or to pray in adoration.”

Of course, any prayers that you offer for your priest are good and helpful. There is no one right way to pray. However, sometimes, a prayer book is helpful to provide guidance. This book is designed to be used while praying before the Blessed Sacrament, but if you are not physically able to go to church to pray, you can certainly pray at home.

There are two holy hours to choose from. They both feature an introductory prayer and five decades of the Rosary. Jost includes the twenty mysteries of the Rosary with a petition to pray before each Our Father and Hail Mary. The first holy hour has a set of “One-minute Meditations” and concludes with “Help Him!” – a series of short petitions. The second holy hour invites you to pray the Stations of the Cross.

One Hour for My Priest is a lovely book that reminds us of the importance of praying for our priest. Whichever holy hour you choose to offer, or even if you only do some of the prayers, you will be providing spiritual help to your priest and helping them fulfill their vocation.

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

Free Book on Gratitude

 

40 Days of Gratitude: Finding Joy Through Giving Thanks  

This is the most personal book I've ever written, and I honestly don't know if anyone will find any value in it, but I'm putting it out in the world. I offer 40 reflections on simple joys in life that I am thankful for and encourage others to focus on their own blessings. Here is the official description: 

Cultivate Joy and Hope in Your Life by Giving Thanks

Are you searching for more joy and hope in your life? Taking time to thank God every day can help both your spiritual and physical well-being. This set of forty reflections on simple blessings written from a Catholic perspective invites you to contemplate the gifts God has given you. Whether you use it as a Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas activity, Lenten prayer practice, or any other time of year you need a spiritual pick-me-up, it is sure to help you appreciate the good things in your everyday life.

If you'd like to download a free .pdf of the book, you can do that here. It is also available on Kindle and Paperback.

#OpenBook for November 2024

 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!

 

10-6-24 Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence - Jennifer Holland - I'm a dog person and I found this study of canine intelligence to be fascinating. Dogs are amazing creatures and can do and learn so much. If you are interested in dogs, neuroscience, or how dogs learn, I highly recommend this book!

10-10-24 The Indigo Heiress - Laura Franz - It's 1774 and Juliet Catesby helps run her father's tobacco and indigo plantation, but her life is upended when her father informs her she must marry Scottish tobacco lord Leith Buchanon in exchange for paying off the debt the family owes him. This was an enjoyable story about a strong woman forced to make the best of an unexpected situation, with twists and turns along the way. I also think the cover is beautiful! (Read for a book review publication) 

10-13-24 The Story of a Heart: Two Families, One Heat, and the Medial Miracle That Saved a Child's Life - Dr. Rachel Clarke - This is a powerful, both sad and hopeful story about a heart from a nine-year-old girl that was used to save a nine-year-old boy. It takes place in the UK. Dr. Clarke does a remarkable job discussing the case with both empathy and objectivity. She also explores the history of organ donation and transplants, which was interesting. 

10-14-24 Finding God in Times of Depression - Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP - It's that time of year again when the seasonal depression is settling in, which made it the perfect time for me to read and review this book for CatholicMom.com. It is a small, purse-sized book that features thirty short Scripture passages, reflections, and prayers to help readers turn to God in their hour of desolation and discouragement. The author has lived with depression herself, and so she offers no platitudes. She understands the pain and the darkness and strives to help people trust that God is walking with them on this difficult path. 

10-20-2024 An Uncommon Love: The Life, Legacy, and Lessons of Sisters Mary and Eleanor Dooley - Edited by Fr. Mark Stelzer. - Sisters Mary and Eleanor Dooley were prominent figures at Elms College, where I completed both my B.A. and M.A.A.T. and worked for five years. Sr. Mary was president of the College my first two years. While I never had the pleasure of meeting personally with her, her presence and legacy loomed large. I did have Sr. Eleanor as a professor when I was studying for my master's degree in theology. She was such a beautiful soul. She saw God in every person and you truly felt as if you were in the presence of a saint when you were with her. Sisters Mary and Eleanor served the Church in the Vatican II and post-Vatican II era, were highly educated, and left a lasting impact on all they met. They were truly remarkable women. This book is a series of essays about them, the intellectual and social movements that shaped them, and the legacy they left behind. Anyone interested in learning more about them or the role of women religious in the late twentieth century will appreciate this book. 

10-24-24 Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene's Story - Jill Eileen Smith - This work of biblical fiction imagines Mary Magdalene's life as a young woman, possessed by seven demons, before she is set free by her encounter with Jesus. The first part of the book is the most imaginative and presents a truly harrowing portrayal of demonic possession. After she is healed by Jesus, the remainder of the book follows the Gospel story but is told through Mary Magdalene's eyes. (Read for a book review publication)

10-27-24 Counting Miracles - Nicholas Sparks - Each year, I look forward to reading the new novel from Nicholas Sparks. As one would expect from a Sparks' book, this one does feature a romance. Former Army Ranger Tanner goes to Asheboro, North Carolina, to search for info about his birth father, whom he never knew. There, he meets a single mother and physician, Kaitlyn, and there is instant chemistry, but the relationship is complicated because he has no plans to stay. The romance is  fine - there was one seemingly obligatory premarital sex scene that I just skimmed over - but the true blessing of this book is in the interwoven story of one of Kaitlyn's patients, an older man named Jasper. His story is a modern retelling of the Book of Job. Premarital sex aside, this is a very Christian book that I really enjoyed. 

11-1-24 Midnight on the Scottish Shore - Sarah Sundin - This romantic adventure set in 1941 and 1942 on the Scottish shores features a member of the Dutch resistance who was pretending to be a Nazi and tried to escape by offering to be spy for the Nazis in Scotland (thinking she would then disappear). She got captured by a Scottish lieutenant, who turns her in to his commander, who then recruits her to be a double agent. Sparks fly between the woman and the Scottish lieutenant, but he still thinks she is a Nazi, plus fraternizing with any spies is definitely against the rules. This was a fast-moving tale full of both romance and intrigue. (Read for a book review publication.)

11-2-24 Library Girl - Polly Horvath - This is a middle-grade book that I took out of the library to read myself. It is about a girl who was abandoned in a library as a baby and was raised by four of the librarians there. When she is eleven, they start to give her more freedom to explore the outside world, and she soon discovers it doesn't match up to the world she has dreamed up from her lifetime of reading, at least not until she discovers a boy whom she thinks might be her twin brother, raised in equally unusual circumstances. I really wanted to love this book, but truthfully I found it meh. I did like it enough to read until the end. 

11-3-24 The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science - Dava Sobel - I didn't know much about Marie Curie before reading this book. It is a biography of her life, but it emphasizes not only her role as a trailblazer of science but also the women scientists she mentored. While I didn't understand much of the scientific explanations, it was a fascinating look at women in science and the obstacles that they faced in doing their research. 

11-4-24 40 Days of Gratitude: Finding Joy Through Giving Thanks - by yours truly.  This is the most personal book I've ever written, and I honestly don't know if anyone will find any value in it, but I'm putting it out in the world. I offer 40 reflections on simple joys in life that I am thankful for and encourage others to focus on their own blessings. Here is the official description: 

Cultivate Joy and Hope in Your Life by Giving Thanks

Are you searching for more joy and hope in your life? Taking time to thank God every day can help both your spiritual and physical well-being. This set of forty reflections on simple blessings written from a Catholic perspective invites you to contemplate the gifts God has given you. Whether you use it as a Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas activity, Lenten prayer practice, or any other time of year you need a spiritual pick-me-up, it is sure to help you appreciate the good things in your everyday life.

If you'd like to download a free .pdf of the book, you can do that here. It is also available on Kindle and Paperback.

Since 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).

10-5-24 On Faith and Works - Against the Lutherans - Cardinal Thomas Cajetan - Cajetan, born in 1469, was a Dominican and a scholar of the works by Thomas Aquinas. He became the Church's delegated spokesperson against Luther. This work was written in 1532. It discusses the meaning of faith, the role of works, and whether works have merit in the eyes of God.

10-16-24 Discourse on Method - Rene Descartes - Published in 1637, Descartes discusses the method he has used to "think well." He read many books and went to school but found those resources lacking. He decided he would rather seek knowledge in himself or nature. He says he is only trying to explain his own position, not encourage anyone to copy him (but as he is considered the father of modern philosophy, people clearly did). He also discusses moral rules and offers proofs for the existence of God and the immortal soul.  

10-31-24 Rules for the Direction of the Mind - Rene Descartes - I didn't get a whole lot out of this one. It was a series of twenty-one rules on how to figure out the truth, but I think they were mostly geared to figuring out math problems.

 

My thirteen-year-old daughter and I read the following book this month:

 

The Mother-Daughter Book Camp - Heather Vogel Frederick - We finished up the last book in the series! The young ladies are spending their last summer before college as camp counselors at a sleep-away camp in New Hampshire. To help the young campers deal with homesickness, they start up a book club. This time, they are reading Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The ending of this tale, with all the young ladies embarking on their adult lives, made me cry. I'm so glad that my daughter and I read this series together.

 

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