June Book Log

Seven books read this month!!! I was pretty excited about two of them because they were books by a couple of my favorite bloggers. :)

Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter 
edited by Hallie Lord
Hallie Lord writes over at Moxie Wife and was one of the first bloggers that was recommended to me when I joined the Church. They were right and I have loved reading Hallie's blog. When I heard she had a book where she'd asked some prominent women in the Church to write a chapter about being a Catholic woman today and what it means, I figured it'd be a good investment. It really was. Ten authors wrote a chapter each on topics ranging from marriage, a sense of self, children, work, being single, and embracing art & technology. I really loved the chapters by Jennifer Fulwiler (surprised?), Hallie Lord, Simcha Fisher, and Barbara Nicolisi. A fabulous read for a boost of faith.


He Leadeth Me 
by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek
It took me a while to read this book. It is a fascinating book about Fr. Walter's time in Russia where he'd originally gone to be a priest before World War II. Truly a dangerous time to be a religious leader in Communist Russia, Fr. Walter was soon picked up and put in solitary confinement for four years and then to a work camp in Siberia for 24 more years. Throughout all of his trials and tribulations, he faithfully stays true to his vocation and tries to minister as he can in Russia. I think this will end up being a book I will need to re-read to really get all that he says in this book.


The Mortal Instruments: 
Book One--City of Bones
Book Two--City of Ashes
Book Three--City of Glass
by Cassandra Clare
Elisabeth got these books for Christmas last year and has been telling me how much I would love them but that I would find them addicting (she knows her mother well). She was right and I read the first three books (out of 6!!) in basically one weekend. Thankfully, she doesn't own the other three books, so I can take a break and join the real world again. Clare is a great story teller and I was captivated by her characters. The story revolves around Clary and Jace, two star crossed teenagers who, through some real "can't put this book down, fend for yourselves children!" plot twists find themselves in love with each other when it is impossible to be so. Throw in the fact that they are Shadowhunters--keeping the human world safe from demons and the Underworlders--and these books are great summer reads. I plan on investing my time in reading the other three before school starts up again, but if you love Young Adult literature, I'd recommend this series.


The Leaves are Falling
by Lucy Beckett
I gave a much longer review at my other blog Mea Cuppa about Beckett's book, but I will say that I do recommend this book. It was so good. A historic novel, the story revolves around a young boy who is a Polish Jew hiding from both Germany and Russia during WWII. He becomes a refugee in England after the war and we follow his struggle to come to grips with the fact that he has lost everything--family, country, sense of self--and that he must rebuild. Heart wrenching, thought provoking, and beautifully written, I recommend this book to any WWII history buffs or those interested in a great historic novel.


Now I See You
by Nicole C. Kear
I had been impatiently waiting for this book to arrive on my doorstep for weeks!!! Nicole Kear is a blogger and writer that I have been following for years over at A Mom Amok. Her memoir about her degenerative eye disease has gotten a lot of good reviews because it is truly fantastic! Kear has a very honest, witty voice and it has flawlessly transitioned from blog to book form. I was laughing out loud in a way I haven't at a book in a long time, crying as she beautifully describes her deepest fears about losing her sight, and was reading snippets out loud to Evan because I HAD to share what I was reading. I loved this book!

Total for the year is 34 books! Not too shabby for a goal of 60 books. Let me know what you're reading so I can add it to my 1,000 mile long to-read agenda!!!