Your words about limits ring true for me. I admit I don't like my limitations, but I'm learning to consider how they might be good for me - likely even God's plan to lead me to holiness (and I've a long way to go).
I'm reading This Is Happiness right now, though I've only recently started. I read Time of the Child around Christmas last year and decided I needed to read more Niall Williams. It helped that I found some profound quotes in it. Have you read Time of the Child?
Contemporary fiction recommendations:
almost anything by Michael D. O'Brien (especially Island of the World or Father Elijah)
Works of Mercy by Sally Thomas
Katherine Reay writes some fun things - I especially liked The Bronte Plot (many of her titles have names from Jane Austen books) and The Printed Letter Bookshop. Her books are clean and intelligent.
I also have enjoyed some of Patti Callahan Henry's books.
For memoir, anything at all by Heather King (she is a Catholic convert and is on Substack). I haven't read all of her books, but I haven't been disappointed in anything of hers either. Her most recent book is Consumed: The Joys, Sorrows and Debacles of a Life Ordered to Art.
Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Caroline Weber is excellent and I highly recommend it. (There's also a movie, but I haven't seen it yet.)
“And of course, the beautiful friendship between Frodo and Sam, and the love they share for the community of the Shire, is the only reason the Ring makes it to Mount Doom in the first place. In short, good friendships and good communities save worlds and defeat evil.”
Love these thoughts. My husband is reading through the series with my eldest two right now, also in The Two Towers. And we have a child whose namesake is of Middle Earth. These stories are precious to me!
Thanks so much for including my piece and adding your kind words. I’m glad it was helpful to you.
A blessed Good Friday to you and your family, Elise.
Your words about limits ring true for me. I admit I don't like my limitations, but I'm learning to consider how they might be good for me - likely even God's plan to lead me to holiness (and I've a long way to go).
I'm reading This Is Happiness right now, though I've only recently started. I read Time of the Child around Christmas last year and decided I needed to read more Niall Williams. It helped that I found some profound quotes in it. Have you read Time of the Child?
Contemporary fiction recommendations:
almost anything by Michael D. O'Brien (especially Island of the World or Father Elijah)
Works of Mercy by Sally Thomas
Katherine Reay writes some fun things - I especially liked The Bronte Plot (many of her titles have names from Jane Austen books) and The Printed Letter Bookshop. Her books are clean and intelligent.
I also have enjoyed some of Patti Callahan Henry's books.
For memoir, anything at all by Heather King (she is a Catholic convert and is on Substack). I haven't read all of her books, but I haven't been disappointed in anything of hers either. Her most recent book is Consumed: The Joys, Sorrows and Debacles of a Life Ordered to Art.
Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Caroline Weber is excellent and I highly recommend it. (There's also a movie, but I haven't seen it yet.)
“And of course, the beautiful friendship between Frodo and Sam, and the love they share for the community of the Shire, is the only reason the Ring makes it to Mount Doom in the first place. In short, good friendships and good communities save worlds and defeat evil.”
Love these thoughts. My husband is reading through the series with my eldest two right now, also in The Two Towers. And we have a child whose namesake is of Middle Earth. These stories are precious to me!
Thanks so much for including my piece and adding your kind words. I’m glad it was helpful to you.
A blessed Good Friday to you and your family, Elise.
Really nice post. Your writing has always been good, and I think it's getting better. Blessed Triduum to you, Andrew, and the kids.