Book Reviews and More: March 2020

Tuesday, 31 March 2020

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2020

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2020

This quarter I have read 96 books, which was one more than Q4 2019. It was a good start to the year. And may excellent reads. Seventy-Seven of those books were first time reads. And 66 received 5/5 stars. Only 15 were fiction and 51 were non-fiction. And 8 of those had been read before. I am reading at the pace of about a book a day.

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the first quarter of 2020.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:
1. Books by J.B. Midgley

Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler - CTS Great Saints

Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley

Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley - CTS Great Saints

… link to all review of books by Midgley
2. Consecration to St. Joseph - Donald H. Calloway
3. Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke
4. From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church - Pope Benedict XVI and Robert Cardinal Sarah
5. Epic Saints Wild, Wonderful, and Weird Stories of God's Heroes - Shaun McAfee
6. CTS Biographies

Fulton Sheen - Louise Merrie

G.K. Chesterton - Karl Schmude

Hilaire Belloc - Karl Schmude

7. Lenten Journey with Mother Mary - Fr. Edward Looney
8. CTS Great Saints

Gemma Galgani: Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham

Thomas Aquinas: The Mind In Love - Vivian Boland

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - J.A. Philips

9. The Passion of St. Edward, King and Martyr - Goscelin of Saint-Bertin and Eric Sammons
10. Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

Stations of the Cross - Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Stations of the Cross - Saint John Henry Newman

Way of the Cross: Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Bonus:
In Conversation with God - Francis Fernandez
everyone's way of the cross - Clarance Enzler
Way of the Cross - Saint Josemaria Escriva
Sr. Elizabeth Prout - Sister Dominic Savio Hamer CP - CTS Saints of the Isles

Top Ten Fiction Books:
1. The Cassandra Curse - Fiorella De Maria
2. The Ghosts of Midgard Manor: And Other Stories - Roger Thomas
3. See No Evil - Fiorella De Maria - Father Gabriel Mystery Book 3
4. The Tattered Web - Roger Thomas - Watchful Sky Series Book 4
5. Stay With Me Series - Carolyn Astfalk

Stay With Me - Come Back To Me

6. The Lucifer Ego - T.M. Doran - The Sequel to Toward the Gleam
7. A Channel of Your Peace - Veronica Smallhorn
8. A Conspiracy of Bones - Kathy Reichs - Temperance Brennan Book 19
9. Level 13 - Gordon Korman - Slacker Book 2
10. Dragon Assassin 7 Hidden Powers - Arthur Slade

Bonus:
Mystic Informant - Carissa Douglas - Douglings Adventures Book 1
Extreme Blindside - Leslea Wahl

My reading has been consistent at about a book a day over the last few years. I attribute part of it to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I now commute to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. Though I am working from home now because of Covid-19 This quarter was 80% non-fiction. There are so many great series I am reading from the Catholic Truth Society, I have had to make an effort to actually fit in some fiction.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are in the bonus section. It was no easy task making this quarter. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list.

Monday, 30 March 2020

Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley - CTS Great Saints

Benedict Patron of Europe
CTS Great Saints
J.B. Midgley
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860823275
CTS Booklet B782

To start with I am a huge fan of the Catholic Truth Society and the writings of J.B. Midgley. I have been working on tracking down and reading all 28 books by J.B. Midgley. Twenty-six of those books were for the Catholic Truth Society. And 6 of those were from the CTS Great Saints Series. I have also read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved almost all of them. Lately I have been focused more on this series, and a couple of others, almost alternating books in each series, and still have over a dozen in this series I want to read. On top of finishing all the books written by Midgley. This volume was published in 2005 and as of the date of this review there is no eBook edition. I can easily that this is a great book, by an excellent author in an amazing series!

The description on the back of the book is:

“By taking the name Benedict XVI, the new Pope underlines the power and legacy of one of Christendom’s – and Europe’s – greatest saints. This booklet tells the story of St Benedict’s life, monasteries and famous followers down the centuries.

The unfolding influence of his celebrated ‘Rule’ on sixth and twenty-first century Europe is explored, particularly in the light of current concerns over a pervading de-Christianisation of Europe, its institutions, and its soul.”

And the chapters in the volume are:

Introduction
The Life of Benedict
Benedict’s Rule
Benedict’s Legacy

The first half of the book is about the man and his rule. The second half is the impact of the rule through the lives of successive saints and holy men down through the ages to today. Those eminent Benedictines are are:

St Augustine of Canterbury d.c.604
St Cuthbert, 634-687
St Bede the Venerable, 673-735
St Boniface, 675-754
St Dunstan, 909-988
St Bruno and the Carthusians, 1030-1101
St Anselm of Canterbury, 1033-1109
St Bernard of Clairvaux. 1090-1153

And Midgley has written biographies on at least 1 of those and others mentioned in the book. This book also begins and ends with prayers. Which is imminently fitting for a book on Saint Benedict. The book opens with a prayer written for the feast day of Benedict and ends with a novena prayer to Benedict. I have added both prayers into my daily devotions. I added the prayer at the beginning the day the book arrived when I was flipping through it.

Midgley finds a way to tie most of his writings back to the impact on Wales, England or the British Isles and he does the same in this volume. The book was an excellent little read. It has left me with an even greater appreciation for this Saint, his rule, and as mentioned a prayer devotion to him intercession.

A great volume that I give top marks!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by J.B. Midgley:
Advent & Christmastide with the Saints
Antonio Rosmini
Benedict - Patron of Europe
Bernard of Clairvaux – CTS Great Saints
Charles Borromeo - CTS Great Saints
Companion to St. Joseph
Companion to the Feasts of Mary
Companion to Saint Peter
Companion to Saint Paul
Companion to the Angels
Companion to the Feasts of Our Lord
Companion to the Passion of Our Lord
Dominic - CTS Great Saints
George: Patron of England - CTS Great Saints
Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales
Francis de Sales – CTS Great Saints
John Baptist de La Salle – CTS Great Saints
John Vianney – CTS Great Saints
Lent with the Saints
Nurturing the Young
Robert Bellarmine
Saint John the Baptist
Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints
The Eucharist with the Saints
The Four Evangelists
Thomas Becket – CTS Saints of the Isles
Vincent de Paul – CTS Great Saints
Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic
…

Contributed to:
First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained
...

Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Louis Marie de Montfort His Life, Message and Teaching - Paul Allerton SMM
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin

Rita of Cascia - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Robert Bellarmine - J.B. Midgley
Saint Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler
Saint Dominic and the Order of Preachers - Richard Finn
Saint Francis of Assisi - Jennifer Moorcroft
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – J.A. Philips
Saint John the Baptist - J.B. Midgley
Saint Padre Pio A Holy Priest - Jim Gallagher
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - Vernon Johnson
Thomas Aquinas - Vivian Boland
Vincent de Paul - J.B. Midgley

Augustine of Hippo - Ben O'Rourke

Saint Catherine of Siena - Sister Mary O'Driscoll OP

Saint Teresa of Avila - Jennifer Moorcroft

Clare of Assisi - John Paul Kirkham

John Bosco - Jennifer Moorcroft

Hildegard of Bingen - Angelo Amato

…

Saturday, 28 March 2020

Way of the Cross Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Way of the Cross: Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ
Michael Campbell
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860828980
eISBN 9781784694395
ASIN B073H1TMW4
CTS Booklet

Every lent I pick a few different versions of the Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross to be part of my Lenten journey. And since over the last few years I have read and reviewed over 100 books from the Catholic Truth Society I decided to pick up a few of their offerings. This specific version was published in 2014 and the eBook in 2017. Currently the print edition appears to be out of print. But the eBook is still readily available. For which I am extremely grateful. In the introduction Michael Campbell OSA, Bishop of Lancaster states:

“The Stations of the Cross have long been a popular and much-loved Catholic devotion. To walk the way of the cross with the suffering Christ, prayerfully contemplating his humiliation and suffering, gives us the courage to accept and bear our own particular share of the cross, whatever form that may take.

This cherished devotional practice teaches us the profound and mysterious lesson that it was through his suffering and cross that the Son of God redeemed the world. The Stations offer the sick and frail, those who are oppressed and downcast, the opportunity to unite their sufferings with those of Christ and to make their own the sentiments of St Paul, “to complete what is lacking in Christ’s affliction for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.” (Col 1:24)

I offer these meditations on the Stations of the Cross in the hope that all who use them will draw closer to our blessed Lord who loves each one of us in our weakness and frailty. Through walking the way to Calvary with Christ may we be brought to the glory of his resurrection.”

And that is what he has crafted is an excellent devotion for us to use personally, or corporately.

The chapters in this volume are:
Introduction
Tree of Paradise
First Station
Second Station
Third Station
Fourth Station
Fifth Station
Sixth Station
Seventh Station
Eighth Station
Ninth Station
Tenth Station
Eleventh Station
Twelfth Station
Thirteenth Station
Fourteenth Station

This volume likesome other versions contains a fifteenth station a reflection on the Resurrection. A sample meditation is:

“Sixth Station

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

P. (Kneeling) We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
C. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

“Without beauty, without majesty we saw him, no looks to attract our eyes; despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.” (Is 53:2-4)

Veronica, moved with pity for the despised and suffering Christ, steps forward and wipes his face with a towel. Her act of kindness and great compassion would never be forgotten.

Reflection
Lord Jesus, in the midst of your suffering and distress you found someone to take pity on you. Veronica had the courage to reach out to you in your affliction. May we never fail to feel the sufferings of others, and seek to lighten their burden. Make us compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate, for he is close to the afflicted and broken-hearted.
C. I love you, Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart of having offended you. Never permit me to separate myself from you again. Grant that I may love you always and then do with me what you will.

Our Father…Hail Mary...Glory be…”

And this volume has artwork between each of the stations. The artwork is by Josef Piens Cooreman and Rene de Cramer. And in the eBook they are full color prints. It is an excellent version of the way. I am thankful I have it and will use it over.

Another excellent resource from the Catholic Truth Society!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Link to other Lent Resources.

Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper

Scriptural Way of the Cross - Father Adrian Graffy

Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers - Pope Benedict XVI

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

Way of the Cross Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints - J.B. Midgley

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa - Father Marcus Holden

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Camillo Ruini

Stations of the Cross - Saint Alphonsus Liguori - The Way of Divine Mercy

Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun

The Way of the Cross in the Words of St Paul - Donal Anthony Foley and

Father Clement Parsons

Year of Faith Stations of the Cross - Brendan Leahy

Lenten Devotions - Lawrence Lew O.P.

Stations of the Cross: In Light of the Work of the Society of St Vincent De Paul - Fr Gerard Bogan

…

Friday, 27 March 2020

Lionheart Catholic: How to Become a Saint in These Dark Times - Devin Rose

Lionheart Catholic:
How to Become a Saint in These Dark Times
Devin Rose
ISBN 9780578539140

I requested a review copy of this book because an author I know, and respect recommended it. It took me a while to track the book down because currently it is only available directly from the author. But I can tell you it is well worth tracking down. Usually when I finish a book, I write my review within a day or 2. That was not the case this time. I have had a hard time starting. I would state that I highly recommend this book. It is an excellent read for all Catholics, and especially for men. I have a hard time quantifying that though. And so after more than a week I am finally writing this review and hope it will encourage or challenge you enough to give the book a try.

The chapters in this volume are:

1 A Time of Confusion
2 Stalked By Anxiety
3 Unity in the Truth
4 Called to the Priesthood?
5 Slavery to Sin
6 Courtship to Marriage
7 A Faith Worth Defending
8 Infertility and Miscarriage
9 A Princess Is Born
10 Green Acres
11 Sued!
12 Small Groups, Big Blessings
13 A Princess in Peril
14 The Father’s Embrace
15 Praying Like the Saints
16 The Brotherhood
17 Following the Recipe
18 The Lionheart Catholic

This book is not a Catholic version of Wild at Heart by John Eldredge though parts of it feel that way. Nor is it a version of The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson repackaged for Catholics either. But the content in this book does resonate and echo those two works but with a Catholic world and spiritual world view.

One of the great strengths of this book is Devin’s openness, honesty and vulnerability. He draws heavily from examples from his own life. Based on some of the titles of his other books some of the material may have appeared before, like the attempted farm. I am sure most readers will fad a few chapters that speak to them where they are today and be immediately of benefit. I am also just as certain that other chapters will come back to mind in time of need. There may even be chapters you immediately share with a friend or two. There was one chapter I had a co-worker read and it was exactly what he needed.

This book has had a lasting impression on me. More than a week later I am still thinking about it and pondering. And have started making some small changes. It is a book that will not leave you the same. But it will be well worth the challenges the book presents and the changes you enact. A great read.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Devin Rose:
The Protestant's Dilemma
If Protestantism is True
Navigating the Tiber
Defending Your Faith Against Protestants
Love Is For The Painters
Farm Flop: A City Dweller's Guide to Failing on a Farm in Two Years Or Less
Lionheart Catholic: How to Become a Saint in These Dark Times
The Catholic Novena Book
Bumper Sticker Catholicism (with Douglas Beaumont)
…

Contributed to:
One Body, Many Blogs: A Guide for Christian Bloggers
…

Thursday, 26 March 2020

Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales - J.B. Midgley

Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales
J.B. Midgley
Gracewing
ISBN 9780852447581

I have become a huge fan of J.B. Midgley’s work. Over the last several months I have read 17 of his books and tracked down the other 11. He wrote 26 volumes for the Catholic Truth Society, this book and one other. And this volume is significantly different than many of the others I have read to date. I can state I do not recall encountering the name Dewi Sant or saint David of Wales prior to reading this book. I have only visited Wales once and that was for a Rugby tour back in 86. But the people I met, and the churches I visited showed a similar faith as that present in this volume.

The sections in this book are:
Forward
Chapter 1 Patron Saints
Patriotism and Nationhood
Chapter 2 Evangelisation in Europe
Chapter 3 Celtic Spirituality
Ninian, Samson, Illtyd and Paulinus
The Pelagian Heresy
Saint Patrick and Menevia
Chapter 4 Saint David
The Written Life of Saint David (Dewi, Dafydd)
Birth and Parentage
Chapter 5 David, monk and Reformer
Early Education
The Reformer
The Synods
The Good and Faithful Servant
Chapter 6 Canonisation and Cult
Miracle and Legend
Chapter 7 Devotion to Saint David
Saint David in Art, Poetry and Music
The national Emblem of Wales
Pilgrimage to St David’s Shrine
Epilogue
The Reformation and after
The Welsh Martyrs
The Continuing Welsh Mission
Acknowledgements

We are told in the forward by Archbishop Peter R. Smith of Southwark that:

“Few contemporary records survive of the life of Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales, yet Barry Midgley has drawn up a very well researched and fascinating account of the life and influence of this great Celtic Saint. It is set in the context of the developing Celtic spirituality in the firth and sixth centuries strongly influenced by monastic tradition. It is a story of extraordinary faith and courage in preaching the Gospel in the very difficult circumstances of the Barbarian invasions and the collapse of civil authority. It is the story of ecclesiastic reform, or loyalty to the one Church of Christ and a commitment to orthodox teaching livid out day by day in a life of vibrant faith and hope, of personal discipline and self-sacrifice.”

And that is a good part of what we find in this book. An example of a life lived, that we desperately need in this day and age. But the forward concludes with these words:

“Saint David’s example should be an inspiration to all of us who try day by day to follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Through his intercession may we, like him, remain ever faithful to the gift of faith which we share with this great Welsh Saint.”

And that is another part of what we get in this little volume. We have an exploration of this saint through the ages in music, art, poetry and prayer. The front cover of this volume is the design for a mosaic of this saint, that was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. The back cover has a detail image of the finished mosaic. The book is truly wonderfully researched. And Midgley does give a balanced look at historical sources, and the pros and cons of some of them.

The only thing I believe the book was missing was more visual examples of churches or artwork dedicated to this saint. Other than that, it is an exceptional volume. I do wish an eBook edition was available to make it easier to get in North America. But that being said. It was a fascinating read and thoroughly enjoyed it and benefited from reading it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books about Saint David of Wales:

A Boy Called Dewi – Steffan Lloyd

A Miracle for David - Patron Saint of Wales - Steffan Lloyd

Dewi Sant - Saint David - E.G. Bowen

Dewi Sant - Saint David - Elin Meek

Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales - J.B. Midgley

Saint David Patron Saint of Wales - Lois Rock

The Story of Saint David - Sian Lewis

St David of Wales - Rev David Crowley - CTS Biographies

...

Related Posts about Saint David of Wales:

Photo Essay Saint David Catholic Secondary School Waterloo.