Inspector Ghote mystery series

This long running series was respected and enjoyed in its day but now has been largely forgotten. 

Inspector Ghote is a humble, unpretentious police detective in Bombay. His murder investigations take him to every range of society and culture in and around Bombay. He's often up against the frustrations of the Indian criminal justice system as well as those of every-day India. His determination, tenacity, and integrity keep him on track because he loves being a police officer and what it stands for. 

I enjoy these mysteries which are somewhat like an ancestor to my favorite modern Indian detective, Vish Puri. I will have to cover that series soon. Each of these mysteries focuses on an aspect of Indian society that rings really true thanks to the many Indian movies we have watched.

Sam Dastor's reading of the audiobooks bring these to life in a way that the print versions don't for me. In each, the importance of Ghote's solution is perfectly presented in a way that has me listening to the last couple of hours at a fever pitch of impatience to see what will happen. 

Often there aren't a lot of suspects and the mystery may be not about who did the crime as much as how on earth one will get the evidence to prove it. As with the Brother Cadfael mysteries, I don't care about the actual solution as much as I do the setting and the protagonist. I care about Inspector Ghote's adventures in getting the final proof, saving the innocent, catching the criminal — always against overwhelming odds. It's Ghote's resourcefulness and unwavering tenacity that carry the story.

Interestingly London-based author H.R.F Keating wrote the first novels without ever visiting India. He did copious research and eavesdropped on Indians speaking amongst themselves to pick up the patois used. I've seen moderns complaining that the patois is demeaning but, once again informed by the almost 300 Indian movies we've seen, this is spot on. In fact the Indians themselves appreciated these mysteries so much that Air India gave him a three week trip to Bombay so he could see what he wrote about so well.

My Latest Book Crush — The St. Paul Daily Missal

Incorporates the revised English text of the Third Roman Missal and features Scripture readings for cycles A, B, and C for all Sundays and Solemnities and Years I and II for weekdays. Spiritual reflections on the readings, an expanded Treasury of Prayers, and introductions to the liturgical seasons enhance prayerful participation in the liturgy.

The above description may only mean something to Catholics. And this is a seriously Catholic book crush I have going on. I've dabbled with the idea of a missal before but they seemed intimidatingly difficult. Four ribbons? How much flipping around was going to be happening? Year A, B, or C for Sunday - was that going to be hard to find? What about sorting out Year I or II for the daily readings? (See, this is already insanely complicated — and it's the part I understood!)

Also — so expensive! $75!

So for a long time I stuck to Magnificat (until I found out those weren't really the daily readings) or Word Among Us. Both were expensive. Finally I caught on to a bigger reality —  two years of either publication equaled the cost of the missal. Three years in, the book is essentially free by that reckoning. Okay, I read reviews and made my choice for an Easter gift to myself with this version from the Daughters of St. Paul. 

This is a wonderful resource. The readings are all in order of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, followed by Ordinary Time, with a special section for prayers and for the liturgies of the Mass and other special days. It's really easy to follow and find your way through.

I've been getting more out of the readings and am so happy that I bought this excellent book.

Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church by Blake Britton

 I just discovered that I missed posting a review of this excellent book when I first read it. So here we go!

This book does just what it says on the subtitle. With genuine understanding of what motivates both sides, Britton clarifies why there are misconceptions (and misapplications) of Vatican II both by liberals and conservatives. That is no small feat. By looking at why the council was so misunderstood, we see that both liberal and conservative groups are responding to "the paracouncil."

The paracouncil resulted from theologians (who may not have even been at the council), the media and turbulent, secular influences. These combined to skew the intentions of the Vatican II council into something that is loosely referred to as "the spirit of Vatican II." I'd heard the phrase but never paid enough attention to wonder why it was used. After all, if someone said "the spirit of the Bible" we'd go take a good long look at the Bible to see what it really said. No one was doing that with the Vatican II documents. I realized that's like saying "it's the vibe of the thing" which is always dangerous when dealing with the faith. The paracouncil is the reason for the iffy implementation I've noticed in a lot of parishes.

Britton walks us through the reason for the council and the major documents. As he does, we get context from ancient and modern times, what was (and wasn't) included, and thoughtful ways to help implement the true teachings of Vatican II in parishes. Along the way, he shares personal experiences as a parish priest which bring it all to life.

I was left with a profound respect for the council who so skillfully balanced Catholic tradition with the need to renew the practices of the Church so that the people have passion and vigor in their faith. I was left inspired by the council's goals and the examples of instituting proper practice in modern parishes. I'm lucky enough to worship in a beautiful church that has a profound respect for the liturgy, including the music. Here are some of the things that Vatican II added, some of which I knew and some of which I didn't. All of these are implemented in our parish and which I'm profoundly grateful for!

• Revised liturgical calendar which cycles through the gospels in a three year period on Sundays and two-years for daily Mass while including lots and lots of Old Testament scripture too.
• Encouraging Bible reading and study. This has led to a lot of great study programs which our parish uses as well as many books I use myself.
• We should all be saints. The idea that the laypeople are also called to saintly holiness.
• Making sure there is a homily with the Mass. (Who knew that wasn't always a thing? I didn't!)
• The four stages of OCIA (this is the program non-Catholics go through to enter the Church). When I converted, this was a source of unexpected spiritual growth and that was 20 years ago. I thought it always was like that.
• The Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) prayed by the laity. Another thing that I didn't know. I have only recently begun dipping my toes in this practice but am grateful for it.

Reclaiming Vatican II is simply excellent. It is inspirational, informative, and easy to read and understand. All Catholics should read this book.

Scott and I discussed this on A Good Story is Hard to Find, episode 294.

Also recommended: 

The Vatican II Collection by Bishop Robert Barron

The text of the four main council documents supplemented by explanatory commentary from Bishop Robert Barron and Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. I read the two main council documents soon after I converted after hearing many confusing remarks about Vatican II — which I hadn't heard of. Reading the online publications at the Vatican website showed me that these were highly orthodox, inspirational documents. I admit haven't read these particular books yet ... but someday!

McAtlas by Gary He

McAtlas takes readers on a captivating journey around the world, offering a unique glimpse into the iconic McDonald's restaurant chain's adaptations to regional tastes and customs. This visually stunning book, featuring photographs and research from over 50 countries, serves as the first-ever independent cataloging of the brand's localization efforts. Discover how McDonald's tailored its menu items, restaurant designs, and overall experience to thrive in diverse cultural landscapes. With a keen eye for detail, the author unveils the fascinating stories behind the Golden Arches' global success. Immerse yourself in this comprehensive exploration of one of the world's most recognizable brands.

I remember taking our two young daughters to McDonald's on the Champs Elysee because our oldest really needed a dose of "normality" after being in Europe for a week. It turns out that it was American enough but we were bemused by the French culture that infused it - from the red wine to the beggars going table to table. It was an unexpectedly memorable experience.

So how could I not spend my Christmas money on this book?

This wound up being about more than McDonald's just by the virtue of seeing all the local variations. It was forced to please the natives to get sales and thereby became something more than a one-note global giant. I loved discovering all the attachments to each country's favorite cuisines, ways of eating, customs, and cultures. I learned a lot about how flexible McDonald's can be while still adhering to their basic menu structure. I've never wanted to go around the world before. Now I would just so I could visit all the McDonald's for the local food.

It is worth mentioning just how visually stunning these images are, especially the location shots. Equal care was taken with the book itself. You may not be able to tell it from the image, but the little white spots on the cover are embossed, rising above the surface to be the sesame seeds on the bun. The page edges are colored to mimic the structure of a burger — brown for beef, yellow for cheese, etc.

Christians Reading Classics by Nadya Williams

Can Christians today read the great classics of Greco-Roman pagan literature for spiritual formation and growth in the virtues?

Classical scholar Nadya Williams responds with an unequivocal "Yes!" Even in the Late Roman Empire Christian readers, like Augustine and Boethius, did just this. But reading the classics this way requires reading differently than, perhaps, most people today are used to doing.

I really liked Louis Markos' book From Achilles to Christ and thought this might be similarly interesting. So far it is. The author has a different way of writing about these things that nicely complements the Markos book. In fact, I may follow this up with a reread of that one.

The author has a knack for finding modern examples of ancient authors or plots that helped us see the context. Her easy, personal style that makes the book accessible without sacrificing the depth necessary to understand the classics under discussion. She clearly points out parallels which Christians will see differently or more fully through the focus of Christ. This makes the book valuable even if you never plan to read the classics she references. Thoughtful Christians will find much of value here.

Catholics may be surprised at Nadya Williams' continual reassurance that it's okay for Christians to read pagan authors. That's because, in general, it is a long-standing tradition in the Church, from the Church Fathers onward that truth is found in all sources. Williams and Markos, mentioned above, both are writing largely for Protestants who struggle with this issue. Regardless, both books are wonderful whether you're Protestant or Catholic.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

This was a sheer delight, I am much relieved to say.

I've enjoyed this series a lot but really disliked the previous book for a variety of reasons, but mostly for the Elizabeth storyline — as did our whole family (what can I say? we're very Catholic) — I didn't rush out and buy this one as I did with the previous books. It was a long wait for my turn at a library copy but I enjoyed this one much as I did the rest of the series. The group dynamic is strong as ever and Osman's way of turning the expected on it's head in comedic fashion is truly amusing. The way that Connie mentored Tia cracked me up every time it arises. I especially enjoyed adding Joanna to the points of view.

It's clear that Osman is thinking about loneliness among the aged and society in general. We also see the club reassessing their current stage of life and relationships with each other, which has recently shifted for each of them. These were interesting themes to have running alongside the murder investigation.

Part of my relief at enjoying this book so much is that I was afraid the series was becoming stale in the way that happens to so many. Luckily that's not the case and I eagerly anticipate the next Thursday Murder Club book.

Double Trouble - Edward Gorey's letters and illustrated envelopes

When Tom Fitzharris met Edward "Ted" Gorey in 1974, the two quickly struck up a friendship. Over the next year Gorey sent a total of fifty letters to Fitzharris. Every envelope Fitzharris received was illustrated by Gorey, and filled with surprises: typewritten letters with news and opinions from Gorey's life, handwritten note cards with unexpected quotes, sketches, inside jokes, and a host of other joyous miscellany.

Assembled here for the first time, these envelopes and their contents deliver all the humor, imagination, gossip, and wonder that came with being Edward Gorey's pen pal.

This book is delightful. Here's a bit I especially enjoyed as I'm slowly reading through it little by little.

The weather seems to have improved. I have already made a meatloaf, boiled a lot of eggs hard prepatory to devilling them, and there is a loaf of walnut cheese bread hopefully baking in the oven. I say hopefully as the dough was very peculiar indeed.

It's funny to think of Edward Gorey cooking up picnic foods before company comes to his family's home for a summer break. But there you have it — he was devilling eggs, as he says.

Best of 2025 — Books

  My top picks from the over 130 books I read last year.

You may find old books here but if they're on this list, then they were new to me! In no particular order.

Note: I've been doing this since 2008 — check the label cloud in the sidebar for "Best of" to see other lists.

2025 BEST BOOKS

All Flesh is Grass

by Clifford Simak

I didn't actually review this as it turns out so here's the synopsis of a book with a really unique take on aliens. "Nothing much ever happens in Millville, a small, secluded Middle-American community—until the day every resident is confined within the town’s boundaries by an invisible force field that cannot be breached."

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The second in a cozy mystery series about a meddling Chinese grandmother. The first (Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers) was entertaining. This one took it to a more complex level and with Vera herself growing deeper as a character, showing tenderness and love when needed. And still cooking up a storm for everyone.

The Cartiers

by Francesca Cartier Brickell

Unexpectedly layered, this is a tale of marketing, design, loyal to customers, family dynamics, and world history. I gave this to a lot of people for Christmas.

(My review here.)

Complete Encyclicals of John Paul II

by Saint Pope John Paul II

I unexpectedly fell into this reading project which took me 9 months off and on. Totally worth it and I discovered that if we love JPII it's because we love Vatican II (whether we know it or not). My review looks at all the encyclicals briefly.

(My review here.)

The Lord's Prayer

by Romano Guardini

A short books of meditations where Guardini looks carefully for the riches of Christ in things we think we already understand. Like the Our Father. Superb.

(My review here.)

The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening
The Retired Assassin's Guide to Orchid Hunting

by Naomi Kuttner

If Don from The Rosie Project were a retired assassin and trying to solve a murder along with Elizabeth from The Thursday Murder Club, it might look like these two books.

Children of the Book

by Ilana Kurshan

Kurshan takes us through the Torah in a year, echoed by the children's books she is reading to her family. It links our journey of faith with our own journey as readers.

(My full review.)

Undaunted Joy

by Shemaiah Gonzalez

"Joy is transcendent. It is from God. It is Him, peeking from behind the curtain or veil to reach out to us."  This book led to me looking for — and finding — a spark of joy everyday, no matter how the day was going otherwise. My second favorite book of the year.

(My full review.)

Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Parker

I read this because the author of Undaunted Joy recommended it so strongly. And she was right. It's a good book. A simpler version in many ways of books like A Little Princess and Anne of Green Gables, both of which I enjoy.

The Motor Maid

by A.M. and C.M. Williamson

More of a travelogue than mystery but light and fun. As Lys tries to escape a pre-arranged marriage, she's forced to become a lady's maid to the wife of a nouveau riche couple touring France. The benefit is that the motor-car is a new and trendy item and the chauffeur is a handsome and fun fellow. We can see where it's going but who cares? Light and fun.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

by Dr. Paul Brand, Philip Yancey

My favorite book of the year. Three in one — an inspiring science book, wide-ranging meditations on the body of Christ, and human stories that illuminate both. Ultimately a powerful experience of illuminating God's love and our role as part of his body. 

(My full review.)

24 Hours in Ancient Rome

by Philip Matyszak

Each hour of the day we see a different person who made up the bustling metropolis of Rome — from emperor to slave girl, gladiator to astrologer to clock maker. This was entertaining, enlightening and told with tongue-in-cheek jokes. 

(My full review.)

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss

A former FBI hostage negotiator gives guidelines to negotiating in all circumstances of your life — illustrated with real life hostage negotiation scenarios. I'd never normally read this sort of book but since a friend gave it to me, I read it. And it was really worth it.

(My full review.)

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

A former FBI hostage negotiator offers a new, field-tested approach to negotiating – effective in any situation.

After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a kidnapping negotiator brought him face-to-face with bank robbers, gang leaders, and terrorists. Never Split the Difference takes you inside his world of high-stakes negotiations, revealing the nine key principles that helped Voss and his colleagues succeed when it mattered the most – when people’s lives were at stake.

Rooted in the real-life experiences of an intelligence professional at the top of his game, Never Split the Difference will give you the competitive edge in any discussion.

This isn't not the sort of book I normally would ever read. However, it was given to me by a fellow home advocate from the St. Vincent de Paul Society who told me that it would be invaluable in dealing with landlords. This is both funny and probably true. So I read it.

It immediately grabbed me with the contrast of fascinating hostage negotiations and the underlying idea of truly listening to the person you are talking to. Certainly I learned concepts that are going to be helpful in intentional listening and thoughtful communications.

My mind was blown by the last chapter - The Black Swan - as I remembered a conversation that had completely failed in a way I'd never experienced precisely because it was a Black Swan. Very enlightening and something I hope I have learned from for the future.

Catholic Cartoons by Joshua Masterson

Experience the amusing, chaotic, and sacred moments in Fr. Otto's daily life and parish in this inaugural Catholic Cartoon collection, beautifully illustrated by Joshua Masterson (@the catholic cartoonist).

The cartoons were gently amusing, a la Family Circus. And I sometimes found myself laughing out loud. Recommended for light amusement. There are 2 volumes now.

Space Opera Gold: Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, Plan B, I Dare

Right now, I'm having a blast working my way back through my favorite space opera series, set in the Liaden Universe. They have one cliff hanger after another, an imaginative universe, and the series doesn't let you down through the entire storyline.

To give you a brief idea of where these books begin, here's a good summary from an Amazon review by a fan:

Val Con yos'Phelium, undercover agent of change (aka spy), was just doing a routine mission on some backwater planet in the middle of the universe when his life changed. After completing his mission, he encountered a small spitfire of a woman and saved her life, for which she promptly repaid him by bashing his head in. When Val Con woke up, the spitfire dumped him, but Val Con was intrigued, so he followed her and saved her life again. Now Miri Robertson, whose life he had saved twice, was forced to deal with Val Con, honor demanded it. She was intrigued by Val Con, whom she nicknamed "Tough Guy", but definitely didn't want a partner. As a former mercenary and bodyguard, she could handle herself and, as a target for the powerful Juntavas crime ring, she couldn't trust anyone...

However, both Val Con and Miri, both of whom were used to working alone, soon found that they worked well as partners. At least they would if Miri would stop trying to ditch Val Con at every opportunity. Val Con knew that Miri was something special, she made him feel things that he hadn't felt in years, she made him feel alive again. Miri didn't know what was wrong with Val Con, but she knew it had something to do with what he called The Loop, some kind of brain implant that gave him the odds of success on every mission/action he made. As they grew closer together, both Val Con and Miri realized that the Department of the Interior, who had trained Val Con as an agent, must have some ulterior motive in plan. But in order to find out what it was, they had to stay alive...

In order, the books I'm reading are below. Links go to my reviews on Goodreads.

• Agent of Change
• Carpe Diem
• Plan B
• I Dare

I'm not as big a fan of Conflict of Honors which precedes the above books. However, I realized that I can't really recall it so am rereading. 

I am a fan of the two prequels to the above series.

• Local Custom (Shan's parents' story)
  
• Scout's Progress (about Val Con's parents) ... My review is simple: "Space opera gold." You can hear a sample of Scout's Progress when I featured it as an author excerpt at Forgotten Classics.
  

I encountered these when they were first being released. Since then, authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller were discovered by many readers who became avid fans. They went on to write tons of Liaden books, but my favorites are the ones above. Dive in and enjoy!

Beyond the Manger by Robert J. Daly SJ

This is a book that surprised me. I'm glad I gave it a chance. Following the feasts of Christmas, the author imagines the reactions of characters who encountered the Holy Family at the first Christmas. This is done in narrative, free form poems which usually are the sort of thing that I don't like, but the author makes the voices real enough that they just read like stories.

What I really enjoyed was the different characters like the camel driver for the wise men, the innkeeper's daughter or the drifter. Each one we meet has been drawn in by Mary's smile or Joseph's eyes or the baby, of course. Occasionally, we encounter a character further on as a peripheral figure in someone else's story, which caused me a delightful jolt of recognition. There are some memories from Mary and Joseph as well, which also pleased me because they weren't the sort of sentimental material that I usually avoid. They felt genuine.

That's how this whole book feels — genuine. It pulls us into the Christ child's story in a way I hadn't come across before. Recommended.

Whispers of Mary: What Twelve Old Testament Women Teach Us About Mary by Gayle Somers

Throughout the history of the Bible, incredible women have played a part in the story of salvation. Steeped in Scripture, the Blessed Mother would have known and pondered the stories of these women. She might even have recognized pieces of her own story in theirs.

Whispers of Mary invites Catholics to explore Marian typology through the lives of women like Eve, Esther, and Judith. With thought-provoking commentary and hundreds of Scripture verses, Whispers of Mary deepens readers' appreciation for the story of salvation by revealing how even in the Old Testament, the lives of heroic women pointed toward Mary, and through Mary, to God.

This was a really good look at the precursors to Mary in Scripture. The 12 women highlighted were familiar to me but the author almost always found something new to consider, quite often because of a close reading of text I just hadn't noticed. I especially appreciated the way thar Somers gave context for each woman's place in salvation history. I also really enjoyed the last chapter about Mary which considered how she might have been influenced by her own scripture knowledge showing echoes of their stories in her own life. That hadn't occurred to me before.

I didn't always agree with Somers's points, for example the absolutism of "never tell a lie" brought up when looking at Judith but there weren't a lot of those moments. To be fair, it did spark a household discussion of the topic ranging from St. Augustine to Corrie ten Boom's experiences in The Hiding Place. So, that in itself had value.

I also never use discussion questions but did note that these seemed more salient than most. None of them were interesting to me but I think a lot of women would find them fruitful.

Recommended.

24 Hours in Ancient Rome: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There

What was it like to live in one of the ancient world's most powerful and bustling cities—one that was eight times more densely populated than modern day New York?

In this entertaining and enlightening guide, bestselling historian Philip Matyszak introduces us to the people who lived and worked there. In each hour of the day we meet a new character—from emperor to slave girl, gladiator to astrologer, medicine woman to water-clock maker—and discover the fascinating details of their daily lives.

This book really lives up to the "entertaining and enlightening" claim. I like the author's sly sense of humor which he uses just enough, without ever making fun of how they lived long ago. It's about the situations, not the people.

I especially like the way that each hour-long section leads to the next with an overlap of people in a scene or one occupation necessarily leading to the next. By the end of the book, we've seen some of the ones from the beginning woven into the later stories. It gives the overall day a sense of richness and completion.

Mostly I like the little things I am learning. I've read several books about life in Rome, ancient travel, etc. This is surprising me with bits of new information and presenting it in a very appealing way as we see these people's lives.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image

This is a book of incredible richness and power. We read of the remarkable qualities and construction of the human body, learn of the many diverse parts which exist even within the same category like cells or muscles and interact in astounding ways. Each chapter filled me with awe. In that sense, it is a really excellent, inspiring science book.

We see how this leads to Dr. Brand's meditations on the body of Christ, itself made up of so many diverse people who God inspires, nudges, suggests, and drives to make their contributions of his love to the world. Each chapter, whether on blood, bones, skin, or pain, gives us something to consider in how we live as Christians every day. Because Brand's meditations are wide-ranging there is always something to help our own thoughts as we turn to God in prayer. This gives us the spiritual skeleton of the writing.

And, finally, we have the human stories that illustrate both the body and the body of Christ. Because Brand worked with lepers for decades in India and Louisiana, he has a wealth of examples when he encountered the deformed and suffering. First and foremost, we are always shown the dignity of each person. This makes for a powerful experience in illuminating God's love and our role as part of his body. Here we have the skin, so to speak — here is where we live the reality that we have been reading about.

This resonated with me as a fairly new member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. My own life has been illuminated during home visits, meeting our neighbors person-to-person as we see how we might help them with rent, utilities, or food. My experience is meager compared to Dr. Brand's. Even so, through this book I felt my kinship with him grow.

Jesus' mission was not chiefly a crusade against disease (if so, why did he leave so many unhealed in the world and tell followers to hush up details of his miracles?) but rather a ministry to individual people, some of whom happened to have a disease. He wanted those people, one by one, to feel his love and compassion. Jesus knew he could not readily demonstrate love to a crowd, for love usually involves touching.

I have mentioned the need for us as Jesus' followers to share resources such as food and medicine with those in need. Having participated in such activity overseas, I am convinced that we best express such love person to person, through touch. The further we remove ourselves from personal contact with the needy, the further we stray from the ministry Jesus modeled for us.

Each of us will come away with our own take as we're all called to different ways to serve in the world. And so we loop back around to the description of the body where the brain, the blood cells, the bones, and more show the wonderful diversity of acting together for a common goal.

I myself come away grateful for my own miraculous body, for my role in the miraculous body of Christ and for the richness I can carry to the people I encounter, those I know and those new to me. Fearfully and Wonderfully truly is the perfect title.

Children of the Book by Ilana Kurshan

Each year, as we read through the Torah, I am aware of different parallels between the experience of reading with my children and the Torah's narratives and themes. Over time, and over a decade of Torah reading cycles, the way I connect with my children through literature has changed. In this memoir, I chart those shifts as they echo the progression of the biblical narrative—from the first picture books that create my infant's narrative—from the first picture books that create my infant's world through language, to the moment my children begin reading on their own and leaving me behind, atop the mountain, as they enter new lands.

Faithful Jews read through the Torah every year. I first encountered these with Rabbi Sacks' series Now, Ilana Kurshan takes us through it, echoed by the children's books she is reading to her family. Not only do her reflections remind us of the journey of faith, but also our own journey as readers from Baby's First Words to Charlotte's Web to Little Women and A Wrinkle in Time.

Don't worry if you don't care about the books I mentioned. They are just a very few of the whirlwind of books that surrounds readers in this tale. I always thought I was the most dedicated reader I knew until I read Kurshan's story of reading while in hard labor, while eating dinner (with her family), while walking the baby in his stroller. In fact, this is the first time I wanted to tell someone to stop reading and take a break.

If you love meditating on faith from a roundabout connection and love reminiscing over favorite books while also seeing how they affect others, then this is the book for you. Other reviewers' comments about a bit of a repetitive nature are accurate. I read this over a few days while on vacation and that aspect did come to the fore. Just do as I plan to when I reread it. Just read a chapter every day or two.

I also would like to reassure the author that, although her children are too old to enjoy the simple books they once read together, the future holds the delights of laughing together over The Cat in the Hat with a beloved grandchild. This is one of the pleasures I have recently received with great joy as he said, "Wow. That book was a lot better than I thought it would be." (He managed to hide his lack of interest when Gran forced him to read it. Not bad for a 5 year old.)

Recommended and will be on my Best of 2025 list.

The Lord's Prayer by Romano Guardini

At a time when we feel so many things shaken to their foundations, we have every reason to grope our way back to the very core of the Christian realities wherein the undisturbed omnipotence of the Redemption reigns.

Guardini wrote that in 1932. Here we are almost 100 years later when we too feel foundations are being shaken. This book is timeless and good thing.

This is one of Guardini's glorious short books of meditations where he looks carefully, bit by bit, for the riches of Christ in things we think we already understand. Like the Our Father. In the process, he gives us new ways to look at familiar things while turning our gaze inward to draw us closer to God and outward to look at our fellow man.

Pick up this or his books The Art of Praying, Meditations Before Mass, or The Rosary of Our Lady. Whichever book I'm reading I always think is the best of the bunch. But this might really be the best.

Everyday Saints: Stories of Quiet Courage

Meet Kim, holding divorce papers for her addicted husband while remembering her grandmother’s prayers. Sam, an angry teenager drowning in grief until a teacher sees past his rage. Father Joe, choosing between World Series tickets and a dying stranger’s last rites. Each story stands alone, perfect for brief reading sessions or book club discussions.

Drawing inspiration from Catholic tradition while speaking to universal human experiences, Everyday Saints bridges ancient wisdom and modern struggles. Each story pairs with historical context about its patron saint, making this accessible to readers of any faith or none.

Following up his book Everyday Graces, which I very much enjoyed, comes this slim volume of modern people who make the choice to say yes to love and hope. They inspire with the very ordinariness of the situations. Our chances to extend or receive grace abound in everyday life. This is the key to growing closer to Christ and those he loves (which is everyone, by the way).

I especially enjoyed the direct link to a saint in every story, showing us that holiness is never out of reach. If you never heard of the saint mentioned, good news! The author has brief bios in the back of the book.

I loved these and highly recommend them. They'd make a perfect devotional or stocking stuffer since we're heading toward Christmas. 

Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight

Joy is hard because it is countercultural. Even when you see the word tossed about in society, it is a weak, diluted joy. Joy is transcendent. It is from God. It is Him, peeking from behind the curtain or veil to reach out to us.

I was intrigued when I read an interview with the author on Miller's Book Review. I liked her claim that joy is countercultural. I liked her denial of having "toxic positivity." I liked her linking joy to the fruit of knowing God. So I did what I rarely do. I ordered it without waiting for reward points to show up on Amazon.

It turns out that was the right thing to do because by the time the book arrived, I was going through some things that made me really need looking for joy as an experience of God. I already asked God every morning what sort of an adventure he'd be dishing up for me, something planned especially for me, whether good or bad.

These essays about joy fit right into that part of my prayer life. It hooked me because they didn't just include sunsets (though, of course, sunsets are in there). There's also the joy of a nap, of laundry, of Costco (yep, Costco), of a haircut. Most of all, they all connected to God I gulped them down greedily and then got to the last one about the oft-derided book Pollyanna. I got that and read it too. And found joy in it also.

Undaunted Joy is going into my daily rotation of inspirational books. In fact, I'm going to begin it again now.

Slowly, I learned to see joy not as an indulgence but as a necessity. As a way of life. This didn't happen all at once, but through a slow process over time—one that continues even today.

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

This first ran in 2018 but let's not forget what a great book it is!

A group of eight boys go trick-or-treating on Halloween, only to discover that a ninth friend, Pipkin, has been whisked away on a journey that could determine whether he lives or dies. Through the help of a mysterious character named Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, they pursue their friend across time and space through Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek, and Ancient Roman cultures, Celtic Druidism, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Medieval Paris, and The Day of the Dead in Mexico. — Wikipedia summary

It's funny that in discussing the Pixar movie Coco with friends after having watched it recently, many of them had never heard of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Even those who are proud of their Hispanic heritage came across it first in this movie. Of course, this is because first and foremost they are Americans and Day of the Dead is not really celebrated in most of this country. And also I think that the holiday is mostly celebrated in Mexico so it would depend on country of origin.

Anyway, what made it oddest to me was that even with my purely Anglo and Kansas background, I felt as if I'd known about this holiday forever. Finally I figured out it was because of my love Ray Bradbury's writing and his love of Day of the Dead.

He wrote about it in his love letter to Halloween, The Halloween Tree. This is a great boys' adventure, a spooky tale, a story of sacrificial friendship, and a history lesson about the origins of Halloween. Bradbury leans a bit hard on Christians in this history, but to be fair I think that is how it was being told when he wrote it in 1972. It is definitely written for children but I enjoy rereading it every year so you can read along (or ahead) to enjoy it with the kids.

My own little tribute to the Day of the Dead is here from last year.

Scott Danielson loves this book even more than I do and we discussed it for Halloween 2016 at A Good Story is Hard to Find podcast.

Here's a bit from The Halloween Tree.

For now they knew why the town was empty.

Because the graveyard was full.

By every grave was a woman kneeling to place gardenias or azaleas or marigolds in a frame upon the stone.

By every grave knelt a daughter who was lighting a new candle or lighting a candle that had just blown out.

By every grave was a quiet boy with bright brown eyes, and in one hand a small papier-mâché funeral parade glued to a shingle and in the other a papier-mâché skeleton head which rattled with rice or nuts inside. ...

“Mexican Halloweens are better than ours!”

For on every grave were plates of cookies shaped like funeral priests or skeletons or ghosts, waiting to be nibbled by—living people? or by ghosts that might come along toward dawn, hungry and forlorn? No one knew. No one said. ...

And each boy beside the graveyard, next to his sister and mother, put down the miniature funeral on the grave. And they could see the tiny candy person inside the tiny wooden coffin placed before a tiny altar with tiny candles. ... And on the altar was a photograph of the person in the coffin, a real person once; remembered now.

“Better, and still better,” whispered Ralph. ...

“Oh, strange funny strange,” whispered Tom

“What?” said Ralph at his elbow.

“Up in Illinois, we’ve forgotten what it’s all about. I mean the dead, up in our town, tonight, heck, they’re forgotten. Nobody remembers. Nobody cares. Nobody goes to sit and talk to them. Boy, that’s lonely. That’s really sad. But here—why, shucks. It’s both happy and sad. It’s all firecrackers and skeleton toys down here in the plaza and up in that graveyard now are all the Mexican dead folks with the families visiting and flowers and candles and singing and candy. I mean it’s almost like Thanksgiving, huh? And everyone set down to dinner, but only half the people able to eat, but that’s no mind, they’re there. It’s like holding hands at a séance with your friends, but some of the friends gone. ...”