This is the sort of book that’s hard for me to review, because of the potential for spoilers. So if I don’t say enough to suit you, let that be supporting evidence that you should read it for yourself. 🙂 I received a copy of this book for review, and I’ll admit that the title and the cover caught my eye when I opened the package. Sometimes, when I start reading review copies of books, I find myself wondering if... Read more
The 13 Clocks by James Thurber My rating: 5 of 5 stars Once upon a time, in a gloomy castle on a lonely hill, where there were thirteen clocks that wouldn’t go, there lived a cold, aggressive Duke, and his niece, the Princess Saralinda. She was warm in every wind and weather, but he was always cold. His hands were as cold as his smile, and almost as cold as his heart. He wore gloves when he was asleep, and... Read more
Saints and Social Justice: A Guide to Changing the World by Brandon Vogt My rating: 5 of 5 stars The phrases “social justice” and “solidarity” could hardly have been more unwisely coined or adapted by the Catholic Church in my opinion. From the moment I heard them, they turned me off. I always thought they sounded like some lame department name you’d read about in a spy novel set in communist Russia. I mean really – solidarity? What does that... Read more
“This is a book about you,” writes Sister Mary Lea Hill on page 1 of Prayer and You: Wit and Wisdom from a Crabby Mystic (Pauline Books and Media, 2014). “I’m willing to bet that many people pick [this book] up because it says right on the cover that it’s for you. You, however, may have picked it up because it’s about prayer–there is no argument here. Truthfully, prayer is about you.” Well enough, and maybe not enough to convince you that... Read more
Though I don’t exclusively read fiction in the summer, I always want to. This summer’s no different, so I thought I would examine some of my favorite fiction reads and share them periodically throughout the summer. First up: The Screwtape Letters. Ah, here‘s an old friend. My battered old copy of Screwtape was marked and dog-eared and loved. It wasn’t mine at first, so it wasn’t \my name written in maroon marker inside the front cover. I loved it so much after reading it (via... Read more
I’ve been a catechist for over ten years, and in that time I’ve found a number of helpful books. While nothing beats the essentials, I’ve been thrilled recently with the resources I’ve seen published. Here are three that caught my eye and that I just had to share. Totally Catholic!: A Catechism for Kids and Their Parents and Teachers Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND (Pauline Books & Media, 2014) For adults, there’s the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For teens, there’s the YouCat.... Read more
I almost always enjoy reading conversions stories as a full length book. While you usually find certain commonalities there are also aspects that flow from the uniqueness of individuals. Grace shines off the facets that can make such stories familiar and new. In this case I am referring to Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler. The broad outline of here conversion story first took a public face when she decided... Read more
There are some names I trust, and Ignatius Press is one of them, especially when it comes to fiction. It doesn’t hurt that they’re unabashedly Catholic. They are releasing good fiction, reliably and consistently. When I see they have something new out, I request it (or, sometimes, I even buy it with my very own money). This summer, their three new novels are high on my reading list. I think you’ll find them interesting too. I’d love to hear what books... Read more
The Last Monk of Tibhirine: A True Story of Martyrdom, Faith, and Survival by Freddy Derwahl My rating: 4 of 5 stars When Jean-Pierre appeared at the gate in the late afternoon of my arrival, we immediately embraced each other. He knew what I expected of him—namely, that I hoped he would relate the whole story to me. I found the slightly bent-over eighty-seven-year-old Trappist monk in good spirits. His blue-green eyes accentuated an impish smile that concealed great kindness.... Read more
Starship Grifters (A Rex Nihilo Adventure) by Robert Kroese Almost everything about this book amused me. From the title to the cover to the contents. The idea of it was so promising and thankfully it delivered. It is hard not to think about the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” when reading this book. Although there are few real parallels other than that they are both really funny and take place in space. The story is told from the view of Sasha,... Read more
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