Sunday, January 02, 2011

Quick Reviews: Books Worth Reading -- 2010

Starting with just a couple, and I'll keep adding to this series of posts:

I received a review copy of Catholic Controversies, by Stephen Gabriel. This is an impressive collection of essays. Atticus and I have both been reading it; we find ourselves pointing out interesting and illuminating bits to one another. A variety of authors address difficult and commonly misunderstood doctrines of the Catholic Church. Evolution, Galileo, the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, women and the Church, natural law, stem cell research -- solid,fascinating, readable apologetics on these topics and many more. I'll be using this one with my daughters.

Walking Together : Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual Friendship, by Mary DeTurris Poust, was a Christmas present from Atticus. I read it yesterday and found it so touching and encouraging. If Mary DeTurris Poust did not have such a clear personal understanding of what a spiritual friendship is, she may not have been able to write such a lovely book about it. Interweaving accounts of saintly friendships with her own experiences (including a lovely tribute to her mother, who was also her dear friend), DeTurris Poust has written an uplifting book that will lead you -- if you don't already have such cherished soulmates -- to seek out what she describes. Though Mary and I have connected briefly online professionally, Walking Together made me want to invite her over for coffee and get to know her much, much better.

2 comments:

Mary DeTurris Poust said...

Karen,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Funny thing is, I was planning a 2011 book post for OSV and your book was going to be on the list. Now it will look like payback. ;-) Your review really made my day.
Peace,
Mary

Karen Edmisten said...

Oh, Mary, that's funny!

Spiritual friendship is a topic dear to my heart and your book really does it justice. It's beautiful.

I forgot to mention in the review that your description of your mother's death had me in tears. I pray that I can be such a mother to my girls. May your mother's soul rest in peace.