Book Reviews and More: FatherNigelWoollen

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Friday, 30 December 2022

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2022

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2022

This year I read about a book and a quarter a day. This was my best year since I started keeping track, with a grand total of 438 books completed during the calendar year. Since reading and reviewing books is my hobby, I am grateful to have been able to read so many books this year. And have reviews written for all the books read. This year I read a close split between non-fiction over fiction.

The year by the numbers:

438 Books

357 First Time Reads

302 5/5 Stars

Here are my top ten non-fiction books of 2022.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Devotions books from the Catholic Truth Society

A Catholic Prayer Book - Amette Ley

A New Penance Book - Father J Webb and Robert Taylerson

A Simple Penance Book - Revised by Mgr Paul Grogan

Fatima and the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Fr Anton Nadrah OCist

Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs - Deacon Nick Donnelly

2. Vision Books for young Readers from Ignatius Press

Saint Maximilian Kolbe: A Hero of the Holocaust - Fiorella De Maria

Saint Joan: The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl

3. Books by Benedict XVI

Give Yourself to Christ: First Homilies of Benedict XVI

Lourdes: Love is the True Cure

4. Spiritual Combat – According to St Benedict - Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

5. The Father Wants To Heal You - Nigel Woollen

6. Icon of Trust: Mary in the Gospels of Luke and John - Fr. Slawomir Szkredka S.S.D.

7. Portraits in Faith and Freedom Series from Bethlehem Books

Padre Pro Mexican Hero - Fanchon Royer and James J. Fox

So Young a Queen: Jadwiga of Poland - Lois Mills

8. Saint Brigid of Ireland - Alice Curtayne - Cluny Media Reprint Edition

9. The World of Marian Apparitions: Mary's Appearances and Messages from Fatima to Today - Wincenty Laszewski

10. For All Their Wars Are Merry: An Examination of Irish Rebel Songs - Declan Finn

11. CTS Christion Shrines Series from the Catholic Truth Society

Apparitions of Mary: Their Meaning in History - Donal Anthony Foley

Sacred Heart: A Pilgrim's Companion to Paray-le-Monial - David Baldwin

Bonus Books:

Companion to the Sunday Gospels - Year C - Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB - CTS Companions

Doctors of the Church: The 33 Great Catholic Teachers - Jerome Bertram - CTS Biographies

Benedict XVI: Defender of the Faith - Joseph Pearce

The Narrow Gate - Edward Kleinguetl

My reading has been up over each of the last few years. But I doubt I will ever have a year as high as this again. Which I attribute in part to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I was commuting to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. But being 2022 everything is still topsy-turvy. And 2021 I worked from home all year. Reading took a little more discipline. I read more books this year. I managed to write reviews for all books read for the first time.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section. But if you want more options check out my favourite books year by year list.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2021

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2022

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2022

Top Ten Fiction Books 2022

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2023

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
438 - 2022

365 - 2021

317 - 2020
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017
272 - 2016
177 - 2015
130 - 2014
88 - 2013
176 - 2012
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Saturday, 8 October 2022

One Day Songs Of Hope And Joy - Father Nigel Woollen

One Day Songs Of Hope And Joy

Father Nigel Woollen
ASIN B0B54R3PS7

I have read three books by Father Nigel Woollen and been blessed by each of them. Over the last few years he has occasionally shared short pieces of his music, offered as prayer, reflection and encouragement. Especially during lock downs and the pandemic. When I heard that he had an album out I picked up a digital copy immediately. I have been listening to it for nearly a week now. I have it on low in the background during my day at work. And have listened to it in the car. I have shared it with my two youngest children. Both of who love it.

The Tracks are:

1. Father, in your Will (2:40)

2. You are our King (2:16)

3. One Day (2:44)

4. Veni Sancte Spiritus (2:59)

5. Our Father (2:33)

6. The Lord is my Shepherd (1:52)

7. Your Face (2:41)

8. Kind Heart (2:46)

9. Live for Ever (1:48)

10. Troparion (1:51)

11. We praise you, Lamb of God (3:17)

12. Cast all your Worries (3:38)

13. Anima Christi (2:38)

14. Give us some Peace (4:58)

15. Man of Dreams (2:19)

16. Hail, Holy Queen (4:08)

The total play time comes in at 45 minutes. It is available as CD direct from Fr Nigel, and on the big streaming platforms. You can listen to it on his site as well as:

Apple Music

Spotify

Amazon Music

This is one of those albums I know will find playing in my rotation often. The style reminds me of John Michael Talbot and Michael Card. For the most part it is just guitar and father, at least 1 track has background piano or keyboard. Some of my favourite tracks are the title track One Day, Your Face, We Praise You Oh Lord and Hail Holy Queen. But to be honest there is not a song on the album I could not listen to over and over again.

This is a great album. I encourage you to pick up the disk or add it to a play list on your streaming platform. I highly recommend it.

Books by Nigel Woollen:
The Lamb Will Conquer: Reflections on the Knock Apparition
Learning to Love: Journeys Through Life with the Rosary
The Father Wants To Heal You: A Retreat with the Lord’s Prayer

…

Music by Father Nigel:

One Day Songs Of Hope And Joy

…

Saturday, 23 April 2022

The Father Wants To Heal You - Father Nigel Woollen - A Retreat with the Lord’s Prayer

The Father Wants To Heal You

A Retreat with the Lord’s Prayer

Father Nigel Woollen
Veritas Publications
ISBN 9781800970274

This is the third book by Father Nigel that I have read, both of the other s I have read more than once, and I know that this is also a book I will return to and read again. My only regret is that currently none of his books are available electronically. I have a few friends with learning disabilities whom I know would love these books and this one in particular. But with the eBook option and using adaptive technologies they will remain out of reach. The description of this volume is:

“This timely book takes us by the hand and invites us on a personal journey through the prayer to discover the depth and healing power of God’s love for us, while at the same time reminding us through the first word Our that we pray it together as a community. Written in an easily accessible and enjoyable format, deeper meanings are uncovered and discussed with ease, reinforcing the importance of the Lord’s Prayer. How many times have you said this prayer quickly without contemplating the beauty within it? You won’t say the Lord’s Prayer in the same way again.”

And the chapters are:

Preface: Miracle Prayer

1. We are Family: Our Father, who art in Heaven

2. Our Real Identity: Hallowed be thy Name

3. To Serve is to Reign: Thy Kingdom Come

4. From Prodigal to Redeemed: Thy Will be Done, on Earth as it is in Heaven

5. You Are What You Eat: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

6. Your Sins are Forgiven: And Forgive us our Trespasses, as we Forgive those who Trespass Against us

7. Going into Battle: And Lead us Not into Temptation, but Deliver us from Evil

Postscript: In the Heart of the Father

Appendix: The Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments

This book was very hard to put down. I read it through the first time over a period of three days. I know I will be returning to it this year during lent. This is an excellent volume to read at any time of the year, but I think reading a chapter a week over lent, or a chapter a day during Holy Week could have added benefits. I appreciated the postscript and appendix ad much as the main text. So, if you do pick up the book, read it all the way through to the end. I highlighted many passages while reading this book some of them are:

“Those words were written by Saint Peter Chrysologus in the early fifth century; he was renowned for his short but inspired sermons. So many people have an inbuilt tendency to discouragement, leading to low self-esteem and even depression: we can be bound, rendered helpless by negative thought patterns which seem to proceed in a downward spiral. We often need help to discover our true worth. How can we break this cycle of negativity to find how truly precious we are?”

“Everybody’s looking for something, the saying goes; we could go further and state that everyone is looking for the ultimate miracle prayer, the prayer that’s always answered. There are no atheists in foxholes, they used to say in wartime; we might add, there are no atheists in times of stress, whether experiencing an earthquake or watching a penalty shoot-out: everyone prays to their god... If only there was a prayer that was all-powerful, able to transform the world and work miracles. In the Gospel, we find what Jesus says about prayer: “In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do... your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven...’ ” (Matthew 6:7-9).”

“When we pray in the words Jesus gave us, we become, in a sense, what we already are, children of God; the Father sees his Son Jesus in us, and wants to give us everything we need in order to find happiness and salvation. All we have to do, then, is to believe we're loved infinitely, to come to God with confidence and to trust we’ll receive everything we ask for, if only we ask with faith.”

“But there’s a problem: the very word father can have so many connotations, often negative ones, resulting from hurt and anger with regard to parents, father-figures and those in authority. This isn't God’s fault, but we project onto him our unhappy affective experiences from the past and we hit a brick wall. There’s a massive need in our society for healing with regard to parent figures.”

“There are various books on healing parental wounds, written by people more qualified than me on the subject. This book is simply a kind of personal retreat based on the Lord’s Prayer from the point of view of healing, since we know it contains all we need to live to the full the kind of life God wants us to live.”

“We will also explore how the seven Sacraments seem to correspond to the seven clauses of the Our Father (as divided up here), thus strengthening our understanding of the healing power of God’s love.”

“The God who loves bestowing gifts on his children constantly wants to render us able to receive his ultimate Gift: the Holy Spirit who prays in us, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:14). If we could only be like small children, calling on Abba with total confidence, we would truly begin to live a new life.”

“Heaven-the goal which is the ultimate gift-must be an important word for Jesus, since it’s one of the few keys words that appears twice in the Lord’s Prayer. Saint John XXIII recommended we should think every day about the four last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell.”

“Starting out on our journey towards healing from anxiety, the following practical steps may help: count our blessings, and include all that God spares us from. Think of serene people we know. Call on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints, who didn’t have worry-free lives!”

“Take off your shoes: this action-repeated even today in many churches and other places of worship-shows respect for God’s presence, reminding us that we are on holy ground. We could also say that removing our footwear is part of letting go of our own will and desire for control; we are thus rendered more vulnerable and a little poorer. Many pilgrimage sites incorporate a space where pilgrims traditionally walk barefoot (one recalls Fátima, Croagh Patrick in Ireland, the Slipper Chapel in Walsingham and various other shrines) as a penitential gesture, not so much seeking suffering for its own sake as striving to go out of our comfort zone to meet the Lord.”

“Names are important. Each of us has a given (or “Christian”) name-which usually we didn’t choose-which implies that each of us has a unique identity whose depths are known only to God. When we take off our shoes (metaphorically speaking) we not only grow in an awareness of the divine in our midst, we also hopefully become more receptive to God’s presence in others-since each person is a “holy land”, a sacred space we mustn’t trample over unthinkingly, especially with regard to those who are poor or vulnerable.”

“We are called to live life to the full on this earth, while remembering at the same time that Jesus stated before Pilate, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world” (John 18:36).

We can ask the gentle Spirit of God to heal us of hurts resulting from negative experiences with regard to the Church-which is holy yet made up of sinners-recalling that “nothing is impossible to God” (Luke 1:37).”

“There’s a principle we should reflect on every time we pray for what we need today: when we resist the temptation to be hoarders-making sure we always have plenty of supplies in reserve-we give glory to our heavenly Father, since we are making an act of trust in his Providence, believing that he is looking after us.”

“Of course, there is a distinction between hoarding and good planning! Parents need to make sure they have enough to feed their children and so on.”

“To get to “know the author”, we need to spend time with him. There are many ways of praying, but one of the simplest and most effective is surely to dwell on the Lord’s Prayer-as I’ve personally discovered in a new way while writing this book. If we begin by picturing ourselves being tenderly held in the Father’s hand (or call to mind a similar image we feel to be appropriate), then we start: Our Father, who art in heaven-and stop there! Remain in silence with that first line, think about the Father, or about heaven, or one of the themes of our first chapter, such as the wonderful gift of being called a child of God through baptism. After ten, twenty, thirty seconds of silence, we go on to the next line: Hallowed be thy name.”

“May Joseph and Mary continue to intercede for all God’s children, helping us to put Jesus at the centre of our lives as they did, inviting us to discover by our contemplation of the Saviour, the amazing secret that Jesus shares with his friends: “To have seen me is to have seen the Father” (John 14:9). For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen!”

This book opened my eyes. It opened my eyes to some of my own needs. And it opened them for new ways to help and support others. I am certain it will do the same for you. This is another excellent offering from Father Woollen’s pen. It is a book that has the strength and wisdom to become a spiritual classic, along the lines of Brother Lawrence’s Practice the presence of God. I highly recommend it. Pick it up for your benefit and pick up copies to give to friends and family. An absolutely excellent read!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Nigel Woollen:
The Lamb Will Conquer: Reflections on the Knock Apparition
Learning to Love: Journeys Through Life with the Rosary
The Father Wants To Heal You: A Retreat with the Lord’s Prayer

…

Music by Father Nigel:

One Day Songs Of Hope And Joy

…

Thursday, 31 March 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2022

It has been a very good beginning to the year. Many great reads. I have read just over a book and a half a day. I read 146 books this quarter, in comparison with the last 6 years:

2022 – 145

2021 – 97

2020 – 96

2019 – 123

2018 – 91

2017 – 100

2016 – 52

In fact, I believe it is my best quarter ever. Part of it is due to my youngest two children’s reading skills really growing and they read to/with me for 20 minutes for or five days a week. And this Lent I have tried to read a different Stations of the Cross booklet each day. Looking back 2016 is a bit of an outlier as late that year I switched jobs and have since had much better work – life balance. In the spring of 2016, I worked through Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now (now available on ClaitasU). The year before that I removed all games from my phone and tablet and my reading had doubled.

But back to this quarter. By the numbers:

Books Read: 146

First Time Reads: 131

Fiction: 41

Non-Fiction: 105

5/5 Stars: 114

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the fourth quarter of 2020.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Benedict XVI: Defender of the Faith - Joseph Pearce

2. Prison Journal, Volume 3 The High Court Frees an Innocent Man - Cardinal George Pell

3. Spiritual Combat – According to St Benedict - Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

4. The Father Wants To Heal You - Nigel Woollen

5. Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

6. Meditations on the Stabat Mater - Armand de Malleray

7. Fighting Father Duffy - Jim Bishop, Virginia Lee Bishop and H. Lawrence Hoffman - Vision Book #7

8. St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters Introduction - Prof José Luis Illanes

9. Our Friends in Heaven, Volume 1: Saints for Every Day January to June - Daughters of St Paul edited by Sister Allison Gliot

10. Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon

11. Prayer books:

A Simple Prayer Book For Prisoners - Catholic Truth Society

Armed With The Faith: A Catholic Handbook for Military Personnel - Daniel R. Sweeney (Editor)

12. Books by Deacon Nick Donnelly

Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - CTS Finding God Series

Prayers for Grieving Parents - CTS Prayer and Devotions

Praying the Rosary with the Saints - CTS Devotions

Bonus Books:

(For the bonus section I am highlighting sever Stations of the Cross)

Pocket Guide to the Stations of the Cross - Edward Sri - Ascension Pocket Guide Series

Stations of the Cross - Timothy Radcliffe

Stations of the Cross - Timothy Radcliffe and Martin Erspamer - Community Prayer Edition

The Stations of the Cross: In the Footsteps of The Passion - Catherine de Hueck Doherty

The Way of the Cross - Caryll Houselander

The Way of the Cross: Praying the Psalms with Jesus - Father Mark Toups

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI: Meditations and Prayers on the Way of the Cross - Cardinal Camillo Ruini - CTS Devotions and Prayers

Way of the Cross - Pope Benedict XVI - CTS Meditations and Prayers (2005)

Way of the Cross for Loved Ones Who Have Left the Faith - Fr. Jeffrey Kirby STD

Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI - Benedict XVI and Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun 2008 - CTS Devotions

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Poetry by Jan Twardowski

Kiedy mówisz When You Say

Serious Angel

2. Operation Do-Over - Gordon Korman

3. Even - Andrew Grant - David Trevellyan Book 1

4. Our Daily Bread - Karina Fabian - A Rescue Sisters Story

5. Perdition's Heirs - Jane Lebak - Seven Archangels Book 6

6. The Golden Spear - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 11

7. Homestead - A.K. Frailey

8. Dark Visions of Torment - J.E. Mayhew - DCI William Blake Book 8

9. Sweet Briar Rose - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 8

10. Mortlock - Jon Mayhew - Mortlock Book 1

11. Better off Dead - Lee Child and Andrew Child - Jack Reacher Book 26

Bonus Books:

Armour of God Books - Theresa Linden

Boots of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Champion of the Rosary - Laurie J. Schmitt

Lepanto’s Lady - Laurie Schmitt

The beginning of 2022 has been a great quarter for reading. A few new authors, some favorites. Books in old series, and the beginnings of some new series. Again this year, at least so far, I managed to write reviews for all books read for the only the second time.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2021

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
146 - January-March 2022

365 - 2021

Monday, 30 December 2019

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2019

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2019

This year was a banner year, I read 392 books. The most since I started keeping track. The year by the numbers:

392 Books Read
311 Books read for the first time.
204 received 5/5 Stars.
194 Non-Fiction
198 Fiction

Here are my top ten non-fiction books of 2019.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:
1. Introduction to Catholicism for Adults - James Socias
2. Rediscover the Saints - Matthew Kelly
3. Remember Your Death Memento Mori - Theresa Aletheia Noble

Devotional - Journal - Prayer Book

4. Illustrissimi: The Letters Of Pope John Paul I - Albino Luciani - Pope John Paul I
5. Books by Father Nigel Woollen

Learning to Love: Journeys Through Life with the Rosary

The Lamb Will Conquer: Reflections on the Knock Apparition

6. CTS Saints of the Isles

Robert Southwell - Fiorella De Maria

Saint Thomas More - Alvaro De Silva

Margaret Clitherow - Jean Olwen Maynard

Edmund Campion - Alexander Haydon

John Southworth Priest and Martyr - Michael Archer

John Ogilvie - Eleanor McDowell

Forty Martyrs of England and Wales - James Walsh

7. Mike Aquilina Take Five Series

Take Five: Meditations with John Henry Newman - Juan Velez

Take Five: Meditations with Pope Benedict XVI - Kris D. Stubna

Take Five: On-The-Job Meditations with St. Ignatius - Kris D. Stubna

8. How to Make Great Decisions - Fr. Mike Schmitz
9. Reclaiming Catholic History Series

The Early Church (33–313) St. Peter, the Apostles, and Martyrs - James L. Papandrea

The Church and the Roman Empire 301–490: Constantine, Councils, and the Fall of Rome - Mike Aquilina

10. Life Lessons Fifty Things I Learned in My First Fifty Years - Patrick Madrid

My reading has been up over each of the last few years. Which I attribute in part to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I now commute to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. It was not easy narrowing this down to a top 10, but the above list is what I came up with.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section. But if you want more options check out my favorite books year by year list.