I was pleased with this book. A lot of books about mental health problems such as depression either go too far into New Age-y things, or pit medicine against non-medicine. This book covers a wide range of topics related to depression, such as what it is, how to cope, self-care, and so on.

As someone with depression, it was a breath of fresh air to read a book about depression written by someone with depression. Depression looks a lot different from the inside than on the outside looking in. I found myself relating to many of the stories throughout the book, that alone is comforting.

The book also has tips and suggested prayers for people who suffer with depression as well as for friends and family members of a depressed person. I love that it had a list of things to say/not to say to a depressed person.

A firm Catholic undercurrent is all throughout this book, yet I believe even non-Catholics could find great solace and information. It’s a quick read, in simple and non-overwhelming English – a need for someone who is suffering.

Overall, a wonderful book for anyone with depression and especially for those who love and support someone with it.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach . The Catholic Company has great gift ideas for all seasons of the liturgical year, be sure to check out their Advent selection and Catholic Christmas Gifts.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, non-biased review. 

The Catholic blogosphere has been abuzz with the release of Style, Sex, and Substance – a collection of essays by Catholic women bloggers such as Jennifer Fulwiler, Danielle Bean, and Karen Edmisten. Edited by Hallie Lord, the essays range in topic from friendship, singlehood, and yes; even sex.

There’s a lot to be said about this book.

First, at the end of each essay are questions for reflection. These questions really help me think deeper about what each essay contained, to chew on them and apply them to my life. Almost like mini-lectio divina. They’re great questions that can be discussed with friends, family, your spouse, your book club, the mailman, anyone.

Second, each essay was a good length – not too long but not too short. They’re a good length for reading in the bathtub or just a chapter each night before you go to bed. Or as you start in the morning.

Third, there is a lot of inspiration to be found, if you’re open to it. I hate to say that this book makes me want to be a “better Catholic” because that’s not the point of the book at all. I suppose it may be more accurate to say that this book makes me want to really look deep and talk hard with God and figure out what is working and what isn’t, what is keeping me from being closer to Him and what is helping me stay close to Him. I don’t want to be anyone’s idea of a “better Catholic”, but rather; the ideal that God created me to be – that’s who I want to be, and this book is fantastic for providing that “shot in the arm” that sometimes is needed. Okay, that is needed a lot of the time for me.

Go forth, read, and be blessed.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Style, Sex, and Substance. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts. In exchange for my honest review, I was provided a copy of the book which I’m already reading again.

This book is one I enjoyed. Aimed at the younger crowd, Elise (who turns four in August) and curled up and read this book. And then read it again. And again. And again.

One of the things I enjoy about this book is the format. Based on the fruits of the Holy Spirit, each fruit is presented in a simple structure that’s repeated for the entire book:

• Situation
• What should I do?
• Answer with explanation

Elise and I went through each page, I read to her the situation (such as whether to stay up late worrying about a lost cat OR to go to sleep and trust God to be in control, regardless of what happens to the cat) and let her decide what would “make God smile.” After that, we would talk about her answer (yes, no, I don’t know) and brainstorm ways to apply the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life, as well as look for situations that let her make God smile by making the right choice.

The illustrations are really excellent – kid-friendly but not overly saccharine. They also helped Elise “get” some of the situations, such as the situation with the lost cat and being worried. She didn’t get lost in the language and the explanations are short and sweet.

My favorite part was the end, which in one sentence sums up the unconditional love of God and then showed the motivation for WHY we strive to make good choices and grow in holiness.

Overall, a well-written, well-illustrated children’s book. I know we’ll be reading it over and over (and over and over).

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Shine: Choices to Make God Smile. They are also a great source for a baptism gifts or first communion gifts. I received a copy of the book at no cost in exchange for my honest review of the book.

One of the phrases I’ve heard as a Catholic is the “New Evangelization”. It’s phrase that doesn’t always have a clear explanation attached with it. What is the New Evangelization? How does one go about implementing it?

The book, The Evangelization Equation: The Who, What, and How by Father James Wehner sets out to explain just what the New Evangelization is (and is not). Father begins by discussing the culture (the Who from the title) and how it’s driven by two ideas: modernism and post-modernism. What I know about modernism and post-modernism is what I experienced daily in college, so I appreciated Father’s clear but erudite discussion about them. Once we understand what is shaping our culture, we can understand how we fit into that culture as Catholic Christians. While I’ve (often) lamented the lack of catechesis as a reason for less than stellar understanding of Catholicism by Catholics, I’ve never once stopped to think “what is the culture doing? How are we all being influenced by the culture? How can we influence culture?” I have now, and it’s been quite eye-opening for me (but has helped me be more charitable towards people who are deeply entrenched in the culture – I can see where they’re coming from a bit easier).

The second part of the book deals with what the title suggest: the Who, What, and How of the New Evangelization. What of course is WHAT are doing in terms of evangelizing? What are we telling people? What do people need to know? What is the Church’s entire point of existence? My favorite part of the book – the How – didn’t dole out a nice, neat formula or prayer for evangelization. Rather, it woke me up to the realization that all that small stuff I do in my life (at least, small stuff to me) is actually evangelization. Greg and I evangelize our kids when we all go to Mass each week, or to Confession. Or when we make a weekday visit to Church. Evangelization occurs by being friendly to someone who is really testing your patience. There are several stories included of people involved in the New Evangelization. Each story illustrates a principle that Father considers essential to the New Evangelization.

I will need to re-read this book because there is so much information contained in it. But even in my first reading, I gathered a lot of “a-ha” moments and ideas to ponder over and discuss with Greg.

Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Evangelization Equation. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts about it.

In all honesty, I initially passed over this book when it was up for review. I was interested, but not TOTALLY interested. However, I decided to review the book; because I remember reading Julie Davis’ blog B.C. (before children) and enjoyed it a lot.

I’m quite glad I did. My biggest hurdle that I had set up was “would I even recognize the quotes she’s using?”. We don’t have a TV, we don’t have a newspaper, so I am out of the loop on a lot of things. And yes, some quotes I just scratched my head over. But there was enough that I didn’t feel like I had just come up from under a rather large rock.

Mrs. Davis takes quotes from everyday culture and offers a brief reflection on that quote. And I don’t mean some sort of ethereal “floating with the angels” kind of reflections, just a good old “let’s unpack this quote in our day and age and see how this applies to us as Catholics.” Some reflections are on housework, suffering, dogs, and even rest.

The book is whimsical and serious, heavy and light at the same time. I read it in about … 48 hours, which is absolutely incredible given the fact I have a very curious almost 3 year old and an almost bipedal 1 year old. Once I got into the book, I couldn’t put it down.

What I enjoy the most about this book is that Mrs. Davis really illustrates how we don’t need to be afraid of the pop culture around us. You can find God all around us, in a movie, a quote from a Saint, from an atheist … He is everywhere, and as long as you are looking for Him and seeking Him, you’ll find Him. On the sides of buses, in the dust, in the suffering, in life.

And a nice side effect of Mrs. Davis’ book is that I have a whole new list of books and movies to read and watch.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Happy Catholic – Glimpses of God in Everyday Life . They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible. The only thing I received was a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I think this is the hardest book I have read, ever. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I was really surprised how hard it was for me to read. It was hard, but so worthwhile, so beautiful, so honest, so real.

In the book, Abby Johnson recalls her story, from how she started out volunteering with Planned Parenthood and ended up becoming a clinic director to the event that changed her viewpoint (and life) forever – watching an ultrasound of an abortion.

I started off this book expecting it to be mainly biographical and emphasising on her time at Planned Parenthood. I as wrong. This book is so much more. It’s probably the most beautiful testimony of God’s grace in a person’s life that I have read in a long, long time. Mrs. Johnson writes so matter of factly but yet so emotionally, I didn’t feel like I was reading a book, but rather having a long chat over coffee (or perhaps hearing her story ‘at the fence’). I simply could not put this book down.

The first half of the book is pretty hard and at times, disturbing. Mrs. Johnson writes what she saw, heard, and experienced at Planned Parenthood. It’s disturbing. It’s not over-the-top graphic, but she definitely does not mince words.  The second half of the book is disturbing in a different sense, as she details her legal battles.

I especially enjoyed how Mrs. Johnson pointed out that both sides of the life debate have their fanatics (and thus offered gentle encouragement for pro-lifers). Additionally, I enjoyed how she ended the book so optimistic – it’s easy to get bogged down at times, especially if you’re a pro-lifer. Her charity towards Planned Parenthood is downright admirable, and I know I’ll be making some ‘charity adjustments’ now that I’m finished with the book.

Bottom line: get this book. I’ve been recommending it to everyone – Greg and I bought his parents a copy, my mom has her own copy. Get it, read it, and pass it along.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Unplanned. They are also a great source for serenity prayer and baptism gifts. The only thing I received was a copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts about it.