Friday, 28 February 2025

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today - Father David M. Knight

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today
Father David M. Knight
ISBN 9781627855877

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today - Father David M. Knight

I have been hunting for books to read during the Jubilee of Hope 2025. Though this volume is a few years old, having been published in 2020, it is being promoted for this Jubilee year. It was published just a year before Father Knight passed away.  

Description of this volume states:

“In this fresh approach to the Stations of the Cross, best-selling author and spiritual leader, Fr. David Knight reminds us that hope can be found in the darkest of places and the true power of the crucifixion is the opportunity to transform unimaginable pain and suffering into faith, hope and love.”

About the author we are informed:

“Fr. David M. Knight  is author of several Stations of the Cross booklets, including The Mystery of the Cross: Praying the Stations with Pope Francis and Praying The Stations of the Cross for Healing. His newest book is Ways of the Spirit: Using the Gifts, Showing the Fruits from Twenty-Third Publications.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction
1st Station 
2nd Station 
3rd Station 
4th Station 
5th Station 
6th Station 
7th Station 
8th Station 
9th Station 
10th Station 
11th Station 
12th Station 
13th Station 
14th Station
Conclusion

Each of the stations has a subtitle that sets the tone for the reflection for that station, they are:

Response to Falsehood
Response to the Consequences of Sin in Our Time
Response to Disillusionment
Response to Sorrowing Parents
Response to Poverty and Need
Response to Degradation
Response to Defections from the Church
Response to Well-Intentioned Ignorance
Response to Hopelessness
Response to the Public Exposure of Sin
Response to Faithfulness
Response to Suffering in the World
Response to Retirement
Response to Death

A sample station is:

“THE THIRD STATION
Jesus Falls the First Time

RESPONSE to DISILLUSIONMENT

LEADER The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time. [pause]
There is nothing lower than corruption in high places.
We adore you, 0 Christ, and we bless you.

ALL Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

LEADER Jesus falls. And he was God. How do we feel when those we looked up to and followed as the best and brightest, fall into temptation and sin?

[pause]

Jesus couldn't sin, but he could fail. When he fell under the cross, his human weakness hid his divinity. We have to remember that divine humans can still be weak, and sinful humans can still be divine. No one is purely good or purely bad. So we keep following leaders who limp, as long as they are leading in the right direction.

READER "Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fai l; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers ... .I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me" (Luke 22:31-32, 34).

[pause for silent prayer]

ALL Lord, let me show equal compassion for saints and sinners. Amen.”

This is a very interesting Stations. It is fairly modern in tone and reflections, and yet still deep and meaningful. It does not contain Stabat Mater, nor does it even contain the prompts for the Our Father, The Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. There are no images for use during reflection either. I hope the sample station give you a feel for this version of this devotion. It was intriguing praying through this volume. I enjoyed it, and will use it a few times this year. 

I just wish there was an eBook edition so I could have it on me all the time. This would be a good version of this devotion for personal, home, or corporate use. I enjoyed the reflections and will look into other volumes from father Knights pen.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!


Notes on Prayer Series:
1. Prayer Today: A Challenge to Overcome - Cardinal Angelo Comastri
2. Praying with the Psalms - Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
3. The Prayer of Jesus – Juan Lopez Vergara
4. Praying with Saints and Sinners - Fr Paul Brendan Murray, OP
5. The Parables of Prayer – Msgr Antonio Pitta
6. The Church in Prayer - Carthusian Monks
7. The Prayer of Mary and the Saints Who Met Her - Sr Catherine Aubin, OP

Books by David M. Knight:
A Fresh Look at Confession
A Fresh Look at the Mass
A Fresh Look at the Our Father
Add to Cart
An Armchair Retreat
Be a Disciple
Cloud By Day Fire By Night
Cursillo Spiritual Formation Program
Examination of Conscience Guided by the Holy Spirit
Experiencing the Mass: Five Moments of Mystery
Five Steps to the Father
Having Mercy
His Way
His Word
Immersed in Christ the Savior
Lift Up Your Eyes To The Mountain
Living God’s Word Year A
Living God’s Word Year B
Living God’s Word Year C
Living the Sacraments
Mary in an Adult Church
Nuts and Bolts of Daily Spirituality
Praying the Stations of the Cross for Healing
Reaching Jesus
The Five Promises of Baptism
The Good News About Sex
The Rosary
The Way of the Spirit: Using the Gifts, Showing the Fruits
Until He Comes
…
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Thursday, 27 February 2025

Simply Surrender 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux - Caroline Myss - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

Simply Surrender: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux
Thérèse of Lisieux
Caroline Myss
John Kirvan (Editor)
ISBN 9781594711541
eISBN 9781594713255
ASIN B01MYUC6CS

Simply Surrender 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux - Caroline Myss - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

This is the second volume in the Great Spiritual Teachers series I have read, Last year I read Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, and loved it and the concept of the series. I have read much by and about Thérèse of Lisieux and was excited to work my way through this volume. I picked this as the second in the series to read because of an already growing devotion to Saint Thérèse. 

The description of this volume states:

“Meet Thérèse of Lisieux one of the modern world's best-loved saints and spiritual guides. Each day you will discover the profound truths in the "Little Way" and the insights about prayer and holiness that this great saint shared in her autobiography, The Story of a Soul.”

About the series we are informed:

“Each book in the Great Spiritual Teachers series provides a month of daily readings from one of Christianity's most beloved spiritual guides. For each day there is a brief and accessible morning meditation drawn from the mystic's writings, a simple mantra for use throughout the day, and a night prayer to focus one's thoughts as the day ends. These easy-to-use books are the perfect prayer companion for busy people who want to root their spiritual practice in the solid ground of these great spiritual teachers.”

I believe there are 15 volumes in this series currently in print, and a number that are currently out of print, The oldest I have seen are from the mid 90’s and it looks like they went through a rebranding and format change in the mid 00’s, and they have undergone yet another rebranding in the 2020’s including some new titles available in the series. I must admit I do not recall running across this series prior to that first volume on Joan. I have however added a number of them to my ‘to be read list’. I love the most recent rebranding, and hope Ave Maria completes the rebranding across all volumes. But back to this work.

While reading this I only highlighted a few passages, they were:

“A mystical renaissance is at work in our world. Like a subtle field of grace that surrounds our world, individuals everywhere are exploring the seductive invitation to develop a joyful and intimate relationship with God. In keeping with the nature of this mystical awakening, more and more people are discovering the need to develop a more refined spiritual path. This new path that so many are drawn to today embodies characteristics once so familiar to the great mystics of the medieval and Renaissance eras. These mystics, our great spiritual teachers, include Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, Francis of Assisi, St. John the Evangelist, Meister Eckhart, Francis de Sales, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, Evelyn Underhill, and Mother Teresa in modern times.

Simply described, these mystics drew their strength from a devotion to prayer, contemplation, and self-reflection. They knew that a daily practice of time alone with God was required to review the day and reflect upon the well-being and harmony of their souls. Today, we are rediscovering the way in which they knew God. For all their differences, the common ground these mystics shared was a devotion to prayer and an unyielding faith in their mystical relationships with God.”

“In keeping with the nature of this mystical awakening, more and more people are discovering the need to develop a more refined spiritual path. This new path that so many are drawn to today embodies characteristics once so familiar to the great mystics of the medieval and Renaissance eras. These mystics, our great spiritual teachers, include Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, Francis of Assisi, St. John the Evangelist, Meister Eckhart, Francis de Sales, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, Evelyn Underhill, and Mother Teresa in modern times.”

“Simply described, these mystics drew their strength from a devotion to prayer, contemplation, and self-reflection. They knew that a daily practice of time alone with God was required to review the day and reflect upon the well-being and harmony of their souls.”

“All over the world ordinary readers came to recognize, accept, and develop their potential for sanctity by adopting what Thérèse called her “little way.” At its heart this “little” way of Thérèse’s spirituality is driven by a powerful metaphor. In our relationship with God we are very small children. We always will be. There is no need to be anything else. On the contrary it is essential that we never try to be anything else.”

“This book was created to be nothing more than a gateway—a gateway to the spiritual wisdom of a specific teacher, and a gateway opening on your own spiritual path. You may decide that Thérèse of Lisieux is someone whose experience of God is one that you wish to follow more closely and deeply, in which case you should get a copy of the entire text of her autobiography and pray it as you have prayed this gateway journey. You may decide that her experience has not helped you. There are many other teachers. Somewhere there is the right teacher for your own, very special, absolutely unique journey of the spirit. You will find your teacher; you will discover your path. We would not be searching, as St. Augustine reminds us, if we had not already found.”

A sample reflection is:

“DAY THIRTEEN
My Day Begins

When our Lord
gave us his new commandment,
his own commandment,
he not only required us
to love our neighbors
as ourselves,
but would have us love them
even as he loves them,
as he will
until the end of time.
My Jesus,
you never ask
what is impossible.
You know better than I
how frail and imperfect I am.
You know that
I shall never love others
as you have loved them,
unless you love them yourself
within me.
It is because you desire
to grant me this grace,
that you have given us
a new commandment,
one that I cherish dearly.
It proves to me
that it is your will to love in me
all those you bid me to love.
When I show charity to others,
I know that it is Jesus
who is acting within me,
and the more closely I am united to him,
the more truly I love others.

All Through the Day

When we love one another,
our Father is acting within us.

My Day Is Ending

Loving Father,
you have commanded me to love others
as you love them.
You never ask
what is impossible.
But you know better than I
how frail and imperfect I am.
You know that
I shall never be able to fulfill
your commandment to love others
as you have loved them
unless you love them yourself
within me.
When I show charity to others,
let me not forget that you
are acting within me,
and the more closely I am united to you
the more truly I love others.
Come, then, my loving Father,
you have blessed all my days;
bless me still
as this day ends
and the night begins.”

I must admit I engaged much more deeply with the first volume I read in this series but as the quote above states, keep trying. I have at least a half dozen other books in this series I want to read. And Will likely do a volume a month over the next year. I did enjoy this volume. I just did not add any of the prayers to my daily prayers. 

This is a great volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading. I can easily recommend this volume and look forward to reading others in the series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Great Spiritual Teachers Series From Ave Maria Press

CTS Books and Booklets on the life and spirituality of St Thérèse:
Thérèse of Lisieux - On the visit of her relics to Great Britain (Do 810)
Louis and Zélie Martin, Parents of Thérèse of Lisieux, by Paulinus Redmond (B 709)

Books in the Great Spiritual Teachers Series:
Abide in love: the Gospel spirituality of John the Evangelist – John Kirvan
All Will Be Well - Julian of Norwich and John Kirvan
Come into the Silence - Thomas Merton
Draw Ever Closer - Henri J. M. Nouwen and Robert M. Hamma 
Fear Not the Night - John of the Cross and John Kirvan
Grace Through Simplicity - Evelyn Underhill and John Kirvan
Let There Be Light - Hildegard of Bingen and John Kirvan
Living in the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence and John Kirvan
Love Without Measure - Mother Teresa and John Kirvan
Peace of Heart - Saint Francis of Assisi and John Kirvan
Rejoice in the Lord - Augustine of Hippo and Trenton Mattingly 
Set Aside Every Fear - Catherine of Siena and John Kirvan 
Set Your Heart Free - Francis de Sales and John Kirvan
That you may have life: let the mystics be your guide for Lent - John Kirvan
True Serenity - Thomas a Kempis and John Kirvan
We Are Beloved - Thea Bowman and Karianna Frey MS
Where Only Love Can Go - The Cloud of Unknowing and John Kirvan 
You Shall Not Want: The Psalms - Richard Chilson
Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini - Amy J. Cattapan 
…



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The Case of the Mixed-up Marathon - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis - Sisters of the Last Straw Book 9

The Case of the Mixed-up Marathon
Sisters of the Last Straw Book 9
Karen Kelly Boyce
Sue Anderson Gioulis (Illustrator)
TAN Books
ISBN ISBN 9781505133448
eISBN 9781505134513
eISBN 9781505134520
ASIN 

The Case of the Mixed-up Marathon - Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis - Sisters of the Last Straw Book 9

I have now read the 9 volumes currently in print in this series. My youngest daughter has read them to me as well. She was so excited when this released and wanted us to read it together. A few years ago, I read the fifth book in this series, The Case of the Christmas Tree Capers, a Christmas story. And I was hooked. My daughter is insisted that she reread them all to me as part of her reading challenge time, and we were both excited to finally have this one in print. I have enjoyed each of the volume, even more so now with my daughter reading them to me. These are great fun, and excellent reads for younger readers or really for readers of any age. I previously stated that the series reminds me of Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk. These books have great lessons; lessons that kids will pick up on and learn from, but also lessons that we as adults can appreciate and be challenged by. It is an excellent story in a very entertaining and amusing series. Maybe my new favourite!

As always the sisters in this story are fun, and their adventures and mishaps are often funny, and in this case a little surprising. The sisters are:

Sister Krumbles
Sister Shiny
Sister Lovely
Sister Wanda
Sister Lacey
Mother Mercy

And special guest:
Amanda Kate

The volume contains the black and white illustrations by Sue Anderson Gioulis and they continue to add to the story. The book teaches us about human nature, about living the gospel, and about trusting God, prayer and maybe a miracle. This one focuses around training for an participating in the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Marathon, and Sister Krumbles is determined to win the prize to donate the money to the food bank. From the chapter titles you always have a preview of what is about to happen next:

Big Dreams
Reading Labels
Running Shoes
The Pokey
A Pound of This and That
Dancing & Dastardly Plans
Peanut Butter & Bananas
Justice is Served

This one the familiar villain and for long time readers of the series I give you 3 guesses and the first two do not count! The sisters And Amanda Kate are concerned about the level of food at the parish Food Bank. They decide to be more austere during Lent to be able to donate a little more than normal. They are also supporting Krumbles in her training. They have a guest at the convent, Amanda Kate who runs marathons, and her dog Runner. And even though he boasts he will win, Mr. Lemon seems to never train. 

The description of this volume is:

“Meet the Sisters of the Last Straw, a community of Sisters working hard to overcome their bad habits. Join these loveable misfit nuns as they learn to love God and forgive one another. When Amanda Kate comes to visit, Sister Krumbles gets the idea to run the Saint Patrick's Day Marathon. But will she be up to the challenge? What is Mr. Lemon up to? Will he win the prize money for himself? Will the Sisters solve the mystery of the missing items?”

The story includes a recipe for Irish Soda Bread that is not far off the family recipe my family has been cooking for over 100 years (no raisins ever in our). There is also a lot of information at Saint Patrick, who is a family favourite. So there are a lot of personal connections to this story, though to be honest no marathons. 

There are great lessons for the young readers of the series for whom it is written for, and for us older folks who might read it with or to them, and in my case have it read to. Or even just on our own. It is a great story in a wonderful series. We always look forward to reading the next story and hope there are yet more to come. The next one announced at the end of this volume is: The Case of the Saintly Staircase. I am certain that if you pick it up and laugh along with the sisters of the last straw, and be greatly entertained.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Karen Kelly Boyce:
A Bend in the Road: A Year's Journey Through Breast Cancer
Down Right Good
According to Thy Word
Into the Way of Peace
In the Midst of Wolves
…

Sisters of the Last Straw Series:
The Cause of the Haunted Chapel
The Case of the Missing Novice
The Case of the Stolen Rosaries
The Case of the Flower Phantom
The Case of the Christmas Tree Capers
The Case of the Easter Egg Escapades
The Case of the Campground Creature
The Case of the Saintly Staircase
…

The Hope Trilogy:
…

 

 








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Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Ken Ogorek Author Profile and Interview

Ken Ogorek Author Profile and Interview

Ken Ogorek Author Profile and Interview

Ken has been involved with ministry at many levels. Giving talks around the country. At the parish level and now at the diocesan level. He has written books and collaborated on other projects. He is currently finishing up a three part series of Sunday reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn. He recently took some time to answer some questions for the readers here at Book Reviews and more. Here in his own words, Ken:

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How are you nurturing that dream?

The summer between my junior and senior year of high school it dawned on me that among my few, meager, God-given talents, writing was the strongest and most unique.  Because I wanted to use God’s blessings to be of some help to others (while keeping a roof over my head) I decided that writing would be a good focus for my next step in education i.e. college.

2. Who were some of the biggest supporters of your writing?

Several high school teachers and college professors affirmed and improved my writing.  An early, post-college mentor helped tighten it up.  In some ways you could say that the Holy Spirit at least sometimes supports my writing because I think it might be a charism He’s given me—maybe the only one!

3. What authors influenced your writing style and format?

Whoever (co-?)wrote the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirmed my sense that sometimes less is more.  I.e. sometimes short, sweet pieces of writing that address basic questions re: doctrinal and moral teaching can be helpful to the average reader in efforts to reflect prayerfully on Sacred Tradition.  The same is true about the writer(s) of YOUCAT.

4. What was the process of coauthoring a new series of Sunday Reading reflections with Scott Hahn?

Divide-and-conquer is essentially our approach to collaborating on this resource.  Dr. Hahn contributes his excellent reflections on the Sunday Mass readings.  I chime in with brief passages re: a couple points of basic doctrinal and moral teaching, related to the readings, for each week—including short quotes from the Catechism itself.  Two reflection questions follow, capped off by a little prayer that draws each week’s pages to a nice close.

5. What was it like editing a volume with Mike Aquilina?

Mike is a lovely person.  And our project was a labor of love—a blessing for both of us.  We were both so blessed to know Fr. Ronald Lawler; this essay collection honored his memory.  The list of contributors reads like a Who’s Who in Catholic writing and speaking at the time; for my part, it was cool interacting with all these folks.

6. What does your writing process look like? Takes us through the steps from idea to publishing?

For this project, I started by correlating the 3-year cycle of Sunday Gospel readings with a list of 300+ In-Brief items from the Catechism of the Catholic Church—items chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops because, taken as a whole, they provide an objectively comprehensive overview of basic doctrinal and moral teaching.  From there I just chipped away, sometimes writing only one reflection at a time after our (then) school-age children went to bed at night.

My more recent contribution to this 3-book series are the brief prayers that end each week’s reflections.  The process for those was praying, reading lectionary selections, reflecting on Dr. Hahn’s excellent commentary for that week, revisiting my own Catechism-based reflections as well as each week’s two questions that help apply the content to daily life…then being attentive to what Person of the Trinity, what saint and so forth bubbled to the surface of my mind and to whom my heart was drawn.  That person, then, became the focus of the written prayer—sometimes direct, sometimes intercessory—always addressing, one way or another, our need to grow in a personal, disciple relationship with Jesus, lived in full communion with His mystical Body and spotless Bride:  our holy, Catholic Church.

7. Some of your earlier books are currently out of print, have you thought of rereleasing them as eBooks?

The simple answer is…no.  😊  Because my day job keeps me hopping, I’ve not (yet) ventured there.  I.e. my duties with the Archdiocese expanded immensely almost two years ago, and that’s a blessing.  But it’s changed the dynamic of my extracurriculars (side avocations) a bit.  That’s okay, though.  I believe the Lord has me where he wants me right now.  I appreciate the suggestion, though!

8. Have you ever considered writing fiction? If so is it a project we might see in the near future?

I used to write some fiction.  Lately, not so much.  I do enjoy writing hymn lyrics to public domain hymn tunes.  Am happy to customize a hymn for a special occasion e.g. parish anniversary, diocesan conference and so forth.  I use the Catechism in addition to Sacred Scripture as a source for lyrics.  My lyrics are always on target doctrinally i.e. no red flags….  😊

9. What books are currently in progress for you? Writing, researching, planning or even just ideas that you would like to work on?

I write a lot—a lot!—for my job.  😊  I’ve considered drafting a book along the lines of Confessions of a Church Middle Manager:  Behind the Scenes at Your Parish, School & Diocese.  Rather than an expose, it’d essentially be an homage in that, despite the occasional bad move I’ve seen in Church leadership, the vast majority of Church leaders are doing really good work.  I suppose I could throw in a bit of advice re: Church leadership given my years of service/experience and track record of being relatively effective by God’s grace and mercy.  😊

10. If you were asked for a list of 10 indispensable books for growing in the Catholic Faith, what would your list look like?

• A good translation of the Bible e.g. Approved Translations of the Bible | USCCB
• The Catechism, its Compendium, or YOUCAT
• A good translation of the documents of the 2nd ecumenical council of the Vatican aka Vatican II
• Love Unveiled: The Catholic Faith Explained (Ted Sri)
• Women, Sex and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching (Erika Bachiochi)
• A Crucial Key: Generational Perspectives and Catechetical Leadership (Rita & Tom Walters)
• From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age (Msgr. James Shea)
• The Religion of the Day (Msgr. James Shea)

(I’ll stop at 8 books…. 😊)

11. How do you stay disciplined when travelling and speaking around the country?

I haven’t been travelling as much lately, although I do still greatly enjoy leading retreat/renewal experiences including parish missions—as well as delivering the occasional one-and-done talk.  My family has always been very supportive in helping me be disciplined by allowing me to disappear for an hour or two now and then to do some focused writing.

12. What fiction books or authors do you enjoy or recommend?

I don’t read a lot of fiction, although a wise Capuchin I once worked with advised me always to keep a novel or short story collection in my reading rotation.  (I read several books simultaneously, mainly because I can have a short attention span at times; eventually each book does get read.)  My go-to recently has been G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown mysteries.

13. Some of your books are published as Ken Ogorek and some as Kenneth, what was the reasoning behind that? 

No in-depth thought process there.  In my recent collaboration, Dr. Hahn goes by Scott; so I figured I should be Ken.  I will say that Kenneth means very handsome while Ken simply means handsome; even that’s a stretch for me!

14. Do you use a playlist when writing? Are certain books written while predominantly listing to the same music?

I prefer to write in a quiet setting.  If I’m at McDonald’s or Panera using their free wifi, I tune out the soundtrack and stay mentally focused by God’s grace and mercy.  Taco Bell’s harder because I find myself thinking about burritos.

15. What were some of your favorite authors in your teen years who helped shape you?

Two who come to mind are Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

16. Who are some of your favorite authors or books now?

If a pope issues a major document, I’m going to read it, for sure.  Chesterton, already mentioned, is also a favorite of mine.

17. I once had a university professor state that the true goal of a university education should be to teach one to learn how to think. What would you state should be the goal of higher education and why?

Similarly, a college president from a while back said that the goal of a liberal arts education is the integration of personality, career and lifestyle.  In the context of virtue, this is a worthy goal.  Certainly a well-educated person thinks critically and analytically, articulating her or his thoughts effectively both in speaking and writing.

18. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have 10 books to read again and again, what books would you want with you?

The Holy Bible, the Catechism, a breviary and a lectionary/sacramentary.  (I’ll stop at 4 books this time.)

19. What advice would you give to young aspiring authors and artists?

Don’t expect commercial success.  Seek it, within reason, but don’t expect it.

Thank you ken for taking the time. And I look forward to read more of your works. If you have not tried the Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics Year C, I encourage you to pick it up and give it a try. Both Year and B and C are excellent and I look forward to Year A releasing later this year.

Books by Ken Ogorek:
The Gospel Truth: A Lectionary-Based Catechism for Adults 
The Great Life: Essays on Doctrine and Holiness In Honor of Father Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap.
Catholic Parent Know-How, Faith-Filled Summer Activities
…

Let's Talk Series: 
Money, Virtues, "Out-Smarting" Your Parents, and More
Food, Fun, Fitness, and More
Friendship, Well-Being, and More
Resting, Forgiving, Being Free, and More
…

With Scott Hahh:
Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics Year A
...
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Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Old School - Gordon Korman

Old School
Gordon Korman
In Canada:
ISBN 9781039711969
eISBN 9781039711976
ASIN B0DQVSZH8H

In the US:
ISBN 9780063238145
eISBN 9780063238169
ASIN 9780063238169

Old School - Gordon Korman

This is the latest release from the pen of Gordon Korman. It was published in January of 2025 in the US and the Canadian Release was in February 2025. It is the 105th book published by Korman. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 55 of his books. Just over half way thorough his canon, but with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. And I do plan on trying to read them all. My son, who is 17 often reads these books to me or with me, and he still loves them. 

A description of this volume states:

“Dexter Foreman is twelve… going on eighty. He has lived at The Pines Retirement Village with his grandmother since he was six years old, and as a result, he gets along better with senior citizens than kids his own age. He’s been home-schooled by the residents up until the day the county’s truancy officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to the local middle school.

At school, Dex sticks out like a sore thumb. He dresses like a grandpa (and can be just as cranky). His taste in movies and music is decades out of date. Only a few students—like Gianna Greco, a reporter at the school’s newspaper—find him intriguing. For most, he is a weirdo ... or a target.

Raised among a generation of Mr. Fix-its, Dex can repair seemingly anything with his trusty Swiss army knife— which comes in handy since their old school building seems to be crumbling around them. It also ends up putting Dexter in a situation that could either make or break his school career.

Dexter would do anything to return to his old life at The Pines. But when his wish finally seems to be coming true, his old and new worlds collide in a way that surprises everyone—and Dexter most of all.”

This story is terribly humorous as are many of Korman’s other works, but it also has a very serious side. Dexter does not care about fitting in. But he also can’t just leave something broken if he can fix it. He has spent most of his life living in a retirement community. But when he is forced to go to the local school in town, Dexter just might have an effect on the school and the town. The Dexter effect starts his first morning at school and just keeps growing like a tsunami. 

The Dexter effect not only transforms the school but also the The Pines Retirement Village. It is a story about coming of age, friendship, and figuring out what really matters most in life. 

This is a great School Story from one of the greatest masters in the genre. In this case it means Dexter has to figure out if he wants to go back to school even though while there the first time he wanted nothing more than to stop

It is an excellent offering from Korman’s masterful pen. I just wish Scholastic would release at the same time as the books releasing in the US from Harper Collins. An excellent read that I can easily recommend. One of Korman’s best, they just keep getting better and better, even after over 100 books!

Books by Gordon Korman:
MacDonald Hall Series:
         (formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)
The Zucchini Warriors (1988)
Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)
          (aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)
The Jokes on Us (1995)
          (formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)
…

Bugs Potter Series:
…

Jeremy Bloom Series:
The D−Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1992)
The Last-Place Sports Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1996)
…

Monday Night Football Series:
The Quarterback Exchange (1997)
Running Back Conversion (1997)
Super Bowl Switch (1997)
Heavy Artillery (1997)
Ultimate Scoring Machine (1998)
NFL Rules! Bloopers, Pranks, Upsets, and Touchdowns (1998)
…

Masterminds Series:
Masterminds (2015)
…

Slapshots Series:
The Stars From Mars (1999)
All-Mars All-Stars/The Dream Team (1999)
The Face-off Phony (2000)
Cup Crazy (2000)
Ouch I got slapped (2023)
…
4-in-1 Slapshots: The Complete Collection (2008)
…

Nose Pickers Series:
Nose Pickers from Outer Space! (1999)
Planet of the Nose Pickers (2000)
Your Mummy Is a Nose Picker (2000)
Invasion of the Nose Pickers (2001)
…
4-in-1 The Ultimate Nose-Picker Collection (2006)
…

Island Series:
Shipwreck (2001)
Survival (2001)
Escape (2001)
…
3-in-1 Island Trilogy Collection (2006)
…

Son of the Mob Series:
Son of the Mob 2: Hollywood Hustle (2004)
…

Everest Series:
The Contest (2002)
The Climb (2002)
The Summit (2002)
…
Everest Trilogy Box Set (2002)

Dive Series:
The Discovery (2003)
The Deep (2003)
The Danger (2003)
…

On the Run Series:
The Stowaway Solution (2005)
Public Enemies (2005)
Hunting the Hunter (2006)
…

Kidnapped Series:
The Search (2006)
The Rescue (2006)
…

Swindle Series:
Swindle (2008)
Zoobreak (2009)
Framed (2010)
Showoff (2012)
Hideout (2013)
Jackpot (2014)
Unleashed (2015)
Jingle (2016)
…

Titanic Series:
Unsinkable (2011)
Collision Course (2011)
S.O.S (2011)
…

The 39 Clues Series:
Vespers Rising (2011)
The Medusa Plot (2011)
Flashpoint (2014)
…

Hypnotists Series:
The Hypnotists (2013)
Memory Maze (2014)
The Dragonfly Effect (2015)
…

Ungifted Series:
Ungifted (2012)
Supergifted (2018)
…

Slacker Series:
Slacker (2016)
Level 13 (2019)
...

Non Series Books:
Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America (2003)
Born To Rock (2006)
Schooled (2007)
Pop (2009)
Restart (2017)
Notorious (2019)
War Stories (2020)
Game On (contains The Chicken Doesn’t Skate and The Toilet Paper Tigers (2021)
Unplugged (2021)
Linked (2021)
The Fort (2022)

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Monday, 24 February 2025

Madness Bound - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 1

Madness Bound
Madness of Kanaan Book 1
Karina Fabian
Laser Cow Press
ISBN 9781956489187
ASIN B0DS6XZFT7

Madness Bound - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 1

Each time I read a book by Fabian, no matter the series, I think ‘it can’t get better than this’ and yet somehow it almost most often does. This story took me completely by surprise, I had had the eBook of the original edition since 2011 but had not got around to reading it. Last year I reached out to Fabian and was informed that the series was being republished this year, more on that below. For some reason I kept skipping over this story even though I have read almost everything Fabian has in print. That was my loss, after reading this first one I will be bumping the remaining three to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile as they and republished and release over the coming months. It is a great read, and leaves you desperate for more! 

The description of this volume states:

“Deryl’s not crazy. He’s psychic.
And someone's trying to contact him.

Deryl Stephen's uncontrollable telepathic abilities have landed him in a mental health institution, where no one believes in his powers. When intern Johusa Lawson, a student of neuro linguistic programming, comes for the summer, he uses the unique idea of accepting Deryl's reality and teaching him to work with it. As Deryl learns control, he finds his next challenge is to face the aliens who have been contacting him psychically for years--aliens who would use him to further their cause in an interplanetary war.”

Wow, what an intense powerful story. This book was so hard to put down. I read it over a few days, and if work and family life had not been so busy it would have been read much faster. Every time I had to put it down, I wished I was not in that position. 

I have to admit I loved Deryl’s story and plot but also greatly appreciated the story arcs for Joshua and Sachiko. And I have met more than a few personalities in life that would be close to Dr. Malachai. There is an interesting dynamic in the facility with Dr. Malachai as the head of the institute and Dr. Sellars bringing in Joshua to work or try and befriend Ydrel, aka Deryl. The dynamics at the institute and Joshua’s success with a number of clients is intriguing to read and follow along. 

Ydrel's time with the master or in Kanaan and his episodes with the Miscria are fascinating. Figuring out what is real and what is not and even if there are possibilities beyond our comprehension. And following the young man as he learns to cope with experience many of us cannot even imagine, just wow. Masterfully written.

I also especially loved how Joshua would centre himself with the Rosary, going to mass or confession. His faith was something he tried to live, and did not preach. He is a very well written character.

This story has a bit of everything, paranormal, scifi, fantasy, and real life. In some ways it feels like it could be a crossover in Madeleine L'Engle’s between Chronos and Kairos time. The book splits between real time and real events and God time or otherworld otherworldly events. The story has a real L’Engle feel to it. It also reminds me of God Game by Andrew M. Greeley and also of The Kayan Kronicles by Derya Little. 

In the acknowledgements at the end of the story Fabian informs us this story was based on a shorter work originally written in 1986. It was first published in 2010 by Dragon Moon. She states:

“Fast forward to 2010, and Dragon Moon. Gwen Gades loved the book, but hated the title (which was Asylum Psychic.) She held the contract hostage until I had a better title. I went to my great friends at The Writers Chat Room (writerschatroom.com) who brainstormed with me until we came up with Mind Over… Mind Over Mind was the first; then Mind Over Psyche and Mind Over All. I couldn’t squeeze the Joshua/Sachiko wedding in, and some readers complained, so I completed the set with Hearts Over Mind.” 

and also:

“In 2023, I got the rights to the Mind Over trilogy back, just as an editor friend was telling me how much she’d loved the books. Thus encouraged by Rebecca Martin, I decided to republish them. I was never sold on the title, especially Mind Over Psyche, so I asked my friends at the Catholic Writers Guild for suggestions. Mark Baker came up with Madness of Kanaan: Madness Bound, Madness Unbound, Madness of Worlds, and Madness of Love.

So much love and adventure went into this book. Thanks again to all my supporters and to the gracious God who led me to this calling.”
 
This book is another very entertaining read from Fabian’s masterful pen. I regret not having read this series earlier. Do not make my mistakes; pick this up and read the book and series. It is certain to entertain. Another great read in a different series from Fabian that I can easily recommend.    

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!


Dex Hollister Series:
The Old Man and the Void
Dex's Way
...

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Series :
Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
I Left My Brains in San Francisco
Shambling in a Winter Wonderland
…

DragonEye PI Series:
DragonEye PI Novels:
9.0 Gapman
10.0 Magic, Mensa and Mayhem (Revised edition forthcoming)
11.0 Live and Let Fly (Revised edition forthcoming)
... 

DragonEye PI Short Stories:

DragonEye PI Original First Editions:
...

Space Traipse Series:
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 1
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 2
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 3
Space Traipse Stories
…

Madness of Kanaan Series:
(formerly The Mind Over Series)

Edited by: Karina Fabian:
Infinite Space, Infinite God I
Leaps of Faith
Infinite Space, Infinite God II
...


Contributed to:
Firestorm of Dragons
The Zombie Cookbook
The Book of Tentacles
Twisted Fayrie Tales
FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead
Mother Goose is Dead
Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary
Image and Likeness Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Corrupts Absolutely? Dark Metahuman Fiction
Weird Noir
The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels
Manifesto UF
Avenir Eclectia
Planetary Anthology: Jupiter
Planetary Anthology: Pluto
Planetary Anthology: Luna
Planetary Anthology: Uranus
FlagShip Science Fiction and Fantasy v2i5
My Little Book of Headdesks
To Be Men: Stories Celebrating Masculinity
...


Madness of Kanaan Series Covers:

Madness Bound - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 1

Madness Unbound - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 2

Madness of Worlds - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 3

Madness of Love - Karina Fabian - Madness of Kanaan Book 4

Original Mind Over Series Covers:

Mind over Mind - Karina Fabian - Mind Over Book 1

Mind over Psyche - Karina Fabian - Mind Over Book 2

Mind over All - Karina Fabian - Mind Over Book 3

Hearts Over Mind - Karina Fabian - Mind Over Book 4


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