Showing posts with label FrMarkGoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FrMarkGoring. Show all posts

Monday, 30 June 2025

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2025

 Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2025


It has been a good year for reading so far. I am averaging just over a book a day. It my best second quarter’s ever and one of my top 5 of all time. 

In April of 2023 I wrote a piece called How I Read So Much? Because I get asked the question so often, read the piece linked above if you are looking for some ideas on ways to read more. But a lot of it goes back to my dyslexia, and once I learned to read there were all these worlds and all this knowledge out there. I have been addicted since then. I wrote about that in 2006 Confessions of a Bibliophile #5 - How I Became a Bibliophile, From Dyslexic to Addict. 

This quarter I read 118 books, my best second quarter since I started tracking, the comparison with the last 8 years:

     2025 - 118
     2024 - 78
     2023 – 109
     2022 – 110
     2021 – 104
     2020 – 85
     2019 – 102
     2018 – 102
     2017 – 112
     2016 – 36

But back to this quarter by the numbers:

Books Read: 118
First Time Reads: 105
Fiction: 39
Non-Fiction: 79
5/5 Stars: 72

As mentioned one of my best quarters since I have started keeping track. Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the second quarter of 2025.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

 6. Great Spiritual Teachers Series - Ave Maria Press
 8. CTS Deeper Christianity Series - Catholic Truth Society 
Providence and Prayer - Francis Selman
Union with God Living the Christ Life - Father David Vincent Meconi

Bonus Books:
  
Top Ten Fiction Books:

 2. Armstrong Adventure Series  - Nick Donnelly (Unpublished manuscripts)
02 Snares of the Demons
03 Faith of the Armstrong
 7. Gordon Korman Books
          Swindle - Swindle Book 1
          The Contest - Everest Book 1 
          Shipwreck - Shipwreck Book 1 
          The Discovery - Dive Book 1 
          The Stowaway Solution - On The Run Book 4 
          Slap Shot Series:
          Monday Night Football Club Series:
          Nose Pickers from Outer Space Series:

Bonus Books:
Richard Paolinelli - Dreams of the Storyteller

My reading has been staying pretty consistent at about a book a day over the last several years. 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. Working from home reading took a little more discipline, and we are now back to a hybrid model with 5 days a month in the office, so things are changing again.  

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. 


Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2016
Top Ten Non- Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Catholic Books
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2017
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2018
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2019
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020 
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2025
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2025
...  

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
250 – 2025 January - June
363 - 2024  
455 - 2023 
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



Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Mary in Your Home A 9-day Preparation for Taking Mary Into Your Home - Father Mark Goring CC

Mary in Your Home: 
A 9-day Preparation for Taking Mary Into Your Home
St Mark’s School of Reading
ASIN 9798314940013

Mary in Your Home: A 9-day Preparation for Taking Mary Into Your Home - Father Mark Goring CC

This is the thirteenth volume I have read by Father Mark Goring, and I have read at three times that number from his Saint Mark’s School of Reading. This was a brand new volume, and the first specifically written for the School of Reading. I started this the day it arrived. Only after I started it did I find out Father Mark planned out use it for the school the next month. It is an excellent little volume and one I know I will pray through again.

With each volume I have read by Father Mark, I have been blessed and this is another excellent offering it was well worth picking up. My son who is 16 saw it on my desk and asked if he could pray through it after I finished..

The description of the book is:

“In John’s Gospel, we are told that the Beloved Disciple took Mary into his home. “Taking Mary into your home” might be the best way to describe devotion to Mary. In this little book, we look at an Old Testament foreshadowing and 8 biblical examples of the blessings that come to those who take Mary into their homes. These meditations can be done over 9 days as a novena.”

The sections in the book are:

Introduction
Day 1 Arc of the Covenant
Day 2 Jesus
Day 3 Elizabeth
Day 4 Joseph
Day 5 The Stable in Bethlehem
Day 6 Cana
Day 7 John
Day 8 Pentecost
Day 9 Heaven

A sample day is:

“Day Eight
Pentecost

“They went to the upper room ... All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers ... '' - Acts 1:13 – 14

Pentecost took place in the upper room of someone's home. Mary was welcomed into this home. She was in the upper room when power came down from Heaven. The day of Pentecost is another instance of Heavenly wonders happening when Our Lady is present.

Our Blessed Mother had already been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit on the day of the Annunciation. She and Elizabeth were filled with the Holy Spirit during the arrival of Mary at the house of Zechariah. Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit was nothing new to Our Lady. She was already living a life in the Spirit. In the upper room, she was unique among the disciples of Jesus. She was His mother, and she brought a motherly presence to the disciples gathered there.

One of the titles of Our Lady is "Spouse of the Holy Spirit." Through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb. Our Lady brought the joy of the Spirit when she visited Elizabeth. At Cana, it was Our Lady’s intervention that initiated the miracle of water turning into wine. Wine is a symbol of the Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Mary prayed with the Apostles and disciples as they waited for the Holy Spirit to come. Being full of grace and being the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, she was there to support, guide and intercede for those in the upper room.

Our Blessed Mother was part of the community of believers. Immaculate and free of sin, she was humble, full of mercy, and not ashamed to be among those who were trying to follow her Son Jesus. This included the fishermen, tax collectors and those who were once known as sinners.

Mary was welcomed into the hon1e of the upper room and there she prayed with the disciples and was filled afresh with the Holy Spirit. Everyone in the upper room was anointed for their particular role in bringing the Gospel to all nations. The disciples were gifted with charisms of the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Kingdom of God. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit filled all with overwhelming joy so much so that people said that, "they have had too much new wine. n (Acts 2:13) Our blessed Mother was not ashamed to be among the believers, even while they expressed themselves with great jubilation. The sign of abundant wine in Cana was now being fulfilled as the Church exploded into mission.

When we take Mary into our home, we find ourselves in the company of someone who will lead us into a life in the Spirit. Asking for Our Blessed Mother's help, especially by praying the Holy Rosary, brings tremendous grace into our lives. When we pray the Rosary in a room, whether it's our bedroom, office, workshop, kitchen or anywhere else, we can expect the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on us.

Today, we reflect on the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit and Mary's desire to lead us into a deeper life in the Spirit.

Marian Aparition

Our Lady of St. Nicholas - In 1983, the Blessed Virgin Mary began to appear to a middle aged housewife in St. Nicolas, Argentina. Over the next couple years, Gladys Quiroga de Motta received around 1,800 messages from Our Lady and 68 messages from Jesus. Most of the 1nessages included scripture references to be read and reflected on. When Gladys described to a priest what the Blessed Mother looked like, the priest immediately took her to the bell tower of !he Cathedral where a 100 year old damaged statue of Our Lady of the Rosary was hidden away. Gladys confirmed that this was what Our Lady looked like when she appeared to her. The statue was repaired and placed in a prominent place in the Cathedral. Many signs and wonders surrounded the experience of Gladys 1 daily apparitions. In her messages, Our Lady had a deep concern for young people. She said: "At this moment young people become slaves of Satan in the most cruel manner... Young people are sadly running to their perdition, the easy life and drugs ... Drugs are a great danger for young people. They lead them to live in the most complete immorality." Many small prayer groups formed in response to these apparitions including young people gathering to pray the Rosary together. The apparitions were approved by the Church in 2016.

Saint

St. Faustina Kowalska - St. Faustina, a polish nun who died in 1938 at the age of 33, is known as the Apostle of Mercy. She wrote in her diary: ((Jesus appeared suddenly at my side clad in a white garment with a golden girdle around His waist, and He said to me, I give you eternal love that your purity may be untarnished and as a sign that you will never be subject to temptations against purity. Jesus took off His golden cincture and tied it around my waist. Since then I have never experienced any attacks against this virtue, either in my heart or in my mind. l later understood that this was one of the greatest graces which the Most Holy Virgin Mary had obtained for me, as for many years I had been asking this grace of Her. Since that time I have experienced an increasing devotion to the Mother of God. She has taught me how to love God interiorly and also how to carry out His holy will in all things, O Mary, Your arc joy, because through You God descended to earth (and] into my heart. '' (par. 40) St. Faustina would sometimes do a nine day novena during which time she would pray 1000 Hail Marys a day! (par. 1413)”

This is an excellent little volume. I really enjoying using this novena. And sitting and learning. I especially appreciated that each day had a focuses apparition and saint for that day. There were a couple I was unfamiliar with that I will need to learn to learn more about. And I look forward to reading it again with the School of Reading.

It is an amazing resource so pick up a copy or pick up a few and give them to friends and family. I believe this is a book any Catholic would benefit from praying through. A great read I can easily recommend! 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Mark Goring:

Journal's by Father Mark:
40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume III St. Luke Workman Edition
40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume IV St. John Life is Good Edition
Become Fire Ignite Lives
…

Notebooks by Father Mark:
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2018
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2019

Non-English Editions:
San Jose el Protector: Una Preparacion de Nueve Dias para Consagrarse a San Jose
Duc Thanh Giuse Dang Bao Tro: Chin Ngay Chuan Bi de Dang Minh Cho Duc Thanh Giuse
…








40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume 1 - St. Matthew Fr. Mark Goring CC
Labels: , , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 21 November 2024

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume 2 St. Mark - Father Mark Goring CC

40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: 
Volume 2 - St. Mark Includes Fasting Component
ASIN B0C91FFHNX


This is the twelfth volume I have read by Father Mark Goring, and I have read at twice that number from his Saint Mark’s School of Reading. This was a brand new volume and from the second in a series. It took me over a year to finish this volume. It started great but after an incident with a horse and the better part of a year on crutches or using a cane. Once I got back to walking I finished it and there other two volumes have been long available.

With each volume I have read by Father Mark, I have been blessed and this is an excellent offering well worth picking up. In fact my youngest two children liked the idea so much I picked up copies for them and they are about a week behind me in working through the 40 day.

The description of the book is:

“Congratulations on taking up the 40 Day Freedom Walk Challenge! This challenge is for people who want to be free—free from a bad habit, a stubborn sin, or unwanted attitude.

There are seven keys that will make this program effective.

The first key on this path to freedom is walking every day. Your daily walk can be done in whatever way suits you.

The second key is daily journaling. Journaling every day for 40 days will help you maintain your resolve.”

The sections in the book are:

Seven Keys to Freedom 
Other Points
Days 1-41

Each of the days is designed with the same sections and on sets days an extra section for Celebration of milestones. Those sections are:

"Day XX 
Date:  
 
Do Not Worry About Tomorrow! 
 
Bible Verse 
 
Did I send my daily report? 
 
Good Deed?  
 
Pre-walk Notes: 
 
 
Post-Walk Notes:

 
Did I pour out my heart to the Lord? 
Did I Listen to the intuition of my heart? 
Did I reflect on today's scripture? 
 
What did God say? 
 
 
Walk highlights: 
 
 
Notes: 
 
 
Data: 
Destination ideas: 
Celebration ideas: " 
 

With checkboxes next to several them or space to write your notes. I admit I struggled with destination ideas and celebration ideas again this time and most were repeats from the first volume. Many repeated them often, some repeat destinations were Knock, Fatima, Compostela, and the Oratory in Montreal. I also made a digital version of the daily template and did my journaling in OneNote. 


With checkboxes next to several them or space to write your notes. I admit I struggled with destination ideas and celebration ideas again this time and most were repeats from the first volume. Many repeated them often, some repeat destinations were Knock, Fatima, Compostela, and the Oratory in Montreal. I also made a digital version of the daily template and did my journaling in OneNote. 

What I loved most was that this book was life changing for me both spiritually and physically. When I did the first one I really did not expect to make it through the 40 days of walking.  A few years back I sprained both my knees a few times over an 18-month period doing Karate with my kids. I had given up on exercising other than weights because they kept swelling up randomly. Doctors said I was too young for replacements so just wait 10 years and take it easy. 

Each of the first four weeks I doubled my steps over the starting week. I was 2000 steps week 1, 4000 week 2, 6000 week 3, and 8000 week 4 and am now between 8500 and 12000 a day. And then I experienced injuries again. I started and topped this journal 3 times over the year. But I made it through and am looking to start the next volume soon.

I want to thank Father Mark so much, for the challenge and the inspiration, and that inspiration got me through numerous setbacks over the last year. As mentioned, I bought extra copies of the book and my 12 year old and my 14 year old are doing their own challenge as well. I have gone from under 2000 steps a day to over 8k on average with the first volume, not I am slowy working it back up to that point again. It all starts with the prayer walk. My brother who lives in Kingston has also started walking again even dealing with a back injury from his time in the military. I checked in with my brother and my youngest two each day after my first walk. 

Because of my past injuries and work and life schedule some days I have to do 2-4 shorter walks, but I have had walks over 100 minutes in a sitting for the first time in years. And the prayer benefits have been even more rewarding.

I often pray a rosary and divine mercy chaplet along with an audio. And often when doing yard work or cleaning listen to a book. Using this book from Father Mark my first walk or first 30 minutes of a walk is quiet prayer time. No distractions. Just praying and listening. 
 
This book took a good prayer life and made it even better. It helped me get more active for the first time in a few years. And that is having benefits in all other areas of my life. I can easily recommend this book, and guarantee that you will not be the same after the 40 days. It is an amazing resource so pick up a copy or pick up a few and give them to friends and family. I believe this is a book any Catholic, any Christian would benefit from praying through over 40 days! 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Mark Goring:

Notebooks by Father Mark:
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2018
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2019

Non-English Editions:
San Jose el Protector: Una Preparacion de Nueve Dias para Consagrarse a San Jose
Duc Thanh Giuse Dang Bao Tro: Chin Ngay Chuan Bi de Dang Minh Cho Duc Thanh Giuse
…








40 Days Freedom Walk Journal: Volume 1 - St. Matthew Fr. Mark Goring CC
Labels: , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 27 September 2024

Poems for the Soul: Susan M. Werner Compiled by Fr. Mark Goring CC

Poems for the Soul: Susan M. Werner
Compiled by Fr. Mark Goring CC
ISBN 9798333411983
ASIN B0D9NRW8RP

Poems for the Soul: Susan M. Werner Compiled by Fr. Mark Goring CC

I picked this book up as soon as Amazon suggested it. I have read many books by Father Mark, many books as part of his St Mark’s School of Reading. And two years ago we read a different volume of Susan’s poetry called, Always Near Volume 1, so I was excited to give this volume a try. 

The description of the book I which is a poem by Susan is:

“The soul of a poet,
Is different I’m told,
Born of the blessings,
Of cherishing His word.
Poems are the altar,
Their rhythm my joy,
Each with a cadence,
For me to employ,
Receiving a message,
Meant to be shared,
With subtle reminders,
Of how deeply He cared.
I welcome all readers,
To read and to glean,
How these verses touch you,
And what each may mean.

Susan M. Werner”

This description is also the first entry in the volume. Unlike the previous volume I read by Susan none of the poems in this volume have titles. The second entry is an introduction from father Mark it states:

“A poem appears in my in box,
From someone I do not know.
Oh no!
Too many emails already,
I'm about to click "delete."
But I notice it's only a few short verses.
Maybe I'll glance at the first line or two.
simple , beautiful, gentle;
And so I read on ...
And now my soul is a little more peaceful.
Wow! What a wonderful poem.
The next day, there's another poem in my inbox.

And now Susan and I are good friends.”

So it appears this volume is a collection of some of those poems that Susan sent to Father Mark. It is a wonderful collection of 92 poems if you include the preface one that doubles as the description of the work. They vary in length from 8 lines to 17 I believe. And none have more than the one stanza. A few that really struck me are:

“How great Thou Art, how small I am,
Your grandeur humbles me,
Gentle waters cleanse my soul,
You softly set me free.
Love alone shall purify,
I stand in hope and awe,
Thank you, Lord, for Grace received,
I prayed, You came, I saw.”

     “Our paths may have been different,
     The call has been the same,
     His voice has echoed in our hearts,
     He has called us each by name.
     Circumstances shape our lives,
     Our choices different too,
     May His love remain the bond,
     That ties the "me" to you.”

“Remake me, Lord, and purify,
My heart seems dense as mud,
Soften it with streams of grace,
And blessings from above.
The perfect Craftsman Who You are,
Will keep me on the wheel,
To shape me in Your image,
Yes, I am Yours to heal.”

           “You are a hero dear to me,
          A sinner who heard God's call,
          Struck by God's almighty hand,
          You became a voice for all,
          You suffered but you persevered,
          Your words became the guide
          Inspiring us through streams of Grace,
          That move us deep inside.
          Pray for me, beloved Paul,
          That I may be like you,
          Rich in Faith, steeped in Love,
          With a heart that's always true.”

“St. Michael you surround me,
With you r shield of cobalt blue,
Watching and protecting,
All I say and do.
Your sword points at the ready,
Warning any who come near,
Not to touch or harm me,
It's you they'll come to fear.
That sword tip now encircles me,
I know you will defend,
My life in every circumstance,
From beginning to the end.
I honor you for loving me,
This and every day,
I sing your praises in my heart,
To you I always pray.”

I hope those poems give you a feel for this excellent little volume. I loved reading through this collection of poems. There are many excellent offerings in the collection. I can easily recommend this volume and look forward to reading it with the School of Reading soon.

A great little collection of poems I can easily recommend. I just wish there was an eBook edition of it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Read as part of Father Mark Goring’s School of Reading for info click here.

Books by Susan Werner:
Always Near Volume 2
Always Near Volume 3
Always Near Volume 4
…
...


Books by Father Mark Goring:

Notebooks by Father Mark:
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2018
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2019

Non-English Editions:
San Jose el Protector: Una Preparacion de Nueve Dias para Consagrarse a San Jose
Duc Thanh Giuse Dang Bao Tro: Chin Ngay Chuan Bi de Dang Minh Cho Duc Thanh Giuse
…
Labels: , , , ,

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)