Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect - Benjamin Stevenson - Ernest Cunningham Book 2

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

Ernest Cunningham Book 2

Benjamin Stevenson

Mariner Books

Harper Collins

ISBN 9780063357853

eISBN 9780063396630

ASIN B0CP421L3X

I picked up the eBook of the first book in this series to read because my youngest daughter (13) and my niece (16) had each picked up copies to read at the same time. They wanted to read three chapters a week of Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, then 3 a week of this, to finish for the launch of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret. I ended up getting ahead of them, on book 1 and never circled back. This summer it was a title on a Goodreads Challenge so I picked the series back up. Benjamin is one in a long list of Australian authors;  Marianne de Pierres, Sally Murphy, Scot Gardner, Jack Hath and more; I have discovered and greatly enjoyed. The description of this volume states:

“When the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society invited me to their crime-writing festival aboard the Ghan, the famous train between Darwin and Adelaide, I was hoping for some inspiration for my second book. Fiction, this time: I needed a break from real people killing each other. Obviously, that didn’t pan out.

The program is a who’s who of crime writing royalty:

the debut writer (me!)

the forensic science writer

the blockbuster writer

the legal thriller writer

the literary writer

the psychological suspense writer

But when one of us is murdered, the remaining authors quickly turn into five detectives. Together, we should know how to solve a crime.

Of course, we should also know how to commit one.

How can you find a killer when all the suspects know how to get away with murder?”

The sections in this book are:

The Layout of the Ghan

Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival, 50th Anniversary Program

Prologue

Memoir

Blockbluster

Forensic

Psychological

Legal

Literary

The Seven Deductions of Ernest Cunningham

Ghost

Co-Writer

The sections have between 1 and nine chapters each and there are a couple of chapters with a .5 numbering, specifically 11.5 and 31.5 where Ernest breaks the fourth wall to make sure we are all caught up and give us some insight. 

I struggled with the first story, it was good but it really did not grab me until about the half way mark. If I had not been reading it with 2 others, it might have ended up on my ‘did not finish’ pile. That would have been my loss. I appreciated the story in this one more, and finished the book in a few days over a few sessions. It is a solid 4/5 stars..

Again I will state it is engaging and witty. Reading books by authors from the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia is very different than reading most authors from North America. I find that life crime television it is just done better. I felt that way about this volume. 

It is an intriguing story. Ernest is telling us the tale of his trip on a mystery tour, which is an interesting concept for a convention. Having a slew of mystery authors gathered and bodies start dropping, and add in the staff and the fans at the event and it makes for an interesting tale.

As of the writing of this review there are 42 editions of this volume, in numerous languages, and with a wide range of covers. It is a good second novel in the series and makes me wonder what will happen with the third offering. 

Books by Benjamin Stevenson:

Fool Me Twice Find Us

Don’t Hang Up

Last One To Leave

She Lies in the Vines

Greenlight

…

Ernest Cunningham Series:

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret

…

Jack Quick Series:

Trust Me When I Lie

Either Side of Midnight

…

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone - Benjamin Stevenson - Ernest Cunningham Book 1

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone

Ernest Cunningham Book 1

Benjamin Stevenson

Penguin Random House

ISBN 9780063307728

eISBN 9780063279049

ASIN B09Y94K74X

I picked up the eBook of this to read because my youngest daughter (13) and my niece (16) had each picked up copies to read at the same time. They wanted to read three chapters a week of this, then 3 a week of Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect, to finish for the launch of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret. I ended up getting ahead of them. Benjamin is one in a long list of Australian authors;  Marianne de Pierres, Sally Murphy, Scot Gardner, Jack Hath and more; I have discovered and greatly enjoyed. The description of this volume states:

“Knives Out and Clue meet Agatha Christie and The Thursday Murder Club in this “utterly original” (Jane Harper), “not to be missed” (Karin Slaughter), fiendishly clever blend of classic and modern murder mystery.

“A witty twist on classic whodunits… Stevenson not only 'plays fair,' he plays the mystery game very, very well.” -- Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post

Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.

I’m Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I’d killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let’s get started.

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE

My brother

My stepsister

My wife

My father

My mother

My sister-in-law

My uncle

My stepfather

My aunt

Me”

The sections in this book are:

Prologue

My Brother

My Stepsister

My Wife

My Father

My Mother

My Stepfather

My Aunt

My Wife

My Sister-In-Law (former)

My Stepfather (again)

My Brother

My Uncle

Me

Epilogue

The sections have between 1 and 7 chapters and there are a couple of chapters with a .5 numbering, specifically 14.5 and 27.5 where Ernest breaks the fourth wall to make sure we are all caught up and give us some times. And the one specifically mentions reading having bought either the book or eBook of the story.  

I struggled with this story, it was good but it really did not grab me until about the half way mark. If I had not been reading it with 2 others, it might have ended up on my ‘did not finish’ pile. That would have been my loss.  But by the end it was a solid 4/5 stars. And the girls absolutely love it. We are looking forward to the next volume in the series.

Whenever the trope of breaking the fourth wall is used it is hard not to compare it to Deadpool, the comics, the graphic novels and the famous or infamous movies. It takes deliberate effort to not try and compare Ernest with Pool,, For there is no comparison. But Stevenson does use the style well. It is engaging and witty. Reading books by authors from the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia is very different than reading most authors from North America. I find that life crime television it is just done better. And by the end of the story I felt that way about this volume. 

It is an intriguing story. Ernest is telling us the tale of his family history, and their present circumstances with bodies turning up at a resort where his infamou8ns family is having a reunion as his brother has just been released from jail. He gives us hints and clues along the way, and like the Knives Out stories is leading us to discover the truth. Some of his clues are overt and some he draws attention to knowing they might be misread.

As of the writing of this review there are 69 editions of this volume, in numerous languages, and with a wide range of covers. It is a good novel that sets up a series. looking forward to give the other two a try.

Books by Benjamin Stevenson:

Fool Me Twice Find Us

Don’t Hang Up

Last One To Leave

She Lies in the Vines

Greenlight

…

Ernest Cunningham Series:

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret

…

Jack Quick Series:

Trust Me When I Lie

Either Side of Midnight

…

Saint Valentine The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Love - Jeannie Meekins - 15-Minute Books Book 611

Saint Valentine: 

The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Love

15-Minute Books 611

Jeannie Meekins

Learning Island

eISBN 9781310884344

ASIN B00HOXDRIS

This was the fifth volume I have read by Jeannie Meekins, and the sixth in this series about saints. According to amazon she has over 120 unique titles geared for young readers. Many are biographies, some are in a Fun Facts Series, and other appear to be short fiction. I first read one on Mary MacKillop, that was recommended because I had read other volumes about her. This is part of a series tagged as 15-Minute Books, which are geared to get children reading for 15 minutes a day. Based on what I have read I do not believe the author is not Catholic, but it is a biography of a Catholic saints. The Books I have read in the series have been hit or miss, some are excellent some were disappointing. This one is more favorable. 

The description of this volume is:

“You’ve probably heard of Saint Valentine’s Day. You may have given someone a card or a present. You may even have done it in secret, and watched the look of happiness on their face. You probably tried not to blush as that person tried to figure out who their secret Valentine was.

But what do you really know about the person who inspired one of the most popular days of the year?

Probably... not much. That’s because not much is known about who Saint Valentine was. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church lists three Saint Valentines. Other branches of the Christian religion claim there are up to seven Saint Valentines.

How do we know which is the right one?

Find out about the three men who may have inspired Valentine's Day in this 15-minute biography.

Ages 8 and up.”

The description of the Series is:

“LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.”

The website is now defunct, but Learning Island when I checked the internet archive machine appears to have been a site with contributors from around the world. The oldest archived versions show books available for download in PDF format and exercises to go with the books. Later iterations of the site show link to purchase cheap eBook and later even print editions of the works. There are some numbered even into the1000’s. With the most recent being from early 2013 and numbered at 1014. But I only find 163 when I search Kindle. The sections in this booklet are:

Three Valentines

Three Valentines (Yes a second time)

Valentine, Priest of Rome

Valentine the Bishop of Interamna

Valentine the Priest of Africa

Since the Third century

Where is the Real Saint Valentine?

Blessings and Images

I have not read much about the real Saint Valentine or Saints as it may be. And I enjoyed this volume. I highlighted a few passages while reading it they are:

“Probably... not much. That’s because not much is known about who Saint Valentine was. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church lists three Saint Valentines. Other branches of the Christian religion claim there are up to seven Saint Valentines.”

“There are three different Saint Valentines connected with the date of February 14. All three of them lived in the third century AD.”

“One was a priest in Rome, Italy. One was a bishop of Interamna in Italy. The town of Interamna is now called Terni. One was a priest in Africa. In the third century, Africa was a part of the Roman Empire.”

“No one knows how long Valentine was in prison before he was executed. There is no date given for his arrest and imprisonment. There are also several dates given for his death. Some sources state it was 269 or 270 AD, while others claim it was 278 AD.”

“There are enough similarities in some of the stories to believe that these two Valentines may indeed be the same person. Or that perhaps there is confusion in exactly which events occurred to which Valentine. It is just as likely that similar things happened to two men with similar beliefs and faith.”

“Saint Valentine is the Patron Saint of bee keepers, engaged couples, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, people with epilepsy or fainting spells, plague, travelers, and young people.”

This biography was engaging and well written. It does not talk down to children, it includes complicated words. It is clear and concise. It is a fun introduction to this saint, or the three possible saints. 

This is a fun little book. I can recommend this volume for school, church or home library. A great read for young readers. 

 

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

Books about Saint Mary MacKillop:

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model for All - E.J, Cuskelly - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

…

Books in the 15-Minute Books Series about Saints:

Saint Nicholas The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Children - Melissa Cleeman 

...

Books by Jeannie Meekins:

Saint Patrick Ireland Beloved Saint 

Saint George: Dragon Slayer

Saint Valentine: The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Love

Saint Francis of Assisi: The Patron Saint of Animals

Joan of Arc: The Girl Who Fought For France

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint

The Lives of Seven Saints

…

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins - 15-Minute Books Book 623

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint

15-Minute Books 623

Jeannie Meekins

Learning Island

eISBN 9781310884344

ASIN B00HOXDRIS

This was the first volume I have read by Jeannie Meekins. According to amazon she has over 120 unique titles geared for young readers. Many are biographies, some are in a Fun Facts Series, and other appear to be short fiction. This one was recommended I believe because I had already read two volumes on Mary MacKillop. This is part of a series tagged as 15-Minute Books, which are geared to get children reading for 15 minu8tes a day. 

The description of this volume is:

“Mary MacKillop devoted her life to educating poor children. With the help of Father Julian Woods, she established her own religious Order, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

She set up over 100 schools, educated 12,000 children, and received approval from the Pope for her Order.

Mary constantly battled against the Church in her own country – and was even ex-communicated.

But she kept her faith and devotion to God and she became Australia’s first saint.

Find out more about this woman who became a saint.

Ages 8 and up.”

The description of the Series is:

“LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.”

The website is now defunct, but Learning Island when I checked the internet archive machine appears to have been a site with contributors from around the world. The oldest archived versions show books available for download in PDF format and exercises to go with the books. Later iterations of the site show link to purchase cheap eBook and later even print editions of the works. There are some numbered even into the1000’s. With the most recent being from early 2013 and numbered at 1014. But I only find 163 when I search Kindle. The sections in this booklet are:

Early Life

Mary meets Father Woods

The Stable School

Mary’s Order

Mary is Ex-Communicated

The Rule of Life is approved

Mary’s Death

Mary’s Legacy

Australia’s First Saint

Even though I have read two other biographies of this saint, I still really enjoyed this volume. It was engaging and well written. It does not talk down to children, it includes the word excommunication. It is clear and concise. It is a wonderful introduction to this saint, and the life she lived. 

This is a wonderful little book. I enjoyed it so much I picked up 3 other volumes by the authors as soon as I finished this one. I can easily recommend this volume for school, church or home library. A great read for young readers. 

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

Books about Saint Mary MacKillop:

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model for All - E.J, Cuskelly - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

…

Books in the 15-Minute Books Series about Saints:

Saint Nicholas The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Children - Melissa Cleeman 

...

Books by Jeannie Meekins:

Saint Patrick Ireland Beloved Saint 

Saint George: Dragon Slayer

Saint Valentine: The Man Who Became the Patron Saint of Love

Saint Francis of Assisi: The Patron Saint of Animals

Joan of Arc: The Girl Who Fought For France

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint

The Lives of Seven Saints

…

Mary MacKillop - EJ Cuskelly, MSC - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: A Model For All
CTS Biographies

E J (Eugene James) Cuskelly, MSC

Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860826924

eISBN 9781784694944

ASIN B075P2Z65L

CTS Booklet B733

I discovered the books and booklets of the Catholic Truth Society in 2018. Since that time I have read 380 different titles, and many of them more than once. This is one that focuses on Mary MacKillop and her spirituality. This volume was originally published by the CTS as part of the CTS Biographies Series. However it was originally published by St Pauls Publications in 2010. But had previously been published as Walking the Way of Jesus: An Essay in Christian Spirituality in 1999. The eBook edition was released in 2017. It is currently only available in the eBook edition.

The descriptions of this volume is:

“Mary MacKillop was a great religious educator in 19th century Australia. Her love of Christ, children, and the poor made her the country’s first saint. In today’s world she stands as a lasting example of courage and compassion for the needy.

Canonised a saint by Pope Benedict in 2010, Mary MacKillop was born in Australia in 1842, of a modest family, and by her teenage years was intensely engaged in the religious education of children, a passion which consumed her life of Christian service. Her contribution to education in those formative years of modern Australia was profound: her love of Christ, children and the poor helped her overcome intense and misplaced opposition. In today's world she stands as a lasting example of courage and compassion for the needy. She died in 1909.”

This booklet is another excellent volume on this saint and it is part of a wonderful series and I can easily recommend it. The chapters in the booklet are:

A brief biography

A spiritual model for all

She lived in God’s presence

She brought the Good News to the poor

She walked the way of God’s will

She walked the way of God’s will

She walked the way of love and forgiveness

She loved her enemies

Endnotes

This is the second volume of Saint Mary MacKillop, that I have read and I have already picked up another to read later this year. I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume. I was surprised by how few. The ones I highlighted were:

“Mary MacKillop was born on 15 January 1842 in Fitzroy, an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Her parents, Alexander MacKillop and Flora McDonald, had emigrated from Scotland and had met, and married, in Australia. At this time Melbourne was in its infancy. Many of its streets, which today are major thoroughfares, were little more than tracks.”

“Young women came to join Mary, and so the congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart was begun. In 1867, Mary was asked by Bishop Sheil to come to Adelaide to start a school. From there, the Sisters spread in groups to small outback settlements and large cities around Australia and New Zealand.”

“Throughout her life, Mary met with opposition from people outside the Church and even from some of those within it. For a brief period she was under an edict of excommunication for refusing to accept changes to the Sisters’ rule which, she believed, were contrary to its spirit. In the most difficult of times she consistently refused to attack those who wrongly accused her and undermined her work, but continued in the way she believed God was calling her and was always ready to forgive those who wronged her.”

“The ‘Brown Joeys’ may be seen in big city schools, on dusty bush tracks, in modern hospitals, in caravans, working with the ‘little ones’ of God–the homeless, the new migrants, indigenous people, the lonely and the unwanted, in direct care and in advocacy, in standing with and in speaking with. In their endeavours to reverence the human dignity of others and to change unjust structures, the Sisters and the many others who share Mary MacKillop’s spirit continue the work which she began.”

“Mother Mary’s life speaks eloquently because it was firmly anchored in something which every human heart longs for: inner peace, that peace that comes from knowing that one is loved by God and from the desire to respond to his love. She knew that God loved her and she did not doubt; freely and unassumingly she responded to this love with confidence and courage.”

“Each of us is called to enter into the paschal mystery of Jesus–passing through death to self to share in his risen life. This will mean that, in fact, at some stage of our lives (or at a number of stages) each of us will have to pass through an experience like that of Jesus in Gethsemane. Life will not go the way we expected or wanted. Then we must choose; either we rebel–or we pray: ‘Not my will, but thine be done’. And we must choose further how we pray.”

“Today many, many people think that life should be a ‘living happily ever after’ in this life. When that does not happen they blame God for not bringing it about. Mary did not think that way. She thought that suffering and trials were a normal to-be-expected part of human existence. She also thought that those trials and sufferings were used by a loving God for our own good and the good of others. Further, she saw that suffering and the Cross were part of the life of Jesus. Therefore, the Cross would be part of the life of the followers of Christ. Consequently, no cross could make her unhappy.”

“People will differ as to where they see true holiness in Mary MacKillop. It might be in her deep faith, her trust in God, her persevering courage, or her compassionate concern for the poor, especially the children. Certainly all of these things go to make up the total picture of the sanctity that was hers.”

“For me the most striking manifestation of true holiness is to be found in her beautiful and heroic response to unfair and unjust treatment that she received. I marvel at the serenity, the sweet charity, the total respect for priesthood and her belief in the goodness of the motives of those who treated her so unfairly.”

This is a short biography but it is still packed full of great information. There were a number of events in her life in this volume I had not previously encountered, including her excommunication. The extreme opposition of a specific priest to her order, and the lengths he would go to; to undermine her. And also her heroic forgiveness and prayer for those who opposed her. It is no wonder this booklet was original published under the titled Walking the Way of Jesus. 

It is a great read and I highly recommend it. I am trying to track down some of the out of print volumes by Bishop E.J. Cuskelly. And other books about Mary MacKillop. I am thankful the CTS received permission to reprint this and for this edition in the CTS Biographies series. A great little eBook I can easily recommend. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For reviews in the CTS Biographies Series Click here.

  

Books by E J (Eugene James ) Cuskelly, MSC:

No Cowards in the Kingdom

Walking the way of Jesus

God’s Gracious Design

Jules Chevalier: Man with a Mission, 1824-1907

A New Heart and a New Spirit

A Summa of the Spiritual Life

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model For All

The Kindness of God

A Heart to Know Thee

…

Books about Mary MacKillop:

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model For All - EJ Cuskelly - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins

…

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Australian Meet … Series

Meet Mary MacKillop

Sally Murphy

Random House Australia

ISBN 9781742757223

eISBN 9781742757230

I have read a few books by Sally Murphy, and they have all impressed me. She has a real gift in writing for young readers.  On social media she was sharing covers of some of her older stories and this one really captured my attention. It took me a while to track one down in Canada. The first copy I ordered had a shipping status for months, and then was cancelled. I have since found out that there is an eBook edition on several platforms, and I picked up that for my daughter. We absolutely loved this book. In part because of our own Catholic faith, and in part because it is in a series we were never aware of. A series we are now trying to track down. This book is part of the Australian History ‘Meet … series’ of books. The description of the series is:

“Learn about extraordinary figures in Australia's history in this picture book series.

From Ned Kelly to Nellie Melba; Captain Cook to Sidney Nolan, the Meet... series of picture books tells the exciting stories of the men and women who have shaped Australia's history.”

And the description of this book is:

“A picture book series about the extraordinary men and women who have shaped Australian history, including St Mary Mackillop.

Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint.

Mary was born in the 1800s and devoted her life to teaching children. Mary believed everyone should have the chance to learn, no matter how rich or poor they are. In 1866 she set up her first school and founded an order of nuns called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The Sisters continue to do the good work Mary started.”

The illustrations are wonderful. Sonia Martinez has an excellent palette for the art work set in Australia and the outback. The story by Murphy is wonderful. It has left both my daughter and I wanting to read more by and about this saint. The first Australian born saint and someone who was devoted and dedicated to bringing education to any student who wanted to learn. She lived her faith and trusted God.  It is an excellent picture book, for home, church, or school library.  This book has left us wanting to find out more about MacKillop and to reading more in this series that looks to be very impressive.

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

Books about Mary MacKillop:

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

Mary MacKillop: A Spiritual Model For All - EJ Cuskelly - CTS Biographies

Mary MacKillop: Australia's First Saint - Jeannie Meekins

…

Books in the Australian Meet … Series:

Ned Kelly - Janeen Brian, Matt Adams

Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy, Sonia Martinez

Douglas Mawson - Mike Dumbleton, Snip Green 

Sidney Nolan - Yvonne Mes, Sandra Eterovic 

Nancy Bird Walton - Grace Atwood, Harry Slaghekke 

Don Bradman - Coral Vass, Brad Howe 

Captain Cook - Rae Murdie, Chris Nixon

Banjo Peterson - Kristin Weidenbach, James Gulliver Hancock

Nellie Melba - Janeen Brian, Claire Murphy 

The Anzacs - Claire Saxby, Max Berry 

Weary Dunlop - Claire Saxby, Jeremy Lord 

The Flying Doctors - George Ivanoff, Ben Wood

…

Books by Sally Murphy:
Verse Novels
Pearl Verses the World, illustrated by Heather Potter
Toppling, illustrated by Rhian Nest James

...

Picture Books
Snowy's Christmas, illustrated by David Murphy
Pemberthy Bear, illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
The Floatingest Frog, illustrated by Simon Bosch

Meet Mary MacKillop

...

Chapter Books
The Big Blowie, illustrated by Craig Longmuir
R is for Rolf, illustrated by Trevor Pye
Bugged, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Stuck, illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Doggy Duo, illustrated by Teresa Culkin-Lawrence

Look Up, illustrated by Aska

...

Educational Titles
Two Tricky Tales
Marty's Birthday
Buzzy Fly
Be Careful
Remember Me
Over the Fence
Sonoran Desert Animals
The Extraordinary House
Icecream
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Desert critters
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Aussie Authors
Aussie Authors 2
Writing the News
Speak Out
Speak Up
Spellbound
The Book Book
Assembly: Poems to perform

...

List of Favorite Books 2022

Favorite Books 2022

(Note: this list will grow and be updated through out the year.)

A Simple Prayer Book For Prisoners - Catholic Truth Society

Champion of the Rosary - Laurie J. Schmitt

The Problem of Evil - Martin Cyril D'Arcy - CTS Explanations

Joe B. - Anthony Federico

The Inquisition: What really happened? - Fernando Cervantes - Concise Histories

Mortlock - Jon Mayhew - Mortlock Book 1

Litany of Loreto - Charles Renfrew - CTS Devotions

The Church and the Dark Ages (430–1027) - Phillip Campbell - Reclaiming Catholic History Book 3

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

Guide to Morning, Evening and Night Prayer: How to Pray the Prayer of the Church - Robert Taylerson

Prayer Made Simple - David Torkington - CTS Prayers and Devotions

Praying a Scriptural Rosary - Guy Nicholls - CTS Devotions

J.R.R. Tolkien: His life, Work and Faith - Raymond Edwards - CTS Biographies

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

Our Daily Bread - Karina Fabian - A Rescue Sisters Story

Praying the Rosary with the Saints - Deacon Nick Donnelly - CTS Devotions

Lepanto’s Lady - Laurie Schmitt

A History of the Papacy - Father Nicholas Schofield - CTS Concise Histories

Saint Pius X - Walter Diethelm - The Farm Boy Who Became Pope

Cloudy with a Chance of Boys - Megan McDonald - The Sisters Club Book 3

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

How They Love Mary - Father Edward Looney - Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way

The Inquisition: What really happened? - Fernando Cervantes - Concise Histories

Lourdes: Place of Healing and Hope - David Baldwin - CTS Christian Shrines

Lisieux: A Pilgrim's Companion - David Baldwin - CTS Christian Shrines

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

The Other Side of Freedom - Cynthia T. Toney

Boots of Peace - Theresa Linden - Armor of God Book 3

Sweet Briar Rose - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 8

Conversational Prayer - Craig Driscoll - CTS Devotions 

The Father Wants To Heal You - Nigel Woollen

The Gospel According to John Larger Print Edition - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Scriptures

The Gospel According to John - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Scriptures

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

Shield of Faith - Theresa Linden - Armour of God Book 4

Operation Do-Over - Gordon Korman

Meditations on the Stabat Mater - Armand de Malleray

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa - Fr Marcus Holden - CTS Devotions

Abby in Oz - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Special Edition Book 2 - Whatever After 13.5

Van Horn - Jim Sano

Walking With God A Journey Through the Bible - Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins

The Restless Flame, Daniel Lord, SJ - Stephen A. Werner - Thinking Big in a Parochial World!

8 Deadly Sins Learning to Defend the Life of Grace - Vivian Boland - CTS Deeper Christianity Series

Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - Deacon Nick Donnelly - CTS Finding God Series

Prudence, Justice, Courage, and Temperance The Cardinal Virtues - Father Andrew Pinsent - CTS Deeper Christianity

The Message of Bernadette - Donal Anthony Foley and Vernon Johnson - CTS Christian Shrines

Jean-Baptiste Debrabant - Alice Curtayne

Words of Wisdom from the Church Fathers - Jimmy Akin - CTS

Message of St Therese of Lisieux - Vernon Johnson - CTS Christian Shrines

Hildegard of Bingen - Angelo Amato - CTS Great Saints 

Benedict XVI: Defender of the Faith - Joseph Pearce

7 Riddles to Nowhere - A.J. Cattapan

A Year with the English Saints - Marcus Holden - CTS Living the Liturgy Series

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

The Gospel According to Mark- Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Scriptures

The Gospel According to Mark Larger Print Edition - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Scriptures

Even - Andrew Grant - David Trevellyan Book 1

The Monks' Castle - A.J. Cattapan

One Blessing at a Time - Leslea Wahl - All for One Episode 1

Marcel Callo Worker For Christ - M. N. L. Couve de Murville - CTS 20th Century Martyrs

Clare of Assisi Her Life and Message - John Paul Kirkham - CTS

Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon

Borne on the Wind - Alice Curtayne

Charles De Foucauld - J. Frawley - CTS Biographies

Tales of a Magic Monastery - Theophane the Monk

Serious Angel - Jan Twardowski translated by Sarah Lawson

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

Companion to Saint Peter - J.B. Midgley - CTS Companions

Prayers for Grieving Parents - Nick Donnelly - CTS Prayer and Devotions

Nuns - What are they for? - Maria Boulding, Bruno Webb, and Jean Daniélou - CTS Onefifties

20 Answers St Thomas Aquinas - Kevin Vost - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

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

Kiedy mówisz When You Say - Jan Twardowski

everyone’s way of the cross - Clarence Enzler

Lantern City Vol. 1 -Matthew Daley, Trevor Crafts, Carlos Magno, and Bruce Boxleitner - Volumes 1-4

Stations of the Cross - The Way of Divine Mercy - Alfonso María de Liguori - CTS Devotions

Helmet of Salvation - Theresa Linden - Armor of God Book 5

Thoughts on Prayer - Brother Craig Driscoll - CTS Devotions

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

The Way of The Cross - Saint Josemaría Escrivá and Michael O'Brien

20 Answers: End Of Life Issues - Jason Negri - CTS Explanations Edition

The Psalms Grail Translation - Henry Wansbrough OSB - CTS Scriptures

The Message of Carmel at Aylesford - Francis Kemsley O. Carm - CTS Christian Shrines

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman - CTS Devotions

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

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

Sink or Swim - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 3

Jack Knife - Diane Capri - The Hunt for Jack Reacher Series Book 17

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

Ways of Forgiveness: How to Let Forgiveness Set You Free - John Edwards

The Gospel According to Matthew - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - CTS Scriptures

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

Larger Print Gospel of Matthew - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - CTS Scriptures

Sacred Heart - Donal Anthony Foley - CTS Prayers and Devotions

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

The Way of the Cross with the Carmelite Saints - Sister Joseph Marie CHT

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

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

The Way of the Cross - Caryll Houselander

Way of the Cross - Saint Josemaria Escriva

Way of the Cross: Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Stations of the Cross - Timothy Radcliffe

The Golden Spear - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 11

Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints - J.B. Midgley

Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

You're not a Chicken - Fr. Mark Goring

How the Fathers Read the Bible: Scripture, Liturgy, and the Early Church - Mike Aquilina

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

The Talent Show - Dan Gutman

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

Saint Columban - Liam Griffiths and Sister Janet Wilcox - CTS Biographies

Joan of Arc - Paul Dunn and Colin Jeffery - CTS Biographies

The Third Fall: Stations of the Cross - M.G. Magill

A Calvary Covenant: The Stations of the Cross - John Cullen

Homestead - A.K. Frailey

The Way of the Cross - Alfonso María de Liguori

Way Of The Cross, Centennial Edition - Josemaría Escrivá

Jaw Breaker - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 9

Mental Prayer An Easy Method - Bertrand Wilberforce - CTS Devotions

Stations of the Cross for Kids - Regina Doman and Christopher Lewis

Meditations on the Passion: The Way of the Cross - Susanna Tamaro

A Right Rex Rodeo - Corinna Turner  - unSPARKed Book 6

More Precious Than Gold - Leslea Wahl - All for One Episode 2

Sword of the Spirit - Theresa Linden - Armor of God Book 6

Dream On - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 4

Please Don't Feed the Dinosaurs - Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 1

Lourdes: Love is the True Cure - Benedict XVI - CTS Devotions

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper - CTS Devotions

Journey Through Lent: Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings - Clement Harrold

Rediscover Lent - Matthew Kelly

A Nation of Tyrants - C And C Spellman - Shadows of Freedom Book 2

Deathwings - Arthur Slade - Dragon Assassin Book 12

The Story of Glastonbury - Dom Aelred Watkin O.S.B. - CTS Histories

The Call to Evangelise: Founded on loving intimacy with the Lord - Anthony Doe - CTS Deeper Christianity

False Positive - Andrew Grant  - Detective Cooper Devereaux Book 1

Martyrs - Kathryn Griffin Swegart - Brave Hearts Book 2

Reformation in England - Raymond Edwards - CTS Concise Histories

My Other Self - Clarence J. Enzler - Conversations with Christ on Living Your Faith

John Vianney - J.B. Midgley - CTS Great Saints

The Bible in a Year Companion, Volume I - Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavin

Mary Potter - Elizabeth Gilroy - CTS Saints of the Isles

Year of Faith Prayer Book - Edited by Barry R. Pearlman - CTS Year of Faith

Companion to Faith - Deacon Nick Donnelly - CTS Year of Faith

Ghosts of Malta - edited by Lawdog - An Anthology

For Me? - A.K. Frailey

A Reason for Everything - Amy Welborn 

Nurturing the Young Thoughts for Parents and Educators - J.B. Midgley

A Rule of Life: For Daily Christian Living - Father Michael Woodgate - CTS Life with Christ Series

Advent & Christmastide with the Saints - J.B. Midgley - CTS

Invisible - Andrew Grant - Paul McGrath Book 1

Silent Prayer - Andrzej Muszala - CTS Devotions

Conclave Step by Step through the Papal Interregnum - Monsignor Charles Burns O.B.E. - CTS Explanations

Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley - CTS Great Saints

Pray the Rosary - Patrick Peyton 

The Revised New Jerusalem Bible - Dom Henry Wansbrough

Give Yourself to Christ: First Homilies of Benedict XVI - Benedict XVI - CTS Pope Benedict XVI

Hell Spawn - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 1

Father Damien And The Bells - Arthur and Elizabeth Shehan - Vision Books

The Activated Disciple - Jeff Cavins - Taking Your Faith to the Next Level

The Activated Disciple 40 Day Challenge Journal - Jeff Cavins

Southpaw - J.D. Kirk - Robert Hoon Thrillers Book 2

Run - Andrew Grant

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

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

Bloom of the Flower Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters  Book 21

Blood and Treachery - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 4

Death Cult - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 2

Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith - Nick Donnelly - CTS Year of Faith 

Patience - Richard F. Clarke S.J. - CTS Devotions

They Also Serve - Karina Fabian and Robert Fabian

The Day That Changed My Life - Francis Fernandez 

Falling Up - Karina Fabian -  A Rescue Sisters Story

The Bone House - J.D. Kirk

Marathon to Mordor - Karina Fabian

False Friend - Andrew Grant  - Detective Cooper Devereaux Book 2

42 Years of Summer - Karina Fabian

White Ops 01 White Ops - Declan Finn

Benedict XV: Pope of Peace - Father Ashley Beck - CTS Biographies

Miracle at the Mission - Joseph Lewis - Westthorpe Academy Book 2

Companion to Saint Paul - J.B. Midgley - CTS Companions

John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft - CTS Great Saints Series

Cold as Ice - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 6

Way of the Cross at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy - Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception

Ignatius Spencer - Ben Lodge C.P. - CTS Great Saints Series

Too Close to Home - Andrew Grant - Paul McGrath Book 2

Peace of Heart: According to St Benedict - Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

John Fisher - Eldred Willey - CTS Saints of the Isles Series

Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 5: Science Fiction Parody - Karina Lumbert Fabian

FEAR - Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 7

Infernal Affairs - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 3

Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs - Deacon Nick Donnelly - CTS Devotions

Meet Mary MacKillop - Sally Murphy - Celebrate Australian History Meet Series

Through Wind and Waves: On Being a Spiritual Guide - Francis Fernandez-Carvajal

False Witness - Andrew Grant - Detective Cooper Devereaux Book 3

City Of Shadows - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 4

Lupus Dei - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 3.5

The Narrow Gate - Edward Kleinguetl

Westward - J.D. Kirk - Robert Hoon Book 3

Deception in December - Doreen McAvoy Fern Valley Mysteries Book 2

Difficult Teachings - Matthew Kelly - The 40 Most Challenging Teachings of Jesus

Our Lady and the New Evangelisation -  Donal Anthony Foley - CTS Books

A Catholic Prayer Book - Amette Ley - CTS Devotions

Beauty Queen - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 7

A Pius Man - Declan Finn - The Pius Trilogy Book 1

A New Penance Book - Father J Webb and Robert Taylerson - CTS Devotions

A Simple Penance Book - Revised by Mgr Paul Grogan - CTS Devotions 

A Time of Prayer - Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales - CTS Devotions

Death of a Scholar - Fiorella De Maria - Father Gabriel Book 4

The Big Man Upstairs - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 7

Saint Joan: The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl - Vision Books

Always Near Volulme 1 - Susan M. Werner

Nun of My Business - Karina Fabian - DragonEye PI Book 3

Deus Vult - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 6

The Acts Of The Apostles - Henry Wansbrough OSB (Introduction) - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Scriptures

Hotel California - Edited by Don Bruns - Anthology

The Father Speaks to His Children - Sister Eugenia Elisabetta Ravasio

A Death Most Monumental - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 8

Year of Faith Stations of the Cross - Brendan Leahy - CTS Year of Faith

Saint John Southworth - Nicholas Schofield and Gerard Skinner

Giorgio's Miracle - Laurie Schmitt

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

Politics Kills - Declan Finn  - White Ops Book 2

In His Zone: 7 Principles for Thriving in Solitude - Fr. Mark Goring

Ahead of the Game - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 10

Coven - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 7

Unlikely Witnesses - Leslea Wahl - All for One Episode 3

Saint Joan of Arc God's Soldier - Susan Helen Wallace and Ray Morelli Encounter the Saints Book 7

Searching for and Maintaining Peace - Father Jacques Philippe - A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart

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

Wicca And Witchcraft: Understanding The Dangers - Elizabeth Dodd - CTS Explanations

Secrets in September - Doreen McAvoy - Fern Valley Mystery Book 1

Knock Knock - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 10

The Bible in a Year Companion, Volume II - Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavin

Markmaker - Mary Jessica Woods

A Snowball's Chance in Hell - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 9

Jack Reacher: A Mysterious Profile - Lee Child

Maximilian Kolbe: Victims of the Nazis - Franz Jägerstätter, Karl Leisner, Rupert Mayer - CTS 20th Century Martyrs

Hussar - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 1

The History of the Earth-9 Colony -Manuel Alfonseca

Guarding the Invisible Dragons - Tracey West and Matt Loveridge - Dragon Masters Book 22

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

Shambling in a Winter Wonderland - Karina Fabian - Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Book 3

An Isolated Incident - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 11

Destiny - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 9

Ashes Visible and Invisible - Catholic Teen Books Anthology

Praying the Psalms - Benedict XVI - CTS Year of Faith

Once Upon a Frog - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 8

Joseph the Huron - Antoinette Bosco - Portraits in Faith and Freedom

Living Life to the Full: An Introduction to Christian Morality - David Albert Jones  - CTS Books

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

Colder than the Grave - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 12

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

Death of a Colony - A.R.K. Watson - A Seeded Sky Book

A Little Book of Litanies - Amette Ley (Editor) - CTS Devotions

A New Hospital Prayer Book - Catholic Truth Society - CTS Devotions

Voice in the Storm - Eric Thomas Ruthford - Camp St. Innocent Book 1

Who is St Joseph? - Herbert Cardinal Vaughan - CTS Onefifties

Come Hell or High Water - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 13

Lightbringer - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 10

A Different Kind of Camouflage - Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 8

The Fort - Gordon Korman

A Voice is Born - Eric Thomas Ruthford - Camp St. Innocent Book 2

City of Scars - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 14

Saint Francis of Assisi - Jennifer Moorcroft - CTS Great Saints

Dark Web - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 11

What Is God? Answering the World's Most Important Question - Kevin Vost

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

This Can't Be Happening at MacDonald Hall! - Gordon Korman - Macdonald Hall Book 1

Christianity: An Introduction To The Catholic Faith - David Albert Jones - Catholic Truth Society

Here Lie the Dead - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 15

The Gospel in the Home - Georges Chevrot

Blue Saint - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 12

Dei Verbum Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation - Editor Austin Flannery - Documents of the Second Vatican Council

The Great Adventure Bible - Ascension Press

No Plan B - Lee and Andrew Child - Jack Reacher Book 27

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

Padre Pro Mexican Hero - Fanchon Royer and James J. Fox - Portraits in Faith and Freedom

Leaps of Faith - edited by Karina and Robert Fabian

Vessel - Josh Griffing, Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Short Story 4 

A Different Kind of Freedom- Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 9

King Rat - Alex Smith - DCI Kett Book 11

Room One: A Mystery or Two - Andrew Clements

The Pirate King - Declan Finn - A Pius Man Story

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

Cold Snap - Maureen Jennings - Paradise Café Book 3

Cue for Treason - Geoffrey Trease

The Gypsy Saint 'El Pele' Cerefino Jimenez Malla - Jean Olwen Maynard - CTS 20th Century Martyrs

Principle Necromancy - Declan Finn - St. Tommy NYPD Book 6.5 

Saint Joan: The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl - Vision Books

Whatshisface - Gordon Korman

Christmas Spirits - Karina Fabian - DragonEye, PI Book 4

Rescued - True Stories for Catholic Kids - Kathryn Swegart and John Folley - Catholic Stories for Kids Book 

A Different Kind of Camouflage - Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 8

Daily Christian Living with John Henry Newman - CTS Books

Introduction to the Devout Life - Francis de Sales, Gregory Pine, Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, Matthew K. Minerd - Ascension Catholic Classics

The Juvie Three - Gordon Korman

The Last Holiday Concert - Andrew Clements

Eastgate - J.D. Kirk - Robert Hoon Thrillers Book 4

So Young a Queen: Jadwiga of Poland - Lois Mills - Portraits in Faith and Freedom

Roses Among Thorns: Simple Advice for Renewing Your Spiritual Journey - Francis de Sales

Too Secret Service: Part One - Declan Finn and Margot St. Aubin - Too Secret Service Book 1

The Church and the Age of Reformations (1350–1650) - Joseph T. Stuart and Barbara A. Stuart - Reclaiming Catholic History Book 5

Genie in a Bottle - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 9

Welcome Baby Jesus: Advent and Christmas Reflections for Families - Sarah A. Reinhard

The Great Adventure Bible - Ascension Press

The Bible in a Year Companion Volume III Days 244-365 - Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins - Ascension Press

...

I started keeping track of the books I finished reading in October of 1995, and movies watched in January of 1996. and Catholic Books by year since 2016. I have lists for:

Catholic Books Read by Year

All Books Read by Year

Favorite Books By Year

All Movies and TV Series Watched by Year

Favorite Movies and TV Series by Year

I also do a Top Ten List of books each quarter and for the year. They can be found here. I was also asked to pick a Top Ten Catholic Books I have read, you can find that list here (and occasionally I add a note when I come across something exceptional.)