It’s another World Book Day! There can’t be too many days set aside for reading a good book. Or a new book, an old book,, a tattered, dogeared book.
Continue readingCelebrate World Book Day!
book recs
Check in for Lent
Lent has snuck up on us again this year. It is quite early with Easter happening the first weekend in April. I just finished listening to Fr. James Martin’s Ash Wednesday podcast, and it reminded me of many of the things that I want to do to make my Lent intentional. As with the last few years, I am not giving anything specific up. I am going to continue to be intentional in what I am taking in whether that is food, candy, drink, or media. I want to put more thought into the things I’m doing, saying, and bringing into my life.
This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, and Pope Leo has declared this to be a Jubilee Year in his honor from January 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027. There are all kinds of ways to earn plenary indulgences and what not, but that’s for someone else.
Another exciting event this year is that it is the 350th anniversary of St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s baptism. This happened right here in New York state, and the shrine in Fonda will be celebrating. One way is by having mass on Easter Sunday, which is her baptismal anniversary to the day.
Some of my other Lenten Intentions include:
Continue readingInternational Book Giving Day
Here is a very simple list of my Top 5 books to give, to read, to re-read.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Book Giving Day!
- The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad (one of my current reads!)
- Armand Gamache Series of Books by Louise Penny
- Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman
- Come Forth by James Martin, SJ (next on my reading list!)
- The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
Also check out Richard Osman’s and Bernard Cornwell’s books! All excellent.
Happy Reading!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
I wanted to begin by acknowledging that I write this (and most of my writing) from the traditional, unceded land of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, primarily the Kanien’keha:ka or Mohawk people.
I have always been a student of history with a deep interest in New York and Native Iroquois since childhood and have a deeper appreciation and understanding through my research for my book about St. Kateri. It is with that basis and love that I share some resources, for reading, for music, for traveling for some of the indigenous spaces in upstate New York and southern Canada.
(c)2025
Picture heavy below the cut.
Continue readingWorld Book Lovers Day
StandardI’m having surgery next week. This is the list of books added to my Kindle for Recovery Reading:
- The Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England by Brock Clark
- 100 Places to See After You Die by Ken Jennings
- War by Bob Woodward
- Lieutenant Nun: The True Story of a Cross-Dressing, Transatlantic Adventurer who Escaped from a Spanish Convent in 1599 and Lived as a Man – Gambling, Duels, and Leading Soldiers into Battle by Catalina De Erauso
- Black Elk: The Life of an American Visionary by Joe Jackson
- How We Learn to Be Brave by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
- The Jesuit Relations: Natives and Missionaries in Seventeenth-Century North America Edited by Allan Greer
As a bonus treat, I discovered this in my emails, and plan to visit the next time I am in Montreal:
Cafe Three Pines – Inspired by the bistro in Penny’s Three Pines novels, their cafe is a haven for book lovers, croissant seekers, and anyone in need of a quiet moment. They can be found at 51 Chemin Lakeside, Knowlton Quebec J0E 1V0 and on Instagram! They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
World Book Day
On this World Book Day, I have three that I want to highly recommend to you:
- The Writer: A Thriller by J.D. Barker and James Patterson
This is not generally a book that I would gravitate towards. I don’t know if someone mentioned it to me or if I saw it online. As a writer, I was drawn to the title, although put off by the idea of a thriller – those aren’t really my thing, but I read this, and despite the cliché on the cover – you’ll never forget the ending – I read it, twisted and turned along with the characters, and the ending, well, let’s just say I will never forget it. In fact, I had to read the last two pages twice – it was that unexpected! - The Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
I was drawn to this by the talented Georgia Tennant who narrates the audiobook. I listened to a sample, and I was hooked on the story! I have just begun reading it and will eventually listen to the audio version. What happens when serial killers get married and have a child? This is your answer. Brilliant concept, very engaging, and I anticipate fun. - The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
I read this when it came out last fall, and I am now listening to the audiobook narrated by Jean Brassard. I love his voice, and he really brings out the Quebecois culture and accent which is a large part of the Armand Gamache series. Read the first eighteen books first if you can – this newest book has several call backs and old favorites who return. The next book, The Black Wolf, comes out in October of this year.
What three books would you receommend for this World Book Day?
International Women’s Day – 2
Book Recs
- Something Lost, Something Gained: reflections on life, love, and liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It by Janina Ramirez
- susan, linda, nina, & cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR by Lisa Napoli
- Song in a Weary Heart by Pauli Murray
- Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America by Dahlia Lithwick
- Lessons from the Edge: A Memoir by Marie Yovanovitch
- Set the world on Fire: A 4- Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church by Vinita Hampton Wright
- The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear by Kate Moore
- Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America by Stephanie Battaglino
- Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back by Jackie Speier
World Book Day
Standard5 Book Recs for World Book Day
- The Armand Gamache Series by Louise Penny
- How We Learn to Be Brave by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
- A Lily Among Thorns: A Mohawk Repatriation of St. Kateri Tekakwi:tha by Darren Bonaparte
- Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson
- Patriot by Alexi Navalny
Plus a Bonus Book
Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It by Janina Ramirez
Elmira, NY
(c)2025
Review: The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
And Other Book Recs for the New Year
My initial thoughts on The Grey Wolf – some spoilers
Continue readingGender Queer: A Review
After all the Republican outrage over banning books, I thought it was time to read one of the more “controversial” ones for myself. I already knew from previous experience that once these book banners got it into their heads that a book was “inappropriate”, there is usually no going back for them. One thing that I’m proud about myself is that I’m willing to make mistakes and apologize for them, and even, heavens to Betsy, change my mind as I grow and evolve. That doesn’t seem to be the case for the immediate future.
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