2025 Reading Log

 I didn't read as many books as I'd hoped last year, but maybe this year I'll get a few more in.  The list includes only books I completed, and although I read loads of picture books, I don't list those.

NonFiction/Memoirs

The Privilege of Being a Woman by Alice von Hildebrand

Heroes and Heretics of the Reformation by Phillip Campbell

James Herriott's Treasury for Children by James Herriott (JNonfic)

Brave Men by Ernie Pyle

The Silk Finisher by Daniel Melchior

The Practice of Humility by Pope Leo XIII

Vampires by Daniel C. Scavone (JNonfic)

Allocutio by Bernice Wahnsiedler

Monastery and High Cross: The Forgotten Eastern Roots of Irish Christianity by Connie Marshner

Once Upon a Farm by Rory Feek

Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff by Rosemary Mahoney

Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman

Colored People: A Memoir by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Upside Down: Understanding and Supporting Attachment in Adoptive and Foster Families by Shannon Guerra

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel

St. Hildegard's Garden by Paul Ferris

Vatican Secret Archives by Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon

If This Is a Man by Primo Levi

The Truce by Primo Levi

Execution by Hunger: The Hidden Holocaust by Miron Dolot (Holdomor)

Fiction

Little Britches by Ralph Moody (JFIC)

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

Shadowed Loyalty by Roseanna M. White

Damien and Dutton: Two Josephs on Molokai by Howard E Crouch

Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden

In a Far Off Land by Stephanie Landsem

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

On the Nile: A Story of Family Travel and Adventure in the Land of Egypt by Mrs. Sara K Hunt (1880)

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden

A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark

The Socialite by J'Nell Ciesielski

Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel

The Phantom of the Colosseum by Sophie de Mullenheim (JFIC)

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

Beyond Mulberry Glen by Millie Florence (JFIC)

Janitors by Tyler Whitesides (JFIC)

The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly

An Occasion of Valor by Wayne M. Hoy

Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen

 

2024 Reading List

 The year is not quite over, but I won't have time to finish any more books tonight before bed, so here is my 2024 reading list of all the books I finished this year.

Fiction

Double Take by Lynette Eason

A Penny for Your Thoughts by Mindy Starns Clark

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels by Mindy Starns Clark

A Dime a Dozen by Mindy Starns Clark

A Quarter for a Kiss by Mindy Starns Clark

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

The Buck Stops Here by Mindy Starns Clark

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (JFIC)

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

If I Were You by Lynn Austin

The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

The Wreck of the Golden Mary by Charles Dickens

The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche

The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez (JFIC)

Until Our Time Comes by Nicloe M. Miller

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller

This Thing of Darkness by K.V. Turley and Fiorella de Maria

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

A World Lost by Wendell Berry

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Most Dangerous Innocence by Fiorella de Maria

A Little Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Retold by Joe Sutphin (JFIC)

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

Nonfiction, Biography, and Memoir

St. Marianne Cope: Heart of Hope by Sr Fran Glangloff

Remembering WWII Women by Linda E. Minton

St Marianne of Molokai by Mary Cabrini Durkin (JBIO)

The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us by Carrie Gress

Taught by Ten: A Psychologist Father Learns from his Ten Children by Dr Ralph Guarendi

God is Near Us by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Benedict XVI)

From Slave to Priest: The Inspirational Story of Fr Augustus Tolton by Caroline Hemesath, OSF

The Marian Option by Carrie Gress

The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Larson

An American Little Flower: Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich by Gina MarieTennant (JBIO)

Greed in the Guilded Age by Wm. Elliot

The Anti-Mary Exposed by Carrie Gress

The Tigress of Forli: Renaissance Italy's Most Corageous and Notorious Countess, Caterina Riario    Sforza De'Medici by Elizabeth Lev

Benjamin Harrison by Charles W. Calhoun

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre

The Facemaker: A Visionary Surgeon's Battle to Mend the Disfigured Soldiers of WWI by Lindsey        Fitzharris

St. Isaac and the Indians by Milton Lomask (JBIO)

The Thefts of the Mona Lisa by Noah Charney

The Prey of the Priest Catchers by Leo Knowles

The Fisherman's Tomb: The True Story of the Vatican's Secret Search by John O'Neill

The Family Economy by Rory Groves

The Shadow of His Wings: The True Story of Fr Gereon Goldmann, OFM by Fr. Goldmann

Book Review - Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray

 I recently read Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray.  It has two main story lines, one following Amish young woman Bethanne, who has been crippled far too long by anxiety after an attack 7 years ago, and the other following Bethanne's English cousin, Candace, who is being stalked.  Both young women have sweet romantic interests, and the suspense over the stalker is well done.  The main characters showed growth, and the suspense was well done.  I enjoyed this story.  It is a sequel, and I did not read the first book, but it is easily a stand-alone novel.  I did feel that a few plot points didn't quite make sense, but maybe they are more for the third book that I'm sure will follow.  I don't usually read Amish fiction, but this was an enjoyable story, and I liked the way it bounced between the Amish and the English sides of the family.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

I chose this book because I couldn't resist the idea of having tea with elephants.  I like to travel, but I've never seriously thought of going to Kenya.  This book may just change that.  The setting was so lovingly described.  I liked both of the main characters, and their friendship was believable and sweet.  This book takes the reader on a cozy journey, and it was a pleasure to read.  I noticed that it will be the start of a series of books, and I would gladly read the second one when it comes out.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell, but all opinions are my own.

Back to School

 It's back to school time, so the big boys are all back at college, Lydia is at the high school, and the younger boys are into homeschooling for grades 5 & 6.  We had a field trip to meet an author at the library:

The kids really enjoyed that.  Author Brittany Thurman really did a nice presentation in addition to reading the book, and she took time to talk with all of the kids.   And of course I bought a book, which they were excited to see the author sign to both of them.  

Also, I broke out the soap and pocket knives for them to try whittling:

Emry has been wanting to try whittling for a while, and so I finally let them have at it.  Neither of them made anything particularly recognizable, but they had a lot of fun and were very proud to be allowed to use knives.

I've also been busy with more canning.  I used up the rest of the peaches on another batch of peach salsa, and I canned a double batch of tomatillo salsa.  I grew the tomatillos, so that was particularly rewarding.  I've not had a ton of produce from the gardens; between the deer attacks and the weather, it's been rough.  But I am getting cucumbers now pretty regularly.  I fermented some into dill pickles, which are delicious.  Also in fermenting, I made some sauerkraut.  I keep planning on making a batch of fermented salsa and fermented hot peppers, but I haven't actually done those yet.

peach salsa

Book Review - Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller

 I read a lot of historical fiction, and a lot of nonfiction history, too, so I was intrigued by this debut novel Until Our Time Comes, which is set in Poland during WWII.  If you know anything about Poland during WWII, you know that it was a very, very bad place to be.  This novel does not deny that, but it does not dwell in graphic depictions.  As for the characters, it was easy to like Bret, the British agent.  His character was that of the protector and hero, and he tries to live up to that throughout the book.  Adia is a bit more complex.  She does seem to care more about the horses than the people several times, although her care for others is displayed throughout the book, particularly in her concern for children.  The story is well-written, and it is a strong debut novel.  The Polish people and Poland itself take a backseat to the horses in this story, and animal lovers will likely appreciate it.  I appreciated the secondary characters very much, especially Ewan and Werner.  Complicated relationships were common in WWII, and I think the author did a good job portraying some of those.  As for the faith element, it is barely present, but it is a clean book.  I'd recommend this for readers who enjoy historical fiction.  This is a strong debut, and I would read author Nicole M. Miller's future works.

I received an advance copy from the publisher, Revell, but all opinions are my own. 

Book Review - Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson was an enjoyable, albeit understandably predictable, romance.  I enjoyed reading it.  The faith element is well-integrated into the characters' stories, not just a side note, which I enjoyed.  It is a very good first novel!  The pacing was nice.  I appreciate that the romance had time to develop and grow, which made it realistic.  I really enjoyed the side characters, too.  I think the author is well-positioned to make sequels with the cousins as protagonists.  I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, or follow Hollywood, but it was a nice change of pace for me.  It would make a good beach read.

I received a copy from the publisher, Revell, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche

The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche is a trip down Route 66 while the characters go on trips down memory lane.  I enjoyed this book.  Ultimately, it is a hopeful story, and the characters are fun to get to know and see develop.  It did feel like the author was trying to put all the forms of trauma she could into one story, though.  It seemed too much of a stretch (and this is coming from someone whose immediate family presents many types of trauma!).  Overall, though, I enjoyed reading this book.  The three separate timelines were all interesting to me, with one set in the present, one in the 50s, and one in 2003.   The descriptions of the route itself are interesting, and the road is almost a character in the story.  

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Revell, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

I love Joanna Davidson Politano's writing.  I have read all of her books, and each has been very enjoyable.  This story uses no less beautiful imagery and lyrical writing!  I was hooked from the start, and the storytelling is incredible.  The Christian faith of the author shines through in a lovely way, not beating the reader over the head.  This many-layered story will enchant readers.  The main characters, Lily and Peter, are both interesting, and their interactions are so well-written.  I will be rereading this one in the future.  I highly recommend this book.

I did receive a copy of this book from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.  And I'm purchasing a copy to give as a gift because it's that good, and I don't want to give up my copy.  

Book Review - The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels

 

I've read several books by Erin Bartels, but she has raised the bar with The Lady with the Dark Hair.  I really enjoyed this book.  It goes between a modern-day woman in her 40s who feels trapped caring for her schizophrenic mother and a young woman in the 1880s with a mysterious past.  Tying the two stories together is the painting of the lady with the dark hair.  I loved both stories, and it is often the case that one is more compelling than the other, but in this case, both threads were weighted equally. The stories were very different, but both resonated with me.  It is a balancing act to have two disparate stories in two time periods, but Bartels pulls it off well in this novel.  The writing is engaging.  People who know a bit about art will recognize some famous artists with cameos in the story.  

I highly recommend this beautifully written book.  I didn't want to put it down!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review- The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

I've read Jennifer Deibel before, and her books do transport you to Ireland.  I loved the setting, and the matchmaking festival itself was a fascinating idea.  I just feel that it could have been explored more fully, instead of the very predictable story that unfolded.  I did love the characters of Donal and his daughter Sarah.  I wanted to like Catriona, but I didn't feel that she was as well developed.  The faith element was well-done.  Overall, this is a clean, sweet romance set in beautiful Ireland, but I was left wanting something a bit more.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Double Take by Lynette Eason

 I recently started Double Take by Lynette Eason, and I had to finish it quickly because the suspense was really well-done.  I've read several of her books, and I always enjoy them, but I think this one was perhaps the best yet.  This one starts out with a bang and doesn't let up.  I was also very happy to see the Christian element woven into the characters' lives.  Sometimes Christian fiction just has characters who pray before meals or mention God when things get dicey, but this one has more of a faith relationship between several characters and God.  I also enjoyed the romance element in this one very much.  The mystery involved is really great and kept me guessing.  Overall, I thought it was well written and a lot of fun.  I highly recommend this book. 

I received a copy from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.

2023 Reading List

 So here is my reading list for 2023.  I will admit that the very last book on the list was technically finished this morning, but otherwise, these are the books that I read in their entirety this past year.  

Fiction

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels

Brave Water by Sarah Robsdottir  (YA FIC)

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

Willy Finds Victory by Joan Stromberg  (J FIC)

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

The Hurricane Sisters by Dorthea Benton Frank

The People's Princess by Joan Stromberg  (JFIC)

Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn

The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot

The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark

The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

The Orphans Find a Home by Joan Stromberg  (JFIC)

Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt by Corinna Turner  (YA FIC)

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpugo  (JFIC)

This Is Where It Ends by Cindy K Sproles

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

Letters From my Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder  (JFIC)

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser  (JFIC)

Into the Fire by Irene Hannon

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barrat

Non Fiction and Biography

Journey into the Whirlwind by Eugenia Semyonovna Ginzburg

The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport

Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow by Henry Louis Gates Jr.  (J NONFIC)

St Katherine Drexel by Susan Helen Wallace (JBIO)

Suffering with a Purpose by Hubert Van Zeller

The Silent Knight: A History of St. Joseph as Depicted in Art by Elizabeth Lev

The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrich Boser

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness by Warren H. Carroll

Mexican Martyrdom: First Accounts of the Religious Persecution in Mexico 1926-1935 by Wilfrid Parsons

How the Church Has Changed the World by Anthony Esolen

The New Relativism: Unmasking the Philosophy of Today's Woke Moralists by Karlo Broussard

The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back up the Bible by Dave Armstrong

The Fourth Cup by Scott Hahn

The Spirit of Father Damien: The Leper Priest - A Saint for Our Times by Jan De Volder

Father Damien and the Bells by Arthur and Elizabeth Sheehan  (JBIO)

Evansville in World War II by James Lachlan MacLeod

Converts and Kingdoms: How the Church Converted the Pagan West by Diane Moczar

Book Review - The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

 

I'm no novice to WWII fiction, or non-fiction for that matter.  I started reading Holocaust accounts when I was about 12 and never stopped, so I can confidently say that the author did her research on this story.  I had to take this story slowly, as it is emotionally draining and very true to the historic period it describes.  The author doesn't shy from the horror of what happened to the Polish people during the war, and she depicts the Jews' plight as well as the Christian "average citizen".  I also love that she included real people and events that I recognized, though I won't spoil.  Read the author's note at the end!  It took me a while at first to sort out the sisters' personalities, and the jumps in time took a bit to get used to.  For these reasons, I give it 4.5 stars.  Overall, though, I enjoyed the development of the characters.  I liked the inclusion of many secondary characters, even ones that were only depicted briefly, because they gave a depth and realism to the story.  

I recommend this book.  It is hard in many places, but we need to hear these types of stories.  This would make an excellent book group pick for deep discussion.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - Into the Fire by Irene Hannon

 

I've read (and enjoyed) several novels by Irene Hannon over the past few years.  This one was no exception.  As usual, the characters were intriguing.  I did feel that Bri in particular could have been fleshed out a bit better, but I enjoyed both of the main characters.  The book is suspenseful, with several twists coming into play.  The faith element centered on forgiveness, but otherwise was not a main part of the novel.  I did find it a bit odd that all of the characters had extremely traumatic backstories, too.  Overall, though, this was an intriguing read that kept me interested throughout.  

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher but was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review - On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

 

I had plenty of time during an infusion yesterday, so I read most of On Moonberry Lake then.  The setting on a lake in a small town is very nice and would lend itself to a beach read.  The book has a Mayberry feel, which is not a bad thing.  The author is good at crafting unique characters, but perhaps too many were packed into one story.  Some of the energy going into making more outlandish characters should have been spent on strengthening the plot.  The main character is all right, but her struggles don't read as things she really has to struggle with.  Also, for those who pick up this book for a good Christian story, this one is more New-Agey than Christian.  Overall, I think the author has promise, but it doesn't completely deliver in this story.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Revell, but was not obligated to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.  

Book Review - He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

 

Relationships take center stage in this contemporary novel, but unlike most books about relationships, it is not a romance.  Instead, it focuses on family relationships and how they impact our lives.  The main characters, Beck and Callie, both develop and grow throughout the novel.  The novel deals with mental illness in a realistic yet hopeful way.  Side characters like Fern give depth and interest to the story without sidetracking anything.  I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book from the publisher, Revell, and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review - Letters from my Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 

This moving family story centers on Callie in turn of the century Alabama.  The characters are well-drawn, and I liked the variety and depth displayed.  I really enjoyed the story.  I do think the back cover gives away too much, and doesn't accurately describe the core of the story. Also, I expected the book to be told more in letter form, but although there are some very important letters in the story, it is most definitely a narrative tale.  The author paints a clear picture of the time and place, and I enjoyed the sisters' relationship very much.  I recommend this story!

I gratefully received a copy from Revell, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

 

This story is set in early 1950s Michigan, and the author does a great job of immersing the reader in that setting.  The story is told alternately by two sisters, 16-year-old baseball player Bertha and 11-year-old reader Flossie.  Both voices are distinct, and the characters have depth and growth during the novel.  The story touches on two elements that I've rarely read in novels: the Red scare and girls' baseball.  This novel is perhaps a bit slow, but I like family stories, and this one was a really good family story.  I really enjoyed Uncle Matthew, too.  I do wish the epilogue had referenced both sisters, instead of only one, and the ending was a bit abrupt, but it was still a good read.

I received a copy from the publisher, Revell, for an honest review, but all opinions are my own.

  

Book Review - This is Where it Ends by Cindy K Sproles

 

This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles is an amazing book.  I loved it.  It is unconventional, moving, thought-provoking, and beautiful.  This is the story of a 94-year-old woman who married at 14 and has been living on a mountain in Appalachia ever since, while keeping a secret that she doesn't even really know.  The characters are well drawn, and Minerva's character development will leave the reader with plenty to ponder.  Her spirit is touching throughout the book, and her relationship with the reporter is a gem.  Although there is plenty of heartache involved, it is an uplifting story.  I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Revell, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.