Part Scripture study, part science textbook, part prayer journal, Dive Deep is a beautiful and engaging book for young people to spend time with Scripture, learn more about the natural world, reflect, and pray. This book is suited to the family or the classroom. I plan on having my 12-year-old son work through the book this summer.
Continue reading
Uneasy Street by Becky Wade is the third book in her Sons of Scandal series. Of the three, this one wasn’t my favorite, but enemies-to-lovers is always a hard sell for me. I was, eventually, mostly won over to the hero, Max. This book wrapped up several threads in the series, including family matriarch Fiona’s story. There are a couple of mysteries in this one, so there’s a lot going on in addition to the romance between wildly successfully entrepreneur Max and his former partner-turned-etiquette expert, Sloane. Some interesting twists and a light Christian theme help make this an enjoyable contemporary romance.
Continue reading
Adults and children are so accustomed to constant noise that we can fail to recognize the value of silence. For Eli, who is highly sensitive to noise, silence is valued but elusive amidst the sounds of modern life.
Eli’s Quiet Friend allows children to contrast the noise of daily living with the quiet peace found in God’s presence. It’s a valuable resource in introducing young children to the peace of Christ found in the Blessed Sacrament.
Continue readingMy contemporary Catholic Christmas romance, Ornamental Graces, is on sale on Kindle through the end of July. It’s currently half-off, $1.99, July 28, but tomorrow it will be $2.99 before returning to its regular $3.99 price in August. It’s always free on Kindle Unlimited.
I’ve met with varying success for my summer reading lists over the years. (You can find those lists linked below.) Whether I I accomplish all of my summer reading goals or not, I’ve found these lists very helpful in finally getting around to reading books that I’d failed previously to make a priority.
This year, I asked other members of the family looking for more reading accountability to chime in with their goals. My 22-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter took me up on the invitation. (If my 13-year-old daughter made a list, it’d be outdated by the time I hit publish based on the speed with which she tears through books.)
Continue readingI’m supposed to have more time for reading in the summer, right? I’m not working outside the home and the kids’ activities are diminished. Or they’re supposed to be. So far, my kids have had ample time for reading. Me, not so much, but I’m hoping to make room for more books as we ease into summer.
I quickly read Karen Witemeyer’s latest, To Love a Beast, a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in late 19th-century Texas. It read so smoothly and was such a pleasant diversion. While the plot and characters had nods to the classic fairy tale, it was infused with a realism I enjoyed. As always, Karen Witemeyer’s books are well-written and include faith themes that resonate.
Continue readingWe’re slipping into summer reading mode here. Several of the kids are re-reading familiar favorites or family-favorite classics I’ve shared here before. I’ve gotten everyone signed up for the local summer reading programs, and we’re looking forward to a summer where the students, at least, get a little more say in what’s being read. I’ll also be less inclined to tell anyone around here to put down their book and go to bed.
My husband has been listening to The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Robert Cardinal Sarah off and on. The book is presented as a conversation between Cardinal Sarah and Nicolas Diat and examines the importance of silence in hearing the voice of God and the detriment of a world filled with near-constant noise. (Is it too much to hope my husband will decrease the TV and podcast volume more often or turn off the white noise machine at night when he’s done reading this?)
Continue reading
The Tire Swing by Crystal Walton is the light read I needed after slogging through some other books. It’s a small-town romance set in scenic Virginia. Ellie returns to Willow Creek to take care of her Aunt Bev’s estate—including a willful stallion. Cole, her high school love, never left Willow Creek, but a business opportunity might lure him away. They need to work through their past before they can build a future.
Continue reading