Reading Catholic

Reading Catholic and catholic

Nancy Piccione

Twitterature, December 2013: Jane Austen Birthday Edition

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Linking up with Anne Bogel at Modern Mrs. Darcy for her monthly round-up of quick reviews.  I enjoy doing this and sharing great current reads, and seeing what others are reading.  This month, since Twitterature falls on Jane Austen’s birthday (I’m writing this the day before, and wondering if Modern Mrs. Darcy will also have an Austen-themed Twitterature?), I thought I would share all Jane-inspired reading.  Coincidentally, many Austen and Jane-inspired books have been in my reading queue in recent months. This month I’m sharing three favorites.

I also realize that planning needs to get underway stat for  the annual tea party that my girls & I host each year in January.  Here’s where I wrote about last year’s gathering, and some fun gift-type items for Austen-lovers. 

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I always have a Jane Austen novel going, and it’s easy to pick it up because I have all the novels downloaded to my Kindle App.  Currently, I’m reading (and loving, of course) Persuasion.

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As I told my book group when we read Emma earlier this year, this is the first time I read Emma from the perspective of Emma’s dead mother.  I hope that doesn’t seem too maudlin or macabre.  It’s just. . .  interesting.  I am also reading Persuasion from the perspective of Anne Elliot’s  dead mother, and so wishing she could have been there for Anne.

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I have just begun Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay , and I SO DEARLY LOVE IT I MUST WRITE IN ALL CAPS SO YOU KNOW.   All things I love in fun fiction: Jane Austen-theme? check.  Epistolary novel?  Check.  A retelling of the beloved Jean Webster’s Daddy Long-Legs? Yes!  Even more icing on the cake: the main character applies to the graduate journalism program at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, my alma mater.

I would write, “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire this book.” But I already did that when I reviewed Deborah Yaffe’s Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom. 

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As I wrote back in September’s Twitterature,

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire this literary “memoir” of sorts.  Deborah Yaffe is a kindred spirit to me, similar in age, temperament, and obsession about Jane Austen before Jane was cool. She’s convinced me to do what my husband has long encouraged: join JASNA and attend a convention. #JaneAustenForever

Now I am happy, having written about and thought about Jane Austen and some of my favorite things today. I needed that little boost of happiness in a big way.

What are you reading this month? Whatever it is, I hope it’s making you happy, too.

Worth a Listen: 10 Life Hacks You Need for Christmas

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I guess I am getting a little far afield of the original intent of Worth a Listen, but I have to say this video was actually pretty useful, especially for the “festive pancake” idea and the paper as envelope, and the cookie-decorating idea.

I had not heard of  The King of Random before, but I subscribed to his YouTube channel.  I wish there was a website listing all the tips, because I can read those tips faster than I can watch a five-minute video.  But still worthwhile.

Do you have any interesting Christmas videos? Share away!

Meet a Reader: Sister Veronica Morris, OSF

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Here is the December featured “Reader” that appears in the most recent print edition of  The Catholic Post. I’ve known Sister Veronica for a long time, and I so appreciate both the chance to hear about the books she loves and her willingness to be featured here.  Thank you, Sister!

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How you know me:

 I am a member of The Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis in East Peoria. Our Apostolate is healthcare. We sponsor OSF Healthcare. You may have seen me at the hospital, The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, or at one of the local parishes.

Why I love reading:

 For me, reading is both educational and enjoyable. I love to pick up a book and learn something new; whether that be a subject completely unknown to me or something that I know a little about, but want to dig deeper into. I also love to read because it has a way of expanding my worldview, and challenging my thoughts and feelings about a particular subject or person. I inherited my love of reading from my mom. We both have a tendency to have multiple books started at any given time.

What I’m reading now: 

Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality by Raymond Arroyo. I just started reading it but I just love the practical, no-nonsense advice she gives on deepening your spiritual life. I have also read Arroyo’s biography of her, Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles. Both books are absolutely worth the read and I highly recommend them.

2.   Pope John Paul Speaks to Religious 1981-1982, Book II by Pope John Paul II
Absolutely beautiful transcripts of Blessed John Paul II’s talks to religious when visiting near and far. He had such a beautiful way of affirming religious, and at the same time calling us to authentic renewal. It is just as relevant and powerful today as when he spoke those words.

My favorite book:

The Way of Divine Love by Sister Josefa Menendez. This book is her spiritual diary; it’s the story of an amazing soul through whom the Lord chose to communicate His love to the world. I really don’t have many words to explain why it is my favorite, but I do know that it is one that I will read over and over.

Ideas for Christmas Gift Books to Inspire and Entertain

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Following is my December column that appears in this weekend’s print edition of  The Catholic Post. I invite your feedback.

As I wrote in last month’s column, recommending books for gifts at Christmas—or any season—can be tricky. And yet books can be a great source of not just enjoyment and encouragement, but growth in discipleship and evangelization.

Well-designed and well-written books can foster or strengthen the “bridge of trust” that can lead to curiosity and beyond, planting seeds for future spiritual growth.

With that in mind, I’ve tried to select books that would appeal to a wide range of readers, especially those at a beginning level of trust or curiosity. .

Last month I shared books that would be good for younger readers, as well as some family books. This month, I share books for adults. Consider these a starting-off point if you are considering a gift book this Christmas.  You might also consider visiting my previous Christmas book lists (here and here and here and here  and here for other suggestions, or just search “Christmas” in the search box at the top of each page here); and be sure to visit your local Catholic bookstore for more ideas.

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*The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Solider and Korean War Hero by Roy Wenzl and Travel Heying. The title and subtitle of this book says it all; highly, highly recommended. Reading about Father Kapaun’s very natural, masculine and heroic Christian faith will make wonder why he hasn’t been canonized already. There’s already a growing awareness of his heroism—earlier this year he was posthumously award the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest honor.

The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War,” and I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this war and the heroic men who served there. This book would be of interest to Korean War veterans and their loved ones to give perspective and perhaps foster discussion. But it’s a great read for anyone interested in how ordinary people rise to the challenge in wartime, and the need to honor and remember them.

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*When Faith Feels Fragile: Help for the Wary, Weak and Wandering by Fr. R. Scott Hurd. I love the organization of this book, a series of short reflections/chapters in three areas: “All about Faith,” “Churchy Things to Do,” and “Practical Things to Do.”

But this book is not just for the “wary, the weak and wandering,” though that could describe all of us from time to time. It’s great for anyone who needs a boost of healthy, interesting meditations to renew faith and spiritual life.

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*Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan. I claim this as a “Catholic memoir” despite the fact that it’s a comedy book. That’s because Gaffigan is an unapologetic Catholic and father of five, and writes about faith and family in a gentle and mostly family friendly way (though he writes of hating that term, it fits… in a good way). Gaffigan is a worthy successor to Bill Cosby—he just needs his own sitcom. Read this book for some great laughs for moms, dads, young adults and teens for a reminder that Catholics can laugh with the best of them.

“Daybooks”—simple books with daily quotes and action ideas—can make great gifts. Two newer ones stand out:

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*Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray and Act by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss offers, from two well-known mother-authors, a way for moms to balance “action and contemplation in everyday life.” Each entry of this daybook offers a (often seasonal) Scripture verse or quote from a saint, a prayer for moms and a suggested action.

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*Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration by Melanie Rigney is a nicely designed daybook of female saints from the familiar to the obscure. It can be edifying to spend a few minutes each day learning about these holy women not just as holy women, but as real people with challenges.

Worth a Listen: The Advent Conspiracy

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This is slightly off-center to the original intent of Worth a Listen, but a worthy digression, don’t you agree?

This is an oldie but goodie from 2008.  I remember it being “viral” among friends and family when it first came out.  Definitely worth watching and pondering as we continue our simple Advent of service.

How is your Advent going so far? I have to confess I’m glad Advent is full of feasts, because we are ready for one in just a few days–St. Nicholas is Friday!

A Simple Advent

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In the Keeping it Real department, I’m posting this photo of my physical Advent preparations thus far:

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On the dry-erase board just outside our kitchen, I posted this question earlier this week seeking ideas from my family about things we might do for Advent.

Sometimes, this dry-erase board works, but clearly sometimes it does not.

In case you are not a LOTR aficionado, and even if you are, what’s written below my question is the beginning of the alphabet written in Elvish.  Yes, someone has decided to teach herself Elvish.  Perhaps that’s what we could do for Advent?  I’m not sure.

However, I will say that while this constitutes the extent of my physical preparations so far, with just a few hours to go until Advent,  I have, in my defense, been pondering ways to keep this Advent simple.  Interior preparations have been percolating for some weeks.

When my children were small, the kids and I dearly loved The Donut Man.  We loved his television show that aired on EWTN, and I bought all the CDs, which we listened to over and over again; it’s one of the few CD series that I really didn’t mind having to listen to all.the.time.  I can’t recall all the songs we loved, but one song comes to mind.  (and why is it not on YouTube as a lyric video?)  It is: “No Room at the Inn,” and the lines that always got to me were, “No room at the inn, no room at the inn, but you will find room in my heart, dear Jesus.”  So along with “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “No Room at the Inn” is one of my Advent songs.

This year, what keeps coming up in prayer and in thought about Advent are two words: simple and service.  Rather than give things up, or work hard on getting the house ready for Christmas,  I believe I am called to be available to others, both in my family and outside it.

Here are some things from around the web I have found helpful in the past few days as my ideas for a simple Advent of service have taken shape:

“A Stress-Free Advent” from Like Mother, Like Daughter.  Take away:  “Nothing is more important right now than preparing our own heart and the hearts of those entrusted to us for the incredible gift of Christmas.”

Revisiting Bonnie Engstrom’s Advent Series at A Knotted Life.  I wrote the guest post called “Go with Your Strengths”  last year and it made me feel good again to see my own advice.  So the books will come out, and we will read them.  I also hope to get a chance to watch Bonnie’s new and charming video on Advent–she’s really telegenic, and I so enjoyed getting to watch her on All Saints traditions.

Advent by my friend Heather at the Behold website.  I love  the  ideas for making this season simple.  How could I have forgotten the St. Andrew Novena?  Normally a Facebook friend who is Scottish reminds us all about the novena, but I didn’t see this, so I was glad to have the reminder from Heather.  Here is that prayer, meant to be said 15 times per day starting today and going through Christmas eve:

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

Preparing at I Wonder Why.  The shrinky dink ornaments are a big hit at our house, and I need to plan to get these out.  Also, one of these years (but not this year) our family may be ready to do the St. Philip’s fast, especially considering my husband’s interest in Eastern Catholic traditions.

I just saw this post by Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic: Go Negative This Advent.  Yes.

In the spirit of going with my strengths, I submit a few recent releases that could be helpful to those looking for some Advent inspiration:

Unknown-2The Advent of Christ: Scripture Reflections to Prepare for Christmas by Edward Sri, the  popular author and professor.  In this volume, there is a simple yet substantial reflection for each day of Advent and the Christmas season.

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Advent and Christmas Wisdom from St. Augustine by Agnes Cunningham, SSCM.  Liguori has many books in this series based on the writings of various saints for both Advent and Lent.  Well-produced and edifying work.

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Advent with St. Francis: Daily Reflections by Diane M. Houdek. St. Francis is long associated with Advent and Christmas; lots of good stuff here.

What are you doing/not doing this Advent?