Category: Reading Challenge

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5 down, 20 to go

I’m still reading ahead of what I’m posting, but I’m excited to say that I am going strong in my personal challenge to read 25 books for pleasure this year. It’s a huge number for me because I do a lot of reading for work.

brewThe Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Home-Brewed Evangelization by Sarah Vabulas could fit into several categories, but I’m going with history because frankly it’s the historical snippets and trivia in the book that tickled me. I’m not likely to be a brewer, but I do drink an occasional beer. I’ve enjoyed reading about the history of brewing, and over all, the history of alcohol as it relates to the Catholic faith.

But it’s more than a history book. Vabulas weaves personal stories of evangelization through stories on the lives of saints and holy people, breweries, information on varieties of alcoholic beverages, and a collection of recipes that both instructs and entertains. She’s like the neighborhood bartender — mixes a great drink for you, serves it beautifully, and then leans on the bar with a smile and an open heart to engage, really engage, in conversations about faith, inspiration, and the Gospel. 

Vabs’ casual style and quick wit comes through right out of the gate:

Thomas Merton wrote in the Contemplation in a World of Action, “I drink beer whenever I can lay my hands on any. I love beer, and, by that very fact, the world.” I’m not sure if he loved the world before or after a beer or just because beer exists, but he’s on the right track.

 

You’ll want to read this book, and then impress your friends with your amazing knowledge next time you’re out for beers. Or wine. Or you know what, just having good friendly conversation over any beverage.

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4 down, 21 to go

The Book Challenge Returns

 

I’ve actually read about 8 or 9 more books since I last posted this series in February, but time got away from me, and other lame excuses. If you’ll bear with me, I’ll try to catch up on the books I’ve read (and keep reading on my goal to finish 25 books this year that aren’t related to my work).

I explain the personal challenge here, but in a nutshell, I’ve challenged myself to read a variety of books this year, and post my reviews. So here goes with book #4.

 

Madeline L’Engle {Herself}

compiled by Carole F. Chase

 

Madeline L'EngleI loved this book. It’s a collection of snippets from Madeline L’Engle’s workshops and advice to writers. I didn’t read it in one sitting. Instead, I endeavored to read one passage at a time and reflect on her advice. It was too good, though, and I’d find that I had read 5 or 6 entries before realizing that my intent was to savor the book. Silly me. It’s just so rich, and speaks so very perfectly to my writer’s heart.

She offers the following advice about getting started, and I find I suffer from the same experience:

The hardest part is the first three sentences. Sitting down with pen and paper and just getting those first three sentences out. I sometimes have to write my way into something knowing that that first paragraph is just preliminary, but I have to write myself in. It’s like being in a cold lake and sometimes you have to go in toe by toe. Some of you can plunge in, but not always; you have to write your way into it. And then you’re swimming.

 

 

 

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3 down, 22 to go

I just finished the third book in my ambitious plan to read 25 books this year (for pleasure — I have other reading to do, too). I think it might have fit into several categories, but I’m going to go with music. For obvious reasons.

symphony

I haven’t felt so personally drawn into a book in a long time, and I regret that it has taken me over a decade to discover The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany. Martin Goldsmith’s account of his parents’ love story, intertwined as it was with the increasing dangers of the Nazi regime in Germany, and the beautiful expression of joy through music captured my heart.

Goldsmith tells his family’s story — a love story. A story of betrayal. Of sacrifice. Of humanity — with the inhumane backdrop of the Holocaust. The looming specter of death is ever-present, except in those places touched by music.

The title, the Inextinguishable Symphony, captures the heart of the story, and the heart of the lovers whose lives are unquestionably, a symphony.

 

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