Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!! I’m joining with Carolyn Astfalk and Catholic Mom for An Open Book. My new book, Julia’s Gifts, is for sale on Kindle for only .99!! (USA only! Sorry!)
Here’s what I’ve been reading:
Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men by Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Synopsis: In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod. In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world.
The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment―confirmed by computer models―that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king.
The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.
Review: Excellent book. See my extensive review here at this link.
Great Turtle Island by Deirdre Berardi
Synopsis: Aurora Manchester has the best of all worlds. Born in the big city of Manhattan, she and her family move from New York to northern Michigan, where her father, an English professor and show business biographer, teaches at a college on a breathtaking island on Lake Huron. Her mother is a ballet teacher, much loved by her students, whom she equally adores. On the island, the three Manchester kids make friends with the grandchildren of neighbours who live nearby. In their adventures, an old barn becomes the starship Enterprise. The field down the road becomes a graveyard. They go hiking and explore caves. As they grow up, Aurora and her brothers make lifelong friendships and have lots of fun along the way… until the tragic day when their whole world falls apart.
My review: This book was written by a friend of mine and I’m looking forward to reading it!
Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles
Synopsis: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The extraordinary saga of Mother Angelica–who passed away on Easter, 2016–founder of the multimillion-dollar Eternal Word Television Network and “the most influential Catholic woman in America” according to Time magazine
My review: I got this for .99 last week and I’m really enjoying it so far. Mother Angelica certainly has always been a fiesty spirit!
Amazon Synopsis: Cinder Allia has spent eight years living under her stepmother’s brutal thumb, wrongly punished for having caused her mother’s death. She lives for the day when the prince will grant her justice; but her fairy godmother shatters her hope with the news that the prince has died in battle. Allia escapes in search of her own happy ending, but her journey draws her into the turbulent waters of war and politics in a kingdom where the prince’s death has left chaos and division. Cinder Allia turns a traditional fairy tale upside down and weaves it into an epic filled with espionage, treason, magic, and romance. What happens when the damsel in distress must save not only herself, but her kingdom? What price is she willing to pay for justice? And can a woman who has lost her prince ever find true love? Surrounded by a cast that includes gallant knights, turncoat revolutionaries, a crippled prince who lives in hiding, a priest who is also a spy, and the man whose love Allia longs for most—her father—Cinder Allia is an unforgettable story about hope, courage, and the healing power of pain.
My Review: This is not the type of novel I usually read, but it was .99 on Kindle. Well-written, enjoyable and rich in imagery, this Cinderella story has unique and unexpected twists and interesting, multi-dimensional characters. Highly recommend!
Christmas and Advent With Fulton Sheen
Synopsis: Beginning with the first day of Advent and continuing through the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, these selections from the immortal pen of Fulton J. Sheen encourage readers to explore the essence and promise of the season. Those looking to grow in their prayer life and become more attuned to the joy of Advent and Christmas will find a wonderful guide in this spiritual companion.
My review: This is one of the books I read every Advent/Christmas. Beautiful meditations and quotes from Fulton Sheen.
Plot Line and Sinker (Ellen Gable, Author) 
I should look into the Fulton Sheen book. I’m hearing about him all over the place but am unfamiliar with his work.
I, too, want to read some Fulton Sheen, esp. Three to Get Married, but this Advent/Christmas book looks good too. My son brought home an article (maybe a transcript of his TV program) from a school club, and I enjoy his style.
I’m also interested in the book about the Magi; Cinder Alia is waiting on my Kindle; and I really enjoyed the Mother Angelica book when it first came out. 99 cent is a steal compared to what I probably paid for hardcover at the time!
Thanks for linking up!
I love that Mother Angelica book. I need to get the sequel.
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