Book Reviews and More: December 2018

Monday, 31 December 2018

Top Ten Fiction Books 2018

Top Ten Fiction Books of 2018

My total books this year is down a bit from last year, but my page count is actually up. Just variations in the length of material read. And I am finishing the year at just under a book a day with 359 books read over the year, down a bit from the 380 last year. The year by the numbers:

359 books read
215 received 5/5 stars
35 of those had been read before
137 were non-Fiction
78 were fiction

So here is my top ten fiction books of 2018.

Top Ten Fiction Books of 2018 are:

1. Lives of the Early Christians in Rome Trilogy - Father Michael E. Giesler
Junia - Marcus - Grain of Wheat
2. West Brothers Books - Theresa Linden
Battle for His Soul
Life-Changing Love
Roland West Outcast
Anyone But Him
3. Down Time - Barry Lyga - An I Hunt Killers Prequel
4. Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body - Edited by Erin McCole Cupp and Ellen Gable
5. Thanos Titan Consumed - Barry Lyga - MARVEL's Avengers
6. Outwalkers - Fiona Shaw
7. Secrets Visible & Invisible - Catholic Teen Books Anthology
8. The Absence of War - Amy Welborn
9. We Are All Jacob's Children: A Tale of Hope, Wisdom, and Faith - Noah benShea
10. Kayan Kronicles - Derya Little
Lost
Found

There were so many great reads this year it was really hard to narrow it down to just 10.

Note: I did not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they were in the bonus section. As stated it was no easy task making this quarter. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list. This post is going up early because of the end of the quarter falling during holy week.

Sunday, 30 December 2018

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2018

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books of 2018

St. Brigid of Ireland, St. Francis of Assisi,

The Story of Knock, Saint Brigid the Mary of Ireland,

Irish Saints for Boys and Girls, Saint Philomena

2. The booklets by Helena Scott and Ethel Tolansky:

Pius XII

Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan

Benedict XVI

Josemaria Escriva

Alvaro Del Portillo

A Pope of Surprises: The First Five Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy

Sophie Scholl and The White Rose: Resistance to the Nazis

Johann Gruber and Jacques Bunel: Victims of the Nazis

3. Inspiration from the Saints - Maolsheachlann O Ceallaigh
4. Father Damien's Letters - Joseph Damien De Veuster
5. Catholic Truth Society Booklets

Alvaro del Portillo The Power of Humility, Edmund Arrowsmith,

Living Fruitfully Self-Control, A Book of Martyrs,

Father Damien de Veuster Apostle to the Lepers

and more.

6. From Islam to Christ: One Woman's Path through the Riddles of God - Derya Little
7. The First Society: The Sacrament of Matrimony and the Restoration of the Social Order - Scott Hahn
8. The Fourth Cup: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper and Christ's Crucifixion - Scott Hahn
9. How to Think Like Aquinas: The Sure Way to Perfect Your Mental Powers - Kevin Vost
10. Overcoming Lukewarmness: Healing Your Soul's Sadness - Francis Fernandez-Carvajal

Yes there are more than 10 books on the list. But it is 10 groupings of books in some cases. There were so many incredible reads this year it was so hard to narrow it down to just 10.

Note: I did not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they were in the bonus section. As stated it was no easy task making this quarter. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list. This post is going up early because of the end of the quarter falling during holy week.

Saturday, 29 December 2018

The Feast of the Holy Family 2018

The Feast of the Holy Family 2018

The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, note there are alternate readings available for both the first and second readings:

First Reading 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 or Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 84:1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 10 Response 4a
Second Reading 1 John 3: 1-2, 21-24 or Colossians 3:12-21
Gospel Luke 2:41-52

When there are options for the readings I am always interested to find out which will be preached from on Sunday. I have read these readings a few times since Christmas. And I reflect on how busy and hectic this time of year can be. From the second option for the first reading, Sirach 3:2-4, 12-14 two sections really stood out for me:

“The person who honours their father will have joy in their own children, and when they pray they will be heard.”

and

“For kindness to your father will not be forgotten and will be credited to you against your sins – a house raised in justice for you.”

I think about all the people who do not have good relationships with their fathers, or their parents. I think about all the single mom’s I have known over the years. And about the percentage of the prison population that are from fatherless homes. I also think about my own father, and the many kids that have come through his him in foster care. Some who consider themselves lifelong part of the family. They when they go home visit. That have taken our family name. My father’s and step mothers example touched their lives, and they honour them.

From the Second readings we are reminder of our son ship. That we are children of God. Both of these readings remind us of the calling we have, of our relationship with God, and of our need to live that out in our actions.

From 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

“Beloved, see what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.
…
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
…
Whoever obeys his commandments abides in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us. By the spirit that he has given us.”

From Colossians 3:12-21

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.
…
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
…
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.”

Last weekend at mass Father was recounting a story about a visit with an elderly parishioner. The woman over 100 years of age stated that "I wish we had more devotion to Joseph like we did previously.” And also “We really have a wonderful faith as long as we practice it.” And it so hit me when he said those words. Today is one of the days we honour Joseph during the church year. And As Joseph and Mary rejoice when they found Jesus in the temple. So God rejoices when we come home to him. When we honour him, and we practice our faith.

And so I pray for you my readers, that if you are a person of faith, that you live it, and live it well. And if you are not, that you would be open to the truth of Catholicism, of Christianity. And I ask that you pray that my actions live up to my theology. In what I do, and what I choose not to do, in what I say, and what I choose to leave unsaid.

Blessings upon you on this feast of the holy family.

Advent 2017 Reading Plan Preparing for the Season
1st Sunday of Advent 2017
Second Sunday of Advent 2017
Another Lonely Night - A Flash Fiction Story
Third Sunday of Advent 2017
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2017
Christmas 2017
I have sinned greatly ... a reflection.
Can you not with with me one hour?
I need God and I need the Catholic Church
Cedarcrest Retreat 2018 a Reflection and Photo Essay

Second Sunday of Advent 2018

...

Note: Link to all posts about St. Agnes Parish.

Friday, 28 December 2018

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2018

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2018

My total books this quarter is down a bit from last quarter, but my page count is actually up. Just variations in the length of material read. And I am finishing the year at just under a book a day with 359 books read over the year, down a bit from the 380 last year. The Quarter by the numbers:

78 books read
49 received 5/5 stars
8 of those had been read before
25 were non-Fiction
24 were fiction

So here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the fourth quarter 2018.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Inspiration from the Saints - Maolsheachlann O Ceallaigh
2. Father Damien's Letters - Joseph Damien De Veuster
3. Finding Our Way Home: A family's story of life, love, and loss - J Damon Dagnone
4. Footprints of the Northern Saints - Basil Cardinal Hume
5. Love In Action - Fernando Ocáriz
6. Overcoming Lukewarmness: Healing Your Soul's Sadness - Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
7. Wisdom from Pope Paul VI - Pope Paul VI and Mary Leonora Wilson FSP
8. Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God - Fr. Edward Maritany
9. To Raise the Fallen: A Selection of the War Letters, Prayers, and Spiritual Writings of Fr. Willie Doyle, S.J. - Edited by Patrick Kenny
10. Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church - Peter Kreeft

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Lives of the Early Christians in Rome Trilogy - Father Michael E. Giesler
Junia - Marcus - Grain of Wheat
2. Thanos Titan Consumed - Barry Lyga - MARVEL's Avengers
3. The Absence of War - Amy Welborn
4. Siege of Reginald Hill - Corinna Turner
5. Treachery and Truth - Katy Huth Jones
6. Ornamental Graces - Carolyn Astfalk
7. Charlotte's Honor - Ellen Gable - Great War Great Love Book 2
8. Guarding Aaron - T.M. Gaouette - Faith & Kung Fu Book 3
9. David Vining Short Stories Collections:
A Boy and His Satellite
Shoes for Two Soldier Sons
10. Death by Airship - Arthur Slade - Orca Currents

If you give some of these a try I am sure they will be with the read!

Note: I did not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they were in the bonus section. As stated it was no easy task making this quarter. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list. This post is going up early because of the end of the quarter falling during holy week.

Thursday, 27 December 2018

Dragon Assassin Twin Fury - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 1

Dragon Assassin: Twin Fury
Arthur Slade
Dava Enterprises
ASIN B07MF4GTJ7

I have been a fan of Arthur Slades’s writing since reading both Dust and Tribes in 2002. I am always excited when he has a new boom coming out. And this time we are treated to not only an amazing story, but it is the first in a series, that is supposed to be released at the rate of one volume a month for a year. And man, oh man what a first episode this story is. For that is how this series is being written, sort of like they were episodes in a story. And we will tune in next month to the same Dragon Chanel for the next installment.

This story has a lot on the go:

Family
Friends
Assassin School
Betrayal
A Dragon
A deal with said dragon
And more

Yes, there is a lot at play in this book. And it is really just setting the stage for the series. Carmen was at the top of the class in Assassin school, and then she lost an eye to her twin brother, Corwin, in fencing class. She waffles back and forth between believing it was an accident, and that he did it intentionally to take her place at the top of the class. Now a few years later they are preparing to graduate. Because of a punishment she is a few marks short of graduating. After all her work and striving to overcome her single sightedness. She is given a chance to earn extra points, enough to graduate. She must get a giant swan egg from the wild nesting grounds. Eight years of training will be for naught if she cannot get the egg. During the quest to get the egg, she encounters a Dragon, Brax, trapped in a cave, ensnared by magic. For her life she promises to return. But when she does everything has changed. For the Emperor has declared war on assassins. And what was to be her graduation night has seen bloodshed, betrayal, and destruction. Now she must make a new deal, and her only thought is revenge.

The story is tightly written in a first-person narrative. And readers will come to love and root for Carmen, even with her hard and at times crusty exterior. The pace is excellent. The setting and characters are masterfully done. The story ends on a cliff hanger with a lot of options for where it will go. I cannot help but keep thinking on or imagining Carmen and Brax’s flight into the night, and adventures to come.

The story reminds me of Zelanzy’s Amber books and also a bit like The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli fans of both will appreciate this new story. This is an excellent fantasy story, by a wonderful writer. Fans of fantasy will really appreciate the craft in the telling of this tale. It is an excellent book and I recommend you pick it up and give it a read! I have already read this book twice and look forward to the next installment.

Books by Arthur Slade:
The Dragonfly's Journey (1996)
John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000)
Dust (2001)
Tribes (2002)
Monsterology (2005)
Villainology (2005)
Megiddo's Shadow (2006)
Jolted (2008)
Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011)
Flickers (2016)
Crimson (2018)
Death by Airship (2019)
Mr. Universe (2021)