The Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours by Daria Sockey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Awaking the Dawn–Morning Prayer Morning Prayer is one of the two principal Hours of the day on which the day’s liturgy–and our own day–should hang. Hence, the Church’s reference to Morning and Evening Prayer as the “hinges” of the liturgical day. That makes sense on the natural level. Our day’s activity begins in the morning, and winds down in the evening.... Read more
You know what I love? That the Bible stories I’ve grown up with stand up to the test of time and yield more than just the story itself. Take the story of David and Goliath, for example. In fact, that’s just what the new book Five Stones: Conquering Your Giants, by Shane Stanford and Brad Martin, does. It seems like such a simple story. Small boy takes on big bully. David saves the day. Future king proves why he’s chosen. And... Read more
Extinction Machine by Jonathan Maberry My rating: 5 of 5 stars “So, basically if we keep trying to save the country and maybe the world from a bunch of murderous assholes with outer space weapons, then we’re the bad guys?” “In a nutshell.” “Then, hey … let’s be bad guys.” Joe’s back. Pulled off vacation, Joe Ledger and Echo Team are knocking on research lab doors, looking into cyber-attacks so clever they can’t be tracked back to anyone. But no... Read more
I have to hand it to the folks at Pauline Books and Media: they continue to delight me with the products they send me. When I see the brown envelope in my mailbox, addressed so politely to “Mrs. Sarah Reinhard,” I always know there’s a treat inside. And late last week, what should arrive but… …GRAPHIC NOVELS ABOUT THE SAINTS!!! (Yes, it warrants all caps. Really.) There’s a series of four planned, and the first two have been released: Saint... Read more
Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life by Elizabeth Scalia My rating: 4 of 5 stars The “you shall nots” are less a list of restrictions and limitations than an invitation to keep turning back to God, who will “satisfy the desire of every living thing.” (Ps 145:16). The “shall nots” say, “Don’t steal that, look at me. Don’t objectify her with lust; look at me. Don’t nurse your anger unto death! Look at me. Do not look out... Read more
I heard about it from a good friend, who rated it as one of the two books that everyone who has anything to do with the Catholic New Evangelization should read. (In case you were wondering what the other one is, look no farther than this summer’s Lawn Chair Catechism at CatholicMom.com to find out.) Theology of the Body for Every Body, by Leah Perrault (Novalis, 2012) is a thin book at less than 120 pages. And it’s not a... Read more
Finding God in the Bible: What Crazy Prophets, Fickle Followers, and Dangerous Outlaws Reveal about Friendship with God, by Darren Wilson, looked like just the evangelical fare I like to avoid. It’s fine, like dark chocolate, if that’s your thing. But if you aren’t so much a fan, then…well…not. Or that’s what I thought. As I got into it, I couldn’t help that my eyebrows raised a bit. And then I found myself eager to keep reading. “It’s because it’s such a... Read more
It was a quick read and though I found it predictable, it was well-written in many ways and entertaining. I think this book is the very definition of beach read, and though I wasn’t on a beach, it was enjoyable. You’ll meet characters who may feel familiar, because they’re so real. You’ll find yourself pulling your hair out a bit, because the conflict is so…well…avoidable. You’ll enjoy it if you like chick lit, you’ll whip through it if you need... Read more
It’s Passing on the Faith Month at Patheos, and I’m jumping in with my #1 criticism of parish faith formation in the US today: Treating people like they’re idiots. Allow me to begin with a word from our sponsor, emphasis mine: . . . thou shalt love the Lord thy God with the love of thy whole heart, and thy whole soul, and thy whole mind, and thy whole strength. (Mark 12:30) Catch that? Your whole mind. If you read... Read more
Dangers to the Faith: Recognizing Catholicism’s 21st Century Opponents is a new book by Radio host Al Kresta. Now I am already thoroughly a Kresta-fanboy in that I never miss his show via podcast (I review his podcast here). This book takes on a variety of topics that might not be a the forefront of what you think are the biggest opponents to the Catholic faith. It is also interesting what he has not listed in this book. In the... Read more
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